Comments on: LIVE BLOG: Hawaii 27, Northern Iowa 24, final

By: 4-Prong

4-Prong — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:55:04 +0000

Even though higgins throws like a girl and the ball seems to stay in the air for an awfully long time, at least he’s kind of accurate with the football. Is taylor graham permanently in the dog house now?

By: Former UH Athlete

Former UH Athlete — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:21:01 +0000

Just had to make sure we hit 100 on this post

By: Former UH Athlete

Former UH Athlete — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 10:47:33 +0000

Just checked vegasinsider and had no idea the spread went from -1 to -4.5/5 by kickoff. Looking at the line movement timeline, you would have needed to have your ticket about an hour before kickoff to still have UH -2.5 or better. At about 30 min to kickoff, depending on location, the line moved over -3 and UNI became the winning side ATS.

By: Former UH Athlete

Former UH Athlete — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 10:38:48 +0000

I must mention again that Clune has been worth every penny. With the QBs misfiring badly, the defense has held up well considering they’re on the field a lot.

Just piling on the QB play some more with stats…
-Woosley went 2-8 (25%) 14yds, 1 sack and zero 3rd down conversions on pass attempts tonight.
-Woosley is now 14-37 (38%), 2 sacks, and 9 conversions (23% of drop backs) on 3rd down.

The only real positive with the QB is that there has been only 1 interception thrown in spite of a dismal completion percentage. If the completion rate doesn’t improve drastically, the INTs will eventually pile up.

Another nod to OLine as I just noticed that they only have given up 2 sacks on 3rd down this year, which is very good considering the opponent is anticipating for pass and/or is blitzing.

By: Former UH Athlete

Former UH Athlete — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 10:18:35 +0000

Trying to find ways to quantify the improvements on the OLine, which isn’t easy since they don’t log in many stats as a group. So here’s what I used and it does appear the OLine has improved…

2012 Yards per Rush = 3.0
2013 Yards per Rush = 3.2
2014 Yards per Rush = 3.4
** UH is likely to increase 2014 avg once they get into MW play as MW front 7’s won’t have the size and speed of UW or OSU.
** 3.4 ypc isn’t great but there is a positive trend over the past few years

2012 Sacks+QB Hits per game = 5.67
2013 Sacks+QB Hits per game = 5.25
2014 Sacks+QB Hits per game = 4.67
** this is a very good trend as the UH QBs haven’t been harassed like the previous seasons. After watching the 3 games this year, it’s a noticeable improvement even without seeing the numbers.

The only stat I that would be important but I haven’t spent the time on is # of penalties on OLine, specifically holding as it is associated with being beaten, but going off of memory, there haven’t been many holding penalties this season. Just here and there like most teams.

By: hatakeman

hatakeman — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:57:53 +0000

It’s not a question of a win is a win, but the offensive passing game is stuck in neutral. I expected a lot more productive offense by the 3rd game of the season. Tonight’s win was compliments of the defense and special teams.

By: Whats Up

Whats Up — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:55:04 +0000

The good:
Hawaii actually won a game. And lets not act like this FCS opponent wasn’t good because we all knew they are a good team. Thats why I predicted a 30-31 1 point victory because Northern Iowa has 18 returning starters, NFL prospects, beat McNeese State last season who almost beat ranked #19 Nebraska at Nebraska 31-24 last week. The same Nebraska that whipped DeRutyer’s Fresno State at Fresno 55-19. This is the FCS Northern Iowa team that almost beat Iowa at home 2 weeks ago 31-23. Had 2 weeks to game plan and prepare for Hawaii. And we all know that Iowa is a BCS big boy school that probably better than Hawaii is right now. So lets not discount the win because teams like Northern Iowa and McNeese State can keep up with BCS big boys and they proved it many times this season. So good on the boys on the win.

The bad:
I agree with Jeezy33, What the… why put in Higgins to just hand off the ball to Lakalaka over and over. Might as well kept Woolsey in to that? The Special Teams and Defense won the game, period. Yap and Nequan forced turnovers was the difference in the game. The Offense with either QB Woolsey or Higgins didn’t make a difference. With Iosefa the offense has no threat with all the RB’s injured, now is the time to move that Louisiana Bayou Bad Boy Speedster Daniel Lewis to RB!

By: Former UH Athlete

Former UH Athlete — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:46:21 +0000

Well… It’s a win.

I see that UH’s QBs are now completing a whopping 46% for the year. At this point it’s pretty damn clear that the biggest issue this team has is at QB. After game 3, the OLine has gotten better, and Lakalaka showed me he can handle #1 RB duties until Iosefa is back. I can live with the defense we have even though it’s far from perfect. I can’t get a real good read on the WRs because the QBs can’t get them the ball.

Scott Harding may never play a down in the NFL but he may very well be the most unique player to every play college football. Maybe he could fill in at nickel since a tackle or int are about the only things he didn’t record in the stat sheet.

Harding’s night included:
A 52yd reception;
7 of 11 punts downed inside the 20 (one on the 1yd line);
7 punt returns for 76yds (10.9yd avg)
Recovered UNI’s onside kick to essentially seal the win.

By: kahuna

kahuna — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:08:29 +0000

I would not be too harsh on the secondary. We missed two of our top two db’s tonite. Trayvon Henderson did not play(don’t know why) and Nick Nelson was injured and was in street clothes.

Marrell Jackson played the whole game and we had to use that DeMattei guy as the nickelback. Losing our top safety and our starting corner in nickel packages hurt our secondary IMHO.

By: Chicken Grease

Chicken Grease — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:04:09 +0000

Rather be down with UH Warriors today than lose like USC Trojans today.