Live football blog: Hawaii vs. Air Force
Mike Schmidt, a third-string QB, came off the sideline to run for three touchdowns and pass fo another to lead Air Force to a 56-26 rout of Hawaii.
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Air Force cornerback Milton Bugg grasps a bobble ball and raced 92 yards on the interception return to extend Air Force’s lead to 56-26 with 4:01 to play.
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Mike Schmidt goes 18 yards on a keeper for his third TD and a 49-
26 AFA lead.
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With no place to throw or go, Cole McDonald is sacked … and then loses the ball on a fumble.
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Mike Schmidt, essentially the third-string quarterback, goes 61 yards on a keeper-sprint to extend the Falcons’ lead to 42-26 with 13:37 to play.
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The Warriors open the fourth quarter with a 10-yard scoring pass from Cole McDonald to JoJo Ward. But the conversion pass did not connect, and Hawaii trails, 35-26, with 14:54 to play.
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Timothy Jackson’s second-effort run results in a 10-yard touchdown. Jackson was initially stopped on a fourth-and-2 play from the UH 10. But Jackson then bounced off a would-be tackler, and scooted around left end for a TD to extend the Falcons’ lead to 35-20 with 7:19 left in the third quarter.
The Falcons have scored on five of their six drives, and regained control of the clock at 20:08 to UH’s 17:33.
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Air Force takes a 28-20 lead into the intermission.
Two key things to watch in the second half: AFA starting quarterback Donald “DJ” Hammond has not played since suffering an injury in the first quarter. UH cornerback Rojesterman Farris II is considered between questionable and doubtful to return.
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It took 28 minutes, 35 seconds but the Warriors get their first defensive stop. The Falcons are set to punt, leading 28-20.
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Doing what they do best, the Warriors drove 71 yards on four plays — all passes — to close to 28-20 with 2:04 to play in the half.
The final five yards came on Cole McDonald’s second TD pass to Melquise Stovall.
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It’s four for four for the Falcons, who have scored on every first-half possession. This time, speedy tailback Kadin Remsberg takes a pitch from Mike Schmidt and sprints 7 yards for the TD and 28-13 lead. It was Remsberg’s second TD of the half.
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Hawaii’s longest drive in plays (25) and time (7:14) results in Ryan Meskell’s 27-yard field goal.
The Warriors still trail the Falcons, 21-13, with 6:19 left in the first half.
The Falcons set for their fourth possession. They scored on their previous three.
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The Falcons answer back with a 75-yard, catch-and-dash play from Mike Schmidt to Geraud Sanders.
It’s 21-10 with 13:33 left in the intermission.
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Cole McDonald and Melquise Stovall team on a 59-yard scoring play to close the Warriors to 14-10 with 13:44 left in the first half.
McDonald, who was hit while releasing the pass, found Stovall alone along the left sideline. Stovall caught it at the AFA 34 and scooted the rest of the way.
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Backup quarterback Mike Schmidt scores on a 1-yard keeper to extend the Falcons’ lead to 14-3 with 14:35 left in the second quarter.
The TD was set up on Schmidt’s 39-yard, play-action pass to tight end Kade Waguespack. Waguespack appeared to hurt his right knee on the play and, after being down for a couple minutes, was helped off the field
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The Falcons go up 7-3, on Kadin Remsberg’s 2-yard run off a pitch from backup quarterback Mike Schmidt with 6:09 left in the first quarter.
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Scary moment for Air Force as quarterback Donald “DJ” Hammond III leaves the field after appearing to hurt his right (throwing) arm after 9 yard gain to UH 6.
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The Warriors score on the opening drive on Ryan Meskell’s 41-yard field goal.
The drive teased more potential. But after UH advanced to the AFA 9, Jared Smart was called for a pick play on a route for a 15-yard penalty and Cole McDonald was sacked for a six-yard loss.
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Hawaii wins the toss and … oh, you knew this, it elects to receive. Melquise Stovall is the deep returner.
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The Kuter Trophy is on the line when Hawaii and Air Force meet tonight in a Mountain West game at Aloha Stadium.
The Warriors are 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Mountain West following last week’s loss at Boise State. Their offense has been reinforced with the return of right guard Solo Vaipulu, who missed the past three games. Vaipulu practiced this week.
UH coach Nick Rolovich said winning the Mountain West title remains “the big picture. But there are steps on that ladder, and Air Force is the first step.”
The Falcons (4-2, 2-1) attack out of the run-oriented, triple-option offense. But unlike other tradition option offenses, the Falcons have a play-action element. Donald D.J. Hammond is a dual-threat quarterback.
Let’s go Bows!!! 🤙🏽
DC change for next year
Hawaii defense getting gashed ! Need to make half time adjustments. Go Warriors !!
Passing efficiency…..3 pass…2 touchdowns. Who said they can’t pass?
D looking confused but hoping adjustments will be made during halftime.
One stop so far.
AF player RIGHT in front of Warrior # 28.
STOP HIM!
RIdiculous.
No let ‘em bounce OFF you, Warriors!
Is it talent or is it scheme?
Just can’t make a defensive stop.
Why go for 2 now?
Is Batoon at the game? Hello?
Our play Sure negates reno
Bafoon.
Bafoons defense is terrible. Been watching for 2 years now and it seems the players are lost. New coordinator please!!
Wow, defense is nonexistent. Just terrible.
Rolo gotta be like Trump for next season. Fire assist. coaches.
And I couldn’t help but notice radio J. Veneri’s reaction on the recent fumble: “And it’s a big one” and chuckles. He can play it back if he forgot.
Ridiculous.
This one is on the DC, Corey Bafoon. AF making the D look like a Pop Warner Team.
Wow. Was that? Yeah! That fumble-TD earned by AF . . . Incredible. The ball was GIFT WRAPPED! Nice AF blue and grey bow. Excellent!
Hawaii was schooled by Air Force and the triple option.
One bright spot is that the “Immaculate Interception” will probably get a lot of airplay on ESPN….I think.
That was an awesome play!…never give up.
I wouldn’t call it a bright spot but lowlights.
More like those lights in Stephen King’s books. “Dark lights”? Something like that? 🤗.
Poor performance. We could have stayed closer but our QB was way off. Plus DEFENSE WAY WAY OFF. Worst performance of the year. WHOLE team was in QUICKSAND!!
The UH offense only scored 3 TD’s and also scored one TD for AF.
The last time we got blown out at home by Air Force, we fired our coach the very next day…
That was a pretty embarrassing defensive effort. They should be hanging there heads after that. Pathetic. I won’t say his name or number, but a certain defensive end clearly had no clue what he was doing. He got caught sleeping and looking so many times. Sad showing today. First time I decided to stop watching in a long time. And to think I started the day trying to get people pumped about the game.
DC and Rolo need to dig up film of Hawaii Defense against the option under Dave Aranda. He knows how to scheme.
I stayed to the end. I felt the outside option for AF was there all night as we had only two defenders and our pitch defender took the fake inside leaving the pitch runner for easy 10 yard gains. Plus not enough pursuit to keep the quarterback from gaining when he did not pitch. On offense, we should learn from the last two games as defenses have a hard time preparing for the back up quarterbacks. Cole was not good on three evaluation criteria…1) third downs, 2) red zone and 3) 4th quarter/critical drives. Lastly, the position coaches need to be evaluated on how their players perform. I believe there are weaknesses in the coaching staff as evidenced by unnecessary penalties. Shameful of Stovall to toss the ball to the AF defender after a fair catch.
My observation at a restaurant with a wall of televisions was that more people were watching the baseball game than Air Force/UH. Enjoyed a lively talk about current events with old high school friends more than actual game. Somebody who obviously had a bet on the game, kept slamming his table. Adjusted expectations which were my original expectations at the outset of the season: 7 wins and get to local bowl game. The Arizona win threw everything out of whack. But I will keep my promise and not annoy everybody by insisting that we run the service academies’ offense. I believe in what Coach Rolovich is doing.
I had to work tonight but I heard most of the game on the radio. Sounds like the preparation was substandard considering how important this game was. Maybe Batoon overly complicated his scheme and bogged down the reaction ability. Maybe they seen the same video I seen and weren’t overly impressed. IDK. Very disappointing. Sounds like the leadership was lacking as well. Phase II might need more time to develop. Got a little off the track but shake this off right now and re-focus. Play hard every game like last season. Figure the rest out together. Leaders need to lead.
What’s your name? Coach ……! You’re the new coach. You’d better win 10 games with what we give you, or else l’ll fire you like the last coach!
So simple.
The option is like hide n go seek or duck duck goose. You dont know who has the ball and which way they’re going.
Regardless of what happened at the line of scrimmage, there is no excuse for our DBs to have left so many wide open receivers. To get dominated by the pass against an option team is shameful.
kev-1…roger that.
D was confused and not playing with high energy. Being tentative and combine that with the speed of the Falcons. We end up with a good lesson on how the option should be runned.
Passing game was good but ineffective. Falcons passing was better, even with fewer attempts.
Another option team in New Mexico this week. No time for UH to feel sorry for themselves or to mope around. Still 6 more games to play.
BYU played inspired ball against a seemingly “flat” BSU team (#14). BYU players angry and fired up about rumors that Sitake will be fired. Sitake has gone to bat numerous times for players who’ve run into trouble or afoul of their Honor Code. Might be too little, too late, though in Provo.
And New Mexico, our next opponent, also runs a version of the option. We had better learn to attack instead of filling gaps and waiting for the faster opponent to make the first move. If the defense has to think before reacting, then they will be tackling ghosts.
I remember Aranda’s defense being similar to Batoon’s at the same stage (year 2). It has such a different design that is hard for us average fans to figure out what we’re seeing, just like Aranda’s. So it drives you nuts when you see guys out of position and seemingly confused. Sucks. But are we looking at the next Aranda here with Batoon ? IDK. I think this was his first time he defensed an option team without Tavai, a real vocal leader. Part of the learning process as Phase II ensues I think. They have to play (and practice) hard (like Air Force does) from right now. Mind-set has to readjust. Anything is still possible. Everything.
Just watched the video. Looked like the BYU game last year. Air Force controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides. Even Taala was pushed backward often. So explosive, quick and relentless. No chance. Even the pass rush was real active and physical. So fast and strong. Unreal. Cole ever have enough time to exploit the mismatches vs their secondary (lots). That’s what it looks like when pass rush is synched up with coverage.
The defensive scheme looked like it was designed for players who can make plays in the open field. Hawaii doesn’t have many of those. Thus failure. There was no adjustment second half (such as somebody make sure the QB is on the ground every play, tackle him with or without the ball, make somebody else beat you) either. Very exasperating. Learning process. It looked like they might have underestimated how physical this Air Force team would be (I didn’t see this kind of ability on their videos either). Learn. Prepare. Everything is still possible. I know this team is capable of better. Lots of returnees. Need some leaders now.
Think the team was jet-lagged from both Boise and Reno. Who makes their ridiculous travel schedule?
Last week at Boise, the team finished the game before midnight; got to their hotel at 1am; and had to take a 6am flight back to Hawaii. What; only 2 hours sleep? Team needs at least 8 hours!
Two weeks ago at Reno, again the team finished the game before midnight; but had to shower and go straight to the airport, catch a delayed flight to San Francisco; and wait at the airport basically all night, catch a 9am flight to Hawaii which turned around after a hour in flight to SFO; and took another airline back to Hawaii. This was the most absurd schedule of all. After that big Nevada win, the team deserved to get a good night’s rest before returning home.
Reno was 3 weeks ago.
The offside penalty put the nail in the coffin.
21 total turnovers given up so far this year. Ouch.
I love our smaller quick receivers but hopefully Rolo can recruit a couple tall fast receivers over 6 feet in the coming years for a balance on offense and give the quarterback something big to aim for to make his job a little easier. It’ll cut down on interceptions and bigger receivers hold on to the ball a little better under pressure so less fumbles. They also give the smaller slot receivers a break and less wear and tear on them.
Not to say we can’t use bigger receivers in the slot position and smaller receivers as wide outs or vice versa. We just need a couple bigger bodies for the qb to aim for.
One key in stopping the trip-option is to penetrate and disrupt the pitches and get the qb too. However we don’t got those players yet. Not athletic enough from the looks of it. Just gotta recruit better. Plus get that big and long armed fast RB. Ok, got to hope for 10-3 now. Its possible and doable. UH has to rely too much on McDono’s accuracy and when its not good we lose.