Thursday, November 25, 1999
Cougars thrive on
one-back attack
The UH football team
By Paul Arnett
prepares for a
Pac-10 test
Star-BulletinThere is a measure of respect in Hawaii defensive coordinator Greg McMackin's voice whenever he talks about Washington State head coach Mike Price.
The Cougar offense McMackin will try to defend this Saturday night at Aloha Stadium is among the best one-back attacks in the business. If McMackin says so, you can believe it because the defensive coordinator isn't one to hand out praise.
"To be quite honest with you, it's a similar offense to what San Jose State runs,'' McMackin said yesterday. "It's one of the best schemes in the business. The first guy to use it was Jack Elway. And Coach Price has done a great job with it.''
UH head coach June Jones agrees. He believes the Cougars are a team better than their 2-9 record would indicate. And he has spent the week trying to convince the Rainbows of that fact.
HAWAII VS. WASHINGTON STATE
When: 6:05 p.m., Saturday
JEEP OAHU BOWL
"They have Pac-10 athletes, who aren't that far removed from the Rose Bowl,'' Jones said. "This is a good opportunity for us to see how we measure up with that kind of athlete. But it's not going to be easy by any means.''
When Hawaii is on offense
Jones and senior quarterback Dan Robinson aren't too concerned with what Washington State runs, but how Hawaii executes the game plan. At this point, Hawaii has seen just about every scheme imaginable.On a normal evening, Washington State would line up in a traditional 4-3. But there's nothing normal about playing the Rainbows, so don't be surprised if the Cougars make a few changes.
"I would expect to see the 4-2-5, like we have a lot of times this season,'' Jones said. "It's more of a nickel package because of the matchup problems having four wideouts gives a defense.
"We could see them go to the 3-2 with six defensive backs. A lot of teams have tried that, too. Like always, I'm more interested in how we handle the coverages they're going to use. I'm sure they'll mix zone and man. It's up to our guys to make the right reads.''
Hawaii has not only been reading Jones' owner manual for the run-and-shoot, but the Rainbows are beginning to understand it. Wideout Dwight Carter sees what's unfolding as well as anyone.
Slotback Channon Harris provides the kind of downfield speed needed to spread things out. Fellow slotback Craig Stutzmann is the go-to man on key third-down plays, and receivers Ashley Lelie and Attrice Brooks are tall and lanky, capable of going up and snagging the jump-ball.
"We respect these guys because they're from the Pac-10,'' said Robinson, who is a key reason the Rainbows are second nationally in passing, averaging 335.5 yards a game. "If the line gives me time and I'm on the same page as the receivers, it's tough to stop this offense for four quarters. I don't care who you are.''
Washington State linebacker Steve Gleason and safety Billy Newman are the top tacklers. Gleason has 98, including nine tackles for losses. Newman also has 98 with two quarterback sacks and one interception.
When Hawaii is on defense
Statistically, the last three games have not been kind to the UH defense. Not only have the Rainbows yielded 107 points and 1,249 yards, they've also surrendered nine touchdowns and two 14-point leads in the fourth quarter.Normally, that might keep McMackin up late at night walking the floor. But the common denominator in these last three games have been victories. And that's the one statistic McMackin points to with pride.
"I'm not a stat guy, never have been,'' McMackin said. "The main thing I care about is wins and we always seem to find a way to win when things get close.''
That wasn't always the case. For the past couple of seasons, the one thing you could count on was Hawaii finding a way to lose, rather than win. Right now, McMackin is playing with a banged-up defensive front and a secondary just one twist of the knee and ankle, or one bang on the shoulder, away from serious injuries.
Nate Jackson's knee is not well. Dee Miller's ankle is not, either. And Daniel Ho-Ching has popped his shoulder in and out more times than he cares to count.
Defensive lineman Matt Elam is out with a stress fracture. Tackle Lui Fuga is slowed by a sprained foot and senior Tony Tuioti doesn't know what it's like to play without back pain.
"That's not an excuse,'' McMackin said. "But we do need a couple of weeks to get some guys back up to full speed. Even Jeff Ulbrich has some problems that would keep a lesser man sidelined. I couldn't be prouder of this bunch.''
Ulbrich is the leader of the pack. He will be trying to defend talented running back Deon Burnett. Despite not having a lead blocker, Burnett has rushed for 877 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Steve Bimbaum will start, but former St. Louis School standout Jason Gesser is waiting in the wings.
"I'm sure it's going to be an emotional moment for him,'' McMackin said. "And he's the kind of quarterback who's a play-maker. He had a 59-yard touchdown run last week, so we have to be aware of that.''
The Rainbows also have to keep a close eye on receiver tandem Nian Taylor and Leaford Hackett. They have combined to catch 91 passes for 1,125 yards and five touchdowns.
"They love to spread you out,'' McMackin said. "We just have to try to keep pressure on them and stay away from the big play. When you put men in the box they pass. And when you drop out of there, they run. This offense will be a big challenge for us this weekend.''
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
Ka Leo O Hawaii
