Posted on: Friday, October 29, 2004
Game could be a run-and-shootout
| • | Chang takes aim at Detmer |
| • | Warriors break into cold sweat at practice |
| • | Ferd Lewis: UH won't beat odds straight up |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
BOISE, Idaho — Madonna changes styles and accents, politicians change their politics. But tonight's opposing head coaches — June Jones of Hawai'i and Dan Hawkins of Boise State — remain faithful to their football values.
Advertiser library photo • 2002 "They don't stray from what they do," Jones said, adding that if the Broncos did not show up for practice all week they would "still know what to do on Friday. They're not a team that makes up offenses every week. They don't dream up new plays. They do what they do."
And, Jones said, "we do what we do."
Here's a look at the teams:
Hawai'i Offense
Outlook: The Warriors do not appear to be concerned about the energy-sapping thin air in Boise or the possibility of chilly rain. Rivers said the receivers run hundreds of routes each week and length-of-the-field sprints after practices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Chang also tries to use at least 20 seconds of the time clock before signaling for the snap — a two-fold strategy that allows more time to read defenses and to rest the receivers.
As for the possibility of the mercury dropping into the 30s, Chang said, "football is one of those sports when you have to play in any kind of condition. The guys on the Mainland play through snow, sleet, everything. You have to overcome those things."
Practicing every day in the Manoa mist, Chang said, prepares the Warriors for rainy games. "I'm always throwing a wet ball," he said.
Jones said Chang's long fingers — he wears size-XL gloves — enables him to grasp even a slippery football. "Those things don't bother him," Jones said.
Jones also said Chang shouldn't be bothered by the Broncos' color scheme. Some have theorized the Bronco defenders, who wear blue helmets and jerseys, are camouflaged against the backdrop of the blue turf.
"I'm not looking for blue jerseys," Chang said. "I'm looking for white jerseys."
Chang has been particularly effective in recent games. On a 46-yard scoring pass to Komine last week, he threw a perfect arc while back-pedaling. Later, what appeared to be a routine pass into the flat was remarkable in that Chang had looked at three receivers before throwing to Owens.
The offense will miss slotback Se'e Poumele, who suffered a career-ending arm injury. Poumele's curling routes often drew defenders away from Owens and Komine.
Look for the Warriors to unveil an offensive twist they have practiced in secret this week.
Hawai'i Defense
Outlook: During some meetings, defensive line coach Vantz Singletary will have a scream session. "I'll ask a real polite guy, like Ikaika (Alama-Francis) to drop his pen, stand up and scream, really let it rip," Singletary said. "Sometimes you can see the veins popping out. That's what I like to see. You can't play on the d-line as if you were a quarterback. You don't need to be calm, like you're on a golf course. I need to see the intensity. I need to see the controlled rage. I need to hear someone scream."
There has been little to shout about in recent weeks. The Warriors finished last week's game with six starters on the sideline with injuries. Jones said Purcell (bruised sternum) and Faga (hyper-extended right elbow) are questionable for tonight's game. During Tuesday's practice, none of the starting defensive linemen competed in the 11-on-11 drills. On Tuesday night, starting right defensive end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole underwent an appendectomy and might not play for at least another three weeks.
The health problems have forced the Warriors to improvise. One option has been a three-man front, with a defensive end aligned wide in the gap between the tight end and wideout. The scheme allows the linebacker/end to defend the screens and sweeps to the strong side. Kamakawiwo'ole, who was skilled in the hybrid position, was regarded as the free safety on the defensive line. The coaches are hopeful Purcell, if healthy, can fill that role.
Hawai'i Specialists
Outlook: The Warriors are one of the few teams to use only one deep returner on kickoffs. The strategy, which provides an extra upfield blocker, requires the returner to cover the field's width.
"I actually like it because you know you'll get the ball," Ferguson said. "You have to cover 50 yards, but we watch film (of opposing kickers) so we know where they'll kick it. I cheat over so I don't have to run as hard. But I don't mind. I'm in shape. It's nothing."
HIs bigger problem is shedding his nickname of "Sprinkles," given by running backs Michael Bass and Michael Brewster. "It's a joke because everyone thinks I'm little," Ferguson said. "I actually don't like it, but it's one of those things. I'm not going to be a hard-nosed guy about it." His previous nickname was not much more flattering. Because of his raspy voice, he was known as "Froggy."
Boise State Offense
Outlook: The eligibility of seven offensive starters expired at the end of last season, yet the Broncos have not lost their touch. They lead the nation in scoring for the third year in a row, averaging 44.1 points per game.
On running plays, the Broncos use zone-stretch blocks, with the linemen moving in unison in the same direction. The twist is a backside receiver or running back often will join the caravan. And although the mob might go one way, Marks might cut back against the grain or sneak through the middle. The Broncos' trademark play is the fly motion, in which a receiver will sprint in motion for a handoff, a double reverse or to serve as a lead blocker.
Zabransky steered the Broncos to fourth-quarter comebacks against Brigham Young and Tulsa. In seven career starts, Zabransky has rallied the Broncos from second-half deficits four times.
Boise State Defense
Outlook: Defensive coordinator Ron Collins has built an attacking defense in which the front four are in constant motion, twisting and looping, while at least two of the linebackers always appear to take running starts toward the line of scrimmage. On the back side of the defense, the corners play 8 yards off the wideouts, making it difficult for deep patterns to develop. The key is the play of the linebackers. Avalos and Hall crammed the tackle box — the imaginary rectangle near the line of scrimmage — to limit Fresno State to 17 yards rushing last week, about 190 yards under their average entering the game. Avalos and Hall also are skilled pass defenders.
Collins said his defense is based on the schemes used by Oregon and California. To make it work, he recruits players who are fast, tough and smart. "We don't discriminate against height," Collins said. That might explain how the 5-foot-10 Avalos is the team leader in tackles.
Boise State Specialists
Outlook: Jones leads the nation in field goals, averaging 2.14 per game, and is second in scoring with an average of 11.3 points. Jones also is accurate from short range; he had converted 74 consecutive point-after kicks before missing against Texas-El Paso last month.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
Jones has said he will never abandon his four-wide passing attack and action-forcing play calling. Hawkins' allegiance to his multiple-formation offense is as true blue as the Bronco Stadium turf.
UH downplays the theory that the blue turf helps camouflage Boise's blue jerseys.
