ANALYSIS
Warriors, Bulldogs offer contrast in style

Fresno State's power running game will try to wear down Hawai'i's defense, while it's no secret to the Bulldogs that passing is the key to the Warriors' offense.

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

When the marquee says, "Farrelly Brothers," don't expect a drama. Similarly, when the football headliners are Fresno State and Hawai'i, don't expect many changes.

Although both teams have shuffled their lineups and tweaked some plays because of injuries and circumstances, the basic product should be the same when they meet tonight at Aloha Stadium.

"We know what to expect from them," UH coach June Jones said. "They'll try to out-physical you, be tougher than you are. They play hard until the finish."

FSU coach Pat Hill said: "Hawai'i is always going to be Hawai'i. As long as June's here, they're going to throw the ball well, they'll play hard on defense and very aggressive on special teams."

Here's a closer look:

Fresno State offense

• WR—1 Marque Davis 6-0 195 Sr.
• LT—50 Dartangon Shack 6-2 300 So.
• LG—63 Kawika Edwards 6-4 300 Jr.
• C—59 Kyle Young 6-5 320 Fr.
• RG—70 Sean Finnerty 6-3 285 So.
• RT—79 Chris Denman 6-6 260 Fr.
• TE—86 Duncan Reid 6-6 220 Jr.
• WR—2 Bernard Berrian 6-2 190 Sr.
• QB—13 Paul Pinegar 6-4 220 So.
• FB—49 Stephen Spach 6-4 250 Jr.
• FB—46 Roshon Vercher 5-11 245 Fr.
• TB—32 Dwayne Wright 6-1 210 So.

Outlook: Expect the Bulldogs to try to shorten the game with a time-consuming power running attack. In last year's meeting, Shack was aligned as a fullback. But with three starting offensive linemen out with injuries, including both No. 1 tackles, Shack is needed in the trenches. Although the Bulldogs list an H-back, the position is really a blocking fullback. While Spach can catch short passes, Vercher and Jamal Jones are primarily blockers.

Wright, who seized the starting job from Rodney Davis, attended the same San Diego high school as Marcus Allen and Terrell Davis. He signed with Washington State as a high school senior, but then went to West Hills College, where he played one season in two years. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining. With Bryson Sumlin and Robbie Dubois used in short-yardage situations, Rodney Davis, who rushed for 1,586 yards last season, has played sparingly.

Pinegar's return, it is hoped, will at least silence the crowd — FSU's — which had booed his replacement, Jeff Grady. Pinegar, the league's Freshman of the Year in 2002, makes his first start after suffering a torn right pectoral muscle on his throwing side during training camp. While his arm strength has improved — he improved his repetitions from three to five passes in drills this week — Pinegar most likely will throw off of play-action plays. Berrian, who has struggled this season, should benefit from Pinegar's accurate passing.

Fresno State defense

• E—55 Brian Morris 6-2 250 Sr.
• T—56 Fai Satele 6-1 290 Jr.
• NT—99 Donyell Booker 6-2 305 Jr.
• E—71 Garrett McIntyre 6-3 250 So.
• SLB—David Adamo 6-2 235 Jr.
• MLB—31 Marc Dailey 6-1 233 Sr.
• WLB—5 Bryce McGill 5-11 225 Sr.
• CB—29 Raymond Washington 6-1 200 So.
• SS—23 James Sanders 5-11 205 So.
• FS—10 Dee Meza 5-8 185 Sr.
• CB—27 Awan Diles 5-9 180 So.

Outlook: With UH vowing to throw as many as 70 times, the Bulldogs are expected to retreat into a nickel alignment most of the game. Kendall Edwards, Nate Ray or Tyrone Culver will replace Dailey when the Bulldogs use five defensive backs. Edwards, who has recovered from a torn knee ligament, might even spell Diles at the corner.

The Bulldogs' best pass rusher, Morris, is ailing, and might not be able to go the distance tonight. Adamo or backup strongside linebacker Ricky Miller might move up to defensive end, and reserve linebacker Manuel Sanchez, a skilled pass defender, might play extensively.

The Bulldogs are second nationally with 12 interceptions (in six games).

Fresno State specialists

• PK—38 Brett Visintainer 6-0 185 Jr.
• P—37 Mike Lingua 6-0 190 Fr.
• KR/PR—2 Bernard Berrian 6-2 190 Sr.
• KR—18 Adam Jennings 5-10 175 So.

Outlook: Against No. 1 Oklahoma two weeks ago, the Bulldogs blocked two punts and a PAT. They have six blocks this season and 46 in Hill's seven seasons as FSU head coach.

Hawai'i 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.
• LSB—82 Ross Dickerson 5-10 172 Fr.
• 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—66 Brandon Eaton 6-3 287 So.
• RSB—38 Gerald Welch 5-8 205 Jr.
• RWR—19 Jeremiah Cockheran 6-0 190 Sr.
• QB—14 Tim Chang 6-2 194 Jr.
• RB—6 Michael Brewster 5-6 180 Jr.
• RB—20 John West 5-10 180 Sr.

Outlook: For all of the run-and-shoot's complexities, it comes down to blockers blocking, passers passing and receivers receiving. When it doesn't work, the results are last week's 27-16 loss to Tulsa and this week's adjustments. Jones said a busted blocking assignment and four incompletions cost the Warriors five potential touchdowns. While acknowledging there are breakdowns in every game, Jones said the Warriors' 35 total passes against Tulsa further narrowed their margin of error. More passes, Jones said, means more opportunities. Chang will receive a boost from the return of Cockheran, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle, and Owens, who completed a two-game suspension. Komine will play right wideout if Cockheran can't go.

Esera replaces Jeremy Inferrera at left tackle, marking the fifth different starting offensive line in six games. Esera, a converted defensive lineman, has seven weeks of experience as an offensive lineman.

Hawai'i defense

• LE—93 Houston Ala 5-11 260 Sr.
• LT—99 Lui Fuga 6-1 285 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—42 Leonard Peters 6-1 174 So.
• RCB—37 Abraham Elimimian 5-10 173 Jr.

Outlook: The Bulldogs' bruising offense can't be good for the Warriors' healing process. Leonard Peters wears a harness to protect a subluxed left shoulder. Kalilimoku missed three practices this week because of bruised ribs. Alapa said he has recovered from a hyper-extended left knee. Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga is expected to miss his second consecutive game because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

The bright side is Fuga, who appears to have bounced back from shoulder and leg injuries that limited him to one game in the previous two seasons. Fourteen pounds lighter, Fuga's mobility enables him to escape double teams.

Hawai'i specialists

• PK—47 Justin Ayat 5-11 200 Jr.
• P—25 Kurt Milne 6-0 204 Fr.
• KR—6 Michael Brewster 5-6 180 Jr.
• KR—82 Ross Dickerson 5-10 172 Fr.
• PR—21 Clifton Herbert 5-7 159 Sr.

Outlook: For all of the Warriors' perceived problems on special teams, Ayat leads the WAC in field-goal percentage (.778) and the team's net punting average of 36.1 yards is 2.9 yards better than last year's average.