Times have changed for BYU, Hawai'i
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
For much of the past quarter century, Brigham Young built a reputation as a leader in the passing attack. Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, Steve Young and Ty Detmer were products of what became known as QB-YU.
But times have changed, and the Cougars, under first-year coach Gary Crowton, now rely on a more balanced offense.
Meanwhile, the Warriors, who began the 1990s with an option attack, are in their third season of coach June Jones' vertical offense.
Entering today's game, UH is second nationally in passing, averaging 405.2 yards per game, and BYU is ninth (309.2).
Here's a closer look at how the teams match up:
Cougar passing
SE—10 Andrew Ord, 6-2, 200, Jr.
SE—26 Rod Wilkerson, 6-1, 180, Fr.
FL—82 Soren Halladay, 6-1, 195, Sr.
SB—82 Reno Mahe, 5-11, 190, Jr.
TE—89 Spencer Nead, 6-4, 260, Jr.
TE—86 Doug Jolley, 6-4, 241, Sr.
QB—11 Brandon Doman, 6-1, 195, Sr.
The buzz: It would be difficult to pick the Cougars' offense out of a lineup. Sometimes they use two backs, sometimes one, sometimes none. They utilize as many as three tight ends, and sometimes as many as four wideouts. Mahe is a sure-handed receiver who is at his best when he sneaks into the flat. But the Cougars also like to throw screens to the receivers, particularly to Wilkerson, who can run 100 meters in 10.6 seconds. While Doman could easily hide behind a line whose average blocker is 6 feet 4 and 296 pounds, he is most dangerous when he rolls out of the pocket.
Cougar rushing
LT—79 Dustin Rykert, 6-7, 301, Jr.
LG—54 Teag Whiting, 6-3, 298, Sr.
C—68 Jason Scukanec, 6-2, 285, Sr.
RG—69 Aaron McCubbins, 6-3, 295, Sr.
RT—65 Ben Archibald, 6-4, 303, Jr.
HB—3 Ned Stearns, 6-0, 215, Sr.
HB—24 Paul Peterson, 5-8, 196, Sr.
The buzz: The Cougars indeed will miss the nation's best running back, Luke Staley, who won't play because of a broken fibula suffered last week. Unlike the speedy Staley, Stearns, a member of BYU's rugby team, is a straight-ahead runner who prefers the inside lanes. That's a concern for the Warriors, who have had difficulty slowing bulky rushers such as Nevada's Chance Kretschmer, San Jose State's Jarmar Julien and Boise State's Brock Forsey. The Cougars also like to run the speed option, in which Doman races to the perimeter and sprints upfield or pitches to a trailing halfback. Doman's running basically keeps the opposing free safety, who is the point player on options, from serving as a pass defender.
Cougar defensive front
LE—93 Brett Keisel, 6-5, 269, Sr.
LT—94 Jeff Cowart, 6-4, 259, Jr.
RT—95 Ifo Pili, 6-3, 315, So.
RE—92 Ryan Denney, 6-7, 275, Sr.
SLB—47 Paul Walkenhorst, 6-5, 255, So.
MLB—55 Justin Ena, 6-3, 261, Sr.
WLB—21 Isaac Kelley, 6-4, 240, Sr.
The buzz: In the past, the Cougars preferred to shift and stunt the defensive linemen, hoping chaos would lead to quarterback pressure. But Cowart and Pili are inexperienced, and the Cougars have relied on basic schemes up front. Ena is a typical BYU middle linebacker — stout, strong (benches 400 pounds) and quick (4.6 seconds over 40 yards). He leads the Cougars with 98 tackles, including 62 solo takedowns.
Cougar secondary
CB—4 Jernaro Gilford, 6-1, 180, So.
SS—19 Dustin Staley, 5-11, 178, Sr.
FS—7 Levi Madarieta, 6-2, 210, So.
CB—34 Brandon Heaney, 5-10, 180, So.
CB/NB—23 Danny Phillips, 6-0, 194, Sr.
NB—33 Aaron Francisco, 6-2, 195, Fr.
The buzz: Gilford, who can run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds, is expected to defend UH wide receiver Ashley Lelie. Gilford was an 800-meter sprint champion in high school in California. On the other side, Heaney is questionable because of a subluxed shoulder. If Heaney can't play, nickelback Phillips will start at cornerback and Francisco will play when the Cougars go to five defensive backs.
Cougar specialists
PK—38 Matt Payne, 6-4, 247, Fr.
P—29 Aaron Edmonds, 5-11, 192, Sr.
KR/PR—20 Reno Mahe, 5-11, 190, Jr.
The buzz: There were concerns when Payne missed a field-goal attempt from short distance against Utah State Oct. 5. In the seven games since, he drained all seven of his attempts, including the game-winner against Mississippi State last week.
Warrior passing
LWR—18 Justin Colbert, 5-7, 160, Jr.
LSB—85 Channon Harris, 5-8, 151, Sr.
RSB—2 Craig Stutzmann, 5-11, 194, Sr.
RWR—8 Ashley Lelie, 6-3, 187, Jr.
QB—12 Nick Rolovich, 6-2, 200, Sr.
The buzz: Lelie has received the most coverage and accolades, but Colbert is quietly having a breakout season. His 784 receiving yards, second to Lelie's 1,451, would lead the team in eight of the previous 10 seasons. Colbert runs the more difficult deep routes, going against the grain of the right-handed Rolovich. With his speed (4.3 seconds over 40 yards), Colbert is being used more on screens.
Warrior rushing
LT—53 Lui Fuata, 6-2, 313, Jr.
LG—76 Manly Kanoa III, 6-4, 320, Sr.
C—66 Brian Smith, 6-2, 284, Sr.
RG—65 Vince Manuwai, 6-2, 285, Jr.
RT—69 Uriah Moenoa, 6-4, 331, Fr.
RB—1 Mike Bass, 5-6, 158, Fr.
RB—24 Thero Mitchell, 5-10, 215, Jr.
The buzz: While Kanoa's run-blocking, especially when he pulls to the right on long traps, has been instrumental in the Warriors' improved perimeter runs, credit also should go to Moenoa, who has developed into a punishing blocker. In Mike Cavanaugh's two decades as a line coach, Moenoa is only the second freshman to start. Cavanaugh has been impressed with Moenoa's technique, aggressiveness and footwork. Moenoa has allowed three sacks, fewest among the starting linemen.
Warrior defensive front
LE—58 La'anui Correa, 6-4, 267, Jr.
LT—70 Mike Iosua, 6-3, 272, Sr.
RT—92 Lance Samuseva, 5-11, 285, So.
RE—6 Joe Correia, 6-3, 240, Sr.
SLB—44 Matt Wright, 6-1, 222, Jr.
MLB—54 Chris Brown, 6-2, 258, Jr.
WLB—10 Pisa Tinoisamoa, 6-0, 217, Jr.
The buzz: Correia has filled in well, but even if his left foot were not tender, he does not have the speed that makes Travis Laboy such a feared pass rusher. Laboy is iffy because of a sprained left ankle and right shoulder, and the Warriors might turn to sophomore Kevin Jackson, who has shown promise in cameo appearances. Wright also is questionable because of a sprained left knee. But unlike the previous game against Air Force, when safety Robert Grant moved to linebacker, Wright might be spelled by inside linebacker Bobby Morgan, who offers more girth against the Cougars' bulkier tight ends. Tinoisamoa also has declared himself healthy, although it is not known how long he can play on an injured right leg.
Warrior secondary
LCB—17 Kelvin Millhouse, 6-1, 198, So.
SS—3 Jacob Espiau, 5-10, 198, Sr.
FS/NB—12 Nate Jackson, 5-10, 163, Sr.
FS—2 Robert Grant, 6-1, 191, Sr.
CB—33 Hyrum Peters, 5-8, 190, So.
CB—37 Abraham Elimimian, 5-10, 180, Fr.
The buzz: In the past decade, there only have been a handful of play-making defensive backs — Bryan Addison, Doe Henderson, Eddie Klaneski, Quincy LeJay. This year, the Warriors have two — Espiau and Jackson. Although they have been limited by shoulder injuries, they are menacing blitzers and effective one-on-one tacklers. They also have been influential in the development of the young cornerbacks.
Warrior specialists
PK—47 Justin Ayat, 5-11, 203, Fr.
P—49 Mat McBriar, 6-1, 202, So.
KR/PR—82 Chad Owens, 5-8, 175, Fr.
The buzz: During each practice, McBriar will walk the length of the practice field, bouncing a football. Bounce, catch, step. Bounce, catch, step. This odd ritual is actually McBriar's way of practicing his drop. While McBriar punts 60 times each day, the secret to his success, he said, "is all about the drop."
