Shuffled O-line just one problem as UH dominated by CSU
Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich‘s stated fear of his football team losing two games in Wyoming instead of just one came to fruition Saturday night. Lingering injuries contributed to Colorado State’s 51-21 trouncing of the Rainbow Warriors (2-3) in their home conference opener at Aloha Stadium.
UH has lost three games in a row and is 0-2 in the Mountain West after starting the season 2-0.
“That game was extremely physical and we did not have guys ready to play,” said Rolovich, after first acknowledging the Rams’ overall superiority.
He alluded to a restructured offensive line that was missing usual starters Fred Ulu-Perry at right guard and Dejon Allen at left tackle. Also, starting tight end Tui ‘Unga was out, with an ankle injury.
Rolovich said it affected the offensive game plan, and available personnel dictated that UH call pass plays on its first six downs from scrimmage. That was ineffective and resulted in two three-and-outs while the Rams scored touchdowns on their first three possessions.
Diocemy Saint Juste, who averaged 138.5 rushing yards in UH’s first four games, did not get a carry until the Rainbow Warriors’ third possession.
“It was not the plan on Monday,” Rolovich said, of steering away from the running game. “That became the plan a little later when we realized who we had available.”
Hawaii did not manage a first down until early in the second quarter, and the Rams led 24-0 before Hawaii finally scored on a 1-yard run by Saint Juste after Dru Brown completed a 38-yard pass to Dylan Collie at the CSU 1 with less than two minutes left in the first half.
But the momentum UH derived from the successful 87-yard drive was lost immediately when Colorado State got a 76-yard pass from Nick Stevens to Michael Gallup and Izzy Matthews covered the remaining 4 yards for a 31-7 halftime lead.
Saint Juste got the ball more later in the game and finished with 97 yards on 18 carries.
Hawaii’s lack of depth forcing it away from what it preferred to do offensively was just one problem on a night when it was dominated in just about every meaningful aspect. The Rainbow Warriors tackling was horrific, as Colorado State piled up 610 yards to 512 for Hawaii.
“We always go in talking about stopping the run,” said Rolovich, after the Rams amassed 262 yards on the ground including 130 by Dalyn Dawkins.
CSU receivers were also wide-open all night, with Gallup catching 8 of Stevens’ 18 completions for 212 yards.
“We can’t make excuses,” UH linebacker Jahlani Tavai said. “This is our team. We just have to play Warrior football. (Opposing teams) will capitalize on small mistakes.”
Once again a huge missed opportunity for the home team to put on a good show in front of a good crowd of nearly 25,000 fans. And what makes it depressing is that the coaching staff does not seem too have it together. Problems in all phases of the game, but I thought the O-line, which in my opinion, played a good game with the replacements at left tackle and right guard.
Why was the time-out called just before the field goal try?
Why isn’t Tuiausoa used more? Other running backs? Perimeter attack?
CSU receivers were wide open. Really wide open without a DB within five or more yards. What is happening?
Got to give credit to CSU and Coach Bobo as they seem to be the new Boise State in the MWC and should challenge SDSU. Impressed with his game plan and quality of his players (many Georgia recruits). Good example of what happens when a MWC school invests in their facilities, improves resources, increases coaching salaries and their recruiting budget.
UH needs to regroup as 3 of the next 4 games seem winnable, (but not with their current attitude and direction). Play the players such as Cade Greeley and other like him. Is Keala Santiago injured?
Losing Kevin Lempa has hurt, no doubt. Coaching changes will occur in the off-season, but they are restricted as to who they can bring in due to the assistant’s salaries budget.
Despite the loss, the program is in good hands and progressing in the right direction. I know it’s frustrating for the fans when the team loses this badly but the players must be hurting from this loss and their pride will pull them thru for the rest of the season. Go Warriors!
Lots of issues exist on defense, but I believe Rolo will turn it around. It’s still only Year 2 in the rebuilding process
I like that the boyz never quit. BUT…”It was not the plan on Monday,” Rolovich said, of steering away from the running game. “That became the plan a little later when we realized who we had available.”
I wonder what would happen if Dru got hurt? We change the game plan completely?
The team all practice to execute the game plan. Whether you first team or second, you should know the plays and try to execute to the best you can.
Also, 97 yds on 18 carries….5.38 per rush. To me this ain’t to bad considering we had a patched up O line. The boyz need to execute. Next man up should be the norm for any team and coaches should expect this from all players. Someone goes down, the next guy need to execute the game plan.
CSU was the better team and the Warriors will get better…count on it.
I hope the warrior’s can break their 3 game losing streak.
I still believe Hawaii is in a much better place with Rolo at the helm. This team will turn it around.
I didn’t see a drop off with the o-line but Dru really is off his game, starting from last week missed a lot of open receivers.
In response to what would the game plan be if Dru got hurt, it’s next man up. Besides game experience the 2nd team players should be ready as I would assume they all want to be playing with the first.
#2 … “O.S.D.” … Coach Bobo and Coach Friend came from the SEC and are used to much more in terms of Budgets & Facilities … they have no loyalties to CSU other than Bobo given the chance to be a HC and Friend a chance to move up to be a Coordinator. My prediction is by the 2019 season if their success continues they will be both gone to greener and “richer” pastures unless Friend replaces Bobo …