Game Day: Hawaii at Fresno State

HAWAII OFFENSE

Last week’s game plan called for quarterback Dru Brown to sit out a series or two in the second half, partially to gain a different perspective from the sideline. But Brown called an audible, convincing head coach Nick Rolovich he should remain in the game. “I would rather go out there with my guys, my team, and regardless of the score, keep fighting until the end,” Brown said. “I don’t like to walk out on things halfway through. That’s not really the type of person I am.” Slotback John Ursua said Brown has “that dog mentality, and I love that about him.” Brown led the Warriors on two second-half scoring drives. But Rolovich said Brown still needs to be “more effective and we need better quarterback play.” Brown has cooled after completing 64.2 percent of his passes and averaging 259.5 yards in his first four starts. In the past three weeks, his production dropped to 58.5-percent accuracy and 144.3 passing yards per game. The Warriors might see a boost with running back Diocemy Saint Juste’s return after missing two games with shoulder issues, and resurgences from Paul Harris (16 rushes of 15-plus yards in 69 carries) and wideout Keelan Ewaliko. H-back Dakota Torres has developed a pick-and-roll play in which he will brush block and then curl into the flat.

HAWAII DEFENSE

DE—5 Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea 6-3 240 Sr.

DT—75 Kory Rasmussen 6-2 295 Sr.

DT—8 Kiko Faalologo 5-11 300 Jr.

DE—97 Meffy Koloamatangi 6-5 240 Jr.

OLB—27 Solomon Matautia 6-1 230 Fr.

MLB—31 Jahlani Tavai 6-4 235 So.

SLB—38 Malachi Mageo 6-2 210 So.

LCB—19 Jalen Rogers 6-1 200 Sr.

S—39 Trayvon Henderson 6-0 200 Jr.

S—21 Damien Packer 5-11 210 Sr.

RCB—18 Rojesterman Farris 6-1 180 Fr.

Imagine running at full speed toward a football whipped at your face from 10 yards away. For the linebackers and defensive backs that was yet another situational drill intended to increase turnovers and decrease opponents’ scoring opportunities. There are sessions on tackling, stripping footballs from ballcarriers, and disengaging from grasping blockers. “We’ve got to transfer it from the practice field to the game,” defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. “It’s still a learning process.” The Warriors are seeking to U-turn their minus-10 turnover margin (23 turnovers, 13 takeaways). Opponents have returned four interceptions and two fumbles for touchdowns. The Warriors, in contrast, are averaging 1.1 yards per interception return. The Warriors also are trying to solve their sluggish starts. In the first two drives of the past four games, they have relinquished seven touchdowns in eight possessions. “We have to play smarter and we have to play better and we have to coach better,” Lempa said. The Warriors will be healthier. Defensive tackle Samiuela Akoteu and linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard are both back after not playing last week because of injuries.

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

In the second half last week, John Ursua caught a punt after signaling for a fair catch. That zero-yard return marked a gain for Ursua, who had often allowed unfielded punts to be downed near the UH goal line. Ursua, in his first season as a punt returner, has made progress in his decision making. “I was at a lot of fault for putting our offense in bad positions,” Ursua said. “I’ve been trying to catch the ball wherever it lands and not let it tumble back to our goal line.” The Warriors have committed 10 penalties on special teams, including two personal fouls and an unsportsmanlike infraction.

FRESNO STATE OFFENSE

Interim head coach Eric Kiesau said quarterbacks Chason Virgil and Zach Kline will play today. A shoulder injury forced Virgil to depart in the first quarter of last week’s 37-0 loss to Colorado State. Last year, Virgil became the Bulldogs’ first true freshman to start at quarterback since 1973 before a shoulder injury abbreviated his season to three games. He received a medical redshirt. The past summer, Virgil was named a co-captain. Kline is a well-traveled senior with stops at California, Butte College, Indiana and Cal again before enrolling at FSU this past summer. He has never started an NCAA game. Kline threw for 147 yards last week. The Bulldogs attack out of multiple formations, including three- and four-wide sets, the pistol, and a double-tight-end look in which Kyle Riddering can flex into the backfield as the lead blocker. Running back Dontel James is effective off zone blocks or option pitches. Wideout KeeSean Johnson is skilled on bubble screens and hitches, while speedy slot receiver Jamire Jordan has 14 carries on jet sweeps. Aaron Mitchell, whose mobility was key on pulls and second-tier blocks as a guard, has started the past six games at center. Whatever the scheme or personnel, the Bulldogs need to improve on their starts, having failed to earn a first down on the opening drive of the past four games.

FRESNO STATE DEFENSE

The takeaway on the Bulldogs is this: They don’t have enough takeaways (six for the season, six zero-turnover games). The Bulldogs have not made an interception in six consecutive games. At midseason, they lost their joker — Brandon Hughes — who was the hybrid as a stand-up rush end and flat defender. The NCAA ruled Hughes to be ineligible. That opened the way for Tobenna Okeke, who has made 48 tackles. Nose tackle Malik Forrester, at 320 pounds, is built like a space-eater. But he is deceptively quick, and when aligned opposite the center, he attacks the A gaps rather than idles at the point. Jeff Camili, who is listed between 262 and 272 pounds, is a combination throwback linebacker and bouncer. “I like to get moving, pretty much like a train,” said Camilli who has 89 tackles, including a team-high 6.5 negative-yard stops and five sacks. Camilli said his wrestling background helps with leverage and “being mentally tough.” Free safety Stratton Brown is effective in a cover-2 zone or in the single so-called 72 coverage — he plays so deep that he can be seen only on a 72-inch widescreen TV. Brown leads with 9.0 tackles per game. Cornerback Tyquwan Glass often gives a 5-yard cushion at the snap, and is effective in four-across zones at the linebacker or safety levels.

FRESNO STATE SPECIALISTS

Since missing from 32 yards in the season opener, Kody Kroening has connected on 13 consecutive field-goal attempts, including a 49-yarder. But he has not attempted a field-goal in the past two games. It’s a bad combination when Blake Cusick is averaging 38 yards per punt while opponents are averaging 7.0 yards per return. Tyquwan Glass, who handles kickoff and punt returns, is capable of running 40 yards in sub-4.5 seconds.