Warriors get a shot at fellow underdog
Hawaii and Louisiana Tech usually find themselves facing college football's big boys
RUSTON, La. » The Hawaii and Louisiana Tech football programs, although separated by more than 4,000 miles, have a little more in common than you might imagine.
Jeff Reinebold, a Warriors graduate assistant who was the Bulldogs' special teams coach two years ago, knows that is true.
"I don't think anyone who hasn't been here (as a coach) really knows, but it's got its own set of challenges," Reinebold said, a few minutes after the Warriors (1-3, 1-1 Western Athletic Conference) arrived in Louisiana on the eve of today's game against LaTech (1-2, 1-0) at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Now that Rice, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP have left the WAC, the Bulldogs are almost as isolated geographically as the Warriors from the rest of the league. Even before that development this year, travel expenses put an extra burden on the football team to bring in more money.
"They've got to go play teams like Florida, Michigan State and Miami on the road every year. Revenue-generating games," Reinebold said. "The reality is they have to play them because they need the money to pay for the other sports. That's got to come on the back of somebody. Usually it's on the back of the football coach's record. You're starting 0-3. If you go 5-4 in the other games, it looks like you had a terrible year."
LaTech went 6-6 last year, including losses at Miami, Tennessee and Auburn. UH is facing a similar situation this year, as it started out 0-2 in games against No. 1 USC (at home) and at Michigan State.
Every now and then, a team from a mid-major conference like the Bulldogs can hit the jackpot, though. Reinebold experienced this during his season with LaTech, when it knocked off Michigan State on the road.
"When you look at the money spent, the recruiting and the facilities, we had no business being on the same field with them. But we won it in the fourth quarter," Reinebold said.
The Bulldogs also beat bowl-bound teams No. 18 Alabama in 1999 and Oklahoma in 2002 during coach Jack Bicknell's tenure.
Hawaii coach June Jones hopes for the same kind of result with future games scheduled at Alabama (2006) and Florida (2007). It didn't work out at USC and Michigan State this year, but someday UH wants to be able to take the money -- and the win.
Reinebold played for Bicknell's father, Jack II, at Indiana.
"Jack's a great guy. I've known him since he was in junior high," Reinebold said of the LaTech coach. "Jack has brought stability. He has the right approach."
He certainly did last week, when the Bulldogs beat New Mexico State 34-14.
Scheme-wise, Hawaii and LaTech share some concepts. Both teams use one running back on offense, and both play the 3-4 defense. LaTech's is ranked No. 1 in the WAC in defensive yardage, despite opening the season at Florida.
"They have great athletes who can run and hit," Jones said. "Physically they're better than they've been the last four or five years, and they beat Fresno there last year."
Hawaii is 3-0 against Louisiana Tech, including a thrilling 44-41 win here two years ago. Here's what to look for when the Warriors play the Bulldogs today:
When Hawaii has the ball: Yes, the Warriors do have a running game, or at least they do when Nate Ilaoa plays. The former UH slotback, who starred as a running back in high school, rushed for 76 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown, against Boise State last week.
The questions are how much pounding Ilaoa's tender hamstring can take, and how much rest he will need during the game since he's still carrying a few extra pounds. There's no doubt, though, he's a difference-maker when he's in the lineup.
The Warriors slotbacks, Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen, have emerged as the top receivers. Both are freshmen, but are surprisingly dependable and sometimes spectacular. They both caught two touchdown passes last week.
Center Derek Fa'avi said LaTech's 3-4 defense won't confuse the Warriors.
"Almost every game we see that look, so we're used to it," said the 6-foot-1, 273-pound senior, who will often go heads up with 6-4, 325-pound nose tackle Lavarius Love. "That's my fault for being short."
UH quarterback Colt Brennan leads the WAC and is ninth nationally in total offense with 328.5 yards per game.
When LaTech has the ball: Matt Kubik is trying to get settled into the starting quarterback position after winning the job once again over Donald Allen in what had been a running battle over two seasons. Kubik seems more confident and relaxed, as he completed 17 passes in 28 attempts for 178 yards to go with two touchdowns and no interceptions in last week's 34-14 win over New Mexico State. Or maybe it's just because he doesn't have to look over his shoulder for Allen -- who is getting playing time at receiver now -- after every mistake.
The Bulldogs like to run draws and throw screen passes. Although star running back Ryan Moats is gone, they have talented, speedy skill-position players to go with a gargantuan offensive line that averages 6-feet-5 1/2 and 304 pounds (including 6-6, 269-pound tight end Anthony James). Left guard Aaron Lips is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the nation.
"The big thing is last year we just gave it to Ryan even against teams that had a safety down, because we could get away with it. If it works it works," Bicknell said. "We're trying to get back to taking what the defense gives us."
Wide receiver Johnathan Holland might be the fastest man in the WAC, but he has just three catches so far for 34 yards. The Bulldogs are led by Seneca Chambers, who has 15 receptions for 159 yards. Anthony Harrison has three touchdowns among his four catches.
Hawaii counters with an extremely physical defense that has finally found a solid starting nose tackle in Michael Lafaele. The biggest playmakers so far are outside linebackers Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and Tanuvasa Moe and strong safety Lono Manners.
Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville might not blitz as often as usual out of respect for LaTech's screens and quick passing game. But don't count on it.
Special teams: UH freshman Dan Kelly and the rest of the team must bounce back from having a field goal and extra-point blocked last week, both with the disastrous result of a defender running it all the way back. The two plays resulted in a 13-point swing. Toss in a punt taken back for a touchdown, and the Warriors suffered probably the worst special teams game in the program's history.
That's not even mentioning Boise State punter Kyle Stringer's fumble that ended up in a first down for the Broncos that was the biggest emotional turning point of the game.
"Our defense was tired already and ready to get off the field. You're off the field," Reinebold said. "And the play goes against you."
LaTech is getting good at some of the most important parts of the field position game. Brad Oestriecher had five of seven kickoffs downed in the end zone last week, and the Bulldogs have allowed only 25 punt-return yards all season on eight runback attempts (on 19 total punts).
Danny Horwedel made field goals of 45 and 35 yards against the Aggies.
KEY MATCHUP
Hawaii's Colt Brennan vs. LaTech pass defense: It must have been the worst 426-yard, four-touchdown quarterbacking performance in the history of college football last week, judging by the way QB Colt Brennan and coach June Jones reacted afterward. They basically agreed Brennan played like he was clueless to the subtleties and even some of the major concepts -- such as don't run if your protection is good and you haven't checked all your receivers -- of the run-and-shoot offense.
Last week, LaTech intercepted four passes and Brennan threw two against Boise State. Splitting the difference this week and making it three could be disastrous for the Warriors. Brennan can't afford to make as many hasty and bad reads as he and Jones said he did last week.
"I think we'll play a lot cleaner offensively," said Brennan, who wasn't talking about his tendency to regurgitate his pregame meal on the field.
Both teams are dead-even on the turnover ledger for the season, but LaTech forced New Mexico State into six of them when it beat the Aggies 34-14 here last Saturday.
Cornerback Tramon Williams and free safety Alton Bryant have two picks each for the Bulldogs, and Williams is also credited with four passes broken up.
BACK TO TOP
|
Statistics
Louisiana Tech
1-2, 1-0 WAC
PROBABLE STARTERS
OFFENSE
| Z |
2 |
Freddie King |
5-7 |
167 |
Sr.
|
| X |
6 |
Seneca Chambers |
6-2 |
188 |
Sr.
|
| LT |
73 |
Tyler Miller |
6-7 |
304 |
So.
|
| LG |
64 |
Aaron Lips |
6-5 |
295 |
Sr.
|
| C |
56 |
Marcus Stewart |
6-3 |
305 |
Sr.
|
| RG |
78 |
Marcus Lindsey |
6-7 |
360 |
Jr.
|
| RT |
63 |
Ryan Considine |
6-5 |
291 |
So.
|
| TE |
89 |
Anthony James |
6-6 |
269 |
Sr.
|
| WR |
7 |
Jonathan Holland |
6-2 |
187 |
Jr.
|
| QB |
13 |
Matt Kubick |
6-3 |
213 |
Sr.
|
| RB |
29 |
Mark Dillard |
5-11 |
208 |
So. |
DEFENSE
| E |
98 |
Moqut Ruffins |
6-5 |
279 |
Sr.
|
| N |
93 |
Ladarius Love |
6-4 |
325 |
Sr.
|
| T |
97 |
Eddie White |
6-4 |
264 |
Sr.
|
| SAM |
42 |
Byron Santiago |
6-2 |
233 |
Sr.
|
| MIKE |
58 |
Brannon Jackson |
6-2 |
253 |
Sr.
|
| BUCK |
34 |
Barry Robertson |
6-3 |
221 |
Sr.
|
| WILL |
8 |
Jeremy Hamilton |
5-11 |
203 |
Sr.
|
| CB |
22 |
Tramon Williams |
6-0 |
180 |
Sr.
|
| FS |
9 |
Alton Bryant |
6-1 |
196 |
Sr.
|
| DOG |
4 |
Dez Abrams |
6-0 |
192 |
Jr.
|
| CB |
20 |
Sandy Ray Collins |
5-10 |
185 |
Jr. |
SPECIALISTS
| PK |
31 |
Danny Horwedel |
6-2 |
195 |
So.
|
| KO |
33 |
Brad Oestreicher |
5-11 |
178 |
So.
|
| H |
13 |
Matt Kubik |
6-3 |
209 |
Sr.
|
| P |
15 |
Chris Keagle |
5-11 |
228 |
Fr.
|
| LS |
60 |
Matt Graham |
5-10 |
244 |
Sr.
|
| KR |
23 |
Patrick Jackson |
5-10 |
192 |
Fr.
|
| PR |
28 |
Freddie Franklin |
6-0 |
184 |
So. |
SCHEDULE
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
RESULT
|
| Sept. 10 |
at Florida |
L, 41-3
|
| Sept. 17 |
at Kansas |
L, 34-14
|
| Oct. 1 |
New Mexico State |
W, 34-14
|
| Today |
Hawaii
|
| Oct. 15 |
at Nevada
|
| Oct. 22 |
North Texas
|
| Oct. 29 |
San Jose State
|
| Nov. 5 |
at Utah State
|
| Nov. 12 |
at Idaho
|
| Nov. 26 |
Boise State
|
| Dec. 2 |
at Fresno State |
HAWAII
1-3, 1-1 WAC
PROBABLE STARTERS
OFFENSE
| PR |
28 |
Freddie Franklin |
6-0 |
184 |
So.
|
| Z |
82 |
Ross Dickerson |
5-10 |
185 |
Jr.
|
| Y |
7 |
Davone Bess |
5-10 |
187 |
Fr.
|
| LT |
70 |
Tala Esera |
6-4 |
295 |
Jr.
|
| LG |
64 |
Samson Satele |
6-3 |
311 |
Jr.
|
| C |
59 |
Derek Fa'avi |
6-1 |
273 |
Sr.
|
| RG |
66 |
Brandon Eaton |
6-2 |
297 |
Sr.
|
| RT |
72 |
Dane Uperesa |
6-5 |
331 |
Jr.
|
| H |
1 |
Ryan Grice-Mullen |
5-10 |
187 |
Fr.
|
| X |
5 |
Mike Washington |
5-7 |
160 |
Fr.
|
| QB |
15 |
Colt Brennan |
6-3 |
190 |
So.
|
| RB |
4 |
Nate Ilaoa |
5-9 |
230 |
Sr. |
DEFENSE
| T |
98 |
Melila Purcell |
6-5 |
266 |
Sr.
|
| NT |
67 |
Michael Lafaele |
6-1 |
297 |
So.
|
| DE |
91 |
I. Alama-Francis |
6-5 |
260 |
Jr.
|
| STUB |
1 |
K. Kamakawiwo'ole |
6-3 |
237 |
Sr.
|
| BUCK |
41 |
Solomon Elimimian |
5-11 |
224 |
Fr.
|
| MAC |
43 |
Brad Kalilimoku |
5-10 |
204 |
So.
|
| WILL |
45 |
Tanuvasa Moe |
6-0 |
225 |
Sr.
|
| CB |
35 |
Keao Monteilh |
5-11 |
170 |
So.
|
| FS |
8 |
Landon Kafentzis |
6-0 |
202 |
Sr.
|
| SS |
15 |
Lono Manners |
5-10 |
199 |
Sr.
|
| CB |
24 |
Kenny Patton |
6-0 |
184 |
Jr. |
SPECIALISTS
| P |
25 |
Kurt Milne |
5-11 |
208 |
Jr.
|
| PK |
99 |
Dan Kelly |
6-3 |
199 |
Fr.
|
| PR |
27 |
Andre Taylor |
5-11 |
171 |
Jr.
|
| KR |
27 |
Andre Taylor |
5-11 |
171 |
Jr.
|
| LS |
45 |
Tanuvasa Moe |
6-0 |
225 |
Sr.
|
| H |
25 |
Kurt Milne |
5-11 |
208 |
Jr. |
SCHEDULE
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
RESULT
|
| Sept. 3 |
USC |
L, 63-17
|
| Sept. 10 |
at Michigan State |
L, 42-14
|
| Sept. 24 |
at Idaho |
W, 24-0
|
| Oct. 1 |
Boise State |
L, 44-41
|
| Today |
at Louisiana Tech
|
| Oct. 15 |
New Mexico State
|
| Oct. 22 |
at San Jose State
|
| Oct. 29 |
Fresno State
|
| Nov. 5 |
at Nevada
|
| Nov. 12 |
Utah State
|
| Nov. 25 |
Wisconsin
|
| Dec. 3 |
San Diego State |
Individual leaders
| RUSHING |
A |
Yds |
Avg |
TD
|
| Nate Ilaoa, UH |
19 |
152 |
8.0 |
1
|
| Colt Brennan, UH |
30 |
72 |
2.4 |
0
|
| Mark Dillard, LT |
33 |
121 |
3.7 |
1
|
| Freddie Franklin, LT |
21 |
92 |
4.4 |
0 |
| PASSING |
A |
C |
I |
yds |
TD
|
| Colt Brennan, UH |
158 |
107 |
3 |
1242 |
10
|
| Tyler Graunke, UH |
34 |
17 |
0 |
177 |
1
|
| Matt Kubick, LT |
78 |
39 |
4 |
415 |
4
|
| Donald Allen, LT |
37 |
18 |
3 |
192 |
0 |
| RECEIVING |
A |
Yds |
Avg |
TD
|
| Ryan Grice-Mullen, UH |
26 |
372 |
14.3 |
2
|
| Davone Bess, UH |
26 |
300 |
11.5 |
5
|
| Seneca Chambers, LT |
15 |
159 |
10.6 |
0
|
| Eric Newman, LT |
6 |
102 |
17.0 |
0 |
| TACKLES |
s |
a |
tot |
fl/s
|
| Tanuvasa Moe, UH |
20 |
8 |
28 |
2/1
|
| Kila Kamakawiwo'ole, UH |
17 |
8 |
25 |
6.5/4
|
| Kenny Patton, UH |
16 |
7 |
23 |
0.5/0
|
| Brad Kalilimoku, UH |
14 |
7 |
21 |
4/0
|
| Lono Manners, UH |
13 |
6 |
19 |
0/0
|
| Barry Robertson, LT |
11 |
15 |
26 |
1/0
|
| Byron Santiago, LT |
8 |
9 |
17 |
1/.5
|
| Dez Abrams, LT |
10 |
5 |
15 |
.5/0
|
| Moqut Ruffins, LT |
4 |
7 |
11 |
.5/.5
|
| Robert Burrell, LT |
5 |
6 |
11 |
0/0
|
| Brannon Jackson, LT |
8 |
3 |
11 |
1/0 |
