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Thursday, October 5, 2000
UH practicing FORT WORTH, Texas -- Kevin Lempa noticed the difference right away. Imperceptible, perhaps, to the casual observer. But something there just the same.
with new-found
attitude
Executing offensively is
crucial against TCU
says June JonesFOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin"They came out to practice this week with a different kind of attitude," said the University of Hawaii defensive coordinator. "A little more mature. Something.
"I noticed it in the way they broke from the huddle. And the way the guys reacted in our drills and in our work against the option.
"Did you see how we defended against it? We picked up right where we left off in fall camp. They remembered their responsibilities and where they were supposed to go."
Now, if this battered and bruised unit can only do the same thing against No. 14-ranked Texas Christian University this weekend, Lempa will be set.
Of course, the Warriors don't have a quarterback who can run the option and make the high-speed decisions of TCU's Casey Printers. And the scout team doesn't have anyone remotely similar to running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
And as Hamlet said, 'Aye, there's the rub.'
"This guy is not only the best back in the WAC, he's one of the best in the nation," Lempa said of Tomlinson, who already has 680 yards on the ground in four games. The nation's leading rusher last year, Tomlinson remains focused on a Heisman Trophy bid.
"What makes him so dangerous is his leg strength and speed," Lempa said. "He can get up through a crack in the defense and be past your safeties before they have time to react.
"We have to be careful not to give up any big plays. We have a pretty good idea what they're going to try to do. But stopping it will be the real challenge."
TCU is ranked sixth in the nation in rushing, averaging 291.5 yards a game. The Horned Frogs' mode of transportation is the option, but they will mix in a passing game when you least expect it.
Printers has thrown the ball only 53 times in four games. He has completed 36 of those for 546 yards and seven touchdowns.
"What they like to do is look like it's an option play," Lempa said. "They fake it to Tomlinson, then step back quickly and fire a pass off play-action. You have to be ready for that at any time. It's very effective when you run as well as they do."
TCU is also strong against the run. The Horned Frogs give up a stingy 80.5 yards a game and are equally effective in the secondary. Defensive lineman Aaron Schobel garners his fair share of attention as TCU's all-time sack leader with 56.5.
But the secondary benefits from his play as well. The Horned Frogs have an efficiency rating of 84.4, best in the WAC and sixth in the nation. In four games, they have five interceptions and have yielded only one touchdown.
"They are a darn good football team, maybe the best we will face this year," UH coach June Jones said. "Their defense was good last year and are even better this year.
"They like to play two deep in the secondary and sometimes will give you a four-deep look. It's a good defense that flows to the football. We'll have to execute on offense to stay with them."
Freshman quarterback Timmy Chang said the Warriors have put in a few things this week to give TCU some fresh looks. He didn't say exactly what those plays were, but it's likely Jones drew a few on the blackboard that TCU head coach Dennis Franchione hasn't seen.
"We know this is a good football team," Chang said. "You look at them on film and they're scary good. But we like a challenge. We feel like the biggest upset this weekend could be an 0-3 team beating a team that's 4-0."
To do that, the Warriors have to have an honest running game. Afatia Thompson will start at running back, but look for Avion Weaver to be involved in the offense early and often.
"We need everyone to have a break-out game this weekend," Weaver said.
"We're so close to being where we want to be. If we can catch them coming hard to the quarterback, we have a chance to have some big running plays. If we can establish the run, then it gives Timmy that extra time to complete the pass."
Lui Fuata has suddenly become the man of the hour. WARRIOR FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
Fuata is the man of the hour
Because of a heart problem that's still plaguing left tackle Chris Pinkney, Fuata will not only start this Saturday's game at Texas Christian, he will play a majority of the snaps as well.
The man he will be blocking most of the day is all-everything defensive end Aaron Schobel. Slowed by a hip pointer the last few games, TCU head coach Dennis Franchione said his All-America candidate is near full speed.
"Even with a hip pointer, he looks pretty darn good on film," UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "We have some things planned for the guy to see if we can slow him down some."
As for Pinkney, Cavanaugh said he was scheduled to undergo a stress test yesterday to see what is wrong with the sophomore from Long Beach, Calif.
"So far, the doctors haven't found anything," UH head coach June Jones said. "They say he's fine, but we'll see what this latest test reveals."
Cavanaugh has shifted Vince Manuwai from right guard to left tackle in practice to see if the former Farrington High player can make the move for real. Cavanaugh feels he's ready, but he'll have to get the word from Jones before testing his experiment in a game.
"Vince can play tackle, no question in my mind," Cavanaugh said. "It's just a matter of June signing off on it. But as of now, Lui is going to see most of the playing time over there."
Injury update
The defensive line is so banged up, coordinator Kevin Lempa isn't sure if his players should be on the field or in an entire wing of Straub Hospital.Right now, it appears Joe Correia will not be available because of a badly sprained foot. He is not taking snaps in practice, spending a majority of the time keeping his conditioning up on a bike.
Fellow defensive ends Laanui Correa and Chris Brown are also slowed by injuries, but both will start this Saturday. Correa has a contusion and Brown is bothered by a bad shoulder.
Lui Fuga will likely start in place of Miles Garner. Fuga's shoulder is still sore and will remain that way until he has surgery at the end of the season. Garner sprained his ankle, but will play.
"We're really nicked up front," Lempa said. "But let me tell you this, the guys came out with a different attitude. They saw their potential by how well they played in the second half against Tulsa. I think we'll be ready to go."
Strong safety Dee Miller ran with the Warriors yesterday, but is still bothered by a nasty hamstring pull. Lempa said it was doubtful he would make the trip or play even if Jones decided to take him.
Back to Berryman
Australian kicker Mat McBriar was the starting punter last week, but was not scheduled to make the trip to Dallas.Special teams coach Dennis McKnight opted to go back to Dan Berryman, who was the starting punter in the first two games. McBriar struggled somewhat in the Tulsa game.
Junior college transfer Greg Kleidon is still recovering from an ankle sprain. He was the projected punter at the start of fall camp.
Chang pumped up
Quarterback Timmy Chang was on everyone's interview list yesterday, but somehow, the true freshman quarterback gave everyone the slip.
"I wasn't trying to,'' Chang said, then smiled. "I just walked by and nobody noticed me.''
You can bet that won't be a problem for TCU this weekend. The best defensive unit in the Western Athletic Conference has seen plenty of film on Chang in his games at Texas-El Paso and last week with Tulsa. The Horned Frogs figure to come hard and often.
"We've got some new looks for them that Coach Jones put it, so hopefully, we'll surprise them with some things,'' Chang said. "I never faced a defense like this. They're big and fast, and they close hard in the secondary.
Jones isn't too concerned with Chang. He said he has looked good in practice all week. But should he falter, Nick Rolovich is next up.
Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
