Woolsey working on taking better care of ball

TUCSON, Ariz. >> For the first two road trips, the University of Hawaii football team traveled 5,070 miles east and then 4,440 miles west.

For today’s road game against Arizona, the Rainbow Warriors hope they are going in the right direction.

“It’s a big game for us,” quarterback Ikaika Woolsey said. “We’re playing a good team, a good Pac-12 opponent. We know we have our hands full.”

This season, the Warriors have struggled with their tackling — an average of 15.7 missed tackles per game — and decision-making. Woolsey has been intercepted five times this season, or once every 13 throws. Three led to touchdowns.

“I call it the Superman Syndrome,” said Craig Stutzmann, UH’s quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator. “Two of his three picks (against Tennessee Martin) came (a series) after throwing touchdown passes. Sometimes with his emotions — and he rides high on them — he feels he can make some plays he should not be making.”

Woolsey admittedly tries to force some passes.

“I’m trying to do too much, play outside my game,” Woolsey said. “When I start doing that, I start turning the ball over. … Sometimes I have to pull back and make the safest throws.”

Unfortunately for Woolsey, when he tried to throw away a pass against Michigan, the football did not cross the line of scrimmage. He was called for intentional grounding, and the automatic 10-second runoff deprived the Warriors of one more play before the first half ended.

“Every play, by design, should be a big play or touchdown,” Stutzmann said. “The reality is not every play is going to be a big-time play. Sometimes the best play is the cautious play. This goes back to making great decisions and being mentally tough. You’ve got to take what the defense gives you. You can’t force plays. Our offense is capable enough to score points and move the ball. But we can’t hurt ourselves.”

After each offensive series, Woolsey and Stutzmann will share critiques and observations. “After the game we’ll talk,” Stutzmann said. “Hours after the game, we’re texting.”

Woolsey said: “I’m the type of guy who always wants to know what to work on. It was a win (against UT Martin), but it was an ugly win. I wasn’t happy with that. I was happy with the way the team stayed together. At the same time, I need to be better and take care of the ball.”

Woolsey said he understands that he plays the most scrutinized position.

“It is what it is,” Woolsey said. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I can’t control what people say. When you play quarterback, you know you’re either the goat or the hero. There’s no gray area. I’m used to it now. I just worry about my teammates and being the best teammate I can be.”