Game Day: Utah State
I’ve been a Jets’ fan for more than half a century, but as a kid, I used to also like to watch the Washington Redskins. The reason, from a childlike brain that has not developed further, is they always played in Baby Bear conditions: Not too cold, not too balmy. Some mainland folks enjoy the changing of the seasons; I liked it when it was so chilly that players were only comfortable when they were playing. In other words, football weather. In autumn.
Which brings us to today’s game in Logan, Utah. The past few days it has been sleety — where the flurries make you run around yelling, “It’s snowing!” but there’s not enough to make even one decent-sized snowball. Or as Nick Rolovich observed: “Nothing will change a local boy’s opinion of first-seen snow (than) when it turns into cold rain.”
It will be chilly for today’s game, and meteorologists insist there is zero chance of rain (or, for that matter, sleet or snow). But despite this game having significant meaning only to the home team — the Aggies need to win to become bowl eligible — it is football. In autumn.
Stuff to watch:
> Utah State has a very active defense (24 takeaways in 10 games). Cornerback Jalen Davis has five interceptions, including three pick-sixes.
> Utah State has very, very active special teams. They block punts (four), they don’t allow good field position (15.4 yards per kick return) and Dominik Eberle is 15-of-16 on FG attempts (tops in the nation).
> Quarterback Jordan Love is a redshirt freshman. But in Matt Wells’ five years as head coach, freshman quarterbacks are 13-3 in games they start.
Go Bows! Get a win!
Great Morning All!
Foist!
Brrr…low 70’s hea! 😈
GO WARRIORS!
IS IT SATURDAY YET?
Blessings to the Jasper Ohana
Time to check the batteries in my old-style portable radio to listen to today’s game. Listen radio like back in the 60s. Sit in back yard with coffee and cigar.
UH UTAH State
56 14 Akamai Okole
34 31 cappie the dog
31 28 Sangamon Keith
29 28 roygbivs
28 45 What’s up
21 17 KOH I NOR
21 56 Derek
17 41 H-Man
14 12 Ipu Man
Looking forward to hearing Veneri and Curran
accurately describing ALL the action…
We might have another local Heisman winner in Milton.
Go Warriors!! Strong finish!
Neva mind da “I only going support dis team if they win or if Rolo plays dis guy, or does dis or dat” crowd!
UH 15 – USU 38
Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes to start.
USU has, as stated a positive result when starting freshman qbs. We have said our qbs not ready. Does that also translate to, we don’t evaluate and recruit as well? And that we have not coached up our qbs as well, by putting all into just one person?
Our qb still throws into coverage when there is an open receiver in the flat.
So far, it looks like a number of UH players have made a business decision about the season now: protect yourself, and move on to the future.
We are being TOTALLY outplayed. Embarrassing. Poor tackling techniques, defensive backs nowhere to be seen and I believe negative total offense yards.
Have we already checked out?
Right now, Akamai Okole got chance to win
🙂
Miano compared this years (3-7) Rainbow team to the (5-7) 2005 Warriors team with building talent and momentum for the next season. No comparison:
2005 Warriors:
Colt Brennan, (Beast Mode Nasty) Nate Ilaoa, Devon Bess, Ryan Grice-Mullen, Ian Sample, Ice-man Dan Kelly, Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard, Lono Manners, Leonard Peters, Samson and Hercules Satele just to name a few studs.
Plus the 2005 Hawaii Warriors team smoked Utah State 50-23
Is there really comparison in recruiting talent and depth chart on the past couple years “Bows” or Rainbows teams?
Miano bleeds Hawaii Football green but this was a bad comparison.
Diocemy St juste is the only bright spot for Hawaii Football.
Well, at least Rolo now can make good on his promise to play back-ups if the game gets out of hand: I didn’t expect it to be this quick though.
We really need to recruit defensive players. We are making it too easy for our opponents. We need speed. We are just too slow.
I actually disagree – beside DSJ, Dejon Allen, Ulu-Perry, Ursula, Jelani, n Taz are all guys that will get a cup of coffee in the NFL. I also feel that if KT were to have gone the small college route just for his senior year/ he would have gotten several feelers as well…
Was it this bad with our past two head coaches? This is quite pathetic. The dbs are so getting burned…again.
Kemp was Dru’s Mike Evan to Manziel. Once he left it’s over no one to throw to.
Why no timeout with 2 left!!!!!
Don’t understand.
No redzone offense. Maybe use Cole so they don’t key on Dioceme?
2005 Warrior team vs 2017 Rainbow Warrior team:
There is no comparison. The 2005 team would put up 70 points on this years team. And, they would look at them and say if you don’t like it stop us.
——–
Hawaii had a chance to score before half time and they find a way to mess it up again.
Unfortunately, the last possession of the half was all on Rolo. They could have called a timeout to set up a play.
Utah State 21-0. It looks like a 3-9 season is a real possibility.
Really? Give them one play and results in a touchdown?
Why punt from anywhere? We can’t stop any one.
UH needs a mercy rule now.
UMass beating BYU 16-3 in the 4th. So maybe Warriors get chance next week. Hard to feel confident at this time, but maybe Hawaii will have a better offensive outing against a team that is also struggling.
I doubt it. We can’t stop the run. We can’t stop the pass. Our special teams have gone south. We even when it comes to coaching. But I still doubt it.
What happened? Did our offensive coordinator go for hot chocolate and had the balling call the same play over and over and over…..
The Rainbows getting there okoles spanked, get the ice packs out early for this blog host and those other commentators making a statement by saying “BOWS” before this game started. I felt bad for Nate Ilaoa and Leonard Peters trying to not say that the Rainbow team lacks serious talent during the halftime show. They basically said the defense is waiting for someone else to make the play. Then Leonard said that when he played for the “Warriors” he didn’t have to worry because the Warrior teams were loaded with talented studs on defense and they all made plays.
Help Rolo and Hawaii Football get it swag back!
Drop the Rainbow or Bows from Mens Sports at UH
Bring Back the “Hawaii Warriors”
The St Louis Crusaders vs Kahuku football game will be way more exciting than this football game.
Utah St 38-0. If Rolo is not careful, apathy within the players may settle in. If he loses confidence from his players, it’s going to be hard to get a turn around season during his third year.
38-0?!
With this score, you would think Hawaii just played Ohio State again. But, this is Utah State. Hawaii got worse as the season progressed.
Rolo has got a lot of work ahead of him. What if the team just stopped listening to him. I don’t know. That would be even worse than losing the game. Looking forward to seeing the last game against BYU. Until next year,…
[sigh]
Einstein and others: “the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.”
But I’ll be at the UH-BYU tailgate errrrr, game next week.
I think the Rainbow name will remain. Ben Jays arm was twisted by diehard donors to change the name back to the Rainbows.
Also, i think someone mentioned on this blog that the coaches voted on the name Rainbow Warriors. So there is no controversy with the name change. Did anyone ever poll the players which name they would prefer?
Again, Hawaii lost to Utah state. This was not Florida state or Ohio State or even Boise state. Utah State….!
At least we have St Louis vs Kahuku football game to enjoy and watch two winning programs.
It was really disappointing to see the coaches quit toward the end of the 3rd qtr. Why are you running it essentially every play with such a big deficit with an entire qtr left to play? That’s called quitting. And why switch the QB if you won’t let him throw the ball? Just so you can say you did? Did you really recruit QBs that can’t throw?
Sad and disgusting.
How ugly was this? I think even the not so good BYU team is looking forward to playing UH. This was just awful.
I have to say, the o-line misses Naeole. Don’t believe he’d come back. I have to speculate that they respected and feared him. That may have left when he left. More false starts, more blocks missed.
Tackling. Don’t want to beat that poor dead beast.
Statistically, Utah was much better than UH. ESPN analytics predicted that UH only had a 14% chance to win game, and I believe that expectation dropped from around 24% prior to the Fresno game.
FWIW, ESPN gives UH a 45.8 chance of winning against BYU.
BYU vs. UH
42 – 10
and 3-9 season.
———–
Does UH have an enforcer, disciplinarian type of a coach on staff? It seemed Naeole was that type of coach and now he’s gone. They need a coach who will lay down the hammer when the team needs it. If they don’t have a coach like that, the players will walk all over the coaches.
This is just my observation. But, Rolo doesn’t seem like that kind of coach. Rolo has a lot of work to do to turn around this program in his 3rd season.
Same old story just a different opponent on the other side of the field.
Next week, just hand off the ball to Diocemy and help give him a shot of making third-team All-American.
He must be an NFL prospect.
Four yards a carry in spite of a mediocre offensive line.
Alabama politics is far uglier, by the way.
A long time ago, coach Tomey had a defensive coordinator who was a take prisoners kind of coach with his players and opponents. Can’t remember his name, but I had a chance to chat with him at an event. Guy was like a general. He commanded respect and you could tell by the conversation, he doesn’t mince words.
I think he left after a year or two to the CFL.
The defense that the Rainbows employed was feared, in spite of its name. The action was on the field. We need a coach like that and players like that.
At the start of the year, it felt like there was hope. This game unfortunately brought back memories of how the games under Chow felt.
When a potential recruit reflects on this game and he sees that he has 5 offers on the table, Boise st, San Diego St, California, Wyoming and Hawaii, which team will he most likely choose?
Can you blame any local player or parent that encourages their son to move to the mainland to play for a different school?
Some will stay home and play at UH. But, a lot of them will choose a mainland school. I know Hawaii needs to keep as much local talent in Hawaii as much as possible. But, to the players that move away, I applaud your decision for taking control of your future and not let nostalgia influence your decesion.
This game was difficult to listen to on the radio.
I am of the opinion that those who choose to stay will do so in belief that things will improve, not nostalgia. But for that to happen the “messengers” (coaches) have to be believable and command the respect these young men would be seeking. Do we have the correct messengers in the eyes of the young people and their parents?
Those who will leave would do so because the “messengers from afar” were able to command more respect in their messaging. No matter where they go, hopefully all will take advantage of the educational opportunities as ascension to the next desired level is not guaranteed.
If there is one thing that is obvious is the talent level since the Rainbow name change has dropped considerably from the mainland recruits. I heard some here that injuries and players getting kicked off the team is the reason why this team lacks depth talent. But how many June Jones or McMackin teams had injuries and players kick off the team and still had talented depth chart. Especially from the mainland recruits.
The Hawaii can get some of the local recruits no matter what the name is, but there is not enough local legit D1 talent to fill out a complete roster. So Hawaii like many other programs has to rely on outside the home state recruits to find D1 talent. Now 49 other states full of D1 talent. The entire State of Hawaii has a little over 1 million in population and city of Los Angeles has 11 million in population, even a small city like San Antonio has 3.5 million in population. Knowing that there are cities that have way more population which mean more legit D1 talent.
And those 49 other states with bigger populations full of masculine D1 talent don’t share in Hawaii values or even care for the name Rainbow and commit to other MWC schools or go to JC instead. I said this years ago that the name change will lower the overall talent in mainland recruiting. And the losing seasons continue even with coaching changes. We just watch an Utah State team that was picked to go last place in the MWC just man handled a Hawaii Roster with 30 or more players with starting or game experience. Utah State had a freshman QB starting and he was better than everyone on the field.
If Rolo’s coaches voted to keep the Rainbow they will be looking for a new job soon. They can’t recruit enough legit D1 mainland players with the dragging the Rainbow on tow on the recruiting trail. And they need enough legit mainland D-1 talent to execute and improv on busted plays or bad play calls. I know for those wanted the Rainbow the truth hurts and I call what I see, no sugar coating. Hawaii mens sports need to drop the Rainbow and attract more legit mainland talent. I will continue to say it until it gets through those die hard Rainbow for mens sports supporters get a grip. And see that whats best for you the Rainbow nickname supporter may not be best for the future of Hawaii Mens Sports.
I can foresee the BYU coming to Aloha Stadium and blowing out the Rainbows just like Colorado State did.
Go Hawaii Warriors!
The coaches quit already. Play calling is proof.
Too many old school views of recruiting of late: better-than-average football players (the ones UH can realistically get) go to schools with solid functioning programs who have cool, multiple uniform sets that they can get excited about; have some facilities that at least look like they are cutting edge; and coaches that relate to them rather than run military-style authoritarian regimes. The “rah rah” disciplinary tactics of yore make older fans happy, but kids today tune that out, and shut down.
Rolo is a good fit for the players of today, but the facilities are abysmal; the uniforms are weak, and the lack of money for a competent coaching staff (on par with just the rest of the Mountain West) that is capable of properly preparing the team for each game, week to week, is not available, and will, under current finances, never be available.
Mediocrity is the best UH fans can hope for now.
44, good point. Ditto on students getting their education. I hope the current players will take full advantage of their educational opportunities.
But, I do believe some of the players leave Hawaii to experience being on their own. That experience of being on their own can never be matched if the stay and play for Hawaii. Eventually, some of them find their way back home after their playing days are over.
——–
45, As far as the name change, I believe if you ask a lot of the players, most if not all will choose Warriors.
Hawaii football has been mediocre for the last 10 years.
The question becomes for every Hawaii resident, do we want a mediocre football team or do we want a competitive football team.
The decline in attendance the last several years is proof Hawaii doesn’t care about UH football. It’s something to do on Saturday nights. I was at the Fresno state game and the game drew something like 13.5K people.
This will probably continue for another decade with occasional good seasons. But, I do think college football in Hawaii provides student athletes with an opportunity to get an education they might not have gotten without football. For that reason, it is important to keep and maintain the football program. From a business standpoint, this is a sinking ship.
Rolo and company will try to get the team ready for BYU next week. If next season for some reason the team does poorly again, we might be seeing another coaching change. I guess that comes with being a HC.
Ok, enough is enough if after 25 games dry doesn’t “Get it”, it obvious he peaked.
Al has previously mentioned “The Holy Grail”.
Ex-Auburn 4* QB Sean White is looking for 1 more year.
Yes he was dismissed from Auburn for public intoxication, so what? Didn’t harm anyone or himself.
He was once offered a Scholie to Hawaii in 2013 so why not drop the line again.
He could come in the spring, bring life to the program. Dru could redshirt and in 2019 challenge Moussa or Cordeiro for the starting job, if either doesn’t beat out White.
Are we that desperate? Heck yah we are!!!
Check out other links I have on Sean at
http://www.sportshawaii.com/sh/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49966&p=585710#p585710
Uh. Folks. Take a break from our favorite losing collegiate team right now?
6th overtime. Konawaena vs. Lahainaluna. Going on right now: http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/live-blog-konawaenalahainaluna/comment-page-1/#comment-112062
Make that OT # 7.
69-69 (no. Really), Konawaena vs. Lahainaluna right now.
Lunas win! 😄
75-69.
Just looked up the score. No surprise here…another Hawaii loss. We need changes. We need to open up QB competition, an OC change, and a DC change. No excuses. Get ur done.
Hawaii hasn’t been competitive since the Wyoming game. The buck stops with Rolo so make it happen.
One word — ZERO
Actually, I am looking forward to what happens when the season is over.
There is not much to say after today’s game. I’ll just say one word to sum up our football team. “Pitiful.”
Looks like a coup is in order.
Chris Naeole for Head Coach, please.
Bit of good news. From this morning’s SA, “Saint Louis senior receiver Jonah Panoke hauled in a 53-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chevan Cordeiro with 37 seconds remaining and Saint Louis held on for a 31-28 victory…” These two have committed to HAWAII.
After sitting thru yesterday’s debacle I have little to say. Apologies and statements like not having them ready to play is inexcusable. That’s my opinion because I would follow up on that with why? I back the Coach but it’s obvious changes are in order. Among the obvious is talent and depth which takes time to deliver-think that’s somewhat on track. The future will brighten with some changes and additions. This has been a year of learning and everybody both players and coaches need a lot of self reflection on what was needed and what’s missing. A good head coach has solid but not always the best talent on the team and solid supportive winning assistants. It’s one thing to be a coach it’s another to be a winning coach. As I stated this can be turned around but after a 7-7 year and a bowl victory to a 3-8 season filled with injury and turmoil is the old on step forward two steps back. Next year this will be Jahlani Tavai’s team. Also regardless of his somewhat awkwardness and rust, Cole Mac Donald seemed to have a presence about him, I say turn him loose-GoWarriors!!!!
Megan Huff stats after three games: 16.3 PTS, 7 REB, .708 FG PCT.
When Utah plays Incarnate Word on the 24th, she can tell the players about how God told her to come here.
She obviously made the right choice.
Isaac Fleming, however, albeit starring as the starting point guard, helped the Pirates lose on their home court to Radford and Central Connecticut State.
Free press!
Kudos to The Birmingham News, Mobile Press Register & The Huntsville Times.
Support your local newspaper.
Support this newspaper.
Even though the guy who compiles the minor league statistics never acknowledged the existence of Kyle Von Ruden and Max Duval the whole entire season.
One minute after the conclusion of the BYU game, all the assistant coaches should be put on notice that their performance will be evaluated if their 1-yr contract will be renewed or re-assigned. This is pathetic. What was a promising season has degraded into a debacle.
Changes need to be done, cuz as Rolo himself has said…the fans are disappointed. Well yeah, when we suck and can’t beat the lower dregs of the conference.
Also I’m tired of hearing Rolo always defending our QB play. The competition needs to be opened up. A good QB can elevate the team. When opposing defenses stuff the run, they stop Hawaii’s offense. We have no vertical threat. Our offense is pathetic. Our defense is pathetic. We are just not a very good football team and the buck stops with Rolo.
These two coaches were supposed to be on Rolo’s first staff he put together in 2016, but it was not to be due to better offers ($$$). Hill was on staff for some 30 days before leaving:
http://broncosports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/zak_hill_1000533.html
http://www.gohuskies.com/coaches.aspx?rc=345
But Hell, I can go back in time in saying what was UH thinking when the let go Dom Capers when he was an assistant under Larry Price!
Probably going to be more BYU fans in the stadium come Saturday as this is like a bowl game for them in spite of being 3-9.
http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/football/a-coach-s-wife-plans-afloat-for-byu-s-season/article_d6de78a9-40ca-51ce-85f1-22be0ff0733c.html
These two coaches were supposed to be on Rolo’s first staff he put together in 2016, but it was not to be due to better offers ($$$). Hill was on staff for some 30 days before leaving:
http://broncosports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/zak_hill_1000533.html
http://www.gohuskies.com/coaches.aspx?rc=345
But I can go back in time in saying what was UH thinking when the let go Dom Capers when he was an assistant under Larry Price!
Probably going to be more BYU fans in the stadium come Saturday as this is like a bowl game for them in spite of being 3-9.
http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/football/a-coach-s-wife-plans-afloat-for-byu-s-season/article_d6de78a9-40ca-51ce-85f1-22be0ff0733c.html
A couple of playmakers each on offense, defense, and special teams would make the coaching staff look like geniuses.
Could it be that QBs hate to be replaced and that sort of plays in the back of Rolo’ s mind as he looks at his qbs as he was also one in his playing days? Being objective may be difficult if that feeling is a part of one’s thinking.
Without words. This is clear, the loss of Naeole is profound and the truth is not palatable—they really dropped off on their line play. Now, losing Ursua certainly exacerbates the whole situation, but as I previously mentioned, I would be seriously considering Brian Derby at this point, both from a coaching and recruiting perspective. Play calling for whatever reason has become rote, predictable and not imaginative. About 90% of this year’s dismal performance, I place directly to coaching.
Hate to say it, but if you ever wondered what it means when football people call a team “well coached”— we are a good example of the opposite right now. We have had a streak of bad luck on injuries— especially on the offensive line. But the coaches should be able to get more from the players. Even when healthy the players did not play up to potential. The players are not executing the basics— they have picked up bad habits that are ingrained deeper with every game. Dru needs help— he has picked up a lot of bad habits he did not have last year— he had good instincts last year and this year he looks over coached and doing the wrong thing. He looks confused on what to do, overthinks, and gets sacked or makes a bad throw with no timing or rythm— especially in clutch situations.
61. Huff is also shooting .875 on 3FG’s, 7 for 8.
I feel cold in Honolulu nowadays, sometimes around 69 ? Give the players credit for playing in Logan, Utah in around 41 degrees.
Nick still says Dru gives us the best chance to win.
Article says Utah St averaged 61 seconds on each of its TD scoring drives.
What was the confrontation about in the locker room after the game ? Nick was not there at the time.
meanwhile, news from a very different world …
UCLA fires Jim Mora.
$ 12,000,000.00 buyout woooooo !!!
65… Nick was replaced by Chang in 2000 but then he was able to become the starter in 2001, due to an injury.
Last season, he replaced Ikaika with Dru after the 4th game.
RE: #67
I don’t know the whole story, but wasn’t there a local high school football team who only ran the wishbone and never passed? I think the coach said he did not have good receivers, a good line, or a passing quarterback. Whatever you may think, coach ran the offense to utilize what little talent he had.
If a coach does have the players to run the offense he wants to run, then he must choose an offense that best utilizes the players he has…and not get routed in the hopes they’ll get lucky.
Not saying that UH should run the wishbone, although they have the talent to run it…plus they can pass (sorta). In any event, a multiple setback set might help our backs and DSJ run and any passes would help.
I support Rolo, but I don’t think he is best utilizing what players he has left. Since Rolo was a QB, I trust his choice of QB… Dru Brown is the best QB in the offense that Rolo WANTS to run. But maybe it’s time to seriously rework the offense.
Got nothing to lose at this point and I want to beat BYU just out of respect to an old, intense rivalry/
True. Ikaika was handed to him, Rolo recruited Dru. There was probably a deeper connection there.
It should be interesting to see how the competition for the spot goes in the off season with the returning players and new comers. It would be interesting to see how Tui does in a full camp (and with same or different coordinators). Or, if Rolo hands Dru the position by virtue of his experience.
I think Larry Tuileta will either be the starter or back-up after spring ball. He just needs time to re-acclimate to D1 speed and learn Rolo’s offensive scheme.
IF Tuileta wants a chance to be the #1 QB, he needs to quit Volleyball. This slumping team leads a full time leader in spring and summer, not a part timer
Man that pass and catch made from the quarterback to his receiver was big time. That would be St Louis of course but their coach is Cal Lee. He just seems to have it.
72. Someone said Ikaika was also a Rolovich recruit , I think before he left UH to go to Nevada.
UH BYU
10 42 What?
77 14 Ipu Man
#76 humm, interesting. Maybe his evaluation of potential for the position is still a work in progress. It is tough to accurately know how a less than 5 star person would perform. Example of that would be “the pizza delivery man” who was a walk on and did well as an eventual starter, Bryant Moniz. Hopefully there will be one emerging after the upcoming camp in preparation for 2018.
It’s a team effort. Moniz was great when he had Salas and Pilares to throw to and Alex Green to run the ball, not so great after they left. Colt looked great because he had Bess, Grice-Mullen and Rivers to throw to. Rolo had Ashley Lelie, Stutz, and Channon Harris. Not enough weapons, so it has to start with recruiting. Now how does recruiting work out when the team’s own fans bad-mouth the coaches?
You have to really, really, really love UH to be a women’s basketball fan.
There hasn’t been offensive fluidity since the Vince Goo era.
Tonight, the turnovers are back.
Maybe we need more offensive penalties. Seriously though, there does seem to have been a shift in offensive penalties for UH between the first and second halves of the season. In the first 5 games (UMASS – CSU), UH had an average of 9 offensive penalties for 81.8 yards per game; opponents had 6 penalties per game for 57.6 yards per game. For the last 5 games (SJSU – Utah State), UH had 6.2 offensive penalties per game for 49.6 yards per game; opponents had 6.2 penalties per game for 57.2 yards per game. UH won 2 games out of the first five, and 1 game out of the last 5. For game #6 against Nevada, in between the two sets, UH had 11 offensive penalties for 114 yards versus 6 for 39 for Nevada.
You would think it would easy traveling from Ogden to Honolulu.
You would be wrong.
Here’s a very belated post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45072