When it isn’t easy, when the yards are hard, the chips are down and the defense is digging in is when it is running back Steven Lakalaka’s time.
Lakalaka doesn’t do comfortable. Easy is for somebody else.
Which is to say that the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Lakalaka was made for games like Saturday night’s University of Hawaii home opener, where very little came easy for the Rainbow Warriors in a squeeze-it-out 41-36 triumph over Tennessee Martin.
The harder-than-necessary victory might not have come at all if not for Lakalaka’s determined, stop-me-if-you-can contributions.
On a night when he was asked to secure the toughest plots of real estate at Aloha Stadium, Lakalaka managed to lead the ‘Bows in yards per carry at 6.5. Overall he managed 71 yards on 11 carries and a 15-yard touchdown run.
Little used after that second-quarter TD, his finest, most telling work would come in the decisive fourth quarter, where he would carry the ball eight times, including four times in succession at one point, carrying the ‘Bows along with him.
“I’m ready for whenever they need me, whatever they need me to do,” Lakalaka said.
He pounded out runs of 13, 9, 9 and 4 yards. The 13-yarder came on a gotta-have-it fourth down-and-1 situation early in the fourth quarter with UH hanging precariously onto a 28-24 lead.
Other backs run to daylight. Lakalaka creates it. Usually by knocking backward those who step in his way.
Indeed, nobody should be surprised today if Skyhawks safety Kahlid Hagens has Lakalaka’s No. 4 tattooed on his chest, the result of their one-sided collisions.
Lakalaka so took control and drew in the UT Martin defense that it made it easy for quarterback Ikaika Woolsey to loft a 36-yard touchdown pass to Metuisela ‘Unga.
“He’s my roommate and I’m really proud of him,” Woolsey said afterward. “I figured this is the kind of game where he would really step up. He might not be the fastest guy, but he doesn’t go backward. He only goes straight ahead.”
“I just wanted to show them (the Skyhawks) what Hawaii football is all about,” Lakalaka said.
When head coach Nick Rolovich talked about this UH team moving from one that merely hopes to win to one that expects to win, Lakalaka could well be exhibit “A” in the conversation.
In the process, he also gave an ample demonstration to teammates. “I’m a senior and I just want to show the younger guys the way,” Lakalaka said.
Offensive coordinator Brian Smith said, “He gives us juice when he’s out there running the way he does. With his running style, he really complements our other backs, especially Diocemy (Saint Juste),” Smith said.
Lakalaka said, “I just wanted to try and let them (the Skyhawks) know that I’m here, I just wanted to let them know that you are on this rock for a reason and you’re playing No. 4. I want them to remember who I am and who we are.”
Chances are they will remember No. 4, all the way back to Tennessee.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
