UH, SMU count They haven't blocked any kicks or returned any for touchdowns yet this season. But Hawaii's special teams are still helping the Warriors win football games.
on ‘special’ teams
Both squads have had big
Illegal parkers may be towed
plays in returns and coverageBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"I think there is a lot of consistency this year," UH special teams coordinator Tyson Helton said. "Last year there was a lot of focus on our kickoff return, but this year we might be better all-around and we'll get better as the season progresses, like last year."
When Hawaii (2-1, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) and Southern Methodist (0-4, 0-0) tee it up Saturday at Aloha Stadium, the fans will want to be in their seats from the very beginning -- the Warriors and Mustangs both have outstanding return teams.
Neither kickoff return unit has run one back for a touchdown this season, but both are capable. Hawaii fans know all about Chad Owens' exploits last year, and Michael Brewster has shown he has the potential to break one in his place. SMU's Jonas Rutledge -- who has had three returns of 50-plus yards called back this fall -- did the trick against UH last year, forcing overtime with a 92-yard TD in the game Hawaii eventually won 38-31.
"I hit him, but he spun off," the Warriors Chad Kapanui recalled. "Everybody thought he was down in the pile, but he got away. I think we all learned from that."
Helton said the Warriors have improved on kick and punt coverage. The Mustangs are also a good test at the latter -- SMU is ranked fourth in the nation in running back punts.
"They have really good return teams," said Keith Bhonapha, who plays on UH's punt, kickoff and kickoff return teams. "We need to get technically sound. We focused on that against UTEP. We want to set it up for the defense so they have to go 85 yards or more (on kickoffs) and contain them on punts.
"I'll also be looking for another big play."
Bhonapha was referring to the blocked punt by old high school teammate Robert Grant that he grabbed and ran 38 yards into the Mustangs' end zone last year to help spark the Warriors.
Brewster, Owens, Clifton Herbert, John West and Mike Bass have shared the return duties this year. Kicker Justin Ayat and punter Mat McBriar have been steady, and Kapanui and Kilinahe Noa pulled off a 70-yard pass completion on a fake punt at UTEP.
But Helton said Bhonapha, David Gilmore, Keani Alapa and Lono Manners also deserve credit as the special teams' unsung heroes so far this season with their blocking and tackling.
"We've played hard on special teams," coach June Jones said. "The guys take a lot of pride in what they're doing. SMU's really good on special teams, a lot better than you'd expect from an 0-4 team. They do a good job in all their schemes. We expect them to put some pressure on our punting game."
McBriar has had only one punt blocked in 94 career boots. Helton doesn't plan on making it two.
"We're aware of what they can do," he said. "It's just a matter of stopping them."
UH quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen was pulled from the kickoff coverage team because he's getting playing time at his regular position. He said he'll miss the adrenaline rush of charging down the field.
"You're in a state of mind where there's no pressure, you just go run downfield and kill somebody. It's very Neanderthal, run fast and hit somebody. It's a guarantee you'll take at least one good lick a game yourself, too," Withy-Allen said. "People don't realize how big special teams are. Last year that was a big TD against SMU. It's a huge part of the game. It's an honor to be on special teams."
SMU coach Phil Bennett feels the same way.
"We really work at it," he said last night after practice at Aloha Stadium. "The players do a good job at it, and we're always looking for ways to get an edge."
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m. Hawaii vs. SMU
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $21 sideline, $16 end zone, $12 students/seniors, UH students free (super rooter only).
TV: KFVE (Channel 5), delayed at 10 p.m., with rebroadcast Sunday at 9 a.m. Also available live on Pay-Per-View.
Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
Special comparison
SMU UH Kick ret. ave. 23.1 25.3 Kick cover avg. 23.9 21.2 Punt ret. avg. 19.0* 10.2 Punt net avg. 33.2 37.8* Field goals 1-2 4-5 Extra points 2-5 14-14* *Leads WAC
UH Athletics
