The University of Hawaii football team will have 96 hours in Honolulu — the time between returning from the 28-27 road loss to New Mexico and Thursday’s departure for Saturday’s game against Nevada — to fix a season on the blink.
The Rainbow Warriors are the only Mountain West team without a league victory following the stunning one-two punch of missing a 22-yard field goal with 2:24 remaining and then surrendering New Mexico’s ensuing 80-yard touchdown drive.
"We have to be disciplined and focused and really, really soak this in, and learn from it," running back Steven Lakalaka said. "Everyone is tired of losing … us, the state, everybody."
The Warriors had spent the preceding practices working on defending New Mexico’s triple-option running attack and backup quarterback Austin Apodaca’s passing. Apodaca has embraced the reliever’s role, replacing Lamar Jordan against Nevada two weeks ago and then throwing for 70 yards in Saturday’s go-ahead drive. (The other 10 yards came on a UH holding penalty.)
"We were prepared for (Apodaca)," middle linebacker Julian Gener said. "We knew that when he came into the game, he would throw the ball. We have to lock it up, tighten up."
The Warriors did not practice on Sunday’s travel day. They will have weight-lifting sessions, conditioning drills, video reviews, and meetings today. They also will do a health audit.
Against New Mexico, the Warriors were without ailing quarterback Max Wittek, left guard Elijah Tupai, running back Mel Davis, right wideout Quinton Pedroza, and outside lineback Jeremy Castro. Free safety Marrell Jackson, nose tackle Kory Rasmussen, and wideout Isaiah Bernard exited with apparent injuries during the game. Running back Paul Harris, who rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns, twice left after aggravating an ankle. Luke Shawley, who started the first six games at defensive end, did not make the trip. People familiar with the situation said Shawley’s absence is related to a financial disagreement with an upper campus department.
The quarterback situation is expected to be addressed after Wittek, who has been bothered by knee ailments, is deemed healthy. Ikaika Woolsey, who started 12 games in 2014, opened at quarterback. He was nine of 12 for 151 yards in the first half, and executed the zone-read portions of the Warriors’ spread offense.
Woolsey said he is focused on preparing for games, ignoring exterior criticism.
"To be honest with you, I don’t get caught up with that," Woolsey said. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They can say whatever they want. I believe in myself and I believe in my teammates. I don’t read the papers and stuff like that. There are going to be haters out there no matter what. They think they know everything. Obviously, we know what we’re doing. We have to keep getting better."
