HAWAII OFFENSE

LWO—12 Keelan Ewaliko 5-11 200 Sr.

SB—23 Dylan Collie 5-10 175 Jr.

LT—50 Dejon Allen 6-3 290 Sr.

LG—57 J.R. Hensley 6-5 310 So.

C—65 Asotui Eli 6-4 315 Jr.

RG—51 John Wa‘a 6-4 315 Sr.

RT—60 Chris Posa 6-4 290 Sr.

TE—45 Dakota Torres 6-2 260 Jr.

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.

In last week’s game against Fresno State, the third one head coach Nick Rolovich was the play-caller, the Warriors were in empty-set formations for 13 plays. The scheme had mixed results, with quarterback Dru Brown trying to quickly release passes against a defense that out-numbered the offensive line. While the tactic showed promise, it also reinforced the importance of power formations as part of the game plan. Following what has become an old-is-new trend, the Warriors often employ schemes with tight end Dakota Torres and H-back Kaiwi Chung in the same lineup. Their primary assignments are to block. Torres can set up on the line, in the backfield, or in motion. Chung usually aligns in the vicinity of running back Diocemy Saint Juste. “Short and stout, like a boar,” said Chung, who is 5-11 and 230 pounds. Chung is a sudden-impact hitter, barreling into a gap like a pulling guard. Calabash uncles Olin Kreutz and Dominic Raiola taught Chung the fundamentals and mentality of blocking. “A lot of it comes from the weight room,” said Chung, who can squat lift 700 pounds. Torres, who converted from linebacker at Punahou School, said “blocking is life. I love blocking. If you can block, you can get open. That’s the life of a tight end.” Torres’ pet play is to roll off a block and into space for a catch. “That’s the bread and butter,” Torres said. “I learned it from playing 2K (NBA video game). Playing those basketball games, learning those pick-and-rolls, that’s how I learned it. I played more as Tim Duncan.”

HAWAII DEFENSE

DE—97 Meffy Koloamatangi 6-5 240 Sr.

DT—98 Viane Moala 6-7 290 So.

DE—3 David Manoa 6-3 240 Sr.

LB—27 Solomon Matautia 6-1 220 So.

LB—31 Jahlani Tavai 6-4 235 Jr.

LB—44 Russell Williams Jr. 6-1 230 Sr.

LB—10 Jermiah Pritchard 6-0 210 So.

CB—19 Eugene Ford 6-2 195 Fr.

FS—39 Trayvon Henderson 6-0 200 Sr.

SS—4 Daniel Lewis Jr. 5-11 180 Jr.

CB—18 Rojesterman Farris 6-1 180 So.

When Legi Suiaunoa was promoted from line coach to defensive coordinator in February, he had a detailed plan in which more sub-packages and blitzes would be added to the schemes implemented by his predecessor, Kevin Lempa, who is now on Michigan’s staff. When it was apparent key linemen would not be on the training-camp roster, Suiaunoa went to his backup plan. As it became apparent that injuries and inconsistency were affecting production, a backup-backup plan was installed three weeks ago. “As a staff, we had to figure it out,” Suiaunoa said. There have been slight improvements since switching the base to a three-man front. In the first eight games, opposing offenses averaged 7.1 yards per play and converted 50.5 percent on third down. In the past two games, the numbers are down to 5.61 yards per play and 42.9-percent conversion. While many teams supplement a three-man front with linebackers on the edge, the Warriors rotate linebackers Solomon Matautia, Russell Williams, Jeremiah Pritchard in the inside gaps. The intent is to force the pocket to contract while expanding the perimeter for safety and cornerback blitzes. Matautia is serving as a free linebacker and cornerback Rojesterman Farris has more opportunities to pop a receiver on screens or a running back trying to make the turn. “That’s the life,” Farris said. “We have to be in the trenches sometimes, too. I’m always ready to be physical. If somebody is in your way, you hit ‘em.”

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

KO—94 Ryan Meskell 6-0 180 So.

PK—46 Alex Trifonovitch 6-1 180 So.

LS—1 Noah Borden 6-1 215 Jr.

P/H—99 Stan Gaudion 6-3 210 Fr.

KR—12 Keelan Ewaliko 5-11 200 Sr.

PR—23 Dylan Collie 5-10 175 Jr.

Punt returner Dylan Collie’s natural vision is 20/terrible. With contacts, Collie said, “my peripheral is phenomenal. You ask my wife. She’ll tell you we get places in a good amount of time thanks to my vision.” From his two older brothers, Collie developed toughness as a kid, “I was the tackling dummy for a drill where I would take the ball and they would take two pillows and I’d have to basically run through their gauntlet,” Collie said. “Let me tell you, It didn’t work on any sort of jukes. When it comes to putting my head down and running through somebody, I’m more than willing to do it.”

UTAH STATE OFFENSE

WR—1 Ron’quavion Tarver 6-3 215 Jr.

SB—16 Jordan Nathan 5-9 175 Fr.

LT—76 Roman Andrus 6-4 300 Jr.

LG—68 Moroni Iniguez 6-2 330 So.

C—51 Quin Ficklin 6-2 290 Jr.

RG—70 Rob Castandea 6-4 300 Jr.

RT—52 Sean Taylor 6-5 305 Jr.

TE—87 Dax Raymond 6-5 245 So.

WR—88 Braelon Roberts 6-3 200 Sr.

QB—10 Jordan Love 6-3 215 Fr.

RB—21 LaJuan Hunt 5-8 195 Sr.

In his first season as USU offensive coordinator, David Yost brought his long blonde hairstyle, snacks on Fridays, and up-tempo spread schemes from a year at Oregon and three at Washington State. During his career, Yost has tutored three quarterbacks (Chase Daniel, Brad Smith and Blaine Gabbert) who have enjoyed lengthy NFL careers. His current project is second-year freshman Jordan Love, who is 2-1 since becoming the starting QB. Love is efficient on read-option keepers, averaging 4.8 yards on designed runs, but uneven as a jab-jab-uppercut passer. Of Love’s 49 completions as a starter, 20 have not exceeded 5 yards. Love has scoring passes of 70 and 75 yards, but he also went on a zip-for-eight stretch against Boise State. Yost’s basic plan is to spread defenses with wide formations. Tight end Dax Raymond is a sufficient on-line blocker but a better threat as a receiver who often aligns outside. Raymond has gained a first down on eight of his nine third-down receptions. Wideout Ron’quavion Tarver is a favorite target on jump-ball throws, and is key in the screen game as a blocker or step-back receiver. The Aggies’ three-wide, one-back base expands when Raymond aligns wide or running back LaJuan Hunt motions into the slot. In Love’s three starts, the Aggies are playing at a quick pace, averaging a play every 21.8 seconds. They have not allowed a sack in the past two games.

UTAH STATE DEFENSE

DE—91 Devon Anderson 6-1 285 So.

NG—96 Christopher ‘Unga 6-0 300 So.

DE—55 Adewale Adeoye 6-3 270 Jr.

OLB—24 Dalton Baker 6-4 255 So.

ILB—42 Suli Tamaivena 6-0 230 Jr.

ILB—48 Chase Christansen 6-1 230 Jr.

OLB—51 Justin Te’e 6-3 240 So.

CB—13 Jalen Davis 5-10 185 Sr.

FS—23 Gaje Ferguson 6-0 205 Jr.

BS—2 Dallin Leavitt 5-10 205 Sr.

CB—36 Ja’Marcus Ingram 6-1 185 Fr.

Every day in training camp, co-defensive coordinators Frank Maile and Kendrick Shaver recited the Aggies’ pledge of allegiance. “They probably mentioned getting turnovers 20 times,” linebacker Derek Larsen said. “They continually told us you’ve got to work on punching the ball out and having ball awareness and make that your focus as you’re tackling.” This year, the Aggies are fourth nationally with 24 takeaways (14 fumbles, 10 interceptions). Five of the turnovers resulted in touchdowns, including cornerback Jalen Davis’ three pick-sixes. Davis has the speed (4.46 seconds in the 40) to play cushion coverages (eight breakups, five interceptions) or storm the backfield (three sacks). The Aggies advertise as a three-man front, but outside backers Dalton Baker and Justin Te‘e take turns as stand-up ends. Of the two inside linebackers, Suli Tamaivena (92 tackles) usually stays put in the middle before the snap, then attacks a gap. In recent years, the Aggies have been known for their linebackers. Former Aggies Kyler Fackrell, Nick Vigil and Bobby Wagner are in the NFL. “There’s a huge legacy,” Larsen said. “All those guys’ pictures are up in the linebackers’ room.” Safeties Gaje Ferguson and Dallin Leavitt have combined for 132 tackles. Leavitt is a BYU transfer who was recruited by UH. Leavitt’s father in law is music producer for Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, LeAnn Rimes, Jessica Simpson and Taylor Hicks.

UTAH STATE SPECIALISTS

PK—62 Dominik Eberle 6-2 180 So.

LS—50 Emmett Odegard 6-1 220 Sr.

H—18 DJ Nelson 5-9 200 Jr.

P—89 Aaron Dalton 6-4 225 Jr.

KR—21 LaJuan Hunt 5-8 195 Sr.

PR—16 Jordan Nathan 5-9 175 Fr.

After earning a scholarship this summer, Dominik Eberle’s career has gone from tuition to fruition. He leads the nation in field-goal accuracy (93.8 percent on 15-of-16 conversions). Opponents are averaging 15.4 yards per return, second-fewest among NCAA team, on Eberle’s kickoffs. The Aggies are tied for first nationally with four blocked punts. DJ Nelson, the holder and third-string QB, has blocked two punts. The Aggies are 18th nationally in punt returns (12.8-yard average).