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University of Hawaii cornerbacks Jalen Rogers and Jamal Mayo are turning each defensive drive into a jam session.
The Rainbow Warriors’ defense is 125th among 128 FBS schools in pass efficiency and has missed 65 tackles in four games. But Rogers and Mayo — roommates who transferred from junior colleges in 2014 — have been understatedly dependable.
Mayo has not allowed a scoring pass this season. Of Rogers’ 10 tackles on pass plays, eight were made before the first-down marker.
Abraham Elimimian, who coaches the defensive backs, said both corners are skilled in jamming near the line of scrimmage, a technique that slows or reroutes a receiver’s pattern. Against Tennessee Martin, Rogers was called for pass interference although it appeared he had made legal contact with a jam. Regardless, Elimimian said, the play sent a message.
“The next time the receiver knows it’s not going to be easy getting off the press because ‘I just got jammed off the line of scrimmage,’” Elimimian said.
UT Martin threw six passes in Rogers’ direction after that, completing only a 6-yarder.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa, who was hired in December, implemented a scheme designed to press receivers. The corners follow Texas hold’em strategy: play the man.
“The double moves don’t affect us because we’re so focused on the man and not the ball,” Elimimian said.
The corners also emphasized trying not to get beat on deep passes. Part of that strategy is working in unison with the safeties and the drop-back linebackers.
“We’ve been playing over the top on things,” Rogers said. “We try not to let too many deep balls affect us this year.”
California tried to counter the Warriors’ cushion defense with bubble screens and hitch passes. The majority of the Bears’ passes did not travel more than 10 yards in the air. Arizona used a running attack to draw more defenders into the tackle box and open the passing lanes.
“We’ve been playing on the shoulder,” Rogers said. “We can be more aggressive with the short stuff.”
Rogers and Mayo also helped against the rush. Rogers has 12 tackles on running plays; Mayo has 10 stops.
“I’m going to keep coming up, making tackles, and helping my team out as much as possible,” Mayo said.
Elimimian said the corners will be tested Saturday against Nevada’s run/pass-option offense.
“Their receivers are good,” Elimimian said. “They can get the ball at the highest point. When the ball is in the air, it’s going to be a good challenge.”
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