Saturday, September 22, 2001
[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
UH takes first RENO, Nev. >> For many here, the dream isn't getting rich quick on the slots or grinding it out at the tables. It's raising a family in a friendly, picturesque town and just living a normal life, or trying to return to such after last week.
road test
The Warriors look for their
first road win since 1999
against Nevada todayBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comUnlike Las Vegas, the neon isn't necessarily the main attraction.
And many of the residents appear only vaguely interested that Nevada (0-2) hosts Hawaii (1-0) today in both team's Western Athletic Conference football opener.
For the University of Nevada at Reno, the dream is to become the University of Nevada, period, to climb past UNLV when people think of colleges in the state. Athletics figures heavily into the school's attempt to shed stepsister status -- although Nevada fielded very competitive Division I-AA football teams through the 1980s and 1990s, it could in no way compare to the national following of UNLV's basketball juggernaut.
Even though much of the Running Rebels' glitter left with Jerry Tarkanian, it was still decided a good little football team wasn't enough for Reno, "The Biggest Little City in the World."
The Wolf Pack entered Division I-A, and then the Western Athletic Conference last year. The move wasn't made on a lark; it included construction of a $4.4-million multi-purpose athletic facility, and continual upgrades to Mackay Stadium, including 60 skyboxes.
Coach Chris Tormey doesn't talk about building for the future, though.
"That wouldn't be fair to our players," he said. "We want to win now."
Whether the dream is realistic and the Wolf Pack (2-10 last year) begin to win and draw fans from all over the state remains to be seen. But today cars festooned with Wolf Pack logos are not arriving from Tahoe, Carson City, Elko and Vegas to cheer on the state's team.
Instead, Reno is host this weekend to thousands of motorcyclists here for a rally. Unless they all come to Mackay Stadium, it's unlikely the game will be a sellout. And in the unlikely event they do, they might root for Hawaii with its Harley-enthusiast coach June Jones.
Whoever does show up will be treated to an air show from both quarterbacks. Fresno State's David Carr made the cover of Sports Illustrated last week, but Hawaii's Tim Chang and Nevada's David Neill aren't far behind in ability.
After one game, Chang is atop the national list in total yardage, thanks in large part to the run-and-shoot, where the pass-to-run ratio is similar to a flag football game. Of course, receivers Ashley Lelie, Craig Stutzmann, Justin Colbert and Channon Harris help, too, as well as a protective offensive line and the 1-2 running back punch of Mike Bass and Thero Mitchell.
Neill is on the verge of breaking most of Nevada's passing records and has dependable targets in Nate Burleson and the emerging Jermaine Brown.
The easy analysis is that whichever quarterback is sharper after a layoff -- two weeks for Chang, three for Neill (he missed Nevada's loss to Colorado State due to suspension) -- will lead his team to victory.
But after practice yesterday, Jones said the game might be won on the ground. When asked his major area of concern, he addressed Chance Kretschmer, the Wolf Pack's freshman running back, who leads the WAC in rushing.
Kretschmer underwent an MRI this week for an ailing back but is expected to play. If he isn't at full speed, displaced starter Adrien Dugas is back from an ankle sprain. Both are big backs who are more than just complements to Nevada's passing attack.
"I'd say stopping their running game will be a priority," Jones said.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said stopping Nevada on first down is crucial.
"If we can hold them to three yards or less and create a passing situation, that gives us a variety of calls we can use," he said. "If not, I don't know what to call. I'm going to ask you."
More likely, he will ask outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa to have a game as he did two weeks ago, when he manhandled Montana with three sacks among his 13 tackles and ripped momentum away from the Grizzlies whenever they got something going.
Middle linebacker/defensive tackle Chris Brown is another key to UH's defense. His ability to adjust to his dual role while leading the Warriors emotionally with the absence of defensive captain and starting tackle Mike Iosua is important.
Although UH gave up only one touchdown to Montana, the Grizzlies' Yo Humphrey rushed for 133 yards and made Hawaii's defense look like last year's porous version at times.
"I want to prove to everybody out there that we are a good defense against the run," Brown said. "We are so ready to play."
While Nevada is looking for respect, so is Hawaii. After last season's 3-9 hangover after winning a share of the WAC title the year before, Jones is also trying to create a more enthused, loyal, statewide fan-base -- hence the opening game on Maui.
The Warriors know beating a Division I-AA team 30-12 at home (even if it really wasn't at home) is one thing. But starting WAC play with a victory on the road means so much more, especially after last year's unhappy trails of 0-4 away from Aloha Stadium.
"You've got to win conference games on the road to win anything," Jones said. "The confidence you gain is important."
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
