Langkilde always ready to bring it

What’s a school-supply list without a pocket protector?

"Every (football) team needs someone like Marcus Langkilde," Hawaii coach Norm Chow said of the Rainbow Warriors’ No. 1 fullback. "He gives us another blocker."

In Saturday’s game against San Diego State, quarterback Sean Schroeder was sacked only once when Langkilde was a backfield blocker.

"My jobs are to block and protect the quarterback," Langkilde said. "I love blocking. It’s been my thing for a while."

In the past two games, running back Joey Iosefa has lifted the Warriors with his carries, gaining 191 and 150 yards. Iosefa was limited to two rushes in the first eight games as a consequence of a fractured left foot. It is no coincidence that Langkilde received an expanded role in the past two weeks, when he became Iosefa’s lead man.

"It’s very exciting to have (Langkilde) back," Iosefa said. "He has a lot of energy. He’s a competitive guy. He’s a smart guy. He helps open holes."

Langkilde is a mobile fullback. He can align in the slot, to the side of Schroeder, or even as a wideout. On one play against SDSU, he raced across from the right hash to block a defensive end crashing from the left side. On another play, he motioned across the field — running 40 yards — to draw away a safety and open a lane for Iosefa.

Against Navy two weeks ago, Langkilde curled into the flats only to drop a key third-down pass from Schroeder. In the week leading to the SDSU game, Langkilde worked on his pass-catching. He practiced creating a diamond shape — with thumbs and index fingers touching — to "frame" passes in his direction. Then he worked on the pluck-and-tuck technique.

"I make sure I look in (the pass) and protect the ball," Langkilde said. "I have to make sure I catch the ball."

He caught all five passes thrown in his direction against San Diego State.

"In the NFL, they always keep one guy like that," said Chow, who served as offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans. "His job is to block and catch the ball in the flat. Marcus Langkilde does a nice job."

It is a position Langkilde has played since he was in the fourth grade.

Back then, Langkilde said, "I didn’t really have any technique. It was put my head down and go hit somebody."

That style has not varied much through the years.

"He’s come up with some hard hits," linebacker Art Laurel said of his first cousin. "I’m proud of him. He’s helped Joey a lot. He’s been tough his whole life."

Langkilde, who was raised in Oxnard, Calif., attended Whittier College before transferring to UH in 2012. He redshirted as part of the NCAA’s transfer rules.

"Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to play for a Division I college," Langkilde said. "I never got that look. My main goal was to get good grades and go to where I wanted to be."

Langkilde, who is 5 feet 11, weighed 240 pounds as a tough-to-tackle fullback in intrasquad scrimmages last year and this past spring. He lost 15 pounds over the summer, but gained a scholarship.

"He deserved it," Chow said.

Langkilde was moved to running back earlier in the season, but then he suffered a neck stinger and shoulder injury. When he returned to good health, he moved back to fullback.

"I love it," Langkilde said. "I always wanted to be the hammer and not the nail. If I have to block a D-end who weighs more than me, I’m going to bring it. If I have to block a linebacker, I’ll bring it too. It’s all fun and games."

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Read Stephen Tsai’s Warrior Beat at staradvertiser.com/warriorbeat