By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Does the University of Hawai'i football team's mounting number of missed tackles make you want to scream?

Think it is high time somebody sent a search party out to solve the disappearance of the offense? Want to bang your — or somebody else's — head against the wall about special teams and "trick" plays?

Sure, but as they say in the coaching business, let's not overlook some the positives to be gleaned.

For remarkably enough there are some to be unearthed, even in the wake of that 70-14 flattening in Fresno. But only if you look hard enough.

The next time your blood pressure bubbles to a boil thinking about this latest episode, just remember:

• Prospective recruits like Matt Hill, son of Fresno State coach Pat Hill, have to be impressed with the opportunity to play right away at UH.

• Plenty of good seats remain for Saturday's game against Idaho.

• UH didn't get flagged for even one excessive celebration penalty Friday.

• Schools will be offering athletic director Herman Frazier swell guarantees for the Warriors to play on the road.

• High schools will be happy that ESPN is unlikely to ask UH to move anymore games to Friday nights.

• UH got to go home; the Bulldogs had to stay.

• If UH ever starts a men's cross country team, that experience chasing running backs who break through on those long touchdown runs will come in handy.

• The law of averages says that fourth-and-forever pass off the fake punt from deep in UH territory has to work someday.

• Maybe Pat Hill will ask June Jones to his spring practice.

• Coaches can make plans to watch the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl with their families on Dec. 24.

• Think of the money UH will save by not having to send anyone to the Heisman ceremony in New York.

• That season-opening loss to Florida-Whatever doesn't look nearly as bad now.

• With so much else to complain about, nobody is arguing about the music.

• Not much chance other schools will be raiding the UH coaching staff this year.

• Nobody got hit with a screwdriver.

• Now maybe Pat Hill will finally mellow out next year.

• The NCAA is unlikely to take seriously any allegations of recruiting violations made against UH.

• UH will save time by not watching this video, too.

• Warriors could land a spot in a AAA commercial about the perils of travel.

• UH can put off expanding that trophy case for yet another year.

• After a season like this they wouldn't dare raise ticket prices next year. Would they?

• At Boston College Kevin Lempa is thinking, "that could have been me still coaching defense there this season."

• No anxious moments in Manoa over Western Athletic Conference coach-of-the-year voting this season.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.