Game Day! How they match up

WASHINGTON OFFENSE (EDGE)

The question was: If coach Chris Petersen could win 87.6 percent of his games at Boise in nine years, how would he do with bigger Washington players? Sure, the Huskies’ line averages 2 inches taller and 21 pounds heavier per blocker than Boise’s last year. But Petersen has implemented the Broncos’ multiple one-back offense that morphs from two-tight-end sets to three-receiver formations. The rat-a-tat pace should be the same. In 2013, Washington averaged a snap every 21.9 seconds; Boise was at 21.5 seconds. The Huskies will be without No. 1 quarterback Cyler Miles, who is suspended for this game, and 1,870-yard rusher Bishop Sankey, who now plays for the Tennessee Titans. Lindquist, who replaces Miles, was a dual-threat prospect as a high school senior. But that was in 2011. He has not thrown a pass in a game in two years at Washington. His top targets are Mickens (65 catches, five touchdowns) and Perkins, who aligns in the wing, out wide or in the backfield. Kasen Williams, a speedy wideout, insists he is fully healed from last year’s leg injury, but is not listed as a starter. Washington is Sankey’s successor. The sophomore, who can zip 40 yards in 4.4 seconds, had runs of 32, 52 and 71 yards last year while averaging 7.1 yards on 47 carries. But 38.3 percent of Washington’s carries resulted in 2 yards or fewer, and he was pulled against Illinois after consecutive fumbles. After rushing for 141 yards against Oregon State, he did not have a carry in the final two games of 2013. Lavon Coleman will be among four backs expected to play. 

HAWAII OFFENSE

The Summer of Heck is strength/conditioning coach Gary Beemer’s eight-week program of lifting and sprinting, mostly in steamy conditions, sometimes on Waikiki Beach’s thick sand. Beemer rates players on performance, attitude and commitment, dispensing high grades grudgingly. Woolsey was one of three to earn an A-plus. Because Woolsey lifts alongside linemen and sprints with wideouts, he often is labeled as a running quarterback. Woolsey took 74 snaps last year — 45 were running plays, including 24 keepers or scrambles. He averaged 1.8 yards after contact or eluding a tackler. But quarterback coach Jordan Wynn has said Woolsey can make all the throws in the Warriors’ offense. This preseason, Woolsey was instructed to take off rather than scramble around waiting for receivers to break open. The Warriors lost three key wideouts by the first practice this summer, but Pedroza, who can play wide or in the slot, has become a go-to receiver. Harding, who was held out of many drills this summer, has a knack for getting open on curls or slants. Pu’u-Robinson is sure-handed, but needs to stay healthy. He has played in four games the past two years. The same goes for Iosefa, who averaged 146.5 yards and scored six touchdowns in the four after recovering from a foot injury. Iosefa is an effective receiver, too. He caught all 10 passes when he was the primary target. Clarke, who started all 24 games of his UH career at center, is now on the blind side. The move enables vocal leader Afusia to go back to center, and puts the Warriors’ best technician blocking the perimeter. 

WASHINGTON DEFENSE (EDGE)

Shelton made an impact on UH head coach Norm Chow during UCLA’s Big Man’s Camp a few years ago. During a one-on-one drill, Shelton grabbed an opponent, then tossed him toward a group of coaches. Chow, who was UCLA’s offensive coordinator at the time, was struck, suffering a leg fracture. "He’s a strong and tough young man," Chow said. "After that, I thought he would come (to UCLA). He didn’t." Kikaha, who had 13 sacks in 2013, might be a bigger threat off the edge in his newly defined hybrid role of buck. Kikaha dictates whether the Huskies are in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. He makes plays when offenses know he is charging; 12 of his sacks last year were on third down. He also forced two fumbles, including one on third-and-1 against UCLA, and had five zero-yard stops in addition to 15.5 backfield tackles. Even at 173 pounds, Baker is the Huskies’ most heralded freshman since Thompson two years ago. Baker’s Bellevue High teams went 42-0 during his tenure, and he has not suffered a defeat since seventh grade. Petersen praised Baker’s work ethic, telling reporters: "If it’s wind sprints, he tries to win them; 7-on-7, it looks like a game rep. During meetings, you can see his focus. He’s paying attention to everything."

HAWAII DEFENSE

Defensive coordinator Kevin Clune was brought in to repair a defense that relinquished per-game averages of 38.8 points, 494.7 yards and 41.8 percent conversions on third down. The Warriors were one of two FBS schools to allow at least 28 points in each game last year. Clune implemented a 3-4 blitzing scheme that should provide better access to the quarterback. Samia, who can front-squat 545 pounds, is the anchor. Yap has been switching between end and linebacker the past two weeks. Garcia-Williams has been moving around this preseason. But with Gener, Lataimua, Simon Poti and Benneton Fonua rotating at the two inside positions, Garcia-Williams is expected to open on the outside. Taimatuia lowered his body fat while improving his strength and has claimed the other outside-linebacker spot. Stevenson, who transferred from Washington, and freshman safety Daniel Lewis played well enough in training camp to allow Damien Packer to move from safety to wideout. The Warriors are advancing Phillips’ aggressive cover skills with time at nickelback. Phillips, who had 46 solo tackles last year, has embraced playing near the tackle box. Freshman Nick Nelson is the second corner in nickel and dime packages. 

WASHINGTON SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

Travis Coons’ departure opened jobs at kicker and punter. Van Winkle, who has recovered from an injury that limited him to five games, gets the first shot at kicker. Van Winkle also will continue his role on kickoffs. In the first four games last year, with Van Winkle kicking off, opponents’ average possession started on their 24. It will be a challenge for Van Winkle to match Coons’ place-kicking; Coons was perfect on 14 field-goal attempts up to 46 yards. Durkee was the punter for the first three games in 2012, averaging 36.9 yards. Durkee was the holder last year. 

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS

Guzman and Harding provide different looks. Guzman, who has improved his hang time, is a traditional punter. Harding, who is pedidextrous, is successful with rugby-styled punts on rollouts. Of his 56 punts last year, 29 were downed, 10 fair caught and three landed out of bounds. There were no touchbacks. Of the 14 returns, five resulted in lost fumbles. Despite the promotion to No. 1 quarterback, Woolsey remains as the holder. Hittner, who rejoined the team after earning enough transferrable credits, is the long-snapper. Nakama snaps on field-goal and PAT attempts.

KICKOFF: 4:30 P.M. ALOHA STADIUM  •  RADIO: KKEA, 1420-AM  •  TV: CBS SPORTS •  Line: UW by 17

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