Comments on: Live blog: Hawaii vs. New Mexico

By: WarriorMojo

WarriorMojo — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 00:22:39 +0000

Wa’a posted about his decision on his Twitter feed. He said that there were “personal reasons” leading to his decision. He also thanked UH for the opportunity and said Hawaii will always be home. He’s apparently been getting a number of offers since his announcement from non-FBS schools. Not sure what happened, but I wish him well.

Bowers also posted a very gracious message on his Twitter feed. Both guys seem like good kids and I wish them well.

By: H-Man

H-Man — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 08:48:20 +0000

Bubba Wa’a? There are six senior O-linemen and three juniors. Only returning guard other than starter Vaipulu with experience next season is Wa’a. I wonder why?

By: sackkabooya

sackkabooya — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 04:05:58 +0000

I hope the coaching staff creates for Turner run some package of wildcat where there is more than just him running between the tackles. Something a little more intricate if possible. Maybe with some RB read option to exploit the edges or even speed option (edge option pitch with a slot) off a tight formation. Maybe “motion” into some 4 wide set so to create larger running lanes for Turner and the RB. And of course a “surprise” pass (Hunter was so open) like Air Force does it. Wishful thinking maybe? Graham is pretty creative and he seems OK with taking risks. Would be hard to prepare for.

By: sackkabooya

sackkabooya — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 03:33:40 +0000

Bubba Wa’a was good vs Nevada 2019. Bowers had nice hudl clips, was waiting to see him play. To bad. Good luck to them.

By: WarriorMojo

WarriorMojo — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:49:50 +0000

So Bubba Waa and Zach Bowers both announced yesterday that they were entering the transfer portal. Any others?

By: sackkabooya

sackkabooya — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 01:57:27 +0000

Justus Tavai has been a pleasant surprise this season. He is much better than last year. He (in my opinion) still has not reached the level of Zeno’s senior year yet. That is the level I would expect from him in his junior season. He needs to come up big at clutch moments like Zeno did. Zeno’s problem was finishing the tackle, Tavai doesn’t seem to have that same problem. Justus’ power to quickness ratio is pretty good and he is noticeable on film this year (was not at all last season) so the next step is to make more plays. Whole D-Line needs to step up. Hope to see it Saturday…… BTW will the game be on network TV?

By: H-Man

H-Man — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 03:41:33 +0000

On defense, the play of Justas Tavai has been a pleasant surprise. On offense, it’s Dae Dae Hunter.

By: sackkabooya

sackkabooya — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:39:27 +0000

The UH offensive and defensive lines need to get more “fired up” and physical in this next game. When you compare them to BYU’s physicality it’s not really close. Inside your mind you know it could be same or similar to theirs, but it just isn’t right now. That needs to change soon. Especially on the O-Line.

The UH defensive line kind of plays more finesse than physical. Often out leveraged (even against New Mexico surprisingly) trying to reach and hand fight instead of “crashing” gaps and inside shoulders to exert their own leverage and free up lanes for Frazier and Prichard. I think that’s why Muasau has to make so many plays from the edge toward the backside. The D-Line has to be more stout, like BYU. Get the linebackers to make more plays at the line of scrimmage because the third level guys not really good at up field tackling so far. As a unit they have made some “unexpected” big plays (random, surprising, “didn’t see that coming”) here and there but the key is the D-Line I think. They need to show up big at San Diego.

The offensive line is a big, physical, experienced, and mature group that looks “out of sync” in comparison to last season. They looked slow vs Fresno although they ran blocked pretty good second half. They looked “empty” vs Wyoming like they were on “muscle memory’ reflexes going through the motions. And against New Mexico they looked “soft”. Not real aggressive in trying to inflict difficulty for the Lobo’s run defense. Lucky the New Mexico D-Line is not so fast (like Fresno) or solid (like Wyoming). Chevan did a lot more “drifting” toward the edges on Saturday. Looked like it was partially schemed. Corderio also dropped back then stepped up to throw giving the protection a better chance to create a decent pocket. But the run blocking was disappointing. “Softly” engaged. They can do better. Plus they have depth. The running lanes just need one key, aggressive, angry, “blast”. Need to see it Saturday.

By: SteveM

SteveM — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:26:06 +0000

RE: #16
Sorry, meant to say the MAKAI sideline.

BTW, I still maintain a simple Tsai-ko archive web page at: http://stevem.altervista.org

By: SteveM

SteveM — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:21:19 +0000

In the Facebook “Hawaii Football — Warrior Nation” group, someone posted that with no crowds to consider, maybe the game time could be changed (earlier). Coach Graham’s wife commented:

Penni Leigh Graham
They probably have a charter plane and fly out tonight either way. Like we did last week. I am surprised we didn’t schedule the game for 8 o’clock for home field advantage.

Yeah…a later game time has always been a crusade of mine. But note that this comes from the coach’s wife …AND… Coach Graham designated the mauka side for the home team ( to stay out of the sun and glare?). Looks like it really takes a fresh pair of eyes to see what could help the team at Aloha Stadium.