Familiar foes

The Hawaii-Weber State pipeline makes today's game a reunion of sorts

Although Hawaii and Weber State meet for the first time tonight, the matchup features a renewal of a rivalry ... sort of.

Weber State at Hawaii Kickoff: 6:05 p.m. TV: PPV, Dig. 255 Radio: 1420-AM The line: No line

Two local quarterbacks, one from Kahuku and the other from Saint Louis, will lead their respective offenses into the contest at Aloha Stadium.

Inoke Funaki, the Kahuku grad who guided the Red Raiders to two state championship wins over Saint Louis in high school, takes control of the Hawaii offense in his first collegiate start.

On the other side, Weber State sophomore Cameron Higgins was wearing Crusader blue the last time he played in Halawa.

"They've been talking about this being a Saint Louis and Kahuku battle," said Hawaii safety Keao Monteilh, a Saint Louis alum himself. "This time I'm going to have to go with Kahuku. ... This is the only time."

Along with 10 Hawaii products on the Weber State roster and close connections between the coaching staffs, the game has the feel of a reunion. But with the Warriors coming off a 56-10 loss at Florida, they turned up the intensity in practice and focus shouldn't be an issue for Hawaii, which brings an eight-game home winning streak into the game.

"I know these players, I believe in these players and I believe they know what they're in for," UH coach Greg McMackin said. "I believe they'll be ready to play and we'll find out Saturday."

Following is a look at the matchup as Hawaii looks to fend off the Wildcats.

When Weber State has the ball: Higgins took over at quarterback four games into his freshman season and leads a balanced offense that could throw some different looks at the Warriors.

Running back Trevyn Smith, the Big Sky Conference's leading rusher the last two seasons, ran for four scores and Higgins passed for two. Higgins went 17-for-27 for 286 yards, six of his completions going to receiver Bryant Eteuati.

"They could play in the WAC on offense," McMackin said. "They always have a good plan and they're a little bit different for every team they play."

Despite giving up some big plays, the Warriors defense held its own at the line of scrimmage for much of last week's game at Florida led by defensive end David Veikune, who made five solo stops.

The Warriors made a switch in the secondary, where Calvin Roberts moves into a starting role at cornerback. Jameel Dowling will rotate in when they use five defensive backs.

When Hawaii has the ball: Funaki, the third-string quarterback a week ago, will try to spark a UH offense that generated 241 yards last week - its lowest total since 1999 - and gave the ball away six times. Funaki's scrambling ability is one of his strengths, although McMackin has said he'd like the junior to stick in the pocket a bit more.

Running back Leon Wright-Jackson figures to carry much of the load as the passing game continues to develop. Slotback/running back Kealoha Pilares could see time in the backfield as the coaches try to get him more involved in the offense.

Injuries at left tackle led to Keith AhSoon moving over a spot and Brysen Ginlack taking over at left guard.

Like UH, the Wildcats run a 4-3 base alignment, but will mix up their blitzes as they try to disrupt the timing of the Warriors offense.

"We try to get after it and especially going against the team speed Hawaii has and the size and the strength, there's no sense in us standing right in front of them," said WSU defensive line coach Chad Kauhaahaa, who played and coached at Baldwin High. "We have to move around to try to be successful against these guys."

Special teams: Eteuati led the FCS in all-purpose yards last season with 207.5 per game and placement on kickoffs and punts will be a key in the Warriors' efforts to keep him contained.

"We never want him to sit there and catch the ball and give him time to think," special teams coach Ikaika Malloe said.

Dan Kelly pumped all three of his kickoffs into the end zone last week and Tim Grasso averaged 45 yards per punt, although one was returned for a touchdown.

Hawaii junior Jovonte Taylor was impressive in kick returns in his debut last week, but hurt his knee in practice on Wednesday. If Taylor is slowed, Ryan Mouton and Malcolm Lane are experienced returners. Mike Washington is capable of turning in a big play on punt returns.

KEY MATCHUP

Greg McMackin vs. Ron McBride

Not a whole lot of secrets between these two.

McMackin served as defensive coordinator at Utah in 1990 and '91, McBride's first two seasons as the Utes' head coach. They'll pace opposite sidelines tonight and the adjustments they make could dictate the course of the game.

McMackin shouldered the responsibility for last week's performance and the Warriors staff spent the practices since shoring up areas of concern that emerged against Florida. Assistant coach Alex Gerke is well versed in the Wildcats' system, having coached at Weber State the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Weber State's ability to counter Hawaii's physical advantages will be a key as the Wildcats look to knock off a Bowl Subdivision opponent.

"It's going to be kind of a chess match," Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins said. "I think what we have to do to win is just by scheme and concepts."

---