What now?
It was a tough loss for the Rainbow Warriors, who gave up too many big plays and didn’t make enough of their own in a 37-27 loss to San Jose State.
It will be an interesting — and short — week of adjustments. The Warriors depart Thursday afternoon for Las Vegas.
We’re all adults here (at least chronologically), so what adjustments do you think the Warriors should make? And, no, “scoring more points” is considered an incomplete answer.
* * * * *
It was nice to see comebacks of different sorts last night.
Bubba Poueu-Luna proved to be a capable kickoff returner. Could running back be his next position?
Samson Anguay overcame two ACL surgeries to get playing time.
And Ben Dew did some nice things in his first career start. Dew was in the rotation in spring training, but then didn’t play as well in training camp. There was a low point when he was assigned to scout team. But he never complained, worked on his technique — and consistency — and found his way back. What’s that saying? It’s better to be consistently good than occasionally great?
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
Good day after game day morning, Tsai-kos and Lurk-ers!!
I watched until mid 2nd quarter. My girls bday had to b scheduled on game day. But I could see the missed Handled game. 4th and one we punt with the regular punter?!?!?! Why not Scott Harding with his roll out and possible run. Makes no sense. Schoder holds ball too long… Couple early throws he pulled down his pass and went right back to the same guy. If he didn’t hesitate could have been bigger gains.
I’d like to see more spread offense and less proset. Seems to put less pressure on line and give more time for QB to pass. But what do I know? I’ll leave it to the pros to figure it out. My question is: can they (figure it out)?
Jonj:
Scott Harding incurred a stinger during the game. That’s why he wasn’t out there on a lot of the units.
Top Ten?
And so it goes… through good times and bad times:
GO WARRIORS!!!
I’m not so sure if it’s the schemes or the execution.
UH is in three-receiver sets almost every play. The fourth guy, Clark Evans, might align in the backfield, but he’s not there for carries because he’s in front or way to the side of the QB. Formation-wise, UH does spread it out. But, I think, what fans want to see are more completions and more time for the quarterback.
Some things are potentially fixable in the short term, and some things probably aren’t. In my opinion, they should both be considered. I don’t know how rare it is to be down so many experienced offensive coaching positions, but to my mind, that is something to consider. In about the middle of year 2, with a total of one FBS win, this just doesn’t seem as manageable as the extra point and field goal problem of 2011.
What I’d like to see is more linebacker blitzes, especially if the defense only has a three-man front. Fales had too much time. The running backs had too much space.
Good Morning Folks!
Time to go all in with Ikaika. Best combination of arm strength and mobility. Just needs the first team practice and game reps.
The next five recruits should be the biggest, meanest, nastiest O-line guys we can get. The current groups shows flashes of brilliance, but the biggest problem appears to be depth.
The Warriors have it, they just need to put it all together.
One game. One team. One goal.
DPK:
Good points.
I’m not sure exactly what happened to the o-line depth.
There were a lot of JJ-recruited o-linemen who eventually got playing time under Mack, such as Laupepa Letuli, Aaron Kia, Andrew Faaumu, Clayton Laurel, etc.
Then last year, I think there was only Levi Legay as a senior, and he took a medical retirement.
This year, there were only two seniors — Mike Milovale and Chauncy Winchester-Makainai.
I’m figuring the lost year was 2008 recruiting. And as hard as Mack’s staff tried that year — and they did a fairly good job — it’s just too tough to have only three weeks to recruit.
#9- most ever quarterback we’ve played has had too much time! For the most part we don’t get the push or pressure! My biggest wish.. Of course, a quarterback like Fales or Carr! Schroeder does not have a D1 arm, Wolsey no experience, Gram no experience too. I could go on a little more but enough for now, thanks
They have lost 5 games so far and they are not going to WIN in this season. They need intensive training.
UH is the worst team in the nation.
Next Saturday’s game at UNLV is going to be interesting. Rebels are having a really good year (at least for them), while we’re still on par (maybe below) compared to last year.
One thing that I feel somewhat qualified to say is that Sam Boyd Stadium is not that good a place to watch a football game. No paved parking lot. Smells bad because it’s next to a sewage treatment plant. Feels and looks like a larger version of a high school stadium. Uncomfortable and hard bench seats. The locals apparently agree and are trying to build a new one near the Strip.
I completely understand the idea that you have and establish the running game. But when it really counts we cannot count on our running game. As much as we can dream at present we do not have the horses to be successful in power running. This has been demonstrated repeatedly over the past year and a half. Occasionally there are flashes of brilliance but mostly a sense of futility. So when it really counts I don’t think it is the place to go. I found the UH series before the end of the half, when we went up the middle four times, one of the most demoralizing series of the season. Yes the game is complex and there are many different nuances to the game. But I feel we lost the game right there. Rather than executing a successful drive and going in at half time up a point we gave the ball back, they scored and we went into the half down and demoralized. This just does not make sense to me. Coach Chow spent a lot of the game ragging on the referees. While this may be justified I don’t think it helps him be the offensive strategist the team needs him to be when his attention is diverted in this way. After a certain point it also just looks cheesy and seems contradictory to the high standard of behavior that he advocates. There is a game going on that needs his full attention.
Everybody in Hawaii’s Ninth Island had wanted to get rid of the coach at UNLV (Bobby Hauck) for the last couple of years, despite the fact he had a lot of proven success at Montana. And at least so far this year, he seems to finally be turning things around.
I would like to see Ikaika Woolsey start and play out the season until TG is healthy. On Defense, would like to see us go to a 4 -3 defensive scheme. Rushing only 3 linemen hurt us last night. Don’t understand why we keep running a read option with SS when everyone in the stadium knows he doesn’t pose as a threat to tuck it in & run. Also don’t have SS (left handed QB) roll to the right and throw. Would like to see more screen plays. SJSU blitzed str8 up the middle all night and we didn’t run any screens to slow them down. I really hope we win a game this season but I don’t think we will. Regardless I’m still supporting the Warriors!
BTW, Trader Joe’s in Sin City is out of Speculoos Cookie Butter right now. They told me they are getting a new shipment on Tuesday morning. If you are in need of some Cookie Butter for omiyage, you better get there early.
Score one more point than the other guys – simple as that.
Is there a dearth of onfield leadership? If the defense is playing sloppy as beau yap suggested then who on the field is whipping them into shape?
22. Independent Thinker:
October 6th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Improvements cannot be made until the person who pretends to be a fan is held accountable and finds another team to hate on. That man is me.
It is no surprise we are 0-5. Talking about changing the outcomes is pointless unless you remove Chow from the picture, and we’ve been told that isn’t happening anytime soon (and yes, that counts against Jay).
The real question concerns the impact on the athletic department as well as the university overall. Fans of in need of entertaining football gave up on this team last year and will not be back. UH die hards will be tested a winless season continues to loom. Football team is likely to be in the red, so what does that spell for the programs dependent on football.
Stil bowl eligible for now, and I guess that’s enough to keep Norm from resigning or from Jay from pulling the plug.
Breaking my 48-hour rule but since you asked…
Schroeder doesn’t appear to see the whole field whether that’s resulting from bad pass pro or personal shortcoming doesn’t matter. Gant and Stutzmann are rotating on one side and Haynes seems to stay in at the other. These guys are “better than average” as a group and throw in Harding in the mix and the four of them should be able to create a matchup issue for any other defense left on the schedule.
Rather than rotate Gant/Stutzmann maybe they can try a bunch formation with Gant-Stutzmann-Harding and Haynes on the other side. Schroeder can just focus on one side of the field and make a quicker read or know on the other side that he’s got Haynes hopefully in single coverage.
The other thing is to hammer into Schroeder’s head that “even is leavin'” and he needs to trust his Wides to make some plays downfield rather than pull the ball back down.
In Chow We Chrust
In Freaks QB’s Should Trust
See ya in 36 hours…
Opening line against the Rebels have the Warriors as 6.5 underdogs. A couple of online sports book has the spread at 7.5-8 points.
Poueu-Luna had a good night and put up some Edwards-like numbers on kick returns (30 yard average). As far as putting him at RB, what heck, couldn’t hurt. Seems the offense is in a constant state of flux anyways.
We are at the bottom of Mtn West and at the bottom in D1A standings as well ,totally Unacceptable, Ben Jay do something, look at the stadium , next home game will be below 20k. We can have games at Ching Field from now on , it’s pathetic.
“bunch formation with Gant-Stutzmann-Harding and Haynes on the other side.”
Hmm. receiver stacking sounds interesting. Sounds good to me. Let’s do it!
I have supported the bows, both players and coaching, from the content of almost every post I have made….but, I will conceded that at times, there is at least sufficient evidence, that is tapes, to reasonably suggest that coaching is not entirely in sync. I am not of the school to say Chow is to be fired, but that like everything else, it needs to rise its own level and performance.
I will not pretend to be a talent scout, my names’ not Gil Brandt, but apart from USC, we have, more or less, been in the same level of talent as the other teams played. I for one, know the value of what quality coaching allows. For instance, I played on a local HS team, that had seven of us played DIV1 ball, with three being starters on PAC 10 (back in the day) offensive lines, but we had mediocre coaching, and never finished no better than 3rd in our division. Point being, coaching counts for a whole bunch….
Just to contemplate if Chow were to get his walking paper before the end of the season, which I don’t think will happen anytime this season, but I wonder who would fill in an the interim.
I would like to see more blitzes and more passes to set up the run, not the other way around. I don’t know who I’d like to start as QB, but Schreoder is okay although I thought that he reverted to some old habits. I wish I could blame the O-line, or the receivers but they were better than before. I thought the play calling was adequate, the execution was at times poor and it looked like the refs weren’t calling both ways. That’s probably what irritated me the most.
A more aggressive defense in terms of blitzes and crowding the line of scrimmage and better o-line play is what I want to see. If you look at how spread out our 3 down lineman are set up and how deep our LB’s play, it is no wonder that RB’s are bursting through huge holes. On the other side, there are NEVER any big holes for our RBs. Any big run from a RB has been a direct result of a good play on their part, never because of a big hole. Is it scheme? I don’t get it.
As much as I respect SS for his comeback last week, the bottom line is that his arm is not that strong. On his big plays, he literally just chucks it up and hopes for the receiver to make a play. PLUS, he has started staring down receivers WAY too much. I just watched the replay and he did it a lot in the second half.
BTW . . . this may sound mean, but in regards to coach TK’s quote in this morning’s article when he said “In the Mountain West, there’s not a bad football team” . . . ummm, he was wrong.
LOVE the toughness of Harding and Vasquez.
I do appreciate all of the insights and suggestions.
And for the few who can’t focus, the question is: What adjustments would you make?
By the way, we’re all adults today.
For one day, let’s show how creative we all can be.
OK. What about switching to a four man front on D? Too much of a system change to implement? IDK.
Kev-1
Good point, and that’s supposed to be their base, so they should be able to make the adjustment to a four-man front.
Frustration starting to mount……..not just among us fans……but also showing on the sidelines too……last night in the 4th quarter between a couple of assistant coaches……who had to be separated……by other assistant coaches and grad assistants…..to prevent a throwdown.
Woolsey at QB if Graham can’t go. SS is a smart QB with a below average arm. Many back up QB’s (if they aren’t future starters in the wings) are smart QB’s with below average arms. I would rather the young guy learn by taking his lumps. The potential for growth is huge with Ikaika. With SS, I think you know what you are going to get. The Fresno come back was an exception, unfortunately.
Watched some of the game rebroadcast this a m. Shocked to hear HI D. gave something 200/ 250 run yards.. Not good, not good at all- D getting worst.
Kev-1
I think you’re correct about staring down receivers. I don’t think he did it all the time, but he did it on at least two of the picks. Not sure why, since he didn’t do that against Fresno.
Not sure if it is a realistic adjustment, but I’d like to see JHT get a little bit of Polamalu freedom. He has a knack for the ball.
ST . . . I think SS was just looking for who he thought he could count on. No, not all the time, but more than he usually does. He is actually pretty decent at going through his reads.
What is binado?
Kapakahi . . . I think I saw Daley get into it with someone too. Couldn’t quite tell.
Those two coaches are, well, intense. They probably need to be less intense while on television. But, no, they weren’t going to hit each other It’s like hold-me-back spats between relatives. Still, the focus needs to be more on the game. That was a lapse for two professionals.
JHT is having a really good year.
There are a couple of players going through personal problems that are affecting their play.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget these are young people.
Ahh, I like to see a little bit of arguing. That shows that they care.
If you have a scout.com membership.. (the free one will do), you can see what plays Chow called for the SJSU game, play by play, here courtesy of killa22.
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=219&f=1136&t=12092023
One offensive adjustment would be…..to integrate St. Juste more into the offensive game plan……maybe some stretch perimeter runs…..like the ones that San Jose State successfully used with their small quick scat backs.
Don’t now what happened yeaterday,………..but How ‘Bout Dem Cowboys! 14-0 Q1.
slotbacks!! they always have to rely on throwing to the outside. better route running and of course, better play from oline.
Jackson and meggit played better last year. What happened to their coverage skills? Good to see trayvon henderson make some plays. I’d like to see st juste get the ball in space, not 4 yards behind the line with no where to run. Rotate the receivers more, their routes are slow, looks like they’re tired.
What happened to kirkwood? Was he injured?
Keleguen…where do you find deer on guam?
#48,
Kinda happened at an odd time…..sort of right after UH scored its last TD.
Wish that I saw that kind of intensity on display by the D on the field last night……instead of the sidelines by the coaches.
#56,
Kirkwood left the game in the 1st quarter with a head injury.
The D cannot consistently stop the run unless it’s up the middle. Not much of a pass rush unless there’s a blitz. Too many big plays given up by the secondary. We have the athletes on D to shut out MWC offenses. This high-risk high-reward scheme Kaumeyer is running has proven to be inferior to Aranda’s bend-but-don’t-break zone. The offense is what it is. 27 points is about the most we can expect from it this year. So the D needs to step up and play better for UH to win any games.
Main Issue: Defense gives up too many scores.
Reason: Opposing coaches are changing their plays and game plan after the game starts. UH consistently fails to adapt in a timely manner.
Solution(s):
1. give defensive leader permission to change defense at the line of scrimmage,
2. Chow inspect the defensive game plan and tell Caumeyer how he would get around it. A backup defensive plan can then be prepared.
3. get a more experienced Defensive Coordinator, one who can adapt and make changes “on the fly”.
Discussion: Conference coaches know that UH prepares solely from the most recent game film. So they change the play-sets and game plan. UH then takes 2 quarters to notice and make adjustments. This also occurred last season, which is one of the reasons they voted UH to place last in conference. Ne’Quan Phillips himself stated that it took them until the 4th quarter to figure out Fresno State’s schemes.
All I noticed on the sideline was that TK sure didn’t look happy.
#56,
True frosh CB Pierce saw quite a bit of action last night…..subbed at least 1 series for Maggitt……also a few snaps for Phillips.
Looks to have surpassed Bowens and Grimes (who struggled against FSU) on the CB depth chart.
Id say 75% of the passes looked to be 1 target and 1 target only.
Inside slants work. Runs up the middle don’t work. They need someone who knows math to tell them what plays are successful the most and run those plays more often. The plays that are least successful throw in the trash.
On Offense: We need to not waste so many downs throwing it deep and hoping the WR will make a great catch, but our run game is struggling. we need to augment our run game with more short passes (swing passes, passes into the flat, RB dump-offs, screens) and incorporate a shovel pass into the offense. We have to have some dependable ways to get 5-6 yards so we aren’t facing so many 3rd-and-longs.
TK wasn’t happy about a lot of things last night……but definitely still very engaged…..and very intense.
On Defense: I don’t think the defense needs any major adjustments. I think they are just playing too many downs because our offense has trouble staying on the field for more than 3 downs. One thing they do need to work on is getting bit by screens on 3rd down.
The reason St Juste isn’t in more is a couple part answer….
1. Lakalaka has been more effective and far more consistent
2. St Juste tends to want improvise too quickly. He’s got homerun potential, but combined with impatient running, leads to too many negative plays to be trusted as an every down player.
I really like St Juste and he needs to get about 7 or 8 touches per game. Once St Juste learns to set up and read the blocking, he’s going to really excel. At the D1 level, he’s not going to see the gaping holes he had during high school very often.
Going back to Lakalaka, I think he’s going to break some rushing records at UH by the time he’s done… as the OLine play improves through recruiting.
Coach Chow doesn’t have an OC. He could use some help at game time with an immediate, emergency Associate Head Coach hire.
We could use a spark on special team returns with elusiveness, in addition to quickness, like Chad Owens. Allen Sampson or Samson Anguay come to mind.
Activate all red shirts that can contribute this year. Keegan Ewaliko may be one to consider packages at QB.
Mobile QB’s may make sense with inconsistent O-line protection. Keegan is as fast as they come. Hawaii’s Johnny Football?
Play running backs that can protect the QB as an additional blocking back but can also take a short pass against a blitz would come in handy. How about giving Dustin Elisara a try? He was ranked ninth in the country as a fullback when recruited.
The problem with the passing game is there’s never a rhythm for some reason. The QB has to gamble too often with the long pass in order to move the chains and score points.
Interesting factoid: It’s been 30 years since UNLV won four consecutive undisputed regular-season games. The streak goes back to 1983, when the Rebels won four in a row near the end of a 7-4 season.
Keelan.
The D is tired from carrying the load these first 5 games. Plain and simple. We need to run the ball better and it starts up front with the line. We need to go recruit offensive linemen like we did wide receivers this off season. It doesn’t help that we lose Blake Muir our best tackle to Baylor. If the running game improves it will start forcing opposing Ds to stay honest with the run and will help Schroeder be more effective down the road. We seen last night he is not the type of quarterback that should be attempting 50 throws a game. It’s not a good sign if he does which means one thing….we were behind.
One what was up with the refs. Some. Dry very bad calls. And second why does SS only read to the right. He had multiple recievers opened on the left side and he didn’t even look that way.
Don’t think Chow would ever consider burning Ewaliko’s redshirt this season.
ST what’s up with Aofaga Wily? Is he injured? Seems like he was getting some playing time in the first two games. Even getting the starting nod against Oregon State.
I know Chow loves the TE position, but we don’t have effective TEs. They neither block well nor catch well, and not having to worry much about them gives the defense an advantage.
So forget trying to disguise whether we plan to run or pass by using a TE. When we intend to run, put an extra blocking o-lineman on the field instead of a TE. When we intend to pass, put our four or five fastest, most capable WRs and SBs on the field and dare the secondary to cover them all. Make the substitutions rapidly and forego huddles, with the objective of getting the run package on the field against the opposition’s pass defenders or the passing group against run defenders.
In short, stop trying to fool the defense and place more emphasis on beating the defense.
66… Correct, UH has been bad on 3rd and longs this year. Too many times they allow a 1st down conversion after two good plays to force 3rd and long. It’s frustrating for all parties.
I’m always a fan of blitzing on 3rd and long to force the QB to throw before routes can develop at 1st down yardage. But like anything else, you can’t be predictable. Sometimes, the offense just dials up the perfect play call vs the defense there not much you can do (like a couple timely screen plays Oregon St got big plays on).
UH couldn’t get much pressure on Fales early in the game, but they were effective once the blitz started getting through to him. The back end blown coverages got to be addressed. It was pretty uncharacteristic for this defense.
—
ST, what’s Taylor Graham’s status? It’s pretty apparent UH needs him back. The WRs have found some swagger the past 2 games and all Graham needs to do is identify the single coverage and throw it deep and give the WRs a chance. Gant, Kirkwood, Haynes, and Kemp can all go up and make plays deep. Just stay away from double coverage and UH will hit big plays. Vs SJSU, even when covered they had coverage, they still couldn’t stop the UH receivers in the 1st quarter.
SS seems like he goes into a funk once he makes a couple mistakes. When he’s assertive and gets the ball out on time, he’s fine. Once he starts second guessing his reads, the ball comes out late and late throws leads to interceptions. After his interception in the end zone, SS looked like he got gun shy until the 4th quarter.
The piling losses are blinding fans from seeing the improvement on offense. UH has averaged 450yards the past two games. Lakalaka has been bashing his way for about 5 yards per carry the past few games (The scores have forced UH to abandon the run). What makes it tough is that UH hasn’t been able to play consistently. At least they are now showing flashes of good play. Vs USC and OSU, there was not even flashes of good play, just all ugly.
Based off my score prediction, this loss is more on the defense than the offense. Looking back at my score prediction on Oct 4, I predicted a 27-17 Hawaii win… I predicted correctly for UH, but the defense was uncharacteristically gave up a ton of rushing yards and blew some coverages that led to points.
Daley and Marrell play poor games in my eyes …. I’m a big Jackson fan and he just didn’t get it done last night…
it is evident that SS is pretty limited… Can’t knock him for his effort but he is only capable of throwing fade routes that our wrs need to constantly win 50-50 balls.. Arm strength just isn’t there and he does stare down wrs way too much.. Short hops wrs too often ..
If TG isn’t healthy, we need to simplify things and have woolsey out there… More zone reads, qb design runs with lakalaka lead blocking.. Then open up passes off the zone read.. When we blitz, San Jose went to bubble screen.. We need to use that with woolsey.. SS ball takes too long to get there and wasn’t accurate on his screen attempt..
At least this years losses don’t have the helpless feel of last years losses to BYU, Fresno, USC and Boise St.
Holy crap, Peyton manning just pulled off the best play fake I’ve seen in years for a walk in TD!
Assuming reporters covering the team up until now have been forthright about what has been happening on the practice field (positive on players’ skills and talents), the only plausible solution is to wind down the Coach Chow Era. It appears that the player’s capability is not significantly lower than, say, our most recent opponent, yet the Hawaii team seems less capable of executing a series of plays in a coherent manner.
That is a coaching issue. In fact, it appears there is a deficit of vision, strategy, coherence of planning and ability to communicate/disseminate that plan to the coaching staff so the team performs in a fashion that is not embarrassing.
What does seem clear is there is a haphazard approach to each game with little or no rational, discernible design. As a mainland guest of the local morning ESPN radio show stated, it appears that the game may have passed Coach Chow by (that observation was made two games ago). I think most non-homers see that something is fundamentally flawed with Coach Chow’s ability to, well, coach, lead and execute a short or long-term plan.
Kaumeyer should look depressed cause it’s his defensive scheme that is being blown out by all opponents – 3-man rush on a quality QB with good WR? conclusion: too much time to pass and WR will out run UH DBs – all of them. What good is 4 LB types who don’t blitz (coaching?) and gets blown away by the other team shooting guards? cannot match the RB speed?
Why so conservative play calling on offense? consecutive running plays with no holes by the OL? using small RBs? Lakalaka may have the strength to buck the DL/LB, but his speed is to slow for D1 ball – granted the opponents DB speed will and have caught him and UH/s WRs. As others have suggested, more quick, short passes on screens or to the flats and I don’t mean throwing the ball 10-15 yds to a WR standing still allowing the corners to cover space quickly – I’m talking about a WR moving toward the QB. How about quick hand off or pitches to a moving RB to the flats? Using ST Juste’s size and speed to the perimeter may be more progressive than tying to bull his way up the middle with no hole to run through.
When will Chow realize that he doesn’t have the players to run plays that were successful in his prior jobs – be it QB, WR, RB, OL, DL, and DBs? If he as good as some have suggested, come up with new plays that will compliment his current players – it’s not a matter to going down, but giving his players/team the best chance to succeed.
There were times that I fully questioned Chow’s decision to “hire” such young, inexperienced coaches and this may be contributing to the team’s overall experience – which is bad for UH and it’s loyal fans. Notice, last night, the “buzz” early in the 1st quarter and then near silence when UH went “conservative”, again!!! and the defense folded.
In my civilian and military career, there were many times that an excellent, skilled technician was promoted but could not make the best supervisor – it takes additional skills to be a good teacher and supervisor and thus so many failures where management has promoted someone not qualified to fill a position. At least in the military, young men and women are trained, even in basic training, to be leaders – or, at least given the tools and opportunity to be “leaders”.
It does not take an experienced coach to determine what play will be run against them next. Consider how well or badly your opponent is playing and craft your strategy on that and your “hunch”. For example, SJS was within the red zone and I told MasaBoy that they should go for the TD. Why? Simple, if they failed, with UH offense so inept, they would run 3 plays and out and have to punt giving SJS excellent position near the 50 yard line. Also. they were up by more than 17 points. So they try a field goal, hits the left upright and bounces away.
HC change? if it does happen, most of the coaching staff will be gone. I do hope the next coach will keep Tony Tuioti. Best decision Chow made, but poor choice to bring in a DL grad assistance as the DL coach. However, mine is not to reason why, mine is but to do and die!
Jeezy is spot on.
SS is just too limited physically and doesn’t have the arm strength to be late on any throws. Also, not enough velocity to fit the ball in the deep sideline holes vs safeties in cover 2. The lack velocity allows safeties to close the distance on open receivers that have separated from the CB along the sideline.
Gant, Kirkwood and Haynes were regularly beating the CBs deep the last two games but the hang time on the throws force them to slow down, or it forces a jump ball situation. Fortunately UH now has big WRs to win most jump balls vs MWC corners.
#70:
UNLV will make school history with 5 consecutive wins by beating UH and they will beat any “spread” put up by the “bookies”.
Any takers?
Yet, I will watch the game and cheer and if UH wins, great! If they lose, look for an 0 -12 season. Will this be enough for UHAD to make a change? Mine is not to reason why—.
#82:
conversely, MWC teams are jumping over UH corners to make receptions for long gains or TDs.
Maybe Hawaii can get the W here.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9777532/utah-state-aggies-quarterback-chuckie-keeton-rest-season
How many dropped passes that were catchable did we have last night?
It’s about execution. Poor execution is a result of poor coaching. As someone said before practices are organized but the execution at practices is poor. Game adjustments will not result in improved game performance as long as practice execution is poor. Chow’s decision to bring in so many grad assistants last year and wet behind the ear college graduates this year is his fault, and his fate will be decided by his decision.
Guys, Firing Chow would devastate the positive recruiting efforts he’s made. There are significant improvements in roster talent. Not to mention the majority of the top 10 local recruits have committed to UH for 2014. If the growing anti-Chow people get their way, you can kiss those top local commits good bye, further setting the program further back.
Recruiting classes take 3 years before they really make their impact. There are already many key players starting as Freshmen/sophomores. We’re only in year 2 of Chows abbreviated 1st class. His 1st full recruiting class brought us Wily,Kennedy, Haynes, Kemp, Kirkwood, plus a handful of good looking guys redshirting. Not to mention Aaron Zwahlen if he stays true to his commitment post-mission.
New OL coach Naeole hasn’t had his hands on a recruiting class yet either. Plus he’s working with the mixture of linemen recruited for RnS and Chows guys that aren’t ready yet. He hasn’t had his chance yet.
Let’s say Chow isn’t renewed for extension in a few years, the talent the next coach would inherit would be much better than than what Chow began with. Making it easier for transition.
Firing the coach will not help anything. There is no offensive coordinator or QB/WR coach. Only full-time coaches on offense are Naeole (OL) and Wiesehan (RBs). UH doesn’t have the $$$ to buy out Chow’s remaining years on his contract.
Offensive woes result in the defense being on the field too long. Too many 3 and outs with the offense after the defense either stops or comes up with a turnover. Eventually, the D gets worn down in the fourth. Chow needs some help in the form of an experienced OC, QB, and WR coach in order to take the load off of him. GAs Wynn and Mathews are doing the best they can, but they are young and inexperienced. Low assistant salaries is hurting UH in preventing Chow from bringing in some experienced coaches.
Build on the strengths UH has, namely the WR corps. Talent level needs to continue to be upgraded – not meant as a slight against the current players, just a reality. QB position needs to be upgraded. MWC opponents are stronger than the old WAC. I wonder if a JUCO QB might be the answer – Chow did have a pretty good JUCO QB at BYU in Steve Sarkisian back when.
Like the old saying goes; “It is what it is, so what are you going to do about it?”
Old Diver,
Agree 100% that the GA’s are responsible for too much without the necessary experience. That is on Chow. Hard part is we can’t do anything about it at this point if the season. During the off season he better get that act together.
I would like to see more 4-wide sets and use the TE in certain situations. Also it appears that SS stares at his targets for a little too long. Borrow the tennis teams ball machine and have recievers catch balls like OSU does.
Wow the chow apologists are out in full force! Not enough time, not enough talent, no can pay for good assistants….no excuses….
$1.6 million. Got that amount?
UH will lose more than that if this continues….
Jordan Wynn will be the next offensive coordinator. Chow already said that he is the next Jon Gruden. I mean, who wouldn’t want Gruden as an OC, right?
But does UH have the money to buy out Chow? I don’t think they do, unless some sugar daddy comes through.
Since the whole athletic department’s financial well-being rides on the success of the football team, not firing Chow will only mean the taxpayers will have to cover the annual deficit’s racked up by a consistently losing/despairing/boring/uninspiring football program.
Its really a Sword of Damocles hanging over the head of any UH football coach: fill the seats and/or sell pay-per-views or the athletic program goes in the deep end of the accounting red. It would be nice to be patient, but the economics of NCAA sports programs in schools like Hawaii depends on its football team being profitable, if not very profitable. Not a pretty scene, but it is the reality of college sports.
If UH can forgive a 13 million athletic debt, I think they could afford to buyout Chow’s remaining years of his contract. But I don’t think that will happen.
AKA – it will be less expensive to UH to buy out the coaches than ride this ship for another year, and risk falling into a much, much bigger hole.
I don’t think going to the State Legislature for money to buy out the football coach will go over well with the general non-football, interested public/tax payers. UH is already known as “buy out U.” Look at the public outcry from Aaron Price getting paid for the remaining 7 months of a $125,000 contract.
Only a few coaches comes to mind that were fired after year one or year two. Former Southern Miss head coach Ellis Johnson (0-12 first year) and former Colorado head coach John Embree (4-21 two years).
Former UH . . .
Couldn’t agree more. Recruiting has been a big improvement. We HAVE talent on this roster, not to mention talent coming in. Getting rid of Chow would have a negative impact there. All is not lost. You have to think that things will click eventually. I would just like to see Chow put more experience on the staff, as well as bring in an OC.
Ok I’ll ask out of curiosity–who were the coaches that were fighting?
If they did buyout Chow’s contract, I think it would just be added to the athletic deficit next year. Or they could just tack it on to the existing forgiven debt and pay it off with the capital of their investments. But, again, I don’t think that will happen.
I think the QB should be under center. At least then if we’re going to handoff four straight plays, the RB is moving towards the line when he gets the ball. We’re trying to play fast, shotgun, no huddle, but it isn’t working. Maybe they should huddle and play slow?
Curious to know, if you fire/buy out Chow, who will UH bring in or attract as head coach for a salary of, maybe $300,000? Don’t forget, the Athletic Dept will be strapped with paying off the previous head coach for the remaining years on his contract. Assistants will likely earn less than they do now (Chow took the salary that he has in order to increase the assistants salaries).
I don’t think that Ben Jay wants to incur any more debt for the AD.
I haven’t seen the contract, but there could be a provision that states a buyout is paid in yearly disbursements, rather than a lump sum.
Chow isn’t going to be fired.
I’ve been seeing live, and reading, the predictable and mostly ineffective play calling along with the non-draftable traits of Schroeder (which I agree). But isn’t Coach Chow a reknown quarterback coach who has been on the offensive side of the ball his whole career?
I do not believe Chow doesn’t know what he’s doing– but I can’t argue with someone who has game film showing the play calling and QB performances. Nope, I would question decisions and ability too.
But maybe Chow has to be in better position to make offensive (and defensive) adjustments during a game. There had been talk of how he was more comfortable in the box and how he had to get used to being on the sidelines with the big whistle.
I think if Chow can see the field better, along with the game-time tendencies of his QB, he can seriously be the offensive coordinator and make live adjustments to the offense and play calling–and give the defense the offensive tendencies of the opponent.
I don’t know if Chow wants to go up to the booth, but if he does, fine. I think we established that the head coach is not required to be on the sideline…
Anyway, that’s my thought on an adjustment that could possibly help the play calling in both directions and getting the best QB for the situation in quicker.
Just talking hypotheticals. I don’t think Chow will be fired, either. Well, not in the near future.
Same here. Chow may resign, but he won’t be fired. I don’t think he’s the quitting type- much to the chagrin of the Chow Haters/Detractors.
Reality Check is simply $$$$.
What’s interesting is that question of whether Chow would be better served if he was up in the booth to helpful in play calling, yet no one has brought up the question when calling in to the Call the Coach show. I mean, if there was a person who knows if this would be helpful, it would be Chow, no?
I might call in to the next show to see what he thinks.
Try something, try anything.
The natives are restless…easier said than done, but we need to win. It just needs to happen already.
Yes, recruiting has been positive to date, but do you think those players will maintain their future commitments to UH or make new commitments to UH if the style of play and game outcomes remain? Those kids are not going to sacrifice their NCAA eligibility to go down with a wallowing ship because we want them to make a sacrifice to the common good.
Keep chow until his contract is up. What relevant coach would want the hawaii job? Take note, the only experinced coaches to apply for the job are ones that are eligible to collect social security. The outcry should target the hiring committee for choosing such lousy old guys who dont have d1 hc experience.
Although it sounds rather rudimentary, but anytime a football team loses a game, by and large, one could say they were out-coached. OK, so the more germane question, is how much of our losses can placed at the foot of the HC? Are these problems fixable? And if so, how quickly and at what cost, can these areas be resolved?
Many of you above, make salient points; the athletic department, the administration, the legislature, and even potential deep pocketed donors, are not in the position to endlessly assist the woes and/or shortcomings of the athletic department. Further, any further conversations, even aspirational ones to perhaps join the PAC12, become an objective that one views in the rearview mirror of the proverbial moving car, if you cannot produce sustainable positive results in the short-term.
Many folks, for good and bad, are tethered together in this situation. Certainly Chow, the AD, perhaps the UH President, and even key members of the legislature….thus, they have no other option than to steady the ship, correct what can be corrected, and hope that is sufficient.
Miami Ohio coach Treadwell was fired after starting the season 0-5.
I’m bringing the conversation back to topic.
What adjustment would you make?
Not to single out anybody, but let’s single out IWWTHM. You ran for office. You’re relatively smart. What adjustment would yhou make to the offense?
UNLV’s Bobby Hauk is in fourth year of his contract. Talk about a patient administration:
2010 – 2-11
2011 – 2-10
2012 – 2-11
2013 – 3-2 Finally turning the corner?
#101,
Von Appen was fired after his 2nd year……after the winless 1998 season.
You can all bitch about Chow tomorrow. (We already have IT on record.)
But today’s topic is: What adjustments would you make?
Simple question. I’d love to hear the suggestions.
At this point, I don’t know if it’s wise to allow Chow to choose his own OC. He’s had two seasons to do it and we still have no OC. Is it because he can’t find someone qualified, or because he can’t find someone who thinks just like him? Chow needs an OC that sometimes challenges him, fights him on play calling and player personnel decisions and from time to time gets his way. So, maybe Chow shouldn’t be hiring his own OC?
Kapakahi:
It was after the third year.
OK, focus.
108 stevem
The problem is that chow is seeing everybodys mistakes, along with the qb’s, so his thinking is that if the other players would play better, then his qb would be able to play better.
Hawaii does not have an active qb that makes the other players better.
They might win a few at the end of the year.
MIH
Focus, focus.
There’s only one question today.
Adjustment . . . Bubba gets some PT in the slot.
Re. the offense, it’s been said above, and is the most viable solution: drop the tight ends, flood short zones with receivers, and dink and dunk between running plays.
It keeps the defense honest, and most defenses can’t/won’t bump receivers releasing from the line, let alone several releasing on a side. Hence, you have a greater chance of finding an open receiver quickly without incurring the problems of an inexperienced QB staring down a receiver and tipping off an alert defender for an easy pick.
Stick with the “up tempo” offense. Going up 14-3 was like a carry over from last week. Then, they got conservative. Utilize the tight ends more and get more production from them. Utilize their “tall” receivers more. They have a lot of potential.
The whole athletic department also rides on the backs of donors as well and it would behoove administration not to disregard donors and UH athletic boosters of any checkbook size.
Wouldn’t mind an occasional middle-screen and/or shovel pass to offset these inside blitzes to slow down these pass rushes……since everyone knows that SS is not mobile and can’t get outside the pocket.
lol…okay, done talking about Chow. For the record, though, I didn’t bring up the subject.
Hey ST,
You playing Tsaicologist today huh, letting everyone get things off their chests after a tough loss. I know, I know,….focus. Hmmmmmm
I can’t answer STs more pertinent Q of what are the appropriate adjustments that should be made? But, I do have a tease-out of that Q–is Chow a coach that is more suited to having horses, or can he make do with some ponys? We all know folks who thrive in environments where improvisation is critical and actually prefer the tension of being behind the eight-ball with constant pressure (sort of like being a journalist always under deadline, huh ST?) or are they better suited for having studs?
Thus, although it seems obvious that you always want to have studs, I submit that it is not as easy as it seems; I don’ think other NBA coaches could have produced all the championships that Phil Jackson did, despite all the obvious talent around him. That said, Tomey and Wags to a certain extent, were always producing results, with not a full bag of groceries. Rather, it was a mixture of getting lucky with finding or cultivating some talent, a large does of attitude, and a smidge of trickery. I think Chow is a big hoss guy….
To stick with the subject, I would like to see some more fly sweeps, or variation of it, like West Virginia during the Orange Bowl last season.
Follow-up, best to do a two or three step drop by QB, with no play action, and light up the flooded, short zone. Play action just complicates the scene for these QBs. And I agree with Old School Dave, pick up the pace to thwart the defense.
One last though before I go away…
Dumping Chow also means dumping Florida and the east coast recruiting areas, unless the next coach has an awesome recruiting network. Also, Utah and the LDS recruits might be lost also.
Jones or Mack couldn’t get players from this areas unless it was via transfer.
Just looking at the prep:transfer ratio, Chow is clearly recruiting for the long term. Gotta wait and see how they turnout before dumping Chow.
Everybody thinks about the now, and understandably is freaking out after an 0-5 start… and I was hoping for more success, but virtually nobody thought UH would have more than 1 win at this point in the season given the schedule. Just need to keep things in perspective.
The sky wasn’t falling when UH went 3-9 in 2000, nor was UH as good as their 12-0 reg season in 2007. Chip Kelly was a genius and the Eagles were contenders after week 1, then it was Chip Kelly is a failed disaster after week 4.
Since we live in an ADD world… Tony Romo’s possible game losing int just now will be the only thing Cowboy fans will talk about even though they have scored 48 points.
Sorry ST, no more bloviating from me.
I’d like to see Ben Clarke pull more from his center position. Utilize St. Juste more – give him opportunities to operate “in space.” Lakalaka has been a pleasant surprise, in a workhorse manner.
I guess everybody forgot about the beautifully executed reverse that scored a TD last night. Well designed play and well execute.
Human nature is to dwell on the negative, so much so that you lose sight of what is going well and what needs to be worked on.
FUHA excellent point and point of pause. Shoots, Tom Coughlin is the only coach in the league with 2 Super Bowl wins in the last 6 years, and he and Chow share the same record. They did not become losers overnight…..bottom line, its a tough game.
With SS in there, doesn’t make sense to run the read-option……takes too much time.
Haven’t seen it since (probably since it wasn’t successful against SC), but would work in some offset alignments (using 6 OL) on short yardage…..to give option to zone block to open up off-tackle runs……with stretch running plays…..especially with St. Juste…..instead of sticking to running mostly inside the tackles.
I think the up tempo offense is effective, but our O-linemen are gassing.
Everyone knows that the fly-sweep is coming when Bubba is in the game…..same like when Mike Edwards was in last season…..unless Coach can come up with wrinkle off that alignment.
I think SS running the read-option is Chow trying to think outside of the box. Just like Woolsey running plays in certain situations.
I think both Bubba or Gant or DSJ has the speed to pull of the fly sweep.
Just in Case ANYONE Starts ‘Keeping Score’ (and Please Keep My Vote that way until Revised)
I’ll Vote “Stay the Course” (i see definite Improvement)
and Re-Booting with Almost Anyone other than JJ (IF he ever agreed or offered to do another Turnaround of Historical Proportions which WE ARE settin up…) would probably be a step backwards…
N/C on this week …
[NOT Even Bothering to “Lurk”]
If Chow being unable to make adjustments to the offense because he isn’t up in the booth is the problem, can’t they setup a video feed from the booth upstairs to an iPad or something in his hands down on the field so that he can see what’s happening in real-time allowing him to make those calls while still being on the sidelines?
Adjustments needed:
1. Get rid of that stupid run play into the line
2. More play-action/misdirection plays on offense
3. Go back to 4/3 base defense
Observation:
1. Hire a competent offensive coordinator
Chow having SS run the read-option is like when…..Von Appen had Dan Robinson running the triple-option.
Might be “out-of-the-box” thinking, but still doesn’t make good sense with SS.
Read-option and/or straight running plays only makes sense with Woosley at QB……since SS can’t outrun the defenders.
I’ve seen Boise State’s Southwick run the read-option and he’s not that fast either. Of course, in order to be successful you need people to block. A slow SS would wouldn’t gain as many yards compared to a Fajardo, but he will pick up some yards as long as there is adequate blocking.
They may want to look at developing more screen plays. They would like to keep the opponent’s pass rush honest. On defense play the folks who have the energy. If the starters start flat make the change. Maybe that motivates the starters to get going.keep the schemes aggressive and simple so mmany could participate.
I’m a retired arm chair QB. Usually I’ll comment on what I see but rarely would I try to advise the coaches on plays, play calling, formations or stategy.
But it seems to blog host is calling me out of retirement.
First slow the offensive tempo. For the last six quarters Chows been running an uptempo hybrid 2 min. O. The O has scored more in those 6 Qs than all the other Qs combined. But there’s a down side to that tempo. When we score it’s been really quick. When we don’t it’s been a lot of 3 n outs or a turnover. The D barely has time to catch it’s breath. Chow should up the tempo stategicly rather than a base for the O.
Second find a defining offensive philosophy. UP till now Chow has been running a mishmash of all the Os he’s seen over the years. You can’t say he’s running a “pro-set”, a pistol, a spread option or a run n shoot.Pick elements of one or two and stick with it. Practice it and get better at it. For now it’s like watching good ol’ Fred changing the O coordinator every year. An O with no identity.
Third. If Chow is going to incorporate elements of different Os than he should have a pitch option package for Woolsey. JJ had one for Colt.
Without TV I couldn’t suggest much despite the high quality of the radio coverage. I refuse to give in to the malware infested streams of the OC coverage no matter how unsatisified I am with the lack of consideration by them and all the involved parties with the audience on the mainland.
On the positive note, the right side of the OLine played better. Many of Lakalakas better runs were to the right side and his big run was typo the right. The reverse for TD went to the right. Maybe UH found something there.
UH just needs to pound UNLV with a healthy dose of Lakalaka and St Juste, and throw it deep to the WRs. The deep threat has loosened up the defense vs UH’s run attack the last few games. OLine protection still isn’t good, but it’s has been better now that it’s against MWC defenses.
149… Yeah, I though the same thing when I saw SS pull the ball and run. My exact reaction was… Hmm that was interesting. I don’t question the play call, caz it’s a nice wrinkle, I question the personnel being asked to run it. Either way if the blocking isn’t there, nothing works. Even the best pro players look bad with poor blocking.
Then again, Fresno tried to do the same with Carr last week and failed. Maybe coaches in general need to drop the read-option if it’s not a regular part of their gameplan and their QB isn’t suited for it.
You don’t see Bridgewater or Winston running any type of option.
Another adjustment . . .
Close the upper portions of the stadium. Bring the crowd closer to the game. There are D1 schools out there that don’t have to try and fill a 50,000 seat stadium. If more fans won’t come to the games, keep the ones that do involved. Closing off the top sections would increase crowd noise and give the players something more to play for.
Do you not think that seeing empty sections – not seats, I’m talking sections – has an affect on the players adrenaline?
152… Totally agree on the uptempo pace. UH doesn’t have the horses up front to handle the pace. People and coaches seem to think teams can incorporate it within a year or two, but in reality, it took Oregon several years to devise, recruit for and finally incorporate the high speed offense as their offensive tempo. Oregon defense is also recruited around the offenses tempo, knowing they are going be on the field a lot. Oregon has smaller more athletic linemen to handle the pace. 95% of teams just don’t have that.
That’s also why Kelly’s offense in Philly isn’t all there yet. The personnel he inherited isn’t suited for that offense and the learning curve is steep in Kelly’s 1st year. Vicks issues are another thing, but the Eagles aren’t going the pace that Oregon is going now. It will be another year or two before we see All of Kelly’s offense at Philly.
Defense… gave up too many points to. Got to look at what they are doing differently from last season and now. What were all the plays that hurt us the most? What happened and how to ensure that those kind of missed assignments don’t repeat themselves? Maybe more zone defense like Aranda? In the higher atmospheres, how good the defensive players are in zone defense may become a big factor. Gave up too many points these past two games. That’s the most points that SJSU has scored all season to date. And they gained much of their yards on the ground.
No Pat Willis for 49ers tonight. Replacement drills Tate for tackle for loss.
PICK 6!!!!!! Schaub throws 4th pick 6 in 4 straight games.
Saw replay… What a weak throw by Schaub. Actually a good play Brock on jumping the inside receiver’s route. Pretty sneaky as Brock was lined up on the outside WR.
Beware of the onscreen graphics/stats… NBC posted and Al Michaels had just finished talking about Schaubs pick 6 issues lately and right on cue…. Schaub delivers a TD pass to wrong team.
On offense, run more short routes. Quick pitches to the running backs. Might as well get Woolsey playing time and ready for next year. Most of all, don’t be so predictable.
On defense, play more 4-3 so we don’t give up so much running yardage. Have the safeties play more aggressive. Blitz a little more, but be ready for the screens and outside running plays. I noticed that there was no containment person on some plays. Change up on the coverages so we keep the offenses guessing.
With Joey out you have to throw more. Take whatever they will give you. Time for Graham to prove he really has the genes. Throw to set-up the run until Joey returns. The best perform the best when the pressure is on. Pressures on. June would throw.
Houston is going to be one dimensional now that confidence is at al time low with Schaub. Al Michaels reports that Schaub now owns the record for most consecutive games with pick 6. Not a good record to own.
I’d like to see more Wisconsin run wide sweeps rather than puny attempts up a clogged middle. Also, give the running back a break on any long runs rather than trying to give him the ball again. He can hardly breath…
Based on ST’s interesting article on coaching resources, it’s hard to see how years of experience can be turned on a dime … http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/10/sp/hawaii708100378.html
Damn, Matt Schuab just threw his 4th pic six in a row…….
Most (if not all) will probably scoff at or dismiss this “out-of-the-box” suggestion……but just throwing out this thought…..
At first thought this will sound totally ridiculous to most (if not all)……but maybe not so much after thinking about it some…..but Chow might want to consult with Naeole…..to find out about the Iolani playbook from Naeole’s past 3 seasons as a Raider assistant…..to expand the playbook…..since there’s no doubting that WL’s teams have had their fair share of success moving the ball and scoring points and even pulling out some upsets…..against vastly superior physical talented teams (Saint Louis, Punahou, Kamehameha) in the ILH.
While the Iolani kids definitely work hard and are disciplined, everyone in the local HS scene knows that Iolani wins primarily because of its offensive schemes……not because of the talent. PLUS…..Chow and WL are tight……as are Naeole and WL.
Like John Fink always says…..”Think About It”……
Hmmmm……
ST,
I would like to see more 4-wide sets and less use of the TE unless on like every single play. I’d also like to see DSJ get released into the flat for a pass. The buggah looks like he could be deadly to opposing defenses if given some open space.
Go Niners
So, 4-wide sets hold the TE with a dash of DSJ. It sounds doable.
117. Adjustments….
1. If Graham not healthy, have to give Woolsey a chance. We are 0-5 right now and our offense is just too limited right now with SS. Safeties can play up because opposing defenses have confidence in the DBs to react to SS deep balls. He will get his at times but for the most part, the deep fades are 50-50 balls that get picked as often as they do connect for TDs. San Jose secondary is depleted and still did a decent job on us.
2. More zone read options with Woolsey. Whether we threw out of it or ran, positive yards were gained on Saturday. I like it also because it gives Hawaii an extra lead blocker when Woolsey runs the direct snap.
3. Hawaii needs to be more effective using screens. Teams are blitzing and we have no answer for it besides throw the ball deep up for grabs. Hawaii was famous for slot screens.
4. Hawaii doesn’t have a true pass rusher besides Tavita Woodard. Even he isn’t a high level one. We need to blitz more. When we got in Fales face, he missed on a lot of passes. San Jose did make the adjustment with a few screens on our blitzes but we need to generate pressure.
5. More Trayvon Henderson. He impressed me a lot. His work in the weight room is very noticeable and he might be the more impressive freshman in my opinion. Wouldnt be surprised if he grows into a Aaron Brown type hybrid player… HE covers so well though that you can do a lot of things with him like Jerrol Garcia Williams..
162… I think Kaumeyer is adjusting the base D based on how the opponents offensive scheme. Vs Fresno, the 3-3-5 held Carr to his least efficient game of the year by eliminating the deep plays as much as possible. I would expect a 4-3 look vs UNLV, who runs a more balanced offense.
Vs SJSU, he ran the same 3-3-5 in anticipation of Fales throwing all over the place. Couple things happened, the DLine wasn’t getting any pressure on Fales on their own, but the big thing was SJSU ran the ball much more than was expected. Their run game has been nonexistent this year, and they clearly focused on running the ball. Give some credit to SJSU for kicking UH’s butt in the trenches most of the game. That was the first time all year UH’s DLine was beat like that.
#172. Former….
Give SJSU coaches for sticking with the run. They eventually wore the D down. Our run D has been built around our DTs clogging the middle and occupying blockers. Going with a nose guard and two DEs who ofter took wide splits was an invitation to run.
Also wish coach K would disguise his blitzs’ better. Most of the time you could tell when and who would be bringing heat. Picking up the blitz wasn’t much of a problem for SJSU.
Maybe they should do more like McMackin in 2008. Put Woolsey in … create a moving pocket and make the other side second guess what’s going to happen.
good afternoon tsaikos. have no comments about the game, but had to attend my friend’s “celebration of life” in Hilo and Kanoe K was one of the flight attendents. Another couple attending another “celebration of life” in Keakaha for one the the Loeffler, retired Hilo police. My best to the Loeffler ohana.
1. The no huddle is a huge step in a positive direction over years past, however lining up fast without making adjustments for how the defense lines up is foolish. Ever heard of an audible? Or nevermind yhe audible, hat about the qb & wr’s taking an extra second or three to read the coverage? Can’t recall the last time any of our qb’s made an audible based on what the defense ‘showed’. I’d rather huddle up and work clock if we’re gonna run plays as called no matter what.
2. Stop calling for rollouts to the qb’s off arm. Did this with TG and now still with SS. Both qb’s take way too long to wind up to throw. Not to mention accuracy issues with having to throw ‘against’ ones momentum.
3. Did we call even a single screen pass or shovel pass? Although the sacks were minimal last night, the pressure was still getting to SS. A screen pass or shovel every once in a while could be just the tonic our O needs to keep the dline honest. I personally hated the wr screen that our former OC’s used to call but I can’t help but wonder how our athletic wr’s like Gant & Haynes would perform in the open field.
as the team tries to resolve major issues, my best to them and wish them the best against UNLV.
ST, sorry to see the negative comments aimed at you posted in response to your story. I appreciate all you do. This too shall pass.
I wish I had constructive thoughts in response to your invitation, but I no longer attend games, watch the games, or listen to the games. If that is not a sign the program has hit rock bottom I don’t know what is. I do sleep better at night, and that is the most I can hope for when the home team is 0-5 and sliding, during which time the AD is announcing his lofty aspirations for the entire department.
One of the problems that I see when the pass pro breakdown is all of the receivers have run deep routes and there is no one short to throw to. Our offense has seemed to have gone more vertical on pass patterns. I have not seen many drags or crosses, the amount of pass patterns being run by our receivers has dropped significantly and has made it easier to cover us.
I think its great that players are wearing pink in order to promote breast cancer awareness. Always thought that prostate cancer should be promoted as well by allowing players to wear brown latex gloves.
NYUHTX,
I just saw your post about streaming sites on the mainland… You have to realize the streams I posted last night came from “The Mountain West Network.” It’s not some random illegal sports stream that’s filled with malware, it is actually a legal stream from Mountain West website… (They black it out in Hawaii)
It’s no different than watching a game on ESPN 3… It’s a legal stream…
185… Route combos could be better, but honestly, the OLine hasn’t been able to protect long enough for the QB to check down. Theoretically, if the defense is in
QB has to anticipate better, but when QBs are getting hit all the time, they rush things a bit. Last Woosley, at times, was taking off running when there was no pressure and actually ran himself into a sack when there was a nice pocket to step into. That’s an inexperience issue. Schroeder tried to scramble prematurely a few times before routes developed and no pressure. To me, that’s just a QB that’s hearing footsteps.
Wanna see a QB struggling… Tune into NBC and watch Matt Schaub. He’s playing really timid and looks like he’s one INT away from getting benched.
One thing I noticed last night was the nice clear and smooth HD picture that OC was streaming through the MW Digital Network. It was a lot better than what ESPN 3 normally offers.
Think Kaepernick is playing really timid tonight.
200–Good observation. I actually thought that the games I viewed of him this year, and just two, that either he has lost some of his swagger, or the scouting report on him has caught up.
I am enjoying reading through the thoughtful debates today.
I have to agree with FUHA, we have to stop those third and long plays. They are serious back-breaker/momentum killers. And it seems like a few plays after each of those conversions, our opponent always seems to score… Do I know how to fix that? I have no clue. Are we too aggressive on 3rd downs or too lax? I have no clue. I’m not as smart as a lot of you guys but I do know this… Our guys fight like hell. Whether we have the talent to compete with the teams we played or not, one things for sure, our guys fight till the end… And that’s something the Coaches should be commended on…
That being said obviously I’m disappointed with the outcome of the game and the season so far. I feel like we shot ourselves in the foot against USC, Nevada, Fresno St., and San Jose State….. I think the only game that the other team really outplayed us was Oregon St. And even that game was tied at halftime…
I think the future is bright with Vasquez Haynes, Keith Kirkwood, Lakalaka and Woolsey in the offensive skill positions… And our defense will continue to be very good…
I agree with my friend DPK, our O-line needs help. I wish Muir had stayed because he and Ben Clarke could’ve been the foundation of a great UH o-line for years to come… Now it feels like we keep plugging guys in and out.
ST’s question was what adjustments would we make? My answer is simply, I’d rather have someone who has been in the business for 40 years to make those decisions rather than me… I’m confident our staff will get our guys to play well next week…
Go Warriors!
Of course, when I say that about Kap, he throws a 64-yarder.
Is it a safe bet that “thinks2much” and “independent thinker” are the same person?
I think what ST is asking for is difficult in this format. There are many arm chair quarterbacks out there that shoot from the hip. Throwing out statements like they’re facts and offering solutions that are not well thought out and will not change the fortunes of the team. There has to be a thorough plan that will work for both the offense and defense. ie. The hurry up (that UH is using) is not really a hurry up but is a scheme to prevent the other team from substituting. They haven’t run that many offensive plays but maybe it does tire out the defense by not being on the field long enough but is it because of the scheme or execution? The R&S had the same problem in the JJ era as the defense got tired at times. It’s too simple to offer a solution like put St. Juste in space and all will be solved. Maybe I am too lazy and I know I don’t have the background or experience so I will leave it up to the coaches. The past comment about Coughlin winning 2 Super Bowls and still struggling this year makes it all too clear how difficult this game is and how easy it is to be an arm chair quarterback.
Recruit defensive speed. Blitz until it hurts; you getting hurt anyway you look at it. Prioritize getting turnovers. Make special teams a badge of honor again! Yes, this is a lot like the Jerry Glanville formula, but also like the Chris Petersen formula too!
1) I think they should mix the tempo from no huddle to huddle at different points of the game (or even in the same series) to give our defense more rest and to keep the defense off balanced.
2) Our tight ends can’t block. Go four wide, bring in another Olineman on running plays or keep Lakalaka in there with Diocemy.
3) Our safeties were late in helping our corners. Cost us at least 2-TD’s. Gotta fix that.
4) Consider moving Afusia to center and move Clarke to guard to help improve our ground game. Our inside game has been nonexistent.
Boy, San Diego just looks BAD.
Adjustment #1, cortisone shot into Taylor Graham’s non-throwing shoulder. Give him all the 1st team reps as he gives us the best chance to win
#2 Keep SS as back up. The game is too big to baptize and risk Woosley long term. Woosley needs another spring and fall camp to learn to put more under his deep throws.
#3 hire a QB and Receivers coach for next year. Chow and the grad assts. are overwhelmed. Chow can continue to call plays but the QBs and Receivers need an experienced coach.
#4 Ben Jay needs to come out and support Chow. The recruits need to hear that. Chows not going anywhere this year and due to budget constraints, BJ will give Chow another year.
#5 if the team isn’t bowl eligible at the end of next year, make a change. JJ will be available or Rolo will be available for his 1st HC job. JJ will also come cheap as he would have made his $$$ at SMU.
Implement some unpredictable plays, Misdirection, traps, counters, tightend outs, something, anything that would put excitement back into warrior football. Last but not least, rotate more than the star players. See a lot of guys standing on the sidelines that can contribute and keep fresh legs preventing injury. Am I the only one that see’s this, or am I just going insane? Somebody slap me and pass me a Primo.
ST’s question of “what adjustments would you make” perhaps is being blown away.
Most, if not all comments, refer back to the “coaches” – offensively and defensively.
No matter how many credible “adjustments” we suggest, nothing will change – coaches will do what they want and we will keep on “bitching”.
It all starts at the top – shall we begin a rally cry to fire Chow? shall we continue to bitch and be sad and depressed?
Agree with a poster who said, do not disregard the fans who attend games and donate to UHAD – large or small. After all, like Greenwood, it’s our hard earned dollars that provide their paychecks.
If bitching makes you unhappy, be my guest – it makes me feel better and I repeat the process every football season for UH and 49ers.
It’s funny that after last years blowouts most people were saying that it wouldn’t be so bad if the scores were closer. This year, the scores are closer and people are complaining worse than ever. Go figure…
How is the Koolau theater and Ward doing with their football showings? Are they profitable? Can we duplicate that on other areas of the islands? Not just Waianae, Wahiawa, Hawaii Kai, but in the outer islands, as well?
eMpTy,
That’s because we played closer games against teams that weren’t that good. Nevada was badly winged and running on their third QB, SJSU, too. Fresno State took their foot off the pedal in the second half, which was quite evident. Next week we’re underdogs to UNLV.. UNLV! Auwe.. UNLV who the warriors crushed in 2012.
One topic.
I only asked for one topic today.
lol.
At least the local HS recruits (Lambert, Scott, Stubblefield, Sanchez, Vailopa, Yoshiki, Tui, Uluave, Miyashiro-Saipaia, etc.) were out in force again in large numbers last night……for the next straight home game. Way more local HS prospects attend home games than was ever the case at least under Mack.
Good to see current redshirting true frosh (Barker, Miller) talking story with some of the potential recruits (Lambert & Scott).
Recruiting is one area that Chow and the coaching staff really work at…..and are far more consistent and persistent than was ever the case under Mack and/or JJ. Saw a bunch of the assistant coaches at Aloha Stadium……for Thursday’s Kailua/McKinley and Farrington/Kahuku doubleheader…..then at Friday’s Saint Louis/Punahou showdown.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. Not only was SJSU a wounded duck, they were a wounded duck with a first year Head Coach.
ST,
Focused and gave my offensive suggestions earlier……
– middle screens
– shovel passes
– stretch running plays off-tackle and/or perimeter running plays
– no read-option with SS
– offset line formations in short yardage
– poach the Iolani playbook
Stetch running plays off-tackle and/or perimeter running plays…..with St. Juste.
Steve Imai is stupid.
Cindy Lewis slapped Steve Imai after volleyball game. hahahaha
Yeah, ST . . . I gave my adjustment suggestions earlier. Did you forward them to Coach?
Kidding of course.
192… I’m with you.. and there is speed on this defense and more coming in next year. UH is looking much improved in the speed/athleticism department and still getting better.
On blitzing, just gotta be careful not to blitz too much because you get predictable and somebody will hit you with screen for a big play like Oregon St did for 3 or 4 big plays.
Looking at Yap and Woodard, they are more suited for the 4-3 because they do not have the size needed to anchor a 3 man front. They are just ok pass rushers, but they are too small to play DE full time in the 3-3-5 and SJSU ate them up. Once Tulimasealii and Rassmussen are fully ready in 2014, Kaumeyer’s 3 down line sets should become much more stout. They have the size and quickness to play DE in 3-3-5 (or 3-4) or rotate at DT on the 4-3.
In the next few weeks. Don’t expect to hear NeQuan Philips’ name called much because I think QBs are going to stop throwing his way if they can. Mr Honolulu has been making some spectacular individual plays in coverage lately. Maggitt hasn’t been quite as consistent but he’s been pretty good. He better stay ready because more balls are coming his way.
The defense has been forcing more turnovers lately, so that’s good. Just need to sure up 3rd down defense. Collectively, it was a bad day for the D vs SJSU. Look for them to bounce back vs UNLV. Although UH struggles on the road, the old saying is, “defense travels.”
Steve Imai is my partner.
My suggestion… Bigger linemen…. Both sides…. Get some beef, teach them technique, use their size and leverage, our linemen are small but quicker compared to the rest of the conference.
Where’s my law practice?
War-E-Or is dumber than Independent Thinker and Steve Imai.
Trolling with sub-par insults is even dumber, just saying kid.
OK ST sorry…
everyone disregard my #3 & #5.
#199 kapakahi
Want a biscuit? What difference will it make? Won’t help uh win games. There probably there because they got free tickets. If uh keeps it up with this losing streak, I’m sure if offered else where, there going to take it over uh. If I was being recruited by uh, I would have doubts on how long NC would be around.
Adjustments?
Call Rolo an Aranda for advice.
80: BINGO.
88: Von Appen’s last year the team was 0-12. The very next year, June Jones was 9-4 — with essentially Von Appen’s players. Just imagine what a GOOD coaching staff could do with Chow’s “great” recruits.
RECOMMENDED ADJUSTMENT: Perhaps adding a few more pass rushers would help? A 5-2 would stop the run and provide extra pass rushers. After all isn’t sacking the quarterback the best pass protection scheme out there?
While using 3 down linemen and 8 defensive backs (and a myriad array of elaborate schemes) has its adherents, it doesn’t seem to be working for UH.
As Peyton Manning as proven, against a good quarterback, it doesn’t matter how many defensive backs you cram unto the field.
Cut down on the turnovers. Simplify the offense and defense, maybe this will allow the team to play “fast” and not make as many mental errors.
I would start Woolsey at QB. Leave him there as long as he can move the team down the field and score. Put in Shawn if Woolsey is unable to be productive. If we are more than 3 TD’s behind that might be too late to insert Shawn.
On defense I would put 4 or 5 at the line. Mix in some delay blitzes from different angles. Have the CB’s hit the receivers hard coming off the line to slow them down and throw off their QB.
I would never run the ball 3 or 4 times in a row thinking we could run the clock out. Especially with more than 2 minutes left in the half. You have to be aggressive if you want to score TD’s and win the game.
Without an identity yet UH seems to be able to pass if given the time. I would work more on the passing game to open up the running game. We need Taylor back badly.
While on the surface it seems like lot of different things are being expressed on the Warrior Beat, it somehow seems like it’s all been said so many times before. It’s almost like everything was cut and pasted from yesterday. Kudos to ST for trying to get everyone out of this rut.
What now? Just forfeit no need play.
Run that formation that Boise uses. The pistol formation with a small receiver or back lined up directly behind the right guard. We could use St Juste as that back and have Lakalaka lined up behind the quarterback. Or you could flip them. That way it would give us an opportunity to have both players in the game at the same time. I’ve seen a big ten team use that formation last week. Sometimes the back behind the guard is used as a lead blocker while the other times becomes the ball carrier.
I agree with wowlaulau. Can’t have any of those turn-overs. Especially when your defense is struggling.
In this era of diminishing returns for football and other sports, Northwestern is enjoying a 27 percent increase. Does UH need to hire this consulting firm, too? http://www.lek.com/content/northwestern-football-marketing-program-scores-27-boost-attendance
I watched the Broncos game today and they were timing Peyton and he was getting his passes off less than 2 seconds a lot of the times. Really amazing to watch. Even Romo had a really good game. Or could be that both defenses had bad games.
Too late for this season but not for next. Hire an OC. In my view the O would run a lot smoother if Chow had a colleague helping him instead of grad assistant who Chow is teaching the ropes to.
At the minimum an OC would be a good sounding board for Chow to bounce his ideas off of. Another experienced eye should help in seeing where the weak spots are and may suggest corrections. Sometimes I think Chow is tooo closely involved with fixing all the problems of the O by himself that he can’t as they say ….see the forest for the trees.
I’d start the same 5 offensive linemen every game. That’d probably help with the consistency of both run blocking and pass pro.
#223 turnovers have been back breakers in the last year.
Weird fact though, is that SJSU did not capitalize on any of UH’s turnovers last night on the ensuing drives. The closest they got to scoring off a turnover was their missed field goal.
Still, turnovers are a morale killer.
I don’t know enough to make any suggestions, I’m just a burro with a laptop. That’s ST’s point, not very many people here can make a constructive suggestion.
In the past, Coach Chow has always been upstairs in the booth. From there, he had the best vantage point to analyze the game, and strategize. I think he should move back upstairs to the booth, so he can see the entire field, analyze, strategize, and direct his assistant coaches on the field. The booth is not the normal place for a head coach, but Coach Chow’s best contribution to the team is his mind, and not necessarily his presence on the field.
Penitito Faalologo didnt redshirt and hasnt suited up for any games after USC. He will probably be the best fullback in the nation if CHOW will just give him a chance!
Good morning Tsaikos.
After watching former basketball players play tight end in the NFL: try the co-freshman of the year Isaac Fotu (6’8″ 240 lbs) at tight end. Beeg target slanting in for whoever plays QB. Tallest tight ends on the roster right now are only 6’4″.
Won’t make it to Vegas…car issues. 🙁
Is his wife here in Oahu? If not, who’s tending to his personal needs away from work? Could that affect his concentration and focus? Being estranged from the customary support system after a spell can be emotional and psychologically taxing.
#233 … not to worry. had same arrangement when he was with the Titans.
#232. 99club:
Great idea re “Fro-tu”. “He is under contract to UH” – so assign him to football. lol
(didn’t realize he was 240. Lifting weights/diet could get him up to 260 easily.)
Holy bat guano !!!
#230,
Um no. I don’t think thats ST’s point at all. Yeah there are some who can’t contribute meaningful discussion but there are a lot of bloggers here who have intelligent comments and suggestions.
Be like Boise State; and have different personnel packages to run different mis-direction plays for each game: this would help player morale (instead of having fresh players just sit on the sideline with no hope of just playing one snap).
YES; CALL MORE SCREEN PLAYS to offset our opponents pressure straight up the middle since our OL is not our strength! Or swing passes to our RB (having to go one on one vs LB’s). Do more short crossing routes!
INSTALL THE TRIPLE OPTION PACKAGE (with Woolsey under center) and use this package every other series–and mix in the surprise passes downfield. This would really confuse our opponents defenses in having to prepare for 2 completely different offenses each game. Heck; keep using this package until they can stop it. Air Force leads the country in rushing each year with this package; and they don’t have the best athletes!
Even June Jones had an OPTION package installed (especially for goal line situations even with Colt Brennan).
I volunteer to be our OC; and will do it for free; lol.
Why do we keep blitzing on 3rd down and long; and NOT watch for the screen play–we keep getting burned on this play each game! Is it because our offense doesn’t have a screen play–seems like not.
Decide who your best 5 OL are and stick with them….changes every week screen more…not just outside….game more on D….learned a long time ago play pass D and you just get burned. Outside of the parameters but in the first half, down 20-14 at mid field….you do not go for it on 4th and short….that decision decided outcome. I realize fans like it and the TV guys agreed…..just plain dumb….it is a game of field position.
every great ceo, gm, and hc surrounds himself with great assistants.
its too late to hire any new asst coach at this point.
when you look in the booth upstairs it is quite a revelation of sorts. several grad assts, a wounded qb, primarily a lot of youth, inexperience, etc.
i’d say one, our oc needs to be back in the booth. that would be chow. unlike jj who could “see” the field from ground zero, perhaps chow needs to go upstairs where he excelled.
two, then there is a need to give the keys to take control of the sideline management if chow realizes he needs to go upstairs. then the only person capable is his player developement guy whom chow virtually removed from the staff, keith uperesa should be given the authority, title, and pay as chow’s first associate hc. he is the only staffer who has been a hc and perhaps the only one that the other assts will respect. he would excel and thrive in this endeavor.
three, employ the wildcat inside the ten. give the defense one added threat to worry about. put in a guy who can fake a dive and scurry to the outside with yet the run/pass option threat or perhaps pitch to the trailing rb in a triple option fashion.. enter former qb and an obvious playmaker whose time is finally due, bubba poeu-luna.
…nuff said!
We move forward.
Go Warriors!
Chow now #3 on coaches hotseat…. spin it any way you want, time for change.
Season 2, after five games:
Hawaii vs. USC: 13-30 loss; 2012 10-49 loss
Hawaii vs. Oregon St: 14-33 loss; 2012 NA
Hawaii vs. Nevada: 9-31 loss; 2012 24-69 loss
Hawaii vs. Fresno State: 37-42 loss; 2012 10-45 loss
Hawaii vs. San Jose State: 27-37 loss; 2012 NA
Hawaii vs. UNLV: TBD (56-42 over NM; 3 and 2 so far); 2012 48-10 win
Hawaii vs. Col St: TBD (59-42 over UTEP; 2 and 3 so far); 2012 27-42 loss
Hawaii vs. Utah St: TBD (31-14 loss to BYU; 3 and 3 so far); 2012 NA
Hawaii vs. Navy: TBD (28-10 over AF; 3 and 1 so far); 2012 NA
Hawaii vs. SDSU: TBD (51-44 over NV; 2 and 3 so far); 2012 14-52 loss
Hawaii vs. Wyoming: TBD (42-21 loss to Texas St; 3 and 2 so far); 2012 NA
Hawaii vs. Army: TBD (48-27 loss to Bost. Coll; 2 and 4 so far); 2012 NA
they just to relax and play football. dont think about winning, and it’ll come.
like ST said, we all adults…so i will say something adult. please do not read further as this post is about an adult topic.
to me, this is like you know when you about to have sex and you thinking about giving mama the podagee sausage but end up only giving her the vienna sausage??? Sometimes it’s because you thinking too much instead of enjoying.
I think chow might be over-coaching. Relax coach. If no can relax take a viagra and enjoy the podagee sausage…it’ll make you feel 18 again and when you 18 you enjoy almost anything. I think the boys need to air things out, have fun, and play.
think of when you hold sand in your hand. if you make a fist and squeeze it tight, the sand falls out. but if you relax your fist, the sand stays. so relax coach, let the boys play in a care free way. the team and the fans will stay and wins will come…
open the playbook, call plays designed for 7 yards plus and just go for it. win or lose, the fans like it this way it seems. and in a roundabout way, if the fans enjoy there will be more support for the program. I think if you can’t provide wins and they are hard to come by, then perhaps provide entertainment value. but relax coach 🙂
The most constructive suggestion I can think of: …………………………….!
1
When I was teaching a journalism class, one of the assignments was to create facts for a crime story. The students could only describe what they would like to be found at a crime scene. For instance, it was Jack’s hardware store. There was a bloody screwdriver next to a 23-year-old man named John Smith. Etc. All of the details were written on a white board. Then the students had to write a story based only on the information on the board.
So, naturally, students would talk about John Smith’s jealous girlfriend or bad business partner. Then I’d have to correct them and say that information wasn’t on the board. You can only use what’s on the board.
And that was the whole point of yesterday’s exercise.
Given the available players and the upcoming opponent, what adjustments would you suggest.
Many contributed worthwhile suggestions.
The usual suspects went off board. For instance, dumping the coaching staff is not a consideration because, what, you’re not going to have any coaches this week? Recruiting bigger linemen isn’t an option because, well, they can’t play this week, anyway.
The point of yesterday’s exercise was just like the class assignment: This is the situation, these are the available resources, what would you do?
The same thing goes with recruiting. It’s easy to identify good players. It’s another to identify good players who meet academic requirements, have solid background checks and don’t have over-bearing parents. Plus, it takes a sort of charm to recruit a player. You can’t be an angry recruiter.
But maybe that’s an exercise for another day.