Game Day: Western Carolina at Hawaii

WCU OFFENSE

LT—63 Zach Weeks 6-3 285 Jr.
LG—72 Andrew Miles 6-4 300 Jr.
C—65 Kaleb Spry 6-2 295 Jr.
RG—75 Nathan Dalton 6-7 315 Jr.
RT—68 Tanner Poindexter 6-3 295 Sr.
TE—84 Owen Cosenke 6-3 220 Fr.
WR—5 Terryon Robinson 5-11 195 Sr.
WR—1 Steffon Hill 5-11 195 Sr.
WR—Connell Young 6-0 200 So.
QB—12 Tyrie Adams 6-2 185 So.
RB—21 Detrez Newsome 5-10 210 Sr.

The road to success involves a 3-mile stretch from the Cullowhee, N.C., campus to Jackson County Airport. “We did a run to the local airport that was straight uphill,” left tackle Zach Weeks said. “That was pretty killer this summer.” It was part of the conditioning requirement to keep pace with the Catamounts’ no-huddle spread offense. This version derives from Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez’s zone-read concepts played at a fast tempo. The idea is to line up quickly and 1) run a play, or 2) look to the sideline for the coaches to signal an adjustment. The Catamounts averaged a play every 22 seconds last year. “You try to run as many plays as you can to tire the defense out,” Weeks said. Quarterback Tyrie Adams is a dual threat. Last year, Adams completed 63.5 percent of his passes and averaged 5.83 yards on keepers and non-sack scrambles. He’s also on the WCU track and field team, recording a high jump of 7 feet, 1/4 inches. Running back Detrez Newsome’s average of 213.0 all-purpose yards led all NCAA divisions last year. (Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey averaged 211.0). Newsome rushed for 1,000-plus yards each of the past two seasons. Last year, Newsome had only 12 negative-yard carries in 156 rushes. Although he has perimeter speed (4.47 seconds over 40 yards), the majority of his runs are on dives.

WCU DEFENSE

DE—97 Ezavian Dunn 6-2 290 Sr.
DT—91 Tyler Junius 6-0 285 Sr.
DE—49 Nate Link 6-2 255 Jr.
OLB—96 Tahjai Watt 6-5 215 Sr.
ILB—58 Daniel Riddle 6-1 225 Sr.
ILB—4 A.J. Newman 6-1 220 Sr.
OLB—43 Kendall White 5-11 220 Sr.
CB—35 Keion Crossen 5-10 180 Sr.
SS—29 Marvin Tillman 6-1 195 Jr.
FS—22 Jermichael White 6-1 185 Jr.
CB—8 Tra Hardy 5-11 195 Sr.

New coordinator John Wiley was the architect of the Appalachian State defense that won three FCS national titles. But it was Wiley’s stint at East Carolina where he honed an aggressive 3-4 scheme. Wiley implemented that defense — and attitude — at WCU. “He brings a lot of experience and poise to our defense, which is definitely what we needed after last year,” head coach Mark Speir said. “Our philosophy is not what defense you run, but it’s how you play defense.” In shifting from a four-man front, Ezavian Dunn goes from playing 3-technique to boundary end. As a comparison, he fills the plus-sized role that Kimo von Oelhoffen played when the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL. During the offseason, Dunn focused on improving his upper-body strength and pass-rush skills. The Catamounts amassed nine sacks in 11 games last season. “Pass rushing has been a key element to our whole preparation this offseason,” Dunn said. “The work we’ve been putting in and being focused and staying true and trusting our coaches, I feel, is going to help us bulk up those numbers.” Cornerback Keion Crossen, who has run 10.33 seconds over 100 meters, is the Catamount’s top cover defender.

WCU SPECIALISTS

PK—47 Joel Poinsette 6-0 165 Fr.
LS—64 Charles McDonough 6-4 215 Fr.
P/H—83 Ian Berryman 6-0 205 Jr.
KR—21 Detrez Newsome 5-10 210 Sr.
KR—8 Tra Hardy 5-11 195 Sr.
PR—2 Connell Young 6-0 200 So.

Logan Howard, who handled the place-kicks last year, left the program in the spring to pursue other opportunities. Will Horton was poised to claim the kicking job, but he suffered an injury and did not make the trip. But Joel Poinsette, a walk-on, has been impressive in the preseason. He is an alumnus of the Chris Sailer kicking program, which also developed former Warrior Tyler Hadden. Ian Berryman, who averaged 44.9 yards per punt last season, also is a consideration as a place-kicker.

UH OFFENSE

LWO—12 Keelan Ewaliko 5-11 200 Sr.
TE—7 Metuisela ‘Unga 6-5 240 Sr.
LT—50 Dejon Allen 6-3 290 Sr.
LG—51 John Wa‘a 6-4 315 Sr.
C—65 Asotui Eli 6-4 315 Jr.
RG—60 Chris Posa 6-4 290 Sr.
RT—64 Fred Ulu-Perry 6-2 305 So.
SB—5 John Ursua 5-10 165 So.
RWO—80 Ammon Barker 6-4 215 Sr.
QB—2 Dru Brown 6-0 200 Jr.
RB—22 Diocemy Saint Juste 5-8 195 Sr.

QB Dru Brown spent the offseason envisioning the big picture. That meant video sessions and field work studying all the possible progressions and routes from every formation. The result is Brown does not have, in poker terms, a “tell,” in which he tips off his intentions through eye movements or body language. “I’m trying to get a full declaration of what the defense is doing to me,” Brown said. “Last year, I might get locked on one side of the field. To understand at all times what the defense is doing to me, that won’t tip off anything because I’m really looking everywhere.” Slotback John Ursua is the go-to receiver (targeted 55 times in Brown’s 11 UH starts). Ursua has mastered the drag routes, especially when tight end Metuisela ‘Unga creates a diversion, and the step-back move in which he catches a screen pass behind two blockers. Wideout Marcus Armstrong is emerging as a tough possession receiver; three of last week’s catches came while being held by a defender. A key is running back Diocemy Saint Juste’s versatility. As a breakaway threat, defenses can’t align thin in the tackle box. He averaged 2.27 post-contact yards last week. He also has become a terrific blocker. His cross-block led to Brown’s 29-yard TD run against UMass. “It’s important to him to do the (pass) protection,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said. “That’s why he’s good. There are a lot of guys who have the ability to do it, but it’s not important to them.”

UH DEFENSE

DE—97 Meffy Koloamatangi 6-5 240 Sr.
NT—91 Samiuela Akoteu 6-2 320 So.
DT—98 Viane Moala 6-7 270 So.
DE—3 David Manoa 6-3 240 Sr.
SLB—27 Solomon Matautia 6-1 220 So.
MLB—31 Jahlani Tavai 6-4 235 Jr.
WLB—44 Russell Williams Jr. 6-1 230 Sr.
CB—14 Manu Hudson-Rasmussen 6-0 185 Jr.
FS—39 Trayvon Henderson 6-0 200 Sr.
SS—4 Daniel Lewis Jr. 5-11 180 Jr.
CB—18 Rojesterman Farris II 6-1 180 So.

Schematically, the Warriors have added sub-packages involving three-safety looks, a rover position, safety Trayvon Henderson aligned as rush end, and middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai at multiple attack points, including as a stand-up nose. But the most dramatic changes occurred in the dining room. Meffy Kolloamatangi weighed 175 pounds when he joined the Warriors in June 2013. He gained 65 pounds and, after a tour at tight end, has become a fierce defensive end who commands double blocks. Solomon Matautia was 215 pounds as a Campbell High senior in 2014. But he packed on 25 pounds during his redshirt year in 2015. He earned the nickname “Spam and Eggs” because of his fast-food diet. “It was bad,” Matautia said. “I was slow. I couldn’t move fast. I couldn’t get out of the breaks.” He then ate smarter, reduced his portions, and eventually dropped to 220 pounds. “I feel I can move again,” Matautia said. “You need to play fast in this defense. I was having a hard time running at 240. I feel fast again.” Against UMass, Matautia made 11 tackles and his first NCAA interception. “I didn’t know what to do (after the pick),” Matautia mused. “I lost all my returning skills.”

UH SPECIALISTS

PK/KO—46 Ryan Meskell 6-0 180 Jr.
PK—46 Alex Trifonovitch 6-1 180 So.
P/H—99 Stan Gaudion 6-3 210 Fr.
LS—1 Noah Borden 6-1 215 Jr.
KR—12 Keelan Ewaliko 5-11 200 Sr.
PR—45 John Ursua 5-10 165 So.

Last week marked the NCAA place-kicking debuts for Australia-raised Ryan Meskell and converted punter Alex Trifonovitch. Trifonovitch was perfect on all five PATs. Meskell, who also was playing his first American football game, showed versatility. Last year, UH’s kickoffs were aimed to a returning team’s right quadrant. Meskell launched kickoffs to both sides, as well as one to the goal line. UMass averaged 13.3 yards on its first four kickoff returns.