Hawaii football: Rolovich wants Warriors to turn over a new leaf for Nevada

“Several” didn’t cut it for Nick Rolovich.

The Hawaii football coach stopped a reporter who was in the process of pointing out the 3-1 Rainbow Warriors had succeeded so far despite several turnovers.

“More than several,” Rolovich said after Tuesday’s practice on the artificial turf of the TC Ching Athletic Complex.

UH has a turnover margin of minus-12, worst in FBS football — 130th of 130 teams. New Mexico State, the second-worst team, is minus-9 in turnover margin.

UH’s 15 total turnovers (nine interceptions thrown, six fumbles lost) is also a nation-worst. The Warriors have only taken in three picks and recovered zero opponents’ fumbles.

The Warriors head to Reno, Nev., for their Mountain West opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack (3-1) in an ESPN2-televised game on Saturday.

“Well, maybe it’s good we’re going to Nevada because, maybe we hit the MegaBucks, because we’re very lucky right now to win three games with the turnover margin we have,” Rolovich said. And it’s kind of, I don’t know what the percentage would be, but I’m sure it’s not very high. There’s a lot of history of turnovers losing football games. We’ve been fortunate, but we can not, not address it.”

He offered a breakdown of some ways UH has had turnover problems.

“For a lot of the interceptions, they were outside of the offense. That’s what you get,” he said. “That’s like putting your hand in the cookie jar; you’re going to get slapped. The fumbles, the fumble (against Central Arkansas) by Miles (running back Reed), he’s such a competitive kid and has some electricity to him. I think he has to make a smart decision once he’s gained 20 yards to not spin up in the air. People are chasing. I think just making good decisions at the end of plays. And Smart (receiver Jared) dropped two fumbles (on punt returns). The exchange (fumble between Cole McDonald and Reed) is unacceptable. That’s on the QB. But all those little things are going to get us beat. Especially in conference, especially this year. This is probably as good as this conference has ever been.”

Coach Nick Rolovich spoke about #HawaiiFB’s spate of turnovers through four games and addressing that with the team heading into this weekend’s Mountain West opener at Nevada. pic.twitter.com/XNVdIzFsil

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— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) September 24, 2019

Here’s what happened for turnovers in each of UH’s four games so far, how many points the opponent scored off the turnovers, and the final score of the game.

Game 1: Hawaii 6 TOs (4 INT, 2 lost fumbles), Arizona 2 TOs (2 INT); POT UH 14, UA 28; Final UH 45, UA 38
Game 2: Hawaii 2 TOs (1 INT, 1 lost fumble), Oregon State 0 TOs; POT UH 0, OSU 7; Final UH 31, OSU 28
Game 3: Hawaii 3 TOs (3 INT), Washington 0 TOs; POT UH 0, UW 17; Final UW 52, UH 20
Game 4: Hawaii 4 TOs (1 INT, 3 lost fumbles), Central Arkansas 1 TO (1 INT); POT UH 7, UCA 3; Final UH 35, UCA 16

The season total for points off turnovers is 21 for Hawaii and 55 for its opponents.

Nevada is plus-1 in turnover margin on the season. The Wolf Pack have collected 10 (four fumbles recovered, six picks) and committed nine (four fumbles lost, five picks).

Receiver Cedric Byrd on the #HawaiiFB turnovers. pic.twitter.com/kbt3DNlONd

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— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) September 24, 2019