Posted on: Sunday, October 12, 2003
Running back Keliikipi providing much-needed muscle
| • | Warriors work black magic |
| • | Owens' return to action sparks Warrior offense |
| • | Chang's wish comes true in win |
| • | Photo gallery: UH vs. Fresno |
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist
Fresno State got run over last night, but it might take a while before the Bulldogs believe the license number of the truck that did it.
As the Bulldogs filed off the confetti-strewn field after a 55-28 thumping by Hawai'i, several of them paused to take close-up looks and doubletakes at one of the most surprising parties to the one-sided collision — running back West Keliikipi.
On a team built around a finesse offense, he was the punch to the gut. In an offense that looks for mismatches, he was the one who took on all comers — and dragged some of them downfield with him.
On a night when much of the talk was about Warrior quarterback Tim Chang and the 10,000-yard milestone he surpassed by completing 40 of 60 passes for 353 yards, Keliikipi made his 6-foot-1, 260-pound presence felt in ways that preceded the black-and-blue reminders to be found today.
It was a game Hawai'i had to have and Keliikipi, the player they had opened fall practice with on the defensive line, did much to make sure the Warriors left with an important victory.
Keliikipi, still casting off the rust of a five-year layoff from when he last played at Wai'anae High, gave the Warriors what they needed most. The soft-spoken 23-year old provided a muscle running game and some quarterback protection.
His seven rushes for 67 yards and a touchdown and five pass receptions for 34 yards only hinted at his importance on this night. He figured in all five of their first scores — a 13-yard pass reception here, a 28-yard run there.
You name it and he gave the Warriors a tough, up the middle and off-tackle dimension Fresno State found hard to comprehend, much less stop.
"They caused quite a problem with that big running back," FSU coach Pat Hill acknowledged. "It was (a dimension) that was hard to stop."
And, when it was over, the statistics revealed the startling truth: UH had out-rushed the Bulldogs, 145-140. An extreme rarity for a series in which the Bulldogs are cast as the power team.
"I'm going to tell you something," UH coach June Jones said, pausing to measure his prediction, "He (Keliikipi) will play at the next level. He will play at an I-back and he will become that blocking fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers or somebody, 'cause he has light feet, can catch the ball and is smart. And, he'll just blow them up on the lead draw and all the runs."
Said Jones: "If he was playing for Fresno State, he'd be their starting fullback."
Instead, last night Keliikipi was the Bulldogs' undoing.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.
