Warriors roll through Tide
• Warriors' defense helped slow down rushing Tide
• Hawai'i might play at Alabama
• Statistics
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Jason Whieldon, right, is embraced by roommate Jeremiah Cockheran, who had two TD passes. "He gets the television remote tonight," said Cockheran.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Even before quarterback Jason Whieldon and wideout Jeremiah Cockheran emerged as miracle workers, and before the University of Hawai'i defense denied Alabama and its rich tradition in a made-for-national-television 37-29 victory yesterday at Aloha Stadium, there was the dove.
While lounging on a lanai at the team's hotel in Waikiki yesterday morning, Whieldon, Cockheran and linebacker Chad Kapanui watched in amazement as a white dove perched on the railing for about five seconds.
"We knew that was a sign of good luck," Whieldon said. "When the white dove flew up, we all looked at each other and we said, 'Today's going to be a great day.' "
"Every time we made a good play," Cockheran said, "I told the guys, 'It's the dove, baby. It's the dove.' "
Indeed, the symbol of peace was one of the inspirational pieces in the Warriors' most prominent victory. To be sure, the Warriors have had their share of upsets — over Illinois in the Holiday Bowl, over Brigham Young, over Washington and Iowa — but none carries the prestige of beating Alabama, a 12-time national champion.
In the Warriors' rose-colored view, it mattered little that the Crimson Tide (4-9) is on probation and under its third head coach in 11 months.
"Alabama is such a great team with so much tradition," UH linebacker Keani Alapa said.
UH offensive lineman Brandon Eaton said: "Alabama is a big team from a big conference. It means a lot to play Alabama."
In last year's meeting, also at Aloha Stadium, the Tide rolled to a 21-16 victory. The Tide appeared to be in control yesterday, jumping to a 14-0 lead, then regaining the lead, 21-16, when Alabama safety Roman Harper parlayed a blocked field goal into 73-yard return for a touchdown in the third quarter.
"It was a like a boxing match," UH cornerback Abraham Elimimian said. "Those guys don't quit, but neither do we. We knew we had to step up, and we did. We got the last punch."
For the Warriors, the biggest blows were delivered by Whieldon, who threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns in place of struggling starter Tim Chang; Cockheran, who manufactured two eye-wiping touchdowns, and a relentless defense that forced three turnovers and made six sacks, including one for a safety.
After the Tide stormed to a 14-0 lead on Shaud Williams' 1-yard run and Clint Johnston's 2-yard pass reception, UH coach June Jones summoned Whieldon, a red-headed senior from Orange, Calif.
On Whieldon's third play, he threw an inside screen to Cockheran. Freed by right guard Uriah Moenoa's block on the cornerback, Cockheran weaved his way for a 48-yard touchdown.
"Look at me," the 330-pound Moenoa told reporters later. "I've got a lot of moves. I look like I'm fat, but I don't run like I'm fat."
On UH's next possession, Whieldon threw 4 yards to backup slotback Se'e Poumele to tie it at 14.
The Warriors took a 16-14 lead in the third quarter when Tide quarterback Brodie Croyle dodged a pass rusher only to be sacked in the end zone by defensive tackle Lance Samuseva.
The Warriors were poised to extend their lead when Nolan Miranda lined up for a field-goal attempt from 35 yards. But Anthony Madison raced from UH's left side and blocked Miranda's kick. "I saw an opening and I made the play," Madison said.
Harper scooped up the football and sprinted for a 21-16 lead.
"That was the same score as last year," UH's Elimimian noted. "I told the guys, 'This is kind of weird. We have to do something. This can't be happening again.' "
But following the day's theme, Whieldon and Cockheran provided the answer. After UH advanced to the Alabama 47 in the fourth quarter, Jones called an out-and-up play for Cockheran, who was aligned along the right hashmark. Cockheran ran several yards, cut toward the right sideline and, while trying to turn upfield, was bumped out of bounds by cornerback Charles Peprah.
"I know the rules," Cockheran said. "If you get pushed out of bounds, you can come back in and still get the ball. I kept running."
Unaware that Cockheran had stepped out of bounds, Whieldon recalled, "I noticed he was going up top. Anytime Jerry's going up top, you've got to like your chances. He's a fast dude."
Cockheran hauled in Whieldon's pass and, after a brief discussion among the referees, the play was ruled a touchdown. Michael Brewster's conversion run gave UH a 24-21 lead.
"All I know is he went out of bounds, he caught the ball and they called it a touchdown," Peprah said. "I don't know how he stepped out."
Later, Whieldon threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Clifton Herbert, who landed near the left pylon on the goal line.
"That was a touchdown," Herbert said. "The ball was over (the goal line) and my knees didn't hit (the ground) yet. No doubt about that."
The Warriors moved out of reach when Whieldon scored on an 18-yard run with 4:03 left. "After he scored," Cockheran said, "I told him, 'It was the dove, wasn't it?' "
Although the Tide scored a touchdown with 29 seconds left to close to 37-29, the Warriors secured the ensuing on-side kick, triggering the countdown to the on-field celebration.
Defensive tackle Abu Ma'afala sneaked up and emptied a cooler of iced water on Jones.
Whieldon and Cockheran congratulated each other. They share a university-area apartment, and Cockheran promised, "He gets the television remote tonight. He gets to watch the TV first tonight. I think I'll even let him buy a dove."
Jones, chilled by the dousing and his emotions, said, "This was huge ... a big win ... huge."
"This means a lot to us because people said it couldn't be done," UH's Herbert said. "I was watching (ESPN football commentator) Lee Corso (Friday), and he said it would be the biggest upset of the weekend if we beat Alabama. Alabama is a big name. Hawai'i will be a big name soon."
In the chaos of the UH locker room, Whieldon said, "It was so cool. I'm speechless right now. It was such a huge win for the school, for the state. I feel real privileged just to be a part of it."
The post-game atmosphere was decidedly different from the mood before the game. Jones had told the players then: "Leave everything out there. Don't come back here with anything."
UH's Eaton, slumped on a locker bench more than 15 minutes after the final whistle had sounded, said, "I did what he said. I left everything on the field. I'm so tired I can sleep right here."
Sweet dreams.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
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Warriors' defense helped slow down rushing Tide
The University of Hawai'i defense had given up two touchdowns on Alabama's first three possessions and the Warriors trailed 14-0 on their home field.
It was time for the unit to make a stand.
The Warriors held the Crimson Tide offense scoreless for 13 consecutive drives and bought time for the offense to turn things around in a 37-29 victory yesterday at Aloha Stadium.
The Hawai'i defense had six sacks among 15 tackles for loss, two interceptions, recovered a fumble and recorded a safety.
It all started with tight, aggressive coverage by cornerbacks Abraham Elimimian and Kelvin Millhouse against a speedy group of Alabama receivers.
"The corners, Abraham and Kelvin, I talked to them last Monday we're going to put a lot of pressure on them, they have to play bump-and-run man (coverage) the whole game," Hawai'i head coach June Jones said. "If you want to play at the next level this game will get you there."
Elimimian and Millhouse didn't have much help in the secondary because the Warriors needed to crowd the line of scrimmage with other players to slow down the Crimson Tide running game.
Alabama rushed 15 times for 105 yards in the first quarter, but it couldn't get things going on the ground thereafter.
The Crimson Tide finished with 43 rushes for 151 yards and Brodie Croyle was 20 of 37 for 247 yards.
"They put a lot of guys up in there so it's tougher to run," Alabama head coach Mike Shula said. "They're a good football team, we knew that coming in here."
Defensive tackle Lance Samuseva tackled Croyle in the end zone for a safety, which gave the Warriors their first lead at 16-14 in the third quarter.
"I was just thinking let's get out of here, make a big play and get our offense back on the field and let them score," Samuseva said. "I didn't know it was a safety, I had so much adrenaline out there."
The Warriors picked off both passes in the fourth quarter. One was by Elimimian and the other was by lineman Travis LaBoy after the ball was deflected by fellow lineman Isa'ako Sopoaga.
Four different linemen recorded sacks as did linebacker Ikaika Curnan, who finished with 15 tackles.
"I told them we gotta have it," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "I understand (Alabama's offensive linemen are) big and strong and fast, but we're well coached. We've been doing it from day one and we did it against them."
— Kyle Sakamoto, Advertiser staff writer
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Green and black in Tuscaloosa, Ala.?
The University of Hawai'i football team might take its show to Bryant-Denny Stadium in the future, athletic director Herman Frazier said.
"We'll seriously look at it," Frazier said. "They said they have an opening after 2006."
A one-shot deal would be worth between $500,000 to $800,000 to UH, he said.
Apparently, the parties have been discussing the game since last year, when Alabama made its debut against the Warriors with a 21-16 win.
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore told The Tuscaloosa News in this morning's edition that he spoke to Frazier last year about the plan.
"We'd like them to come to Tuscaloosa," Moore said in the story.
Local restaurateur Peter Kim, who played for UH in 1978 before transferring to Alabama, where he played from 1980-1982, liked the idea.
"That would be nice," said the former place kicker.
Kim was honored by Alabama by delivering the game ball for the Oct. 11 game against Southern Mississippi.
Bryant-Denny Stadium's capacity is 83,518.
Detour: If it looked like UH wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran came off the sidelines to make his 47-yard TD reception from Jason Whieldon, he did.
"I was pushed, but went back in and stayed with the play," Cockheran said. "Jason made a great play."
If a receiver runs out of bounds and makes a catch it is ruled incomplete. One official threw a marker near the spot where Cockheran went out, but his call was overruled by another official who saw that cornerback Charlie Peprah forced Cockheran out of bounds on his streak route down the right sideline, where the Warriors were.
"I didn't see it," said Alabama coach Mike Shula, who said the officials told him Cockheran was pushed out.
"I didn't see him go out of bounds," Whieldon said. "I don't know what happened because I was setting my eyes on the other safety, making sure he wasn't in a position to make a play.
"A big catch, then they threw the (the marker) and we weren't sure if he was going to get in, but I think they made the right call."
Because it's a deep route, the play takes time to develop, Whieldon explained.
"With anyone with speed like Jeremiah, you give it some time, he's going to eventually get 'em on top and that's just what happened," Whieldon said.
Cockheran said he doesn't know where he was pushed out or where he entered in bounds. But when he got back in, he had Peprah beat.
It was a crucial score, which came with 13:55 left in the game, because it put the Warriors up 24-21, a lead they would not lose.
Cockheran, who led all receivers with five catches and 124 yards, also scored UH's first TD on a 48-yarder from Whieldon early in the second quarter. It came in Whieldon's first series after the Warriors failed to score on their first three series behind starter Tim Chang and after the Crimson Tide took a 14-0 lead.
"Jason was a phenomenon," Cockheran said. "He was just in a zone. He kept us pumped, he kept us in the game. He was just in a zone and I'm glad he was."
New role: Warriors' offensive lineman Lyle Castro saw action as fullback yesterday.
With 6-foot-1, 266-pound West Keli'ilipi sidelined by a knee injury, the 5-11, 258-pound senior out of Saint Louis School was used as an added blocker.
"It was quite different," Castro said.
He never got to run the ball, but said he wished he did.
Budget busting: UH coach June Jones awarded game balls to all of the players on defense.
'"That's how they played," he said. "They kept relying on each other, the D-line, Kelvin (Millhouse) and Abraham (Elimimian) made 'em (Alabama's offense) hold the ball because they played tight. It was awesome."
Unscathed: UH team doctor Andrew Nichols reported no injuries.
Celebrity sightings: Alabama native Jim Nabors sang the national anthem for the second consecutive year of the UH-Alabama game ... Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker was a guest in UH president Evan Dobelle's booth.
— Stacy Kaneshiro, Advertiser wtaff writer
Ferd Lewis contributed to this report. Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
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