The University of Hawaii football team’s defensive line lacks experience and heft.
Not a good combination. But if UH comes at opponents with wave after wave of fresh Rainbow Warriors, maybe it can make up for that.
That’s the hope of first-year defensive coordinator Tom Mason. Tuesday wasn’t a particularly great day for the guys up front as a unit; junior nose Kennedy Tulimasealii, the only returning starter, sitting out with a hand ailment likely had something to do with that.
Mason and line coach Lance Samuseva continue to move players in and out to build as many as possible into serviceable players for the 3-4 base in time for the Sept. 3 opener against Colorado.
“We will try it with at least two platoons, maybe three,” Mason said. “Guys wear out quick. The game has changed so much in the last seven to 10 years.”
When Samuseva played for UH, he was a key part of an extremely tough position group. In 2001, because of injuries and other attrition, Hawaii was left with barely enough defensive linemen for even two strings in practice, and often only six or seven guys for games where it played a four-man front. They toughed it out, and the Warriors went 9-3.
But, as Mason noted, college football is a lot different now. With the fast pace of offenses, defensive line rotations are now like hockey forwards — where the second, third and sometimes even fourth lines are counted on to produce or at least hold down the fort for a while.
The practice ended with an interception by safety Daniel Lewis. Did pressure from backups who were all on the scout team last year have anything to do with it?
Maybe, maybe not. But Mason said he likes what he sees depth-wise, even though he’s still learning the names that go with the numbers.
“Seventy-five, yeah, Kory Rasmussen, he’s really coming on, done a great job, ” he said. “David Manoa has showed well the last few days. (Ka’aumoana) Gifford, Meffy (Koloamatangi). A lot of young kids. Penitito (Faalologo). And No. 85, Zeno Choi, he’s been the surprise of the camp. He’s a two-position guy who can help us.”
Mason is encouraged by how healthy this group has been through camp (Tulimasealii said he expected to be back in action Wednesday, but there’s no reason to rush).
“I think everyone is surprised with how reliable the young guys are already,” senior defensive end Luke Shawley said. “We’re at a point where we can count on the young guys to support us.”
Manoa’s transition from tight end has been fairly smooth.
“I really had to refocus and get a defensive mind-set,” he said. “Coach Lance is very fair with the reps. He says the depth chart’s up to us, that he doesn’t have any starters listed yet and every day is a new day.”
On this one, Tulimasealii wasn’t happy with the defense overall. But he smiled when reminded about the pick that ended the session.
“I think everyone’s up to par, we just need more reps. Today was a hot day and we fell down, but we’ll get back up,” he said
