Hawai'i defense under spotlight

Analysis

Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa and his charges face their first Western Athletic Conference foe of the season as SMU comes to Aloha Stadium tonight.

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa, who has coached for three decades, often recounts the old line about how one week a coach is a "genius" and the next he's an overpaid P.E. teacher.

This week, Lempa has felt the love after designing the defensive scheme that was instrumental in the Warriors' 31-6 victory over Texas-El Paso last week. But as "American Idol" finalists Justin Guarini and Nikki McKibbin are learning, fame has a time limit, and Lempa has acknowledged his "genius" label will expire quickly if he can't stop Southern Methodist tonight at Aloha Stadium.

Here's a look at the game:

MUSTANGS' PASSING

• WR—5 Johnnie Freeman, 5-11, 190, Sr.
• WR—25 Cody Cardwell, 5-10, 180, Sr.
• QB—11 Tate Wallis, 6-3, 216, Fr.

The skinny: The offense changed dramatically during training camp when Chris "The Comet" Cunningham, the Mustangs' best receiver, suffered a season-ending foot injury. Freeman, who replaced Cunningham, has yet to make a significant impact despite his speed (10.2 seconds over 100 meters).

SMU coach Phil Bennett had hoped a Cunningham-Cardwell tandem would ease the learning process for Wallis, who earned the starting job after the top two quarterbacks quit the team. In high school, Wallis appeared to be poised for a pro career in baseball. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2001, but turned down the baseball offer and eventually joined SMU as a tight end.

The Mustangs try to spread the offense, often positioning Cardwell wide left, but the alignment is mostly used to clear out the defense and open the running lanes.

MUSTANGS' RUSHING

• LT—76 Judson Davis, 6-5, 300, Sr.
• LG—62 Brad Kieschnick, 6-3, 283, Fr.
• C—69 Steve Reindl, 6-3, 278, Jr.
• RG—70 Townsend Hargis, 6-4, 280, So.
• RT—75 Sterling Harris, 6-6, 300, Jr.
• TE—86 John Hampton, 6-3, 249, Sr.
• FB—24 Kris Briggs, 5-11, 231, Sr.
• TB—32 Keylon Kincade, 5-11, 205, Jr.

The skinny: Last year, ShanDarrick Charles had a breakout freshman season, but then suffered a back strain in spring practice. Charles claims his back is fine, but others aren't so sure, and he wasn't able to work out during the summer. That's opened the way for Kincade, who probably is 10 pounds heavier than his listed weight. Kincade, who can sprint 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, prefers interior runs. He averages 28.3 carries per game, and had 37 carries against Texas Tech and 36 against Texas Christian.

Hampton is closing in on 100 career receptions, but he probably is the league's best blocking tight end. He can align on both sides, and even in the slot. Most of the running plays are to his side.

MUSTANGS' DEFENSIVE FRONT

• DE—90 Melvin Williams, 6-2, 245, So.
• DT—14 Allan Adami, 6-4, 257, So.
• NG—92 Lute Croy, 6-2, 292, Sr.
• DE—97 Eric Peterson, 6-4, 238, Sr.
• SLB—46 Brian Bischoff, 6-1, 219, Jr.
• MLB—55 Vic Viloria, 5-11, 235, Sr.
• WLB—45 Jarrian James, 6-0, 209, Jr.

The skinny: The Mustangs often go with a 4-1 alignment, with Viloria, who has the speed to play safety, positioned up close. Then the games begin, with Adami and Croy crushing the pocket, allowing the ends to swoop in, or the interior linemen criss-crossing to confuse the UH blockers.

The Mustangs don't often blitz, but when they do, the pressure will come from one of the outside linebackers. A tipoff is watch the free safety, who will slide over to cover the area vacated by the blitzer.

MUSTANGS' SECONDARY

• LCB—3 Jonas Rutledge, 6-0, 188, Jr.
• SS—6 Rico Harris, 6-2, 212, So.
• FS—4 Ruben Moodley, 6-0, 186, Jr.
• RCB—1 Kevin Garrett, 5-10, 196, Sr.

The skinny: During the preseason, Rutledge and Garrett were trumpeted as the league's best coverage duo. While the roommates have played well, they haven't dominated. Still, their speed — Rutledge can run 40 yards in 4.35 seconds, and Garrett was timed at sub-4.3 seconds on grass during a combine staged by former Dallas Cowboy scouting director Gil Brandt — eases the pressure on the rest of the secondary.

The Mustangs' cornerbacks try to force the wideouts to the inside portion of the field.

MUSTANGS' SPECIALISTS

• PK—31 Chris McMurtray, 6-1, 206, Fr.
• P—41 Ryan Mentzel, 6-1, 185, Fr.
• DS—63 Grant Eidson, 6-1, 265, Fr.
• KR—3 Jonas Rutledge, 6-0, 188, Jr.
• PR—25 Cody Cardwell, 5-10, 180, Sr.

The skinny: Cunningham was the Mustangs' best return man, but there is no dropoff in speed with either Rutledge or Cardwell. Bennett said the Mustangs devote 32 minutes each day — 20 in the middle of practice and 12 near the end — to special teams work. "We've got to find some kind of edge because we're a little bit lacking in depth and personnel," Bennett said.

WARRIORS' PASSING

• LWR—18 Justin Colbert, 5-8, 170, Sr.
• LSB—82 Chad Owens, 5-9, 177, So.
• RSB—21 Clifton Herbert, 5-8, 157, Jr.
• RSB—4 Nate Ilaoa, 5-9, 204, Fr.
• RWR—88 Neal Gossett, 5-10, 177, Sr.
• RWR—19 Jeremiah Cockheran, 6-0, 193, Jr.
• QB—14 Tim Chang, 6-2, 191, So.

The skinny: Unlike the previous three years, the Warriors are frequently rotating players this season. While Owens was expected to be the possession receiver, it is his understudy, Britton Komine who leads the team with three scoring receptions. Herbert and Ilaoa give the Warriors a deep threat in the slots, as well as an option on reverse runs.

Jones said Chang and fifth-year senior Shawn Withy-Allen will both take snaps and, depending on the situation, Jason Whieldon, who returned Monday after a two-week leave of absence, also might play.

WARRIORS' RUSHING

• 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.
• RB—24 Thero Mitchell, 5-10, 210, Sr.
• RB—1 Mike Bass, 5-6, 158, So.

The skinny: The return to the hard artificial surface should test the progress of Bass, who often struggled with his balance while sprinting at Aloha Stadium. Bass, who missed spring practice while recovering from hernia surgery, has worked on trying to improve his running style.

WARRIORS' 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—93 Houston Ala, 6-1, 250, 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.

The skinny: Wright, who moved from running back two years ago, outplayed the more heralded linebackers in last week's game against UTEP. Wright has shown his versatility as a run-stopper, pass defender (tracking the tight end) and, in obvious running situations, as a fifth defensive lineman. His progress has allowed Lempa to go longer with the base defense. Wright is replaced by the nickelback when the Warriors use schemes with five or six defensive backs.

WARRIORS' SECONDARY

• LCB—24 Kenny Patton, 6-0, 170, Fr.
• SS—33 Hyrum Peters, 5-8, 188, Jr.
• FS—17 David Gilmore, 6-0, 197, Jr.
• RCB—3 Kelvin Millhouse, 6-1, 205, Jr.

The skinny: By replacing injured cornerback Abraham Elimimian, Patton becomes the first true freshman to start in the UH secondary since Doe Henderson in 1992. Patton is the nephew of former Radford High standout Joey Bunch, who still holds the state high school record in the 800-meter run. Millhouse, who usually plays on the left side, is expected to move to the right, where he will defend Cardwell.

Although Leonard Peters practiced with the first team this week after being declared fully recovered from spleen and kidney injuries, he might not be ready to start at free safety. By the end of the season, he should be in the starting lineup.

WARRIORS' SPECIALISTS

• PK—47 Justin Ayat, 5-11, 205, So.
• P—49 Mat McBriar, 6-0, 221, Sr.
• LS/FG—53 Lui Fuata, 6-2 315, Sr.
• LS/P—45 Tanuvasa Moe, 5-11, 218, Fr.
• KR—6 Michael Brewster, 5-6, 176, So.
• PR—1 Mike Bass, 5-6, 158, So.

The skinny: While the punt unit misses Jonathan Kauka's leadership — he suffered a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago — Chad Kapanui has provided a new dimension as the starting upback. Kapanui, a former quarterback, is an accurate passer, good blocker and sure tackler. His quickness will allow the Warriors to expand their coverage on punts. After playing five positions in three years at UH, Kapanui might have found a spot suitable for his multiple skills.