By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
UHlinebacker Matt Paul sacks Cal State Northridge
quarterback Aaron Flowers Saturday night.
Rainbow linebackers
By Dave Reardon
keeping up the pressure
Special to the Star-BulletinWhile studying film for Saturday's game against Cal State Northridge, Hawaii outside linebacker coach Troy Thomas wasn't sure his players could be much of a factor. Because of the Matadors' quick run-and-shoot passing game, Thomas thought that on blitzes, Kamuela Cobb-Adams and Brian Chapman might be frustrated bulls.
But quarterback Aaron Flowers was gored for two big fumbles and seven sacks and was hurried eight times as the Rainbow defense came up big again in a 34-21 victory.
Cobb-Adams and Chapman -- playing the positions perhaps most challenging against a run-and-shoot offense -- were among the ringleaders, especially Cobb-Adams. He forced two fumbles, had two sacks, two hurries and a tackle for loss. Chapman added a tackle for loss, a hurry and a fumble recovery.
"We thought they'd use mostly one-step and three-step (quarterback) drops, so we didn't know if the outside guys would be able to get in quickly enough," said Thomas, a graduate assistant who shares outside linebacker coaching duties with defensive coordinator Don Lindsey. "But they used a five-step drop and our guys made the plays."
One of the biggest came with 1:35 left in the first quarter, when Cobb-Adams jarred the ball loose from Flowers and Chapman pounced on it at the Northridge 19.
Two Quincy Jacobs rushes later, Hawaii led 10-0.
"Kamu came back side and stripped it, just like you're supposed to," Chapman said. "There were so many people around, I had to just jump on it. Our main idea on defense is to get the ball back. But it's always nice when you can scoop and score like Sam (Collins) did."
Chapman was referring to another big play with 11:58 left in the game and the Rainbows clinging to a 17-14 lead.
Cobb-Adams sacked Flowers and separated him from the ball again. Collins picked it up and rumbled 32 yards for Hawaii's final touchdown -- and second in two weeks by the defense.
"If I get that opportunity again, watch me, because I might pitch the ball to another d-lineman," Collins said. "The entire front seven is playing wonderful."
The Rainbows have 13 sacks in two games; Cobb-Adams has four.
"We just follow basic rules," Cobb-Adams said. "Swarm and get to the ball."
Said Thomas: "Kamuela doesn't do anything fancy. He just works really hard and plays hard."
Thomas pointed out that Cobb-Adams and Chapman played almost the entire game because Rinda Brooks and Punahou Aina were both injured. Hawaii used some nickel and dime (extra defensive back) schemes, but Cobb-Adams and Chapman still played some pass coverage.
"We just had to suck it up," Chapman said. "It helps that we're all in good shape. It lets us swarm like we're supposed to the whole game. And we look forward to our other guys coming back so we have that depth again. A lot of people were really dedicated this summer and stayed (in Hawaii) to work out."
Lindsey was pleased overall, but called himself to task for a 57-yard pass play that set up the Matadors' last touchdown. Cornerback Al Hunter was also burned for a 75-yard scoring pass in the second quarter, but they were the only two major breakdowns against a team that scored 63 points the week before.
"I shouldn't have called a blitz then," Lindsey said. "But when a guy throws so many passes without an interception, you've got to try to create some indecision in what he's doing. The problem is it only takes one mistake (to give up a big play)."
Still, the Rainbows made few major errors. They adjusted well from run-oriented Minnesota to pass-happy Northridge.
"Coach Lindsey made a good analogy, that it's like a boxing match," Chapman said. "He said last week we played against Mike Tyson. This week it's Sugar Ray Leonard, someone a little smaller but quicker."
It wasn't a quick knockout, but the Rainbows will take the decision.
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