JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM

This Dawg has a big bite

Georgia tailback Knowshon Moreno has the know-how on running

You can always count on June Jones to throw out a hyperbole or two when describing the upcoming opponent, but this time he just might be right.

The Hawaii head football coach described Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno as Barry Sanders-like. Jones coached the All-Pro running back at one of his stints in Detroit. Sanders once described Jones as his favorite coach, but it's hard to imagine anyone able to run in his shoes.

Moreno took the compliment in stride at a press conference on Friday, saying he was honored that anyone would think of him in that manner. The 5-foot-11, 207-pound freshman from New Jersey rushed for nearly 1,300 yards this season and 12 touchdowns, and he only started the last six games of the season.

Coincidentally, Georgia went on a six-game winning streak the same time head coach Mark Richt decided to let his first-year player take the team on his shoulder pads and carry the Bulldogs to the Sugar Bowl.

"We've been looking forward to playing another game for a month now," said Moreno, who will not start but is expected to see plenty of playing time. Moreno sprained his ankle in the last game of the regular season against Georgia Tech.

"We know Hawaii has a good football team. A lot of people said their schedule was weak, but I don't think that matters. They would have beat a lot of teams this season ranked in the Top 25 after watching them on film.

"People talk about their offense all the time, but their defense won them a lot of ballgames. We're going to try to establish the run to set up the pass. That's our game plan. If we can keep them from getting us in third-and-long situations, I feel like we have a chance to be successful."

Richt is a big fan of Moreno's. He's a key reason Georgia was able to run the ball so effectively. The Bulldogs began the season with three freshmen starting up front on offense.

Those guys have matured, along with Moreno, giving Georgia a chance to be a good football team for at least two or three more years.

"Knowshon really came through for us this season," Richt said. "He's the kind of running back who's effective between the tackles and out on the edge. He's quick and strong, a good combination for a tailback."

Moreno will need to be effective for Georgia to keep that balanced attack. UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said that he has the best speed of any back Hawaii has faced this season.

"He also has the ability to make you miss or (to) run right through you," McMackin said. "You can tell by looking at the film that this guy is a big-time player."

KEY MATCHUP

Hawaii defense against Georgia's running game

Now Knowshon Moreno, the precocious Georgia freshman.

As the latter part of the 2007 season progressed it seemed to always come down to the same thing for the Hawaii defense: Stop the run. Sometimes the Warriors are able to do it very well.

But it's not as easy as it looks. Eleven defensive players don't just wake up one day and become stout at tackling opposing ballcarriers.

First Jerry Glanville had to come in and be the drill sergeant, calling players by their numbers instead of their names and quickly subbing out guys who don't meet his high standard of play.

Then Greg McMackin came back on board, replacing Glanville as DC.

"We had to learn how to play against the run against LaTech," said McMackin, after the Warriors escaped with a narrow victory in overtime, despite yielding 223 yards rushing.

If Hawaii gives up that much tonight, they'll need more than cornerback Gerard Lewis knocking down a 2-point conversion pass in OT to save the day.

"We haven't seen a running back like him all year," UH linebacker Adam Leonard said of Moreno. "He isn't a guy that just does one thing real well. He does numerous things. He can run in between the tackles and he has the speed to get outside."

And Moreno isn't alone. He's got very capable backups in Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin.

As the Warriors do with waves of defensive linemen, the Dawgs will stay fresh at running back by rotating.

Safeties Jake Patek and Desmond Thomas become key players, as they will cheat toward the line of scrimmage to help the linebackers contain Moreno and his friends. And too much of that will open up some passing lanes for UGA quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Someone asked Moreno the key of the game.

"Turnovers," he said. "We can't turn over the ball."