Warriors hope road isn't rocky

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The 12-day road trip to Washingon and UNLV poses major challenges to UH



It's been the source of years of frustration, but also the setting for some of Hawaii football's greatest triumphs.The road.

The Warriors embarked on a 12-day trip to Washington State and UNLV this week that could shift the fortunes of this young season, for good or ill.

Traveling the minimum 2,500 miles to get to the mainland has been traditionally rough for UH, often turning road Warriors into road apples. But they'd better find a way to get comfortable this season; after last week's opening win against Central Arkansas, Hawaii goes 36 days until its next contest at Aloha Stadium.

That's the second-longest home-game drought in the country this year, narrowly behind UAB. Including the Sept. 30 date at Louisiana Tech, it's the first time in UH's Division I history that it plays three straight away games.

Senior center John Estes thinks the team is ready.

"When you go on the road it's all about football," he said. "No distractions, we're in the hotel, and around the coaches 24-7. ... It's just football the whole time and watching film and being with the guys."

Hawaii is 45-78-2 on the road since UH became a D-I football team in 1974, Larry Price's first year as coach. That's a winning percentage of .366.

OK, here's the good news: Hawaii has accomplished a back-to-back road sweep in two of the last three years (2006 and 2007). The bad: The Warriors split or dropped both games of consecutive road contests the other 12 times.

THE MICHAEL Carter-led Holiday Bowl and WAC championship team of 1992 offered up the only other instance of back-to-back roadie W's in the Warriors' D-I history.

That year, Hawaii kicked off the season with an impressive 24-21 win at Oregon, and followed it up a week later with a 6-3 victory in a war of attrition against Air Force.

Carter thought it helped that the Rainbows went home after their win vs. the Ducks; they had learned their lesson from the year before when UH won at Wyoming, then stayed in Chicago awaiting a game at Iowa. The No. 15 Hawkeyes pasted Hawaii 53-10 in front of 70,044 -- what Carter considers the toughest crowd he ever played in front of.

Another reason for success in '92, the dual-threat quarterback explained, was the team shared a special bond. It was a result of a low projected finish in the WAC and Hurricane Iniki, which hit the islands the day before the Air Force game.

"We had a little chip on our shoulder, were ready to show some people what we had," Carter said. "Our team was real close and I think (Iniki) actually helped us jell too, because there were a lot of local players away from their families, not knowing what was going to happen. They had nothing but their teammates, the coaches, to lean on."

UH finished 3-2 on the road that year, not including the 27-17 mainland win over Illinois in the Holiday Bowl.

In Carter's mind, a team absolutely focused on winning can overcome the time difference, the lengthy plane and bus rides and the distractions of being in a new place.

Still, it's one of only 10 Division I seasons that UH posted a winning record on the road.

SOME PLACES have been kinder to Hawaii than others.

Not coincidentally, the homes of UH's old and new rivals have been the toughest places to buy a win.

The Warriors are winless in seven tries as a D-I team at the home of their old foil, Brigham Young. And Hawaii is 0-for-4 on the blue turf of its most recent WAC tormentor, Boise State.

Until recently (wins in 2002, 2006 and 2008) success at Fresno State was also a tall order for the Warriors. (In 2004, the Bulldogs gave the Warriors a 70-14 shellacking on the heels of a 69-3 blowout loss at Boise).

But UH actually has a favorable road record against four of the six teams on its away schedule this year. UH is 2-0 at Idaho, 2-1 at LaTech, 5-4 at UNLV, and a respectable 5-5-1 at San Jose State.

Tight UH road wins in the Sugar Bowl year of 2007 -- at LaTech (45-44, OT), San Jose State (42-35, OT) and Nevada (28-26) -- rank among the program's most important.

Other big road wins can't be forgotten. The 6-0 win at Nebraska in 1955 was huge, as were UH's 10-7 triumph at Washington in 1973, 21-7 win at Cal in 1994, and 20-0 victory at SMU to end a 24-game WAC road losing streak, which lasted between 1992 and 1999.

June Jones, who broke that dubious run, is UH's winningest road coach at 20-20. Dick Tomey went 13-9 on the WAC road for the best away conference winning percentage (.591), while Fred vonAppen is the worst at 0-12.

 

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Cougars coming up

Washington State look to be improved despite an opening loss to Stanford



Progress is often a relative measure. Where Washington State's season-opening loss to Stanford last Saturday could be viewed as just another double-digit defeat for the Cougars, second-year head coach Paul Wulff saw indicators of the team's growth since last season.


"We've been working on a lot of things with our team in terms of team unity, perseverance, body language, all the things we've lacked," Wulff said in his postgame comments. "I thought all those things were displayed today."

Although it counts the same in the win-loss column, the 39-13 defeat was an improvement over Washington State's 58-0 showing against the Cardinal a year ago, one of three shutout losses in a 2-11 season that ended with a defeat at Hawaii.

So entering a rematch with the Warriors on Saturday at Seattle's Qwest Field, the Cougars bring with them a bit more optimism than when they visited Aloha Stadium last November.

True, the Cougars were coming off a dramatic victory over rival Washington in their annual Apple Cup meeting the week before the season-ending trip. But they didn't have much left for the finale of an injury-plagued season, closing with their 11th loss while Hawaii clinched a bowl berth.

Instability at quarterback contributed to ineffectiveness on offense as the Cougars were held to less than 200 yards in total offense seven times while accounting for only 19 touchdowns in 13 games (13 rushing and six passing). The defense, meanwhile, surrendered more than 500 yards six times.

Consequently, the Cougars ranked next to last in the FBS (118th) in scoring offense, total offense and scoring defense and were 108th in total defense. They hit bottom in rushing defense and turnover margin, losing the ball 38 times while recording 13 takeaways.

Although the Cougars trailed throughout their opener last week, there were signs of hope as the offense racked up 349 yards and didn't commit a turnover.

After giving up a touchdown to open the game, the Cougars responded with a 19-play drive that took 8 minutes off the clock. They reached the Stanford 1 before stalling and the possession ended with a missed field goal.

A 63-yard touchdown pass and an 85-yard kickoff return for a score helped Stanford pull away later in the contest.

"I can't say I'm happy because we lost the game," senior linebacker Andy Mattingly said. "But the way we played today shows we have a lot of positive things we can work off and I think we are going to be a good ballclub the next couple weeks as we fix some early-season mistakes."

The Cougars again played multiple quarterbacks, but this time the shuffle was a product of competition rather than necessity.

Kevin Lopina, Washington State's leading passer last year, got the start for the Cougars and went 10-for-16 for 122 yards and a touchdown. Lopina, a senior, missed three games with a back injury and didn't throw a touchdown pass in 153 attempts last season.

Lopina shared playing time with Marshall Lobbestael, who was 8-for-13 for 78 yards.

"I think both guys did some good, and did some things we can correct," Wulff said. "It was a great opportunity for both guys to get some live reps."

Senior Dwight Tardy returns to the Cougars' single-back offense with a chance to lead the Cougars in rushing for all four years in his career. He entered the season with 1,824 career yards and paced Washington State's ground game with 58 yards on 13 carries last week.

He'll be challenged for the team's rushing title by junior James Montgomery, a former Parade All-American who ran for more than 4,900 yards and 82 touchdowns in high school. He sat out last season after transferring from California and picked up 46 yards on 14 carries in his Washington State debut.

The offensive line is anchored by senior center Kenny Alfred, a candidate for the Rimington Trophy.

Washington State's starting defense included four players making their Division I debuts last week, true freshman defensive end Travis Long, redshirt freshman safety LeAndre Daniels, and tackles Bernard Wolfgramm and Josh Luapo, both junior college transfers.

Junior safety Xavier Hicks Jr. is the Cougars' top returning tackler after posting 78 stops. He also had two interceptions and broke up five passes in the secondary.

Linebacker Louis Bland was second on the team with nine tackles for losses as a freshman and started at middle linebacker against Stanford, finishing with a team-high 10 tackles.

"I'm proud of the way we did perform. The nice thing is we can get a lot better," Wulff said. "As soon as we start making some big plays and making some things happen we can make some big steps as a football team."

 

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Hawaii-Washington State game at a glance



What's at Stake

Washington State wants to convince fans it has improved from a horrific 2008 by posting a victory, after losing opener 39-13 to Stanford. QBs Kevin Lopina and Marshall Lobbestael still fighting for starting job. Hawaii barely beat Central Arkansas of the FCS 25-20, and opens a stretch of three road games that is its longest in 45 years.

Key Matchup

Hawaii QB Greg Alexander against porous WSU defense. WSU RBs James Montgomery and Dwight Tardy against solid Hawaii rush defense.

Players to watch

Hawaii QB Alexander one of best in West, and slotback Greg Salas had 180 receiving yards in last game.

Washington State WR Jared Karstetter has big play potential, and Tardy on quest to become first WSU player to lead team in rushing four straight seasons.

Facts & Figures

Hawaii is 3-2 versus Pac-10 teams on road ... this is 100th anniversary of start of Hawaii football ... WSU coach Paul Wulff played for Dennis Erickson, while Hawaii coach Greg McMackin coached for years under Erickson in college and NFL ... Washington State is 5-2 in annual "home" games at Qwest Field in Seattle ... Hawaii and WSU played just two games ago, in last season's finale, with Hawaii winning 24-10.

 

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Rolovich will call plays




As the Hawai'i football team's new offensive play-caller, quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich will think outside the box.

Unlike his predecessor ? offensive coordinator Ron Lee, who will be in the coaches' box during games ? Rolovich will call the plays from the sideline.

"I've never spent time in the box," Rolovich said. "I think there's a benefit to being on the field. You can tell the players' mindset from there."

Rolovich said he will rely on Lee and running backs coach Brian Smith, who will be in the box during games, to provide observations on opposing team's formations and tendencies. Offensive line coach Gordy Shaw, who will be on the field, will offer input on running plays.

"It's going to be a team effort," head coach Greg McMackin said. "Ron Lee will coordinate the practices (for the offense) and run the offensive meetings. Rolovich will call the plays."

McMackin said Lee, by mutual agreement, decided to focus on coaching the receivers, a job he performed for nine seasons as a member of June Jones' coaching staff. Last year, McMackin's first as UH head coach, graduate assistant Craig Stutzmann was in charge of the receivers. In July, Stutzmann accepted a full-time coaching position at Portland State.

Rolovich, who was a UH quarterback in 2000 and 2001, has deep knowledge of the four-wide offense.

"That's why I hired Rolo (as quarterbacks coach)," McMackin said. "He played quarterback in this system. He knows the offense inside and out."

Rolovich said he had hoped to one day call plays. But the new assignment, he said, "comes with pressure. There's no time to celebrate. I haven't done anything yet."

Rolovich's first goal is to cut down on the Warriors' turnovers and sacks. He has worked extensively on trying to help quarterback Greg Alexander anticipate plays quicker. He also wants to help Alexander throw away passes rather than scramble or absorb sacks.

Of play-calling duties, Rolovich said, "you need to know your opponent, and the ability and potential of your offensive players, and have a feel for that mindset. Hopefully, we can have that killer mindset. A lot of the run-and-shoot is read stuff. It's not set routes, where there's more pressure on play-calling."

Alexander said the 30-year-old Rolovich has created a comfortable bond with the players.

"He's a good coach," Alexander said. "He can communicate with us very well. He played in the system, and that helped a lot."

Smith, who was Rolovich's center and roommate at UH, recalled a determined player.

"Rolo was very confident as a quarterback," Smith said. "He was a leader. I'm sure he'll get Greg (Alexander) to be the same way. Rolo has our full confidence as a staff. He has the players' confidence, too."

Rolovich said he will likely script the first several plays for each game, a tactic Jones used.

"I thought that calmed me as a player knowing what's coming next," Rolovich said.

He also welcomes the strategic battles. Play-calling often is likened to a game of chess.

"I enjoy chess," Rolovich said. "I like it much better than checkers. I think it's more complicated. You have to think steps ahead. In checkers, you can think ahead, but that double jump helps you out. There are no double jumps in football. It's a slow building to that point where you hurt them. Football is like having three or four chess boards out. You're setting up this play to be the big play."

As for having fun ...

"It'll be fun if we win," Rolovich said.

 

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Scheduling change means Cougars will face Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense at Qwest Field

Ohio State bought its way out of game in Seattle against Washington State, and Hawaii stepped in.



Avid historians of Washington State's football series at Qwest Field had Saturday's date circled long ago. But like a lot of scheduling these days, it underwent some surgery.

Presto ? out came Hawaii to play the Cougars in the spot where Ohio State was supposed to be. Yes, WSU was once scheduled to host the mighty Buckeyes at Qwest, but Ohio State bought the Cougars out of the game for $450,000 a few years back.

Whatever wrangling it took, it left Ohio State hosting USC Saturday in the college game of the early season.

Out here, who's to quibble, other than the bean counters at cash-poor WSU? The Cougars don't need the Buckeyes right now; they're angling for their first victory of 2009 and the Warriors (1-0) are capable of denying them.

For the Cougars, the next two games are a coincidental quinella that gives them Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense, and next week in Pullman, SMU ? where the coach is June Jones, who brought the same scheme to Hawaii before leaving after the 2007 season.

WSU coach Paul Wulff knows the run-and-shoot well. He played with the New York/New Jersey Knights of the World League of American Football in the early 1990s, when the coach was Mouse Davis, father of the offense.

"It's fairly simple conceptually," Wulff said. "But within the play, there are a lot of multi-reads, depending on how the defense is playing you. Then, if you get too soft on routes, they'll kill you in the screen and draw department."

A year ago, Hawaii led the nation in sacks allowed with 57, 11 more than the next-worst team. The Cougars had five of their 16 season sacks against the Warriors in a 24-10 loss in Honolulu.

That battle, as well as WSU's ability to run the ball, figures to be critical. Last week in the opening 39-13 loss to Stanford, WSU rushed for 78 first-quarter yards but finished with only 102.

"Gosh, there was a chance to have some really, really good runs," said Wulff. "We had some things that were potentially big for us on the table, but someone would get beat at the point of attack. It goes back to getting all 11 to execute."

While Hawaii is beginning the first of three straight road games for the first time in 45 years, WSU bused to Seattle, part of a cost-cutting move.

"I'm completely OK with it," Wulff said. "When it's all said and done, getting from A to B, it's not a whole lot different in time."

A new member of Greg McMackin's second-year staff at Hawaii is Chris Tormey, three times a Washington assistant. Tormey landed with the Warriors after UW fired coach Tyrone Willingham and his staff last year.

 

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Cougars looking for 1st win of season




SPOKANE, Wash. -- Washington State and Hawaii have played only four times in the past 84 years. But Washington State plays the Warriors for the second time in three games on Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle.

A lot has changed since Hawaii beat WSU 24-10 in the regular season finale on Nov. 29.

The Warriors (1-0) graduated many players from a team that qualified for a bowl game, and they struggled to win their season opener. Washington State (0-1) coaches and players claim much improvement since the Hawaii loss ended one of the worst seasons in team history, but they need a win to validate that contention.

"We're showing definite signs of responding," WSU coach Paul Wulff said, referring to the season-opening 39-13 loss to Stanford.

The Hawaii game and next weekend's home game against Southern Methodist are seen as WSU's best chances for an early win this season.

Hawaii had to come back from a 17-point deficit to beat Central Arkansas of the FCS 25-20 in their first game.

The Warriors are led by quarterback Greg Alexander, who threw for 304 yards and rushed for 76 against Central Arkansas. Receiver Greg Salas caught seven passes for 180 yards.

Second-year Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said it took until the second half for his young team to get untracked.

"I felt real good about the way they finished," he said.

Hawaii's next three games are on the road, longest such stretch since 1964.

McMackin also believes WSU looks better this year.

"The offensive line has improved," McMackin said.

This is WSU's annual "home" game in Seattle, where the school has some 60,000 alumni.

Seattle holds a special place in the lore of Hawaii football. The last time the Warriors played there, they upset heavily favored Washington 10-7 in the 1973 season opener. It is one of the greatest wins in the program's 100-year history, and they moved up to Division I the following year.

All four of WSU's previous games against Hawaii were played in Honolulu, and the series is split 2-2.

The Warriors are one of the winningest teams this decade, and have been to bowl games seven times in the past 10 years.

"They like to throw the ball and use the run and shoot concept," Wulff said, expecting Hawaii to use basically the same offense the Cougars faced just two games ago. "They always have the ability to make some big plays."

A few big plays doomed the Cougars against Stanford.

Senior Kevin Lopina will start at quarterback, but will give way to sophomore Marshall Lobbestael if he falters, Wulff said. Neither player has staked a firm grip on the starting job, he said.

Dwight Tardy and James Montgomery anchor a revived WSU rushing attack.

The team has had at least 16 players struck by a swine flu outbreak on campus. Two players, including top receiver Daniel Blackledge, missed practice time this week because of the flu.