ANALYSIS
Warriors see a lot of 'Dogs in mirror

Hawai'i and Fresno State have similar defensive schemes of multiple blitzes, which makes execution key to tonight's game.

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

FRESNO, Calif. — The University of Hawai'i football team's search to solve the riddle of Fresno State's defense led the Warriors to their own backyard.

The Warriors have learned that their defensive scheme of multiple blitzes is similar to the one the Bulldogs use.

"We go against that (scheme) every day in practice," UH coach June Jones said. "We see it in the spring and training camp and every practice."

In turn, the Bulldogs also have had a preview of the Warriors' defense, which should make execution, rather than tactics, the key to tonight's nationally televised game at Bulldog Stadium.

Here's a closer look:

FSU OFFENSE

• WR—1 Marque Davis, 6-0, 190, Jr.
• H—49 Stephen Spach, 6-4, 240, So.
• LT—74 Logan Mankins, 6-4, 305, So.
• LG—67 Fitu Tu'ua, 6-5, 325, Jr.
• C—72 Rodney Michael, 6-4, 305, Sr.
• RG—65 Victor Taifane, 6-5, 335, Sr.
• RT—75 Joe Schey, 6-6, 330, Sr.
• TE—81 Alec Greco, 6-3, 230, Jr.
• WR—18 Adam Jennings, 5-9, 175, Fr.
• WR—19 Jermaine Jamison, 6-3, 190, Fr.
• QB—13 Paul Pinegar, 6-5, 220, Fr.
• TB—22 Rodney Davis, 5-8, 210, Jr.

Outlook: If the Bulldogs did not have bad luck, they wouldn't have any luck at all. In training camp, they learned that running back Derrick Ward did not earn credits in the one class he needed to remain eligible this season. Then quarterback Jeff Grady, the air-it-out heir apparent to David Carr, the NFL's No. 1 pick last season, limped to the sideline with injuries to both hips. Finally, Bernard Berrian, the league's best wideout, called it a season because of a knee injury.

As a result, the Bulldogs' offense has been reduced to vim and Pinegar, and not much else. Davis is a bullish runner who lacks breakaway speed.

The Bulldogs, who operate out of a one-back formation, use up to three receivers or two tight ends to pick apart defenses with screens and slants. Pinegar, a second-year freshman, has become a quiet leader who has retained the starting job even though Grady, a fourth-year junior, is now healthy.

The return of Schey, who had started 31 consecutive games before missing last week's game because of an injury, should provide a boost. The line is solid, although prone to some mental lapses. Last year, their best perimeter blocker, Mankins, was burned on a blitz that resulted in a lost fumble and led to UH's go-ahead touchdown. That was one of only two sacks Mankins permitted last season.

FSU DEFENSIVE FRONT

• E—47 Claude Sanders, 6-3, 230, So.
• T—92 Del Hawkins, 6-0, 270, Jr.
• NT—91 Jason Stewart, 6-1, 285, Sr.
• E—90 Nick Burley, 6-4, 250, Sr.
• OLB—35 David Adamo, 6-2, 235, So.
• MLB—31 Marc Dailey, 6-1, 235, Jr.
• OLB—40 Sam Williams, 6-5, 245, Sr.
• OLB—5 Bryce McGill, 5-11, 210, Jr.

Outlook: After amassing 20 sacks in the first five games, the Bulldogs have been shut out in the last three. Burley, one of the league's best pass-rushers, has been slowed by triple teams and an injured left hand, which is covered with a soft cast. Burley, who can line up at either side, has struggled at right end because he has difficulty planting his left hand in the three-point stance. His ability to sneak into the backfield is negated when he is at left end, which is the quarterback's front side. UH's best blockers, as well as the running back, are on the front side.

To add juice to the blitz packages, McGill has been moved from safety, and he will be used in nickel schemes.

FSU SECONDARY

• CB—37 Demorieux Reneau, 6-0, 195, Sr.
• CB—29 Raymond Washington, 6-1, 200, Fr.
• SS—23 James Sanders, 5-11, 200, Fr.
• FS—24 Cameron Worrell, 5-11, 205, Sr.
• CB—10 Dee Meza, 5-9, 185, Jr.
• CB—36 Tyrone Culver, 6-1, 200, Fr.

Outlook: Because Reneau and Meza were toasted on long passes last week, the Bulldogs are experimenting by mixing and matching the cornerbacks. The two second-year freshmen, Washington and Culver, a converted safety, will join the rotation. Culver also will play nickelback.

FSU SPECIALISTS

• PK—32 Asen Asparuhov, 6-5, 215, Sr.
• P—48 Jason Simpson, 6-1, 185, Sr.
• KR—1 Marque Davis, 6-0, 190, Jr.
• PR—18 Adam Jennings, 5-9, 175, Fr.

Outlook: The loss of Berrian has impacted special teams, depriving the Bulldogs of a speedy returner. Jennings has been decent on punt returns, but the Bulldogs still have not found a suitable kick returner.

Asparuhov, who played soccer for the Bulgarian Air Force, has had a storybook career. He did not play football in high school, and was used only on kickoffs at Grossmont College. But the Bulldogs were so impressed with his leg strength they offered him a scholarship. He has converted 13 of 18 field-goal attempts this year, with three of his misses coming from beyond 50 yards.

UH OFFENSE

• LWR—18 Justin Colbert, 5-8, 170, Sr.
• LSB—84 Britton Komine, 5-9, 184, So.
• LT—70 Wayne Hunter, 6-6, 299, Jr.
• LG—77 Shayne Kajioka, 6-3, 308, Jr.
• C—53 Lui Fuata, 6-2, 315, Sr.
• RG—65 Vince Manuwai, 6-2, 309, Sr.
• RT—69 Uriah Moenoa, 6-3, 327, So.
• RSB—21 Clifton Herbert, 5-8, 157, Jr.
• RSB—4 Nate Ilaoa, 5-9, 204, Fr.
• RWR—19 Jer. Cockheran, 6-0, 193, Jr.
• QB—14 Tim Chang, 6-2, 191, So.
• RB—24 Thero Mitchell, 5-10, 210, Sr.

Outlook: While many marvel at the number of passes Chang throws during a game, that total does not even include his pregame passes. Since recovering from last season's wrist injury, Chang said he throws between 50 and 100 passes during pregame warmups.

"I know the scar tissue needs to be warm and loosened before I go into the game," Chang said. "I massage it once in a while, but it takes a while to get warmed up."

According to quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison, Chang's pregame work is related to his strong starts in recent games. "He's ready right out of the chute," Morrison said. "He doesn't get warmed up in the game, he comes in ready to play."

Chang has benefitted from an offensive line that has relinquished four sacks this season, and none in the last two games. The protection, plus the extra time Chang can steal because of his quick release, allows the receivers to get deeper into their routes.

UH DEFENSIVE FRONT

• LE—58 La'anui Correa, 6-5, 264, Sr.
• LT—97 Isaac Sopoaga, 6-3, 315, Jr.
• RT—92 Lance Samuseva, 5-11, 290, Jr.
• RE—1 Travis Laboy, 6-4, 249, Jr.
• SLB—44 Matt Wright, 6-1, 225, Sr.
• MLB—54 Chris Brown, 6-1, 255, Sr.
• WLB—10 Pisa Tinoisamoa, 6-0, 218, Sr.

Outlook: Houston Ala, who is quietly becoming the Warriors' best defensive lineman, did not make the trip. He missed last week's game because of a sore Achilles' heel.

UH SECONDARY

• LCB—37 Abraham Elimimian, 5-10, 173, So.
• SS—33 Hyrum Peters, 5-8, 188, Jr.
• FS—17 David Gilmore, 6-0, 197, Jr.
• RCB—3 Kelvin Millhouse, 6-1, 205, Jr.
• NB—13 Keith Bhonapha, 5-9, 187, Sr.

Outlook: Like Ala, Bhonapha is an underrated defender having a strong season. Bhonapha is not even listed on the two-deep chart, but he is an effective nickelback who plays almost as many downs as starting linebacker Matt Wright. Bhonapha can cover the tight end or fill the running lanes. He has shaved more than a second off his time in the 40-yard dash through a workout program he designed himself.

UH SPECIALISTS

• PK—47 Justin Ayat, 5-11, 205, So.
• P—49 Mat McBriar, 6-0, 221, Sr.
• KR—20 John West, 5-10, 180, Jr.
• PR—81 Omar Bennett, 5-11, 178, Sr.

Outlook: Michael Brewster and Mike Bass are both back from injuries, although it is not known if they will return kicks today. If not, the Warriors hope West, who is elusive in the open field when he plays running back, can be just as shifty on kick returns. Bennett, a fifth-year senior who has played one season in the last three years, said he is slowly regaining his confidence.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story erroneously reported that UH player Houston Ala would play in the Fresno State game. He did not make the trip.