Warriors' defensive backs will be tested

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The best strategy for solving a puzzle is to start with the corners.

Those also are the starting points for the University of Hawai'i football team's defense in piecing together a plan to solve Southern California's bewildering passing attack in Saturday's game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

"Our corners are going to be challenged," said Rich Miano, who coordinates the Warriors' pass defense.

Kelvin Millhouse and Abraham Elimimian, promoted by their coaches as the school's best cornerbacks in 30 years, will face one of the nation's top receiving tandems. Keary Colbert is a fourth-year starter who has caught a pass in 25 consecutive games. Mike Williams, a sophomore who already is 14th on the Trojans' career receptions list, is projected as a top-five draft pick in April 2005, the first year he will be eligible to apply for the NFL.

Millhouse, a fifth-year senior, is 6 feet 1 — considered to be tall, by a cornerback's measurement. But Williams is 6 feet 5 and 230 pounds, and Colbert, at 6-2 and 210 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds.

Williams, who often draws comparisons to former USC receiver Keyshawn Johnson, can align wide on both sides or in the left slot. USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow said Williams is a moving target "so people can't get a beat on him."

In the last two years, UH has simplified its assignments in the secondary, and now the cornerbacks are positioned strictly on the left (Millhouse) and right (Elimimian). The strategy won't change for this game. As a wideout, Williams will face either Millhouse or Elimimian; as a slotback in a three-receiver alignment, there is a possibility he might be matched against 5-foot-8 Hyrum Peters.

UH coach June Jones acknowledged the Warriors will have a height disadvantage against Williams. "There aren't any 6-5 cornerbacks in college football," Jones said.

But Jones has praised his cornerbacks' aggressiveness and confidence.

Williams has "pretty much destroyed a lot of DBs," Elimimian said. "He'll probably think me and Kelvin are just another chump off the street. ... He can be 7 feet, I wouldn't care."

Millhouse added: "As a cornerback, you're always excited to go up against good receivers. It definitely shows you where you're at. (Williams is) definitely going to be one of the best receivers I guard all year. It's definitely going to be a challenge, but we have a good secondary, and if we don't make any mental mistakes, we should be pretty good."

Williams has above-average speed, running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, but he excels in using his body to gain favorable position against a cornerback. USC quarterback Matt Leinart tends to loft passes to take advantage of Williams' reach.

"I'm going to try and be physical with him," Millhouse said. "Receivers like that, you have to be physical with them. You can't let them run free all over the field or else they'll pick you apart."

On pass routes, Williams likes to run slants and double moves, going one way while the cornerback goes the other.

The majority of the plays, Elimimian is expected to defend Colbert, the cousin of former UH wideout Justin Colbert.

"I think Colbert worries me more than Mike Williams," said Elimimian, who is 5 feet 10. "He's faster. He's a four-year starter. ...

"... He's got excellent hands," Millhouse said. "He doesn't drop any balls. He's probably their overall best receiver."

Elimimian said he has been helped by defending Justin Colbert in practice for three years. "They're both fast," Elimimian said, "but (Keary) Colbert is taller."

When it comes to defending Williams and Colbert, Miano said, "it's pick your poison. But Kelvin and Abe are competitive. They went against Justin and Ashley (Lelie, a Denver Bronco receiver) day in and day out."

One of the guys: Brandon Eaton, a third-year sophomore who is competing for a starting job on the offensive line, is a comfortable fit among his teammates.

As one of two non-Polynesian players on the offensive line, Eaton, who was raised in Los Angeles and Texas, speaks fluent pidgin.

"Everytime we were in the (film) room, they would talk a lot of pidgin," Eaton said. "I picked it up."

In practices this week, Eaton could be overheard yelling out line calls in pidgin.

"My favorite word is, 'brah,' " he said.

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