Game day: Fresno State

FRESNO β€” It’s a beautiful day in the beautiful Land of the Raisin Sun.

We all know the Warriors need to win to keep alive the wish of playing on Christmas Eve. We all know that Fresno State, reeling from an eight-game losing streak but auditioning for new head coach Jeff Tedford, also would like to finish strong.

Here are the side stories:

> Quarterback duel: Last week, Dru Brown called an audible when he lobbied to remain in the game in the second half. He did OK, leading two second-half scoring drives in a blowout loss, but the expectations are higher this week. The Bulldogs promise to play both Chason Virgil (who exited the previous game because of a shoulder injury) and Zach Kline, a much-traveled graduate transfer from California.

> Corners: Jalen Rogers and Fresno’s Tyquwan Glass are more than just cover defenders. Both are useful in run support on the edge. Both are studious. (Rogers studies an extra 3 hours of videos beyond the usual video sessions each week.)

> Turnovers: The Warriors have a minus-10 turnover margin, and are averaging only 1.1 yards per pick return. Meanwhile, they have been burned for six TDs on four pick-sixes and two fumble returns. The Bulldogs have forced six turnovers this season, fewest among FBS schools. The Bulldogs have gone six games in a row without a pick.


> Safeties: Two of the league’s most dynamic safeties β€” Trayvon Henderson and Stratton Brown β€” face off. Both are active blitzers.

> Kickers: Fresno State’s Kody Kroening has hit 13 FGs in a row since missing his opening kick. That’s good enough for the silver medal. Rigo Sanchez hasn’t missed all year.

> Living in the present: You know those people who still play FarmVille? They’re the same people who still bring up screwdrivers. That was a combined five coaches ago. It’s time to let it go.


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Yeah, yeah, I know it’s difficult to navigate the site to find today’s preview. Here’s the link: Matchups

COMMENTS

  1. Old Diver November 19, 2016 7:16 am

    Good luck


  2. Bugaz November 19, 2016 7:16 am

    Best of luck to our Warriors today! Go get um gang!!!


  3. kev-1 November 19, 2016 7:46 am

    Still talking about the bowl game? I hope the Warriors are more focused on going 1 and 0.

    The screwdriver symbolizes the rivalry. Nobody cares that one was thrown, but let’s keep the fun alive. I’m all for hyping up a rivalry with a screwdriver myth.

    Hope Brown has a shorter leash this week.

    Go Warriors!!! Start your winning streak today. Close out the season strong.


  4. Stephen Tsai November 19, 2016 7:58 am

    Kanye West is performing in Fresno this week.


  5. Petey808 November 19, 2016 8:51 am

    Go Warriors!!


  6. A-House November 19, 2016 9:19 am

    good neighbor:

    me tot Japan was the Land of the Rising Sun!

    aw shucks, you wrote “raisin”

    might of the media strikes again!!!


  7. NorthShoreFan November 19, 2016 9:32 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
    Hoping for a Warrior WIN!

    Coach Rolo plays FarmVille?..lol

    Bowl game or no, just want the Warriors to finish…STRONG!

    IMUA WARRIORS!


  8. tom-warriornation November 19, 2016 9:43 am

    GO WARRIORS!
    Hope that OL paves the way for Paul Harris to get 200 yards today; with the D getting 2 picks and 2 fumbles!


  9. tom-warriornation November 19, 2016 10:01 am

    Anyone (except in Hawaii) want to watch the Hawaii at Fresno game today at 4pm PST (pregame at 3:30pm). My friend in Hawaii sends it to me by Slingbox; we connect it to a TV, and we use another computer to show it via Google Hangout (video conferencing). Text me at 415-324-0585. Folks in HI need to just watch it via PPV.


  10. A-House November 19, 2016 10:18 am

    we decided to watch Mighty Beasts or whatever the name is — starts at 1:30 pm

    –game time here is 2 pm

    priorities, priorities!!!


  11. Old School Dave November 19, 2016 11:17 am

    Get that “W” over the Bulldogs!!

    In the 3rd Q, U Mass giving BYU (9 – 14) a hard time and confusing them with their passing game and shifty rbs. BYU is a 30 pt favorite. Nothing is easy.


  12. warrior fan November 19, 2016 12:02 pm

    is there any way us folks on the mainland is able to watch our warriors win today against the bulldogs?


  13. Da Punchbowl Kid November 19, 2016 12:39 pm

    You are right, Stephen. We shouldn’t dwell on the vicious screwdriver assault perpetrated upon our valiant Warriors by some base, foul, thug/fan at the Bulldogs house those years ago.

    I kid, I kid. πŸ˜†

    I say let’s get that win and see a good game from our Warriors.

    GO WARRIORS!!!
    CRUSH THE COWPUPPIES!!!


  14. The Handyman November 19, 2016 12:50 pm

    isleboy (WSN) says that he actually saw a tool bag with the screwdriver fly over his head (he was sitting in the stands behind the bench). I like the Golden Screwdriver because it’s a quirky trophy – the best kind for a rivalry. We could use one that was made a little better though.


  15. Maddog50 November 19, 2016 12:54 pm

    Waiting for Warrior FB watching SdSU vs Wyoming. Aaron Taylor is downright painful to listen to. He has no clue and just rambles on


  16. BigWave96744 November 19, 2016 1:42 pm

    Rivalry


  17. BigWave96744 November 19, 2016 1:45 pm

    Rivary trophies are meant to remember the past. The screwdriver incident happened in the golden years of both teams, under each’s moat successful and brash coaches (JJ & Pat Hill).

    Long live the Golden Screwdriver


  18. BigWave96744 November 19, 2016 1:45 pm

    Most Successful


  19. warrior fan November 19, 2016 2:00 pm

    Periscope this game please lol


  20. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 2:11 pm

    If Kansas upsets Texas, poor Charlie Strong will probably be fired tomorrow.

    I don’t say this often, but, “Go, Texas!”


  21. seewhy November 19, 2016 2:17 pm

    3 and out…


  22. Buffoman November 19, 2016 2:21 pm

    We don’t look good. Tackling still poor. Offense sloppy.


  23. z November 19, 2016 2:23 pm

    Wyoming wins. San Diego St goes down.


  24. z November 19, 2016 2:24 pm

    I really like Solomon. Don’t know why it took so long for him to get PT.


  25. z November 19, 2016 2:29 pm

    Harris still no can block.


  26. H-Man November 19, 2016 2:34 pm

    It is painful to watch Hawaii play. What has happened to this team? Okay, okay, still early in the game. But still,,,…


  27. obachan November 19, 2016 2:36 pm

    #3 Kanye West may be performing in Fresno this week. Apparently the UH offense forgot that they are also performing this week.


  28. Buffoman November 19, 2016 2:37 pm

    Two teams are mirrors of each other. Not a good thing.


  29. Bryson November 19, 2016 2:57 pm

    Hawaii’s Defense has showed up but seems like they forgot to bring the offense with them on this trip..


  30. z November 19, 2016 3:03 pm

    We going backwards.


  31. z November 19, 2016 3:06 pm

    Okay so we like to run into a run blitz.


  32. z November 19, 2016 3:15 pm

    No discipline.


  33. Buffoman November 19, 2016 3:35 pm

    I agree, you see if discipline exists when things are not going well. As we see discipline isn’t what it needs to be. Too many penalties, and the punch… sorry.


  34. MattyBoy November 19, 2016 3:37 pm

    It’s funny how Rolo came in and took over the Hawaii team and gave everybody hope. They win a few games, then totally shut down. I’m really beginning to believe Rolo sucks as a head coach. This Hawaii Fresno game is like a Chow-coached game. Maybe even worse. Who the heck is calling these offensive plays? This is horrible football.


  35. z November 19, 2016 3:52 pm

    0 for 5 third down conversions so far.


  36. HawaiiMongoose November 19, 2016 3:53 pm

    The most important half of the season is coming up for UH. They will either take the next step forward in the program’s recovery or spiral back down into the hole.

    Let’s go Warriors!


  37. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 3:54 pm

    Our offense is bad and getting worse. We are not playing Alabama but a 1-8 team with an interim head coach and we struggle to get first downs. Rolo you need to do something different and do it now. Let’s hope the second half is better. Unfortunately we have re-entered the realm of bad and boring. Very bad combination and awful football to watch. We lose this one and Aloha Stadium will be a morgue next Saturday. Here’s hoping we can pick it up this half.


  38. Buffoman November 19, 2016 3:55 pm

    We suck at tackling.


  39. H-Man November 19, 2016 4:01 pm

    But we’re good at throwing INTs. Sorry, we need to see Ikaika in the game. Need to make a change. Someone has to pick up the offense. Dru not getting it done.


  40. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 4:03 pm

    Yup….let’s bring in Ikaika


  41. Buffoman November 19, 2016 4:03 pm

    Wow, how bad are we. Only drops and penalties on them helping us. We not helping ourself.


  42. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 4:04 pm

    At least it will be interesting in a retro sort of way


  43. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 4:05 pm

    Do you think the refs would notice if Nick suited up for a few series?


  44. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 4:06 pm

    I wonder what has happened to this team. We looked good not that long ago.


  45. Ipu Man November 19, 2016 4:10 pm

    yawn…


  46. z November 19, 2016 4:12 pm

    The only thing we good at is punting.


  47. Buffoman November 19, 2016 4:23 pm

    We are pretty darn good at giving it away. Need to get something going on the positive side.


  48. Warrior Fan November 19, 2016 4:36 pm

    C mon UH!! It looks like Rolo or the OC doesn’t know how to adjust their offensive schemes


  49. kahuna November 19, 2016 4:41 pm

    Maybe Rolo ‘lost ‘ this team. As much I as admire Rolo and his love for the program, he does play a lot of mind games with the players….like taking away their snacks and removing the bench from the sideline. Those kind of things might be minor on the surface but it kind of petty IMHO. Just be a football coach and coach football. Stop with all the psychological games.

    I don’t remember JJ doing stuff like that. I don’t see Dave Shoji doing stuff like that. Just stop already and give 100% to coaching football.


  50. Ipu Man November 19, 2016 4:44 pm

    St. Just a breath of fresh air…and hope?


  51. Ipu Man November 19, 2016 4:50 pm

    How do you stop a bull dog?
    And his handlers are holding you…
    But the officials look the other way.


  52. Buffoman November 19, 2016 4:54 pm

    We ‘re bad. If they score a TD we’re cooked.


  53. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 4:55 pm

    For the possible game-winning drive, I want to see Woosley inserted.

    The motivation will be there.


  54. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 4:57 pm

    The table is set for our offense. We are now in 4 down time and need to score a TD against one of the worst teams in the FBS. So it’s not complicated and should be possible. But the way things look it seems anything but certain.


  55. Inyoface November 19, 2016 5:00 pm

    Hate to say it but I think we need a new offensive line coach next year.


  56. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:03 pm

    C’mon, Drew Brees.


  57. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:04 pm

    For American democracy.

    C’mon, Dru!


  58. warriorfan November 19, 2016 5:05 pm

    Brian Smith needs to go as OC, he is awful.


  59. Inyoface November 19, 2016 5:06 pm

    Why is Kemp a starter?


  60. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:10 pm

    This doesn’t make Jeff Sessions go away, but I’m a little less depressed.


  61. Buffoman November 19, 2016 5:11 pm

    Not cooked!


  62. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:17 pm

    What can a 1-9 team do with 34 seconds?


  63. Buffoman November 19, 2016 5:23 pm

    Just can’t seem to make that important tackle. It could cost us. I don’t understand the prevent defense. We just give up yards in chunks.


  64. Makiki November 19, 2016 5:24 pm

    62 – You had to ask?


  65. Buffoman November 19, 2016 5:25 pm

    Blocked kick. We won!


  66. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:26 pm

    I apologize for almost jinxing the team.


  67. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:27 pm

    We’re not Texas!


  68. H-Man November 19, 2016 5:27 pm

    #98j saved the day !


  69. Makiki November 19, 2016 5:27 pm

    62 – My bad!


  70. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:28 pm

    I tied my 5-game over/under bet with this obnoxious UH hater who played baseball at HPU.

    I can win next week.


  71. Akamai Okole November 19, 2016 5:28 pm

    Fuuuuugly Win!

    Mass Attack next….


  72. seewhy November 19, 2016 5:31 pm

    After watching today’s game. UH doesn’t deserve to go to a bowl game. Period. I don’t want us to get another chance to get embarrassed on national television.


  73. cappie the dog November 19, 2016 5:32 pm

    But it’s a road win.


  74. Buffoman November 19, 2016 5:33 pm

    The win still does not take away the fact that we had too many penalties, could not truly contain the run and could not run the ball ourselves. We still have work to do.


  75. Ipu Man November 19, 2016 5:34 pm

    Congratulations to the O line, the D line,
    Rigo and special team mates and to the
    young coaches…


  76. Buffoman November 19, 2016 5:38 pm

    I don’t believe that Kemp helped himself with his performance. That pass needed to be caught and secured in the end zone. The defense made a great play to dislodge the ball but big time players make big plays when it counts most.


  77. lawaia November 19, 2016 5:46 pm

    Great heart and courage shown by Warriors. Nice Win. Imua Na Koa Anuenue.


  78. z November 19, 2016 5:47 pm

    Good thing we got Rigo. I thought that it would come down to a kick.


  79. Maddog50 November 19, 2016 5:56 pm

    As downright ugly as that was a win like that lifts a burden and can lead to much better things-I felt the urge to hurl numerous times but it’s a W period!


  80. Maddog50 November 19, 2016 5:59 pm

    Man Mountain Moala!!!


  81. 808 November 19, 2016 6:00 pm

    1 road win in 4 seasons. This year they get 3 road wins. A lot of improvement’s need to be made. But, this season is a big success. Getting this team to win on the road is improvement in itself.

    It was an ugly win. But, it is still a win. Way to go Rainbow warriors!


  82. Ohana Hawaii November 19, 2016 6:03 pm

    Danm Warriors!. The University of Hawaii AD must think right away very fast!. Everyone in the Mountain West and other by conference said that? The University of Hawaii should fired Rolovich and replace him with June Jones! Because he been there for Hawaii on his first day!. Because one thing Rolovich don’t have a offensive coordinators staffs at all and come down to it! . University of Hawaii is in the FBS division one. Not FSC or Division two! That’s is what they offensive coordinator their are still coaches . By winning Fresno State by one is really seriously bad for a coaching staff!. All you peoples in Hawaii! You have to look at it now! Fresno State his been beaten by more than 4 touchdown this year. It shown that Hawaii don’t have a team at all. The only thing that the University of Hawaii AD did is hiring new head coach for basketball men and female!. But the biggest mistake were the football program!. If he going to keep Rolovich for next year? He should be on the hot seat! Off season AD should be looking for a replacement already!. If he doesn’t ? Look out!. From 20,000 attendance to 10,000 per home games. But it really seriously could happen that it might fall down to 600 per games on the blue or yellow seats. It might be worst the redshirt and some players or players that commitment to Hawaii might find other schools and also transferring in the off season. To them who wants to play football at a university that can’t score a lot’s of points on the broad! . And play like pee wee football!


  83. Buffoman November 19, 2016 6:07 pm

    Huh? Really? Talking replacing a head coach at this point?


  84. al November 19, 2016 6:21 pm

    Congratulation Warriors!


  85. al November 19, 2016 6:25 pm

    On another note.

    There are so many haters on this blog.
    Hey constructive criticism is well taken, however, just shooting off one’s mouth only makes you look ignorant.

    Especially when your posts are full of grammatical mistakes, poor spelling, and non-factual rhetoric.

    …nuff said!


  86. Ohana Hawaii November 19, 2016 6:31 pm

    Hey! This is might be a great idea!. Have the University of Hawaii football home games played at Mililani High School or Kaiser High School Stadium. If the football attendances goes down to 600!. If it to far for the University of Hawaii football. They’re could play at St. Louis High School or the new McKinley High School Stadium. If it gets worst play at Kalani High School football field. The University of Hawaii AD should really seriously take it really serious about it!. If the University wants to makes more money not less!


  87. 808 November 19, 2016 6:52 pm

    Nice win Hawaii. Rest up and finish the season strong. Bowl game or no bowl game, you did good this season. Again this team had 3 road wins and was 4 – 4 in conference play!

    Finish strong next week and go to the off season on a high note and work your tails off during the off season. Let’s go bows!


  88. cocobean November 19, 2016 6:59 pm

    I don’t think people should over think this win. It wasn’t pretty but it’s way better than losing. It’s easy to find something negative to say – the penalties, the play calling, tackling,….all the things that caused the team to lose winnable games and get blown out by athletically superior teams. At this time we are who we are – a team in search of consistency.


  89. HawaiiMongoose November 19, 2016 7:17 pm

    A step on the road back to being a good team is being a not so good team that nonetheless occasionally finds a way to win. We appear to have taken that step in Rolo’s first season. If we can make it to the Hawaii Bowl, even better.


  90. SteveM November 19, 2016 7:18 pm

    We won!
    A last-minute snatch victory from the jaws of defeat win!
    Congrats to the team! Congrats to the defense!

    … good thing I didn’t quit the game in the 3rd quarter…. 😐


  91. Arcumfortis November 19, 2016 8:03 pm

    When the season began I felt we would do very well to be a .500 team. We still have a shot at doing this. The wins against Nevada and San Jose State raised expectations as we seemed to be on a roll (especially on offense). The last three games before this one were demoralizing. So was this one for about 57 minutes. But we won and I will take it. Dru Brown deserves credit for leading the last drive. Especially the 3rd and 25 followed by the 4 and 4. That was outstanding. The next game has some meaning now. Hawaii Bowl is a possibility. It’s been a long time since the last game of the season had any meaning.


  92. Kaimuki Kid November 19, 2016 8:23 pm

    All the haters sound like they laid down money on the game.
    Grow up, stop gambling, better for your overall well being.
    Aloha


  93. tom-warriornation November 19, 2016 8:41 pm

    A win is a win; it’s a million times better than losing! And yes, it’s been a long time since the last game of the season had any meaning. Let’s finish strong–GO WARRIORS!


  94. Warrior Fan November 19, 2016 9:00 pm

    Congrats on the win Warriors!!!!


  95. Old Diver November 19, 2016 9:18 pm

    As frustrating a game to watch as the two previous blowouts. Nevertheless I’ll be at Aloha Stadium next week cheering the team on.


  96. winning November 19, 2016 10:28 pm

    Prevent Defense prevents you from winning and they almost lost because of it!! I would of hard squibbed it, gives the coverage time to get down and nail em. Then, rush the damned QB cause he pressured out most of the time. But gotta give em a break this year. Wait till next year with better DL players. UMass going run right into UH if they got a decent OL, then trouble again. Warriors get chance though to go bowling. Go Warriors, expunge the Chow dynasty demons!!


  97. winning November 19, 2016 10:41 pm

    I got so pumped up they missed the FG I almost kissed my ex-girlfriend! Good nite, its late


  98. winning November 19, 2016 10:52 pm

    One more thing, bring back JJ and put Smith back to the line or video coordinator or something. Sorry but he doesnt have enough experience. Our “O” has become very predictable as JJ’s was hardly figured out even today.


  99. FearGod November 19, 2016 11:23 pm

    *Congratulations Warriors & Crusader’s*


  100. cocobean November 20, 2016 12:39 am

    The one thing Smith has to figure out is how to widen the area teams have to defend to stop the run. All our running plays are designed within the hash marks with the vast majority between the tackles. We don’t have too many options if defenses are stacked between our tackles. We can run the play as called or check into a pass play.
    Smith hasn’t shown he has a run play to take advantage of defenses when they have 7-8 men in the box.


  101. Maddog50 November 20, 2016 3:36 am

    I’ll take it-
    Fresno may be in disarray but has talent
    Fresno was rested and it showed
    Positional coaches are responsible for poor unit play
    We gave away 2 games on single plays-our turn-Why not us
    The long season, undermanned roster, extensive travel, all of it showed up at once
    I feel great today as a staunch Warrior fan-no reason not to
    Wins like that have a lifting effect!
    GoWarriors!!!!


  102. Maddog50 November 20, 2016 5:38 am

    Just reread some comments-one reference is to whether Rolo has lost this team-that is downright ridiculous. The so called “snack” incident is silly. At Air Force based on a nutritional expert late night snack slows down oxygen to the blood and at high elevation levels it’s best not to eat late at night when competing at high altitude. I was in the hotel lobby when 3 food bandits showed up to sneak a snack-they got caught by Coach who sent them back to the room after purchasing them a smoothy as a trade off, light moment and laughter. Better to not comment on things not clearly defined. This Coach has done more to uplift these kids and turn them around, those that can’t see that need to look a little harder


  103. Stephen Tsai November 20, 2016 6:31 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40342


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