Warriors get the picture in preparation for Vandals

MOSCOW, IDAHO » The members of the Hawaii football team entered one by one Friday in i-formation, each using an iPhone or iTouch to capture photos or videos of the wonder that is the Kibbie Dome.

On the lush artificial surface illuminated by the new lighting fixtures and the barred windows on the end-zone-side walls, linemen played two-hand-touch football, kickers boomed punts toward the hanging scoreboard, and the rest took more pictures.

"This is just what we wanted," UH head coach Greg McMackin said of the walk-through in the Kibbie Dome, site of today’s road game against Idaho. "We wanted them to run around and get the feel of this place. They got to do that."

McMackin, who once was an Idaho assistant coach, said it was important for the receivers to adjust to the backdrop. There are 10 yards between the back line of the end zone and the padded walls.

McMackin said it is possible for a football to strike the bottom of the hanging scoreboard if the ball is punted straight up. But with the normal arc of a punted football, McMackin said, "there’s no way the ball will hit the scoreboard or ceiling. It’s just too high."

He said it was important for punter Alex Dunnachie to realize the heights of the scoreboard and ceiling so he would not alter his usual kicking motion.

"That’s why we wanted him to come in here and see that," McMackin said.

McMackin said the Warriors were not tipping any strategies during the walk-through. That’s why Jason Gesser, a former Saint Louis School quarterback and the Vandals’ running backs coach, was allowed inside the Kibbie Dome during the walk-through. It also is why Idaho’s worst spy — an assistant wearing a T-shirt that read: "Beat the Warriors" — also was not chased away.

The Warriors were able to implement their game plans during practices Tuesday and Wednesday on the Manoa campus.

During Thursday’s 2-hour practice in Lewiston, Idaho, the Warriors were aware that they were being watched by Idaho spies. The Warriors would use decoy players during drills. For instance, there might be 14 players on offense, but only 11 were running the correct play.

This week, the Vandals’ coaches and players were not made available to the media. But McMackin and Idaho offensive coordinator Steve Axman had worked together in the past. McMackin left messages on Axman’s cell phone. After UH’s walk-through, McMackin sought Axman. The two hugged.

Then, in the theme of the day, they posed for pictures.