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SDSU's Adam Muema and Hawaii's Joey Iosefa

Hawaii
0-9, 0-6 in Mountain West

HAWAII OFFENSE

POS.	NO.	PLAYER	HT.	WT.	CL.
X	9	Chris Gant	6-0	190	Sr.
TE	87	Harold Moleni	6-2	250	So.
LT	77	Mike Milovale	6-3	295	Sr.
LG	54	Kody Afusia	6-2	305	Jr.
C	71	Ben Clarke	6-3	285	So.
RG	63	Ben Dew	6-3	295	So.
RT	70	Frank Loyd Jr.	6-3	285	Jr.
F	84	Clark Evans	6-4	220	Sr.
Z/SB	5	Billy Ray Stutzmann	6-0	190	Sr.
QB	19	Sean Schroeder	6-3	190	Sr.
RB	7	Joey Iosefa	6-0	233	Jr.

UH coach Norm Chow pondered the what-if possibilities after Joey Iosefa carried 35 times for 191 yards against Navy. Prior to that, Iosefa was limited to one series — two carries and a 2-yard catch — because of a foot fracture that required the insertion of a pin. Iosefa gives UH a powerful inside runner with one-cut nimbleness, an aggressive blocker and a sure-handed receiver. Against Navy, he averaged 3.94 yards after an initial hit. He also broke 24 tackles in his 35 rushes. His yards-after-catch average was 11.5. In the past, UH backs have gone into a stance to block pass-rushers. Iosefa instead went on the attack, sprinting out to block defenders. Four times Iosefa was used as the lead blocker on midline options in which specialty quarterback Ikaika Woolsey followed into the newly created opening. The rugged style fits UH’s offensive blueprints. Clark Evans’ chip blocks enable him to curl into the flats or the middle for short passes. On one play, fullback Marcus Langkilde crossed to the left to block the rush end. On the next play, he crossed over, slipped past the end, and caught a screen. With the expanded menu — Iosefa’s running, plays setting up other plays, Evans as a check-down target — Sean Schroeder has options and time to make plays. Against Navy, Schroeder was hit only twice — both on sacks — on 35 pass plays. Center Ben Clarke, who had a knee issue, is expected to play. If not, Kody Afusia moves to center and Dave Lefotu plays left guard. Wideout Keith Kirkwood is unlikely to play because of a broken hand.

HAWAII DEFENSE

POS.	NO.	PLAYER	HT.	WT.	CL.
LE	92	Beau Yap	6-2	260	Jr.
NT	59	Saui Matagiese	6-2	300	Sr.
RE	11	Tavita Woodard	6-4	260	Sr.
SLB	40	Jerrol Garcia-Williams	6-2	225	So.
MLB	56	Brenden Daley	6-3	250	Sr.
WLB	41	Art Laurel	6-0	240	Sr.
LCB	23	Dee Maggitt	5-10	170	Jr.
S	33	John Hardy-Tuliau	5-11	185	Sr.
S	10	Marrell Jackson	6-0	185	So.
S	39	Trayvon Henderson	6-0	190	Fr.
RCB	1	Ne’Quan Phillips	5-9	186	So.

The Rainbow Warriors have created pressure, amassing 78 backfield tackles, an average of 8.7 per game. Art Laurel leads the way with 11 tackles for loss, followed by Brenden Daley (10) and Beau Yap (seven, including 3.5 sacks). And while the Warriors force offenses into difficult situations, they also have left open the escape route. This season, opponents have faced third-and-7 to -9 situations 35 times, converting at 45.7 percent. On third-and-10-plus, the conversion is 31.9 percent. There have been missed tackles, missed assignments, missed opportunities. UH has dropped five possible pick-six passes this year. They only have 15 takeaways — six on fumbles, nine on interceptions. Injuries have been a factor. Daley did not play against Nevada when UH needed a big run-stopper in the middle. Saui Matagiese did not play against Navy when UH needed stout defensive linemen. Matagiese has recovered from a sprained MCL and is expected to start today. Marcus Malepeai also should get a lot of reps at nose tackle or defensive tackle. Malepeai gained 40 pounds since the end of last season and now weighs 290. He has been one of UH’s best at fighting off grasping blockers. Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii, who has been bothered by a variety of ailments, also is in the mix. Craig Cofer, who has bounced between offense and defense, is back as a defensive end this week.

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS

POS.	NO.	PLAYER	HT.	WT.	CL.
K	27	Tyler Hadden	5-11	195	Jr.
SS	62	Brodie Nakama	5-9	250	Fr.
H	15	Ikaika Woolsey	6-1	210	Fr.
P/PR	29	Scott Harding	5-11	200	Jr.
LS	31	Kawika Borden	6-1	200	Jr.
KR	22	Diocemy Saint Juste	5-8	185	Fr.

While Scott Harding recuperated from a bruised thigh, the Warriors spent time reviewing Plan B. Harding was injured in the first series against Navy. In his absence, Ruben Guzman averaged only 27.7 yards per punt, and punt returner Donnie King lost a fumble that was parlayed into a Navy touchdown drive. Samson Anguay, who missed the past two seasons because of ACL injuries, and John Hardy-Tuliau auditioned at punt returner. Anguay actually was awarded the No. 1 job following the 2011 spring training, but he then suffered the knee injury while working out that summer. Guzman was implored to blast away during practices this week. Harding is expected to be ready for today’s game.

San Diego State University
5-4, 4-1 IN MOUNTAIN WEST

SAN DIEGO STATE OFFENSE

POS.	NO.	PLAYER	HT.	WT.	CL.
X	24	Colin Lockett	6-0	185	Sr.
LT	78	Bryce Quigley	6-5	300	Sr.
LG	64	Zach Dilley	6-5	300	Jr.
C	73	Jordan Smith	6-5	280	So.
RG	72	Darrell Green	6-4	300	So.
RT	79	Terry Poole	6-5	300	Jr.
TE	44	Adam Roberts	6-3	235	Jr.
Z	3	Ezell Ruffin	6-1	205	Jr.
QB	18	Quinn Kaehler	6-4	210	Jr.
FB	40	Chad Young	5-10	240	Sr.
RB	4	Adam Muema	5-10	205	Jr.

Last year, coach Rocky Long alluded to "The Chart," an algorithm co-written by an SDSU business professor that provides the odds for football decisions. One of the favored strategies going for it on fourth down once you pass midfield. The Aztecs apparently abide by that guideline. When they are in an opponent’s territory, they have not punted this season. Instead, they have gone for it 18 times on fourth down, though nine of those were from inside the 25. Overall, they have converted 44 percent of fourth downs. No chart is needed to know offensive coordinator Bob Toledo prefers the West Coast schemes he used as head coach at Pacific, UCLA and Tulane. That mostly means two backs and a tight end, although the fullback can motion to the side to serve as an H-back or second tight end. It’s smashmouth football with a grin. The Aztecs will use the running game to set up play-action passes to receivers Ezell Ruffin (50 catches, 17.0 yards per catch) and Colin Lockett (35 catches). Tight end Adam Roberts and fullback Chad Young are check-down options, though they’re playing mostly because of their blocking. Quinn Kaehler has completed 62.7 percent of his passes while averaging 250.5 yards per game since replacing Adam Dingwell, who has dealt with a back issue. It all begins with Adam Muema, who aligns as a tailback or in a split with Donne Pumphrey. An ankle injury held Muema to 118 yards in the first four games. Since then, Muema is averaging 135.4 yards per game and 5.79 yards per carry. During that span, he scored nine of his 10 TDs.

SAN DIEGO STATE DEFENSE

POS.	NO.	PLAYER	HT.	WT.	CL.
DE	59	Jordan Thomas	6-1	255	Sr.
DT	97	Dontrell Onuoha	6-2	270	Jr.
DE	47	Cody Galea	6-3	255	Jr.
LB	36	Nick Tenhaeff	6-2	235	Sr.
MLB	48	Josh Govert	6-2	220	Jr.
LB	37	Vaness Harris	6-2	255	Sr.
CB	34	J.J. Whittaker	5-10	185	Jr.
Wa	26	Marcus Andrews	6-1	200	Sr.
Az	20	Nat Berhe	5-10	200	Sr.
Wa	27	Eric Pinkins	6-3	215	Sr.
CB	35	King Holder	5-10	165	Sr.

Maybe it was at Eldorado High or in the wide-open CFL, but Long decided early in his 40-year coaching career his favorite combination would be 3-3-5. (As a tribute to Long’s New Mexico roots, UH calls its prevent scheme "Lobo.") In this defense, the five defensive backs set the parameters — either in a zone or man coverage that resembles basketball’s matchup zone — with the linebackers creating chaos with blitzes. The "Warriors" — Marcus Andrews and Eric Pinkins — serve as free safeties. Nat Berhe, who plays the "Aztec" position, is actually a strong safety who often moves into the tackle box to perform linebacker-like duties. The corners also can blitz, which is why the secondary often is described as having five safeties. Linebacker Jake Fely, considered one of the defensive leaders, is lost for the season because of a broken foot. Nick Tenhaeff has filled the void, amassing 10 backfield tackles. Berhe leads the Aztecs in tackles (72) and solo stops (45). J.J. Whittaker is a shut-down corner who provides inspiration. Whittaker did not play the past three seasons because of knee injuries in 2010 and 2011 and a fractured scapula in 2012. "I took a lot of mental reps the past three years," said Whittaker, who studied game videos while undergoing physical therapy. "I’ve always stayed humble and tried to recover each day as I possibly could. My teammates always had my back. My family gave me great support. No one has ever discouraged me." Finally healthy, Whittaker has played well. He has nine pass breakups. "Playing defensive back, you have to have a lot of confidence," he said. "You’re not going to make every play. Having confidence and keeping your head in the game is the way to go."

SAN DIEGO STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

POS.	NO.	PLAYER	HT.	WT.	CL.
PK	17	Seamus McMorrow	5-11	195	So.
LS	60	Jeff Overbough	6-2	235	So.
H	12	Jake Bernards	6-5	210	Sr.
P	77	Joel Alesi	6-0	235	Jr.
KR	24	Colin Lockett	6-0	185	Sr.
PR	41	Tim Vizzi	5-10	185	Sr.

In the first three games, the Aztecs were perfect on seven field-goal attempts and all their point-after kicks. And then the Aztecs lost their focus. In the fourth game, against New Mexico State, Wes Feer connected from 25 yards, his eighth consecutive field goal. It would be the Aztecs’ last field goal. They have not made a field goal in the past five games, going zip-for-7. Feer has been relegated to occasional PAT kicker. Seamus McMorrow has missed his four field-goal attempts. In the past five games, the Aztecs have opted to keep their offense on the field on 12 of 18 fourth-down plays.