Warriors realign defense to stop Rice run-option attack

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team is expected to dust off a special defensive package for Saturday's road game against Rice.

The Warriors, who usually attack out of a 4-3 alignment, probably will go with a 4-4 scheme, the same tactic they used against Rice's run-option offense last year. This time, safeties David Gilmore and Chad Kapanui will be used as outside linebackers, with Hyrum Peters as the lone safety in the defensive secondary.

Peters said the scheme puts pressure on him to make the correct defensive call. Depending on the offensive play, Peters will track the quarterback or the trailing runner on option plays to the perimeter.

But Peters also will be responsible for defending a receiver sneaking out on a delayed route.

"There are a lot of things to think about," Peters said.

Peters, who moved to strong safety from cornerback during training camp, was used as the fourth linebacker in last year's game against Rice.

Using quicker outside linebackers should ease the absence of defensive end Travis Laboy, who did not make the trip because of a sprained right ankle. Laboy did not practice this week.

Houston Ala, who is recovering from a bruised left Achilles' heel, is expected to start at right defensive end.

Right wideout Jeremiah Cockheran, who missed the last game because of a groin injury, practiced yesterday and was included on the travel roster. Although Cockheran is available, Neal Gossett is expected to start.

Gossett, a senior, was expected to be one of the Warriors' top receivers this season. But he struggled in the season's first six games, and eventually was replaced by Cockheran.

"I'm trying to contribute more instead of playing like how I played in the first half," Gossett said. "I wasn't producing. I have to produce more and make more plays."

Gossett said he had difficulty adjusting to the different quarterbacks. Although quarterback Tim Chang started every game this season, he missed most of training camp because of a broken finger. Quarterbacks Shawn Withy-Allen and Jason Whieldon also have played.

"It took me a while, but I kind of feel things are going the way they're supposed to be going now," Gossett said. "But there's no excuse for not making plays."

• Clear skies ahead: After several weeks of heavy rain in Houston, the weather is expected to be good for Saturday's game against Rice.

"We've had great weather this week," Rice coach Ken Hatfield said. "It's been 70 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky."

Hatfield said he did not think it would have been to the Owls' advantage to play in wet conditions, even though heavy rain appeared to neutralize the Warriors' quickness in an early-season loss to Brigham Young.

"They're used to swimming all of the time," Hatfield said of the Warriors.

As for the attendance in 70,000-seat Rice Stadium, Hatfield said, "it should be somewhere on the lower side of 70,000."

• Time change: UH officials yesterday announced the starting time for the Nov. 30 game against Alabama has been moved from 3:05 p.m. to 2:45.

UH officials also said there are about 1,800 tickets remaining for that game.