‘New’ Dinwiddie
is even better
There is no quarterback controversy at Boise State. At one time, there was a controversial quarterback, but senior Ryan Dinwiddie appears to have put his off-field difficulties behind him.
There was never an on-field problem.
UH vs. Boise St.
When: Tomorrow, 6:35 p.m.Where: Aloha Stadium
TV: Live on ESPN2
Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
Parking: Gates open at 3 p.m. Parking is $5. Alternate parking at Leeward Community College, Kam Drive-In and Radford High School.
This year the talented senior has become the team leader coach Dan Hawkins thought he would, and he will be the Hawaii (8-4, 5-2 WAC) defense's focus of attention when the Broncos (11-1, 7-0) visit Aloha Stadium tomorrow.
Dinwiddie's maturity level has finally caught up to his ability, and the result is one of the best players in the country.
Hawkins said a turning point came last summer when Dinwiddie took control of offseason workouts. This was just a few weeks after the quarterback missed spring practice because of the second suspension in his career for breaking team rules.
Dinwiddie said Hawkins combined discipline with caring.
"Our relationship has gone so far," he told the Idaho Statesman last week. "We're really close now."
"He's a special kid, he really is, with all his growth and what a competitor he is," Hawkins said after last week's senior day 56-3 blowout of Nevada. "He's a unique guy."
Hawaii coach June Jones thinks so, too.
"He's very accurate, tough and he's a winner. If not the best, one of the best in the country," Jones said. "I would anticipate the closer people look at him, the more he will be thought of that way come draft day."
Dinwiddie has broken nearly every significant quarterbacking record at Boise State. He has thrown for a WAC-high 28 touchdowns with only four interceptions this year.
He has a chance to finish with the NCAA Division I-A career record for quarterback efficiency. He goes into tomorrow's game with a 170.55 rating. The record is 163.6 by Danny Wuerffel of Florida (1993-96).
"The way it happened, I don't think you could write a better story," Dinwiddie said.
Last week against Nevada, Dinwiddie broke single-season school records for passing yards (3,702), total offense (3,775) and attempts (380) and career records for passing yards (9,165) and TD passes (79).
Hawaii cornerback Abraham Elimimian doesn't scare easily, but he said Dinwiddie makes him nervous.
"He's pretty intimidating. It's his eyes, they're crazy, gunfighter eyes," Elimimian said. "But he plays the percentages and takes what the defense gives him every time."
Owens out?: Warriors starting junior receiver Chad Owens was off crutches yesterday, but he didn't practice and Jones doesn't think he'll be able to play tomorrow because of turf toe and gout in his left foot.
"If he does he won't start," Jones said. "At this point, I don't think he'll play."
But Owens has played through pain twice this season already, last week against Alabama and in September vs. USC.
Senior safety Hyrum Peters, fighting off a stiff neck the past two days, practiced yesterday and will play tomorrow.
'Brew' crew: UH junior running back Michael Brewster has made his opportunities count lately.
Brewster started the Warriors' last two games and has helped spark the UH offense by picking up more than 11 yards per carry in wins over Army and Alabama.
He managed 60 yards on only three carries in a 59-28 win over Army, and had 99 yards rushing and receiving in last week's 37-29 victory over against Alabama.
"It was just getting in there and doing what I'm supposed to do," Brewster said. "Doing my assignment, that's the biggest thing right there."
Brewster, Mike Bass and John West have accounted for 365 yards rushing and receiving over the last two weeks and also contributed to a pass-protection scheme that hasn't allowed a sack in that span.
"They played really well," Jones said. "Brewster's been very consistent in his protections and is averaging almost 9 yards per carry. ... He's a competitive kid, works hard and is very conscientious about his work."
In fact, Brewster has covered 9.4 yards every time he's touched the ball this season. He's second on the team in rushing with 327 yards on 39 carries and ranks sixth in receiving with 30 catches for 323 yards.
Three players -- Bass, Brewster and West Keli'ikipi -- have started games this season, but it's West who actually leads the team in rushing. West has 375 yards.
Keli'ikipi, who leads the team with six rushing touchdowns, had a string of five straight starts broken after suffering a knee injury against Nevada on Nov. 15, but could be back in time for this week's game or the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day. He worked out with the team earlier this week, but running backs coach Wes Suan said Keli'ikipi is not ready to play tomorrow.
The Warriors also used offensive lineman Lyle Castro in the backfield last week to aid in pass protection.
Brewster said the competition for playing time adds to the running backs' motivation to make the most of their carries.
"I have to do the best I can do because you never know when you're going to come out," Brewster said.
"Competition always makes everyone better. If you don't have competition, everybody will just do what they do, but with competition it makes everyone a lot better."
