Warrior corners Even when cover guys do their job well, they rarely make the cover of the sports section. It's hard to get the glory of tackles and interceptions when the opposing quarterback gives up and stops throwing the ball your way.
have it covered
Elimimian and Millhouse
came up big against UTEP,
but an injury will keep
one out vs. SMUBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut it was impossible not to notice how well Hawaii cornerbacks Abraham Elimimian and Kelvin Millhouse played in UH's 31-6 victory at Texas-El Paso last Saturday. Their man-to-man coverage of the Miners' receivers was critical to the success of the Warriors' game plan of allocating as many defenders as possible to stopping the run. The corners even made quite a few tackles themselves against UTEP's option; Elimimian was in on seven stops and Millhouse four.
UH's opponent Saturday, Southern Methodist (0-4, 0-0 Western Athletic Conference), is also primarily a running team. So the Warriors (2-1, 1-0) will probably use a similar strategy against the Mustangs. And with Elimimian out with a hamstring pull, Millhouse will go one-on-one with SMU's best receiver, Cody Cardwell.
Hawaii defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said Millhouse is up to the task.
"He's done a nice job, a real nice job. He's playing a lot of close, press coverage," Lempa said. "Kelvin's more focused this year. He's gotten stronger, so he's more confident. He's improved at supporting against the run."
Millhouse, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior, knows his priority is to take away SMU quarterback Tate Wallis' favorite passing target, giving the Mustangs' one less weapon. Cardwell has caught 15 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown.
"You want to have a quiet game, not let anyone catch any balls," said Millhouse, who led UH with five interceptions and 13 pass breakups last year. "When they're not throwing at you, that shows a little respect, respect for the secondary.
"I haven't watched too much film on (Cardwell) yet, but you look at the stats and he's their best receiver by far," the former receiver said yesterday. "They also have a really good quarterback. It's going to be a tough job for our secondary and me personally to stop them. But it's going to be like that week in and week out."
True freshman Kenny Patton will start at the other corner in Elimimian's absence. Head coach June Jones said safety Hyrum Peters, a former cornerback, could move back to his old spot. But Jones and Lempa like Peters' play-making ability -- he had two interceptions and 13 tackles against UTEP -- at safety.
"I think we're going to do the same thing we usually do," Millhouse said. "I think Kenny can do a good job as well."
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m. Hawaii vs. Southern Methodist
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $21 sideline, $16 end zone, $12 students/seniors, UH students free (super rooter only). Available at Aloha Stadium, except for student tickets at Stan Sheriff Center. Also at Ticket Plus outlets or by calling 526-4400
TV: KFVE (Channel 5), delayed at 10 p.m., with rebroadcast Sunday at 9 a.m. Also available live on Pay-Per-View. Call 625-8100 on Oahu or (866) 566-7784 on neighbor islands to subscribe
Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
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