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Friday, November 24, 2000
Pressure’s Those who saw former University of Hawaii defensive coordinator Don Lindsey looking out at Pearl Harbor from the back steps of Aloha Stadium at halftime of the 1996 game with Wisconsin wouldn't wish a similar fate for current D-man Kevin Lempa.
off Badgers, on
Warriors
Unlike its 1996 team, Wisconsin
doesn't have to impress anyone
but itself on this visit to HawaiiBy Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinLindsey would later say he was thinking about packing his bags and returning to the mainland after watching freshman Ron Dayne shred the game plan like Watergate documents during the final days of Nixon.
Fortunately for the modern-day Warriors, Dayne is doing his thing for the New York Giants and this Wisconsin squad doesn't need to win big in order to guarantee a bowl bid, as that Badger squad of four years ago did.
The 2000 version is already headed to the Sun Bowl to play a team from the Pac-10 and doesn't have to impress anyone but itself.
GAME DAY
Who: Wisconsin at Hawaii.
"It takes the pressure off of this game for us," Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez said. "We can go in relaxed and have fun. Make no mistake, we always go into a game with the idea of winning it. But we also want to take time to enjoy what this beautiful place has to offer."
Unfortunately for the Warriors, Alvarez isn't taking his players to the beach for snorkeling until Sunday. He knows what effect the sun can have on players who haven't worn shorts and tank tops in Wisconsin since fall camp.
"I was hoping they would fall asleep at noon and not wake up until dinner," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said, then smiled. "We were figuring out the best way to defend these guys is with 12 players. We're going to see if we can slip one extra guy in without the referees noticing."
Considering how big and fast Wisconsin's offense is, even a dozen defenders might not be enough. Across the offensive front, the average Badger stands nearly 6-foot-6 in his socks and weighs right at 310 pounds.
To help acclimate these big boys to the heat and humidity of Honolulu, Alvarez scheduled practices at high noon at Aloha Stadium. He knows it won't be easy to make the adjustment on short notice, but it can't hurt.
"I'm sure the weather is going to be different, but they came here early enough to adjust to the heat and the (four-hour) time difference," UH head coach June Jones said.
"I don't think any of that will be much of a factor."
What will be for UH is Wisconsin's Top 5 potential, which was harpooned by an NCAA ruling in September that forced 27 Badgers to the sidelines for rules violations. Wisconsin survived, but not intact.
"The team we had in fall camp is not the one we have now," Alvarez said.
"But it's a tribute to our seniors that they were able to hold things together well enough to get us into a bowl game.
"When we came to Hawaii the last time, that senior class overcame a lot of injuries and different things to get us into the postseason that year as well. It taught our younger players, who are seniors now, how to deal with adversity."
Now, can the Badgers deal with the run-and-shoot? Well, they've had a week to prepare. They're also coming off a game with the Indiana Hoosiers, who throw the ball all over the lot, and they have the extra benefit of playing Purdue, a team that goes four-wide most of the time.
It's true, the Big Ten is still a run-oriented conference. But there are enough changes taking place to afford Wisconsin the opportunity to see teams that throw first and run later.
"I think having the bye week will help them the most because it gives them time to learn the different responsibilities of covering four wideouts," Jones said. "This is a very good defense. We'll have to be at our best to move the football consistently."
As for stopping Wisconsin's consistency, Lempa plans to stack the box against the run and hope his corners play solid enough man defense to keep from giving up too many big plays.
"This is a big challenge for our guys," Lempa said. "We've played better the last two weeks. Hopefully, we can carry over some of that against probably the most dominant athletes we've faced this season."
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
