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In a sign — and sigh — of times ahead, Hawaii’s first drive of the season was halted when an arm-waving referee signaled for a review.
It was determined the Rainbow Warriors had fumbled away the opening kickoff. That ominous start has become a season-long theme.
This fall, the Warriors’ average first full possession is 4.6 plays and 15.6 yards. The Warriors have scored only once, a touchdown against New Mexico, in five first drives. Three others ended in punts, a fourth in a lost fumble.
Opponents have scored touchdowns on three of their five opening drives, and have taken the first lead four times.
The slow starts are puzzling to UH coach Todd Graham, whose up-tempo offense has produced first-quarter success at each of his previous four head-coaching jobs.
In practices this week, the Warriors emphasized quick-rhythm passes to jump-start the offense. Graham also has addressed recent second-quarter droughts. The Warriors were outscored 30-0 in the second period of the past two games. In 14 second-quarter possessions this year, the Warriors have scored four touchdowns and averaged 39 yards per drive.
Graham said he is hopeful the Warriors’ second half last week, during which they scored four touchdowns in six possessions, will carry over to Saturday’s game against Nevada.
NEVADA OFFENSE
During his time with the Indianapolis Colts, Norvell embraced offensive coordinator Tom Moore’s philosophy of giving the quarterback — OK, it was Peyton Manning — the latitude to audible and change routes. Norvell and Nevada OC Matt Mumme have granted the same powers to Carson Strong, who has the freedom to adjust to defenses. Nevada has established the passing aspect of the air raid offense while still utilizing Toa Taua as a running back, hot receiver and wildcat QB. Taua’s touches have decreased to 16.8 per game from 17.4 last year, but his rushing production has improved to 5.9 yards per carry and 7.1 on first down (from last year’s 4.1 and 3.3). Dynamic receiver Romeo Doubs is Strong’s most-preferred weapon (11.6 targets per game) and the nation’s most prolific (21.6 yards per catch, 156.6 yards per game). Doubs averages 41.7 yards per TD play. Cole Turner, a 6-6, 240-pound tight end, made the switch from wideout to make use of his seal blocking, sure hands on check-down passes, and speed on deep-corner routes. He has caught 72.5% of passes as the primary target.
NEVADA DEFENSE
After several years working under former Warrior Dino Babers at Syracuse and Bowling Green, Brian Ward has made an impact in his first five games as the Pack’s DC. Ward swapped last year’s 3-3-5 stack with a scheme that is multiple except for the four-man front. At 6 feet and 285 pounds, 3-technique tackle Dom Peterson uses strength and below-pad leverage to deflate the pocket. Last week, he was credited with a sack when he knocked back a guard into the QB. Defensive end Sam Hammond has mastered the 7-shaped move of driving into the backfield to wall off the edge, then cutting back to help in the middle. Ward’s known for the two-deep coverage, but nickel EJ Muhammad can retreat to form a three-across zone. Lawson Hall is listed as a middle linebacker, but often can be found as an edge rusher or stand-up nose who can drop into coverage. Hall is a skilled solo tackler in space and in the running lanes. Opponents have punted on 52.4% of their drives — San Diego State punted on their first seven second-half possessions — and have had three-and-out possessions 21 times.
HAWAII OFFENSE
In an act of inclusiveness, every offensive player wears green jerseys in practice. While the no-touch rule on quarterbacks still applies, it does not extend to games. Two weeks ago, San Diego State hit Chevan Cordeiro more than 30 times, leading to added protective measures the following game. Fourth-year junior Micah Vanterpool made his first collegiate start in place of left tackle Ilm Manning. Jonah Panoke’s down-field and edge blocking helped him earn the start at right wideout. Even Calvin Turner — who has accounted for 37.7% of UH’s points as a receiver, running back and wildcat QB — has mastered in-the-way blocks. With the goal of being a more physical unit, Riley Wilson is being groomed as a motion tight end. The past two games, opponents have bracketed the edges to limit Cordeiro’s rollouts and bootlegs. Against Boise State last week, Cordeiro countered the box-in defenses with keepers and scrambles up the gut (10.5 yards per non-sack middle run), and lobs to running back Miles Reed (13.5 yards per screen).
HAWAII DEFENSE
In a unique odd-front scheme cobbled to fit the personnel, the Warriors have yielded 2.2 points per drive, a figure that does not factor short-field situations. Opponents have eight TD drives of 44 yards or shorter, with five not exceeding 35 yards. Cornerback Cameron Lockridge, like his baseball Hall of Fame uncle Ken Griffey Jr., is a hard hitter who can cover a lot of ground. Lockridge and cornerback Cortez Davis are speedy blitzers with a strike zone up to 12 yards away. Both also are aggressive press defenders.”I’m never ducking nobody,” Lockridge said.
At 300-plus pounds, power end Justus Tavai has shown second-half stamina, with 72% of his tackles achieved after the intermission. Tavai’s average run stop is 2 yards from the line of scrimmage. He leads the UH D-linemen with 23 tackles. A week after returning to middle linebacker, Penei Pavihi was back at rush end the past weekend.
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