No huddle? No problems.
The University of Hawaii football team sped up the attack in the most productive offensive performance of training camp.
In the second full-contact scrimmage in three days, Taylor Graham completed eight of 16 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Backup Sean Schroeder was 4-for-6 for 67 yards and a touchdown.
“We looked better,” coach Norm Chow said.
It is always good news/bad news when a team competes in an intrasquad scrimmage. Graham and Schroeder were able to find receivers on slants and flat routes.
Taking the defense’s viewpoint, Chow said: “We can’t give up plays in the middle of the field like we did.”
Graham opened the scrimmage with consecutive deep passes — 33 yards to freshman Keith Kirkwood, then 32 yards to slotback Scott Harding on a post pattern for a touchdown.
“Scotty is a go-to guy,” Graham said. “He’s pretty amazing for only his third year of football. The understanding he has is pretty advanced. When you have to go to him, you know he’s going to be where he needs to be.”
Harding is a former Australian rules football player who did not play American football until joining the Rainbow Warriors in the summer of 2011.
“I feel I’ve learned pretty quick considering I didn’t know anything 2 1/2 years ago,” Harding said. “I’m feeling good. I have a grasp of the offense. I have to lead the younger guys a bit.”
Later, Chris Grant sprinted past single coverage to chase down Graham’s fade pass for a 31-yard touchdown.
“He put it right on the spot, and I got it,” Gant said.
Schroeder and wideout Bubba Poueu-Luna teamed on a 12-yard scoring play.
The defense managed an upbeat ending when safety Marrell Jackson intercepted Graham on the scrimmage’s final play.
The no-huddle offense is part of the Rainbow Warriors’ quest to play at a faster tempo. At times, they were in five-receiver formations.
“If we’re going to play that offense that we want to play, we have to be in better shape,” Chow said.
But Chow said he was pleased with the team’s zest the past two days. The Warriors’ offense had a sluggish start in Saturday’s scrimmage.
On Monday “we really brought the energy,” Graham said. “We didn’t want to lose that. We can’t be one-hit wonders. We can’t have one good day, and then fall off. We want to bring the energy every day.”
PREPARING FOR PEARL
The Warriors will practice this morning beginning at 9, then depart this afternoon for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, where they will continue training camp through Tuesday.
There are field trips planned.
On Friday, the Warriors will have a closed practice at Aloha Stadium in which they will try to mimic the game-day routine they will use for the Aug. 29 opener against USC. That will involve everything from the Warrior Walk to the haka to a scrimmage under the lights.
Chow said the offense and most of the defensive schemes have been implemented. He said there will be fewer video-review sessions and more bonding activities during this segment of camp.
IOSEFA RUNNING
Running back Joey Iosefa, who is recovering from a fractured foot, began running on Tuesday. If all goes well, he might be able to resume practicing in the week leading to the USC game.
