Warriors plan to take time for needed rest, evaluation

The Hawaii football coaches will spend the bye week evaluating every aspect of this season’s first six games.

"Even the haka will be evaluated," UH coach Norm Chow said.

The Warriors are 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the Mountain West Conference in Chow’s first season as head coach.

The season has been punctuated with missed tackles, missed opportunities, numerous injuries and flat first quarters. The worst was Saturday’s opening act, when the Warriors had six plays and 5 yards in the first quarter against New Mexico. The Lobos had the ball for nearly 131⁄2minutes that quarter.

In an effort to provide an early spark, Chow shortened the warm-ups, shortened the time in the locker room and, after winning the coin toss, chose to receive the opening kickoff.

None of it worked.

"We’re going to evaluate everything," Chow said. "We have to start faster. We’re going to look at everything. We have to do that. We’re not going to sit back. We’re going to do everything we can do to help these kids be successful."

The Warriors have a bye this weekend. After that, they play back-to-back road games against Colorado State and Fresno State.

The Warriors usually have weightlifting sessions, conditioning drills and a light practice on Mondays. Chow said there will be no team activities today.

"It’s halfway through the season," Chow said. "They’re beat up. They need a rest."

Chow said the coaches will meet today as they evaluate every play and call made in the first six games.

"We want to see how we can get better," Chow said. "Are we doing the right things? Do we have the right players in position? It’s a big evaluation time."

Chow said 21-year-old freshman Harold Moleni has emerged as the top on-line tight end.

"He could be taking over for a long time," Chow said.

Chow said Ryan Hall, who started at that position, played well but now will resume his role as the No. 1 F tight end, a position that is used as an H-back.

Chow said he hopes running back Joey Iosefa and weakside linebacker Art Laurel will be ready after the bye. Iosefa has missed four consecutive games because of a fracture in his right foot. Laurel was held out of Saturday’s game because of a sprained ACL.

There is concern about Trevor Davis, the No. 1 single-side receiver. Davis suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s warm-ups. He did not play against New Mexico.

Chow said it is questionable whether Davis will be available for the Colorado State game.

"It’s tough," Chow said. "We’ve had weird injuries, weird starts, weird turnovers."

Chow said Mike Edwards, who tweaked an ankle during his 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, should be fine for the CSU game.

"We’re going to keep working hard," Chow said. "That’s all we can do."