Posted on: Saturday, November 1, 2003

Warriors, Spartans take different approaches

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Analysis:
UH's run-and-shoot offense will go up against a 4-2-5 defense, while San Jose State has a new offensive coordinator.

When it comes to style, Hawai'i and San Jose State are polar football teams.

UH coach June Jones has run this version of the run-and-shoot offense for more than 25 years. SJSU has a new offensive coordinator this season.

On defense, the Warriors attack with a front-loaded defensive scheme. The Spartans, short-handed because of injuries, retreat into an alignment featuring five defensive backs.

Here's a closer look at today's meeting:

UH offense
LWR—84 Britton Komine 5-10 187 Jr.
LWR—85 Jason Rivers 6-2 187 Fr.
LSB—2 Chad Owens 5-9 174 Jr.
LT—70 Tala Esera 6-3 283 Fr.
LG—64 Samson Satele 6-3 289 Fr.
C—59 Derek Faavi 6-1 273 So.
RG—69 Uriah Moenoa 6-2 330 Jr.
RT—74 Jeremy Inferrera 6-2 281 Fr.
RSB—38 Gerald Welch 5-8 190 Jr.
RWR—19 Jeremiah Cockheran 6-0 190 Sr.
QB—14 Tim Chang 6-2 194 Jr.
RB—16 West Keli'ikipi 6-1 260 Jr.
RB—6 Michael Brewster 5-6 180 Jr.

Outlook: Since the debacle in Tulsa three weeks ago, Chang has worked to improve his pregame focus — "getting into the zone," as he calls it. The technique appears to be successful. Chang has passed for more yards (1,313 to 1,306) and touchdowns (13 to 6) in the last three games than in the previous four. Two factors have contributed to his success: the youthful offensive line is maturing, and Owens and Cockheran are creating mismatches in the secondary.

Keli'ikipi has vowed to overcome torn ligaments in his left shoulder and right hand. The injuries are a result of the wear and tear of pass-blocking.

UH defense
LE—93 Houston Ala 5-11 260 Sr.
LE—98 Melila Purcell 6-5 245 So.
LT—97 Isa'ako Sopoaga 6-3 330 Sr.
RT—92 Lance Samuseva 6-0 309 Sr.
RE—1 Travis LaBoy 6-4 254 Sr.
SLB—46 Keani Alapa 6-1 229 Sr.
MLB—56 Chad Kalilimoku 5-11 240 Sr.
WLB—51 Ikaika Curnan 5-11 218 So.
LCB—3 Kelvin Millhouse 6-1 205 Sr.
SS—33 Hyrum Peters 5-8 188 Sr.
FS—17 David Gilmore 6-0 197 Sr.
RCB—37 Abraham Elimimian 5-10 191 Jr.

Outlook: The Warriors would prefer to use five defensive backs to counter the Spartans' four-receiver set. But the Spartans' crafty cutback running schemes will force the Warriors to open in their base 4-3 alignment. In the four previous seasons, the Warriors would turn up the heat by moving the strongside linebacker to the line of scrimmage. This year, Peters has become the rover, aligning as a perimeter blitzer or fourth linebacker. Peters also is quick enough to defend the inside receiver.

Ala has been slowed by a sore left heel the last two weeks. That might open the way for Purcell, who has been productive despite playing with torn ligaments in his left elbow.

UH specialists
PK—47 Justin Ayat 5-11 205 Jr.
P—25 Kurt Milne 6-0 204 Fr.
KR—20 John West 5-10 180 Sr.
PR—2 Chad Owens 5-9 174 Jr.

Outlook: Like a 3-point shooter who can't hit a layup, Ayat has been good from afar (a league-best 14 of 17 in field-goal attempts) but far from good (seven missed PATs). "I don't know what the problem is," Ayat said. "I've been working extra hard this week. I think it's a minor technique that I'm not catching on to right away." Ayat usually keeps his head down on field-goal attempts, and he believes he might have lifted it slightly during last week's two missed PAT kicks. "That might have made the difference," he said. "Right now, I'm trying to watch tapes and evaluate myself and find any minor bad habits I might be doing. I'm going to go back to square one and break down the kicking process."

SJSU offense
WR—1 Kendrick Starling 6-1 188 Sr.
LT—70 Joseph Hayes 6-5 310 Sr.
LG—65 Kevin Israel 6-1 310 Sr.
C—77 LaMons Walker 6-3 270 Sr.
RG—63 Eric Olson 6-4 325 Jr.
RT—79 Doug Obeng 6-6 306 Jr.
TE—19 Courtney Anderson 6-7 270 Sr.
WR—3 Tuati Wooden 6-0 190 Sr.
WR—11 Jamall Broussard 5-9 169 Sr.
QB—5 Scott Rislov 6-1 217 Sr.
TB—36 Damarcus Ingram 5-11 218 Sr.

Outlook: To gauge the success of the Spartans' running attack, look at Ingram's shoulders. As a North-South runner, Ingram is in his groove when he's leaning forward — dipping his shoulders — on power moves between the tackles. The Spartans' basic running play is a trap, in which the linemen zone block to one direction while Ingram goes the other way. Four different players have started at tailback this season, but the best one, Lamar Ferguson, is sitting out the season because of a knee injury.

Rislov is steady, completing 57 percent of his passes while being intercepted four times in 270 throws.

Hayes, who has been invited to the East West Shrine Game, is the team's best pro prospect.

SJSU defense
DE—56 Philip Perry 6-2 266 Sr.
DT—69 Kinji Green 6-2 272 So.
DT—69 Tony Ficklin 6-2 262 Jr.
DE—94 Sesan McNamara 6-5 206 Jr.
LB—9 Paul Okumu 6-0 234 Sr.
LB—55 Michael Smith 6-0 218 Sr.
LCB—28 Roy Lewis 6-0 185 Fr.
S—21 Eric Wilson 5-9 196 Jr.
FS—6 Gerald Jones 6-0 189 Sr.
S—22 Melvin Cook 5-9 197 Sr.
RCB—20 Jerrell Hardy 6-2 176 Jr.

Outlook: In a safe and injury-free world, Josh Powell would frustrate offenses as the linebacker/safety hybrid and defensive tackle Joshua Smith would clog the running lanes. Both are lost for the season because of high-ankle injuries. Wilson replaced Powell in the Spartans' 4-2-5 scheme.

Keep an eye on Lewis, only the third true freshman to start in the Spartans' secondary in the last three decades. The speedy Lewis will be matched against Jeremiah Cockheran, UH's best deep threat. Lewis and Hardy will play tight man coverage, while the other three defensive backs will be in a zone.

SJSU specialists
PK—14 Jeff Carr 6-1 194 Jr.
P—97 Bryce Partridge 6-3 198 Sr.
KR—1 Kendrick Starling 6-1 188 Sr.
KR—4 Trestin George 5-10 174 So.
PR—11 Jamall Broussard 5-9 169 Sr.

Outlook: The Spartans are getting mileage out of the inexpensive Carr, a walk-on who has converted eight of 11 field-goal attempts. His misses came from beyond 45 yards.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.