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CARSON, CALIF. >> In what has become a four-week tradition, the University of Hawaii football team spent the day before the game walking the length of the field.
Friday’s walk was at Dignity Sports Health Park — the home of soccer’s L.A. Galaxy and the site for today’s matchup between UH and San Diego State. The converted futbol field is indeed 100 yards.
“That’s all we need,” UH coach Todd Graham said. “It’s fine with me.”
Graham has emphasized a play-’em-anywhere approach during this abbreviated season. The opener was in Fresno State’s empty Bulldog Stadium, where cardboard cutouts of fans were in the North end zone and the sound system set to 70 decibels. The next game, also on the road, was played in Laramie’s 7,200-foot elevation. Following last week’s home opener against New Mexico, the Rainbow Warriors are back on the continent for their third road game in 22 days. While SDSU’s new stadium is being constructed, the Aztecs are playing their home games 112 miles away in Carson, Calif.
The afternoon kickoff is the earliest for an Aztecs’ home game in three years. Playing a game on a grass field is a rarity for the Warriors. But what is at stake is familiar for both teams. The Warriors won their last meeting to earn the tie-breaker and represent the West in the Mountain West’s 2019 title game. The Aztecs’ emotions have not subsided in the ensuring 352 days.
“I remember the feeling of walking off that field after that loss, after having our opportunity taken away, it wasn’t a good feeling,” SDSU receiver Jesse Matthews said. “It’s extra motivation for this week playing Hawaii again, and trying to get that redemption. Any extra motivation you can get is awesome.”
Graham acknowledged today’s importance for both 2-1 teams. The two teams with the best winning percentages in league play will determine the title game’s participants. This eight-week regular season, UH is playing eight Mountain West opponents; the Aztecs are playing seven (because of a nonconference game against BYU).
“I think the winner of this game puts themselves in great position to move forward,” Graham said. “You can’t afford to lose this game. Period. There aren’t divisions this year, so it’s going to boil down to the two best records, who beat who, and all that. Of all the teams we’ve played so far, there’s no question in my mind this (SDSU) team is the best athletically. They’ve got a very, very strong running attack.”
Greg Bell, who began his career at Nebraska, is eighth nationally in rushing (125.7 yards per game). The Aztecs are averaging 6.4 yards per first-down carry. SDSU’s defense has forced three-and-outs on 20 of 37 drives.
In last week’s victory over New Mexico, the Warriors’ passing game awakened. Chevan Cordeiro threw four scoring passes — each covering at least 40 yards. Zion Bowens is the national leader with 43.0 yards per catch.
Graham has cobbled a speedy defense centered on nose tackle Blessman Ta‘ala, linebacker Darius Muasau and Khoury Bethley, who can play safety, linebacker and a combo of both. Quentin Frazier, a grad transfer from Azusa Pacific, has developed into another hybrid athlete who can play anywhere from edge rusher to cover defender.
Graham said he is using a scheme unlike any other during his 30-plus-year coaching career. “You have to design a system for the skills and talents of the players you have,” Graham said. “I think you get great buy-in when you do that.”
In normal times, UH coaches would use road games to branch off for in-person recruiting and evaluations of mainland prospects. With the pandemic-related restrictions, Graham said, “most of the recruiting is virtually. The best thing we can do for recruiting right now is win.”
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