Game day: Hawaii at Air Force

HAWAII OFFENSE

When head coach Nick Rolovich was UH’s offensive coordinator, his office grease board was covered with puny and clever phrases, each a name for a specific play. Under his guidance this season, the Warriors have several personnel groups based on levels of speed and power. Each week, they have emphasized different looks. They have gone with empty sets, two-tight-end power formations, and last week, they were in an unbalanced alignment 17 times, For all the good work — quarterback Dru Brown’s accuracy (112 consecutive passes without a pick), a trio of backs averaging 6.1 yards per carry, and Marcus Kemp’s big-play threat — there have been too many lost fumbles and dropped passes. Brown has lost a second-half fumble in each of the past four games. But he retains the offense’s keys after leading the Warriors to 18 touchdowns and five field goals in 45 full drives. “The nature of the position at this level is to take care of the football and manage the game,” Brown said. A truth (the receivers don’t always use only their hands to catch passes) led to a dare. After each practice, the receivers must make face-mask-high catches of footballs rocketing from a JUGS machine 5 yards away. Catch or concussion protocol? “I think we’ve proven we can get balls with our hands,” slotback Dylan Collie said. “This week is going to be a big week for us.”

HAWAII DEFENSE

Just when the Warriors are refurbishing their run defense, the Falcons bring a heavy-traffic rush. The Warriors are relinquishing 238.6 rushing yards per game. Six opposing backs have rushed for more than 100 yards, and two have had 96 and 91 yards. To counter, the Warriors have loaded the box with eight defenders, tried to stimulate panic with safety blitzes, and even went to a wide front with defensive tackle Zeno Choi aligning at end. For the Warriors, it will come down to tackle-eye coordination. “We have to line up and read the plays properly,” defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. Against Nevada three weeks ago, swarming defenders covered for missed tackles. Last week against UNLV, missed tackles led to chunk plays. “We have to wrap up,” middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai said. “There are no excuses if we miss a tackle. We have to make sure the next play we make a bigger play.” The Warriors gave equal reps to the first and second units this week. They are expected to run a double platoon. That means more reps for 6-7 nose tackle Viane Moala, rush end Kaimana Padello, weak-side linebacker Ikem Okeke and cornerback Rojesterman Farris. Farris’ fierce on-field demeanor belies his friendly personality. “You’ve got to have a little dog in you,” Farris said. “You can’t be nice all the time. (On the field), it’s all business.”

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

Despite their best efforts, the Warriors have nothing to show in punt returns. The Warriors are averaging zero return yards, tying for 125th out of 128 FBS teams. John Ursua has fielded three of 23 punts, and UH was penalized on each return. Ursua was credited with a zero-yard return on one; two long returns — both set up by high screens — were nullified because of holding penalties. Paul Harris has been the most successful of a three-player rotation on kickoff returns.

AIR FORCE OFFENSE (EDGE)

The Falcons are the guests hiding in the dark waiting and waiting and waiting to yell, “Surprise!” In a wishbone, diamond or even three-wide formation, the Falcons’ primary intent is to attack through the ground. They ran 79.1 percent of the time in their first six games, including the first 17 plays against New Mexico last week. The run is the bait to set up the catch. When the safety finally goes low, then the Falcons go high, unleashing play-action passes to the deep post and go routes. The Falcons lead the nation in yards per catch (27.6). Jalen Robinette, who is 6-4 and capable of running 40 yards in 4.46 seconds, is averaging 26.2 yards per reception. Seven of his catches have exceeded 30 yards, including a pair of 75-yard scoring plays. Robinette has accounted for 53.8 percent of quarterback Nate Romine’s completions. Romine went to the second column on the menu last week, throwing four times (three completions) to Shayne Davern, the first passes to a Falcon fullback this season. Under center, Romine feeds Davern or fullback D.J. Johnson on the dive, pitches to a tailback motioning from the slot, or hightails it to the perimeter on a keeper. The Falcons try to set up five-block overloads bunching a tight end, fullback and pulling guard. Left tackle Allen Caunitz is swift enough to block corners on the second tier.

AIR FORCE DEFENSE (EDGE)

One of the Academy’s initiations is a three-day survival exercise in which a group of eight cadets is given a rabbit and a chicken for meals, and iodine tablets to purify stream water. The exercise demands adaptability, physical fitness and teamwork — the same requirements for competing in the Falcons’ 3-4 defense. “Instead of just doing our job, we have to attack our job,” linebacker Patrick Healey said. At 280 and 285 pounds, respectively, defensive tackle Samuel Byers and nose guard Lochlin Deeks are the only defensive starters who weigh more than 240 pounds in schemes designed for speed and gap control. The outside linebackers usually align as stand-up ends with flex duties. Inside linebackers Grant Ross and Claude Alexander III start 4 yards off, and can storm the lanes or drop in coverage. The corners usually are in man coverage, with the at-snap spacing depending on the offensive formation. The aptly named Weston Steelhammer is a rover in one-high coverage or part of a safety tandem in two-medium zones. The Falcons average 129.0 rushing yards per game, having stifled Navy to 57 ground yards and Utah State to 42 yards on 32 carries.

AIR FORCE SPECIALISTS (EDGE)

Imagine if an intense academic schedule allowed the Falcons more than 15 hours of practice each week. Tim McVey is the nation’s top kickoff returner (35.2 yards), Steve Brosy is averaging 46.8 yards per punt the past three games, and Luke Strebel has converted 20 consecutive field goals, including 11 this season. Brodie Hicks’ deflection of a Navy punt was the Falcons’ 30th block in Troy Calhoun’s 10 season as head coach.