Brennan closing in

QB is within 2 TD passes of matching Detmer's career mark

» Bulldogs rivalry goes on

» Hawaii defense vs. Fresno State running game

By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

When a Hawaii quarterback zeroed in on a national record it used to be the big story.

Tonight it's a footnote.

Warriors football

Fresno State (6-3, 5-1 WAC) at Hawaii (8-0, 5-0)
» Today, 6:07 p.m.
» Aloha Stadium
» TV: ESPN2 (blacked-out locally), Oceanic PPV, Ch. 255
» Radio: KKEA 1420-AM
Three years and four days ago, Tim Chang broke Ty Detmer's career passing yardage record. It was a major highlight of an 8-5 season of drastic highs and lows.

Against Fresno State tonight, Colt Brennan needs two touchdown passes to match Detmer's national career mark of 121.

But individual records aren't as big a deal now. The team is the thing as the 14th-ranked Warriors (8-0, 5-0 WAC) attempt to remain unbeaten and the path toward a WAC championship and BCS bowl game gets tougher. The Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1) are the first UH opponent that now has a winning record.

Brennan broke the single-season TD passing record last year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Despite plenty of personal attention, he says his goals are team-oriented. They won't be met without continued victories, starting tonight.

The biggest crowd of the season -- approaching the first sellout of the year with 48,000 tickets distributed by yesterday afternoon -- is expected at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, but blacked out locally except for pay-per-view.

It is the first of four national telecasts (at Nevada and home against Boise State and Washington) against the most formidable opponents of the season.

"We have great tests coming up and it's a great opportunity," Brennan said. "I see a tone of excitement and realization now is the time to step up and show what we can do."

"This week Coach came out and hit us with real hard practices. Watching the team respond has been pretty awesome. We've had great tempo, flying around. I know Coach Mack (defensive coordinator Greg McMackin) has been tough on the defense, too."

Hawaii routed the Bulldogs 68-37 in Fresno last year. But they are always dangerous, especially on special teams and running the ball.

"We had some good fortune last time and hopefully we'll have some more this week," said UH coach June Jones, who told his team to approach the remainder of the season like playoffs -- each win to advance to the next opportunity.

FSU has been injury riddled and UH is a 17-point favorite tonight.


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COURTESY FRESNO STATE UNIVERSITY
Fresno State coach Pat Hill is keeping his team away from the spotlight.

Bulldogs rivalry goes on

By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

The rivalry continues tonight as Hawaii hosts Fresno State.

Bulldogs coach Pat Hill was at his bunker mentality best, again deciding to avoid interviews in the week leading up to playing the Warriors. His team again set up camp on the North Shore, hoping to avoid the pregame perils of Waikiki.

Hawaii (8-0, 5-0) is favored by 17 points, but the Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1) have played the tougher competition so far, with their losses coming against Boise State, Oregon and Texas A&M.

When Fresno State has the ball

The Bulldogs have three very capable running backs in Clifton Smith, Ryan Mathews and Lonyae Miller -- when they're healthy. Mathews is the top freshman in the nation, with 12 touchdowns and 6.3 yards per carry, but an ankle sprain could keep him out tonight or limit his effectiveness.

Smith rushed for a career-high 126 yards against Utah State last week, and Mathews added 106 in the first half before getting hurt. Whoever plays will pose a challenge to UH's capable linebackers -- Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard and Brad Kalilimoku. Blaze Soares (hamstring, shoulder) didn't practice much during the week, with defensive coordinator Greg McMackin saying he is day-to-day.

UH's depth up front took a hit when defensive end Francis Maka broke a lower-leg bone on Monday. He's likely out the rest of the regular season.

"Some others will have to pull the rope a little bit harder," defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said. Victor Clore is expected to get more serious playing time in Maka's absence.

Desmond Thomas is the new starting free safety with Keao Monteilh out for the rest of the regular season and Ryan Mouton takes over the nickel back position.

Tom Brandstater is not extraordinary, but he has completed 60 percent of his passes. Tight end Bear Pascoe is the favorite target.

When Hawaii has the ball

Quarterback Colt Brennan, leader of the nation's most productive offense, comes off a WAC Player of the Week performance against New Mexico State in which he passed for six touchdowns and 425 yards.

Slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins has been the hottest receiver of late, with 27 receptions for 370 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games.

UH's leading ground gainer, Kealoha Pilares, is not expected to play due to a knee sprain. Jones said Leon Wright-Jackson, David Farmer and Daniel Libre will make up the difference, with perhaps contributions from jumbo back Jason Laumoli.

The Bulldogs have managed just one interception this season, but they've produced 28 sacks among 92 tackles for loss. End Tyler Clutts has been the strongest force, with seven sacks.

It will be the toughest test to date for the Warriors offensive line. The UH front five of Keith AhSoon, Hercules Satele, John Estes, Larry Sauafea and Keoni Steinhoff has started every game.

Special teams

Fresno State's John Baxter is considered one of the best special teams coaches in the nation. The Bulldogs have blocked four kicks this season, returning one of them for a touchdown, along with two punts and one kickoff. When Fresno State beat Hawaii here two years ago, two blocked kicks and a roughing the kicker call against UH weighed heavily.

"Everybody has a formula, and special teams is a special part of who we are," Baxter said.

"It's not a third of the game like people who don't know what they're talking about say. But it's an important 20 percent."

A.J. Jefferson is the reigning WAC Special Teams Player of the Week after an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Utah State.

"Hawaii's kickoff coverage team is very similar to ours. They come down the field very hard," Jefferson said. "There's no second level, so if you get past the first guys, you have a chance to go all the way."

The Warriors have returned four kicks for scores this fall, but have been suspect on punt coverage.


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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Davone Bess and Colt Brennan have hooked up for eight touchdowns this year.

Key matchup

Hawaii defense vs. Fresno State running game

There are plenty of ways to play smashmouth football, and the Fresno State offensive line knows most of them. Although not as big as in previous years, the Bulldogs are athletic and skilled up front, led by four-year starter Ryan Wendell at center.

Wendell was part of the crew that generated 503 rushing yards against UH in 2004, mostly running through the Warriors.

"Now they're not so much downhill. They've added some wrinkles," Hawaii defensive tackle Mike Lafaele said. "They're kind of like LaTech the way they run the ball -- draws and stuff. I know they'll come down and try to pound the ball down our throat. But I think if we stop them in the beginning they'll try all kinds of stuff."

The Bulldogs will use a wide variety of personnel groups and formations, and the Warriors use 10 different defensive linemen in various roles. It will be a barbaric chess match.

"They go regular and kings, one tight end, two backs, two tight ends," UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said. "They do a lot of things, but basically, they still run the ball. They try to keep that physical game going. So you have to control the line."

UH has done that effectively this season, not allowing a 100-yard rusher to date. But Fresno State averages nearly 200 yards on the ground per outing.

"You have to be a junkyard dog," Hawaii defensive tackle Fale Laeli said. "You gotta be a dog out there, you gotta be a beast. You have to come off the ball and attack. Don't let them hit you -- hit them first. Let them feel our wrath, what we're made of."

HAWAII

8-0, 5-0 WAC

PROBABLE STARTERS

Offense

X 84 Jason Rivers 6-2 189 Sr.
H 7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 Jr.
LT 62 Keith AhSoon 6-1 315 Jr.
LG 65 Hercules Satele 6-2 293 Sr.
C 55 John Estes 6-2 292 So.
RG 73 Larry Sauafea 6-2 294 Sr.
RT 78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 282 Jr.
Y 1 Ryan Grice-Mullins 5-11 180 Jr.
Z 2 C.J. Hawthorne 5-11 168 Sr.
QB 15 Colt Brennan 6-3 201 Sr.
RB 48 Dave Farmer 6-1 224 Jr.
or 4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 211 So.
Defense
LE 54 Amani Purcell 6-4 277 Sr.
LT 96 Fale Laeli 6-1 292 Jr.
RT 67 Mike Lafaele 6-1 302 Sr.
RE 12 Karl Noa 6-4 251 Sr.
BUCK 44 Adam Leonard 6-0 236 Jr.
MAC 17 Solomon Elimimian 5-11 218 Jr.
STUB 43 Brad Kalilimoku 5-10 221 Sr.
CB 3 Myron Newberry 5-9 174 Sr.
FS 24 Desmond Thomas 6-3 174 Jr.
SS 31 Jake Patek 6-0 204 Sr.
CB 23 Gerard Lewis 5-9 175 Sr.
Specialists
P 45 Tim Grasso 5-11 221 Jr.
PK 86 Dan Kelly 6-3 212 Jr.
LS 57 Jake Ingram 6-4 234 Jr.
H 45 Tim Grasso 5-11 221 Jr.
KR 89 Malcolm Lane 6-2 184 So.

5 Mike Washington 5-7 173 Jr.
PR 7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 Jr.
or 3 Myron Newberry 5-9 174 Sr.

SCHEDULE

DATE OPP. RESULT
Sept. 1 Northern Colorado W, 63-6
Sept. 8 at Louisiana Tech W, 45-44 (OT)
Sept. 15 at UNLV W, 49-14
Sept. 22 Charleston Southern W, 66-10
Sept. 29 at Idaho W, 48-20
Oct. 6 Utah State W, 52-37
Oct. 12 at San Jose State W, 42-35 (OT)
Oct. 27 New Mexico State W, 50-13
Tonight Fresno State
Nov. 16 at Nevada
Nov. 23 Boise State
Dec. 1 Washington

Fresno State

6-3, 5-1 WAC

PROBABLE STARTERS

Offense

WR 13 Jason Crawley 6-1 185 So.
LT 72 Bobby Lepori 6-5 285 Jr.
LG 62 Cole Popovich 6-3 285 Jr.
C 77 Ryan Wendell 6-2 285 Sr.
RG 69 Andrew Jackson 6-5 290 Fr.
RT 73 Kenny Avon 6-3 285 Jr.
TE 85 Bear Pascoe 6-5 260 Jr.
FB 40 Nate Adams 5-11 240 Sr.
TB 2 Clifton Smith 5-8 190 Sr.
QB 7 Tom Brandstater 6-5 220 Jr.
WR 6 Seyi Ajirotutu 6-3 205 So.
Defense
E 96 Wilson Ramos 6-5 265 So.
NT 42 Charles Tolbert 5-11 265 Sr.
DT 94 Jon Monga 6-2 280 Jr.
E 11 Tyler Clutts 6-2 245 Sr.
OLB 31 Marcus Riley 6-2 220 Sr.
MLB 54 Ben Jacobs 6-3 225 Fr.
OLB 32 Quaadir Brown 6-2 215 So.
CB 22 Damon Jenkins 5-11 180 Sr.
SS 3 Moses Harris 6-1 200 So.
FS 19 Marvin Haynes 6-1 205 So.
CB 4 Damion Owens 6-1 185 So.
Specialists
PK 39 Clint Stitser 6-1 200 Sr.
P 35 Kyle Zimmerman 5-11 200 Sr.
LS 57 Greg Titiraga 6-3 255 Sr.
H 42 Robert Malone 6-2 215 Fr.
KR 28 A.J. Jefferson 5-11 180 So.

2 Clifton Smith 5-8 190 Sr.
PR 2 Clifton Smith 5-8 190 Sr.

SCHEDULE

DATE OPP. RESULT
Sept. 1 Sacramento State W, 24-3
Sept. 8 at Texas A&M L, 47-45 (3 OT)
Sept. 15 at Oregon L, 52-21
Sept. 29 Louisiana Tech W, 17-8
Oct. 6 at Nevada W, 49-41
Oct. 13 at Idaho W, 37-24
Oct. 20 San Jose State W, 30-0
Nov. 3 Utah State W, 38-27
Tonight at Hawaii
Nov. 24 Kansas State
Nov. 30 at New Mexico State

OTHER KEY STATISTICS

FRESNO STATE CATEGORY HAWAII
19.7 First downs/game 27.6
9.9 Rushing first downs/game 3.9
7.8 Passing first downs/game 21.3
2.0 First downs by penalty/game 2.5
1.9 Turnovers lost/game 2.6
0.9 Turnovers gained/game 2.6
1-17 Interceptions-return yards 16-385
40.6 Punting avg 40.1
55-470 Penalties-yards 62-624
16-12 Fumbles-lost 18-5
40% Third-down-conversion rate 51%
42% Fourth-down-conversion rate 50%

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing


A Yds Avg TD
Ryan Matthews, FSU 120 751 6.3 12
Clifton Smith, FSU 62 367 5.9 3
Kealoha Pilares, UH 50 294 5.9 3
Leon Wright-Jackson, UH 26 153 5.9 1
Passing


A C I Yds TD
Tom Brandstater, FSU 233 140 5 1,642 9
Ryan Colburn, FSU 5 4 0 58 0
Colt Brennan, UH 328 225 11 2,820 26
Tyler Graunke, UH 71 43 5 720 7
Receiving


Rec Yds Avg TD
Bear Pascoe, FSU 37 462 12.5 4
Marlon Moore, FSU 25 315 12.6 1
Ryan Grice-Mullins, UH 65 952 14.4 9
Davone Bess, UH 60 748 12.5 9
Tackles


S A Tot FL/S
Marcus Riley, FSU 48 46 94 12/2
Ben Jacobs, FSU 26 38 64 7/2
Tyler Clutts, FSU 23 26 49 10/7
Quaadir Brown, FSU 21 24 45 4/1
Lorne Bell, FSU 21 22 43 4/0
Solomon Elimimian, UH 39 51 90 7.5/1.5
Adam Leonard, UH 34 38 72 10.5/2
Jake Patek, UH 24 29 53 3.5/1
Desmond Thomas, UH 25 10 35 2/0
Myron Newberry, UH 16 18 34 1/1


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