Wagner's defense back in Hawai'i
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The past meets the present when Texas-El Paso plays Hawai'i in a Western Athletic Conference football game tonight at Aloha Stadium.
UTEP's defensive coordinator, Bob Wagner, implemented the high-pressure defensive schemes as UH's defensive coordinator in the 1980s. Later, as head coach, he guided the Warriors to their first bowl appearance (the 1989 Aloha Bowl), WAC championship (1992) and bowl victory (1992 Holiday Bowl).
Wagner, who still owns property on the North Shore, is back, and so are his defensive schemes.
Here is a closer look at the game:
When UH has the ball:
In the early 1990s, Arizona's "Desert Swarm Defense" was the rage, a snarling, chaotic scheme that turned quarterbacks into bait.
But Arizona's schemes, as well as part of the package used in the 1985 Chicago Bears' "46" defense, contained many aspects of the defenses used at UH under Wagner.
In UTEP's version, there are four defensive linemen, with a rover or linebacker sneaking up to create the scheme's more traditional five-defender attack.
When the corners are in man-to-man coverage, the Miners will try to blitz a safety. But they are at their best when the secondary is playing zone, a scheme that caused adjustment problems for cornerback Weldon Cooks, who will not start against UH.
A favorite tactic is to have, say, the left defensive end force the right tackle to the inside. Then middle linebacker Robert Rodriguez and an outside linebacker will storm through the area vacated by the offensive tackle.
While defensive linemen Josh Randolph and Bobby King, the team's best point defender, will not play because of injuries, defensive end Gabe Williams, an effective pass rusher, is available for the first time in a month.
Both teams insist there is little difference between UH quarterback Tim Chang, who did not play last week because of a sprained right wrist, and backup Nick Rolovich. But Chang appears to have a better grasp of the run-and-shoot offense.
Chang's quick release enables him to take as long as 3.5 seconds before throwing. Rolovich, who has a stronger arm, usually releases a pass within three seconds of receiving the snap. In last week's victory over Southern Methodist, the Warriors pared their offensive menu — more power runs, fewer screens — to help Rolovich.
UH coach June Jones will not announce the starting quarterback until game time.
• • •
When UTEP has the ball:
Thumb through a Miner playbook, and the majority of pass plays will be screens.
The Miners will throw screens to running back Sherman Austin, inside screens to wideout Lee Mays on three-receiver alignments, and lead screens to tight end Joey Knapp.
"They have more screens than Home Depot," UH assistant coach Rich Miano said.
With Chris Porter injured, the 5-foot-8 Austin starts at tailback. When the Miners use two tight ends, 6-foot-1, 232-pound fullback Rovann Cleveland becomes the lone back.
With Mays playing on a tender ankle and backup tight end Jonas Crafts injured, the Miners will improvise. Freshman Jason Glover will team with Knapp in the double tight end schemes. The Miners try to confuse defenses by aligning the tight ends as wide receivers or motioning them into the backfield as lead blockers.
The Warriors, starting their fifth different lineup in as many weeks, have decided to simplify their schemes.
The cornerbacks, who used to be divided into boundary (narrow side of the field) and field positions, now will be designated to the left and right sides.
Instead of platooning the defensive linemen, the substitutions will be made on a one-for-one basis.
Also, middle linebacker Chris Brown, who played on every defensive down, will be lifted when the Warriors use five defensive backs.
Starting lineups
Texas-El Paso Miners (2-3, 1-1)
Offense
SE—82 Terrance Minor, 6-1, 185, Jr.
LT—55 Ariel Famaligi, 6-4, 295, Jr.
LG—73 Lawrence Norman, 6-3, 315, Sr.
C—52 Chris Kerr, 6-4, 265, So.
RG—53 Robert Clayton, 6-4, 280, So.
RT—Trey Darilek, 6-6, 290, So.
TE—30 Joey Knapp, 6-5, 250, Sr.
FL—7 Lee Mays, 6-3, 190, Sr.
QB—13 Wesley Phillips, 6-4, 210, Sr.
TB—3 Sherman Austin, 5-8, 180, Jr.
FB—5 Rovann Cleveland, 6-1, 232, So.
Defense
LE—44 Karmul High, 6-4, 235, Jr.
LT—71 Sam Clarke, 6-2, 270, So.
RT—57 Dan Kerr, 6-4, 270, So.
RE—94 Rick Fette, 6-4, 245, Jr.
Rov—14 Mark Dowdy, 5-11, 195, So.
MLB—43 Robert Rodriguez, 6-1, 230, Fr.
WLB—36 Barry King, 6-3, 225, Sr.
LCB—6 Jahmal Fenner, 5-8, 180, Fr.
SS—11 Tim Woodard, 5-11, 185, So.
FS—16 D.J. Walker, 6-3, 210, Jr.
RCB—2 Crance Clemons, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Specialists
PK—38 Keith Robinson, 5-11, 210, Fr.
P—48 Bryce Benekos, 6-6, 195, Fr.
• • •
HAWAI'I WARRIORS (2-2, 1-2)
Offense
LWR—18 Justin Colbert, 5-7, 160, Jr.
LSB—85 Channon Harris, 5-8, 151, Sr.
LT—53 Lui Fuata, 6-2, 313, Jr.
LG—76 Manly Kanoa III, 6-4, 309, 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.
RSB—2 Craig Stutzmann, 5-11, 194, Sr.
RWR—8 Ashley Lelie, 6-3, 190, Jr.
QB—12 Nick Rolovich, 6-2, 200, Sr.
RB—1 Mike Bass, 5-6, 160, Fr.
Defense
LE—58 Laanui Correa, 6-4, 267, Jr.
LT—70 Mike Iosua, 6-3, 272, Sr.
RT—92 Lance Samuseva, 5-11, 285, So.
RE—1 Travis Laboy, 6-5, 253, So.
SLB—44 Matt Wright, 6-1, 222, Jr.
MLB—54 Chris Brown, 6-2, 258, Jr.
WLB—10 Pisa Tinoisamoa, 6-0, 217, Jr.
LCB—37 Abraham Elimimian, 5-10, 180, Fr.
LS—3 Jacob Espiau, 5-10, 196, Sr.
RS—12 Nate Jackson, 5-10, 170, Sr.
RCB—17 Kelvin Millhouse, 6-1, 198, So.
Specialists
PK—47 Justin Ayat, 5-11, 203, Fr.
P—49 Mat McBriar, 6-1, 202, Jr.
