Live football blog: Hawaii vs. Boise State
Hawai’i falls to Boise State, 59-37, before a record crowd in Albertson Stadium.
The Warriors drop to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Mountain West. They are 0-7 in Boise.
*******
Chevan Cordeiro goes 50 yards to Nick Mardner, and then Melquise Stovall scores on the conversion run to close the Warriors to 52-37 with 2:44 to play.
* * * * *
Cole McDonald helps cut the UH deficit to 52-29 with a 3-yard scoring pass to Melquise Stovall, and then a conversion run.
* * * * *
Boise State breaks the half-century barrier when George Holani catches a desperate-screen pass from Chase Cord and weaves his way into the end zone for an 8-yard TD as time expires in the third quarter.
It’s 52-21 entering the fourth quarter.
* * * * *
Cole McDonald sprints 17 yards up the middle for a touchdown with 3:31 to play in the third quarter.
The Warriors still trail, 44-21.
* * * * *
George Holani catches an inside screen from Jaylon Henderson, eludes three would-be tacklers and finished the scoring run with a dive into the end zone for a 44-14 lead.
Henderson is the third BSU quarterback to throw a TD pass tonight.
* * * * * *
Any doubt about wideout John Hightower’s pro ability were answered with his 42-yard scoring catch from Chase Cord on BSU’s opening drive of the second half.
By the way, it ended the Warriors’ streak of three consecutive third-quarter shutouts.
BSU now leads 38-14 before 36,902 — the largest crowd in Albertson Stadium history.
* * * * *
UH’s mistake-filled first half ends with a 31-14 deficit.
The Warriors turned the ball over three times on fumbles, all of which were parlayed into 21 Bronco points.
The Broncos’ average scoring drive was 36 yards.
UH committed nine first-half penalties for 73 yards.
Boise State will receive the second-half kickoff.
* * * * *
Hawaii closes to 31-14 on Cole McDonald’s 21-yard pass to Melquise Stovall on a go route with 41 seconds before the half.
* * * * *
It’s after midnight on the East Coast.
* * * * *
Robert Mahone scoots around left end for a 13-yard TD to extend the Broncos’ lead to 31-7.
The drive was set up by another UH turnover, this time wideout Jared Smart losing possession following a reception. All three of UH’s turnovers have been parlayed into BSU points.
* * * * *
The Broncos to up, 24-7, on backup quarterback Chase Cord’s 33-yard pass to Khalil Shakir.
The drive was set up on a controversial play when BSU defensive end Curtis Weaver hit quarterback Cole McDonald while he was throwing. The officials ruled it was a fumble, and BSU recovered.
* * * * *
Linebacker Kana‘i Picanco is shaken up on Boise State’s incomplete throw on third down.
* * * * *
BSU gets the ball back — but without quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who is in the medical tent usually reserved for evaluating possible concussions.
* * * * *
BSU quarterback Hank Bachmeier coughs up the football following a Kana‘i Picanco hit. It was Bachmeier’s sixth fumble this season.
* * * * *
Boise State lengthens its lead to 17-7 on Eric Saches’ 38-yard field goal.
The Broncos were on a roll until wideout John Highter, aligned as the wildcat quarterback, raced to his right and pitched the ball … forward. Hightower was called for the illegal forward pass, moving the Broncos back to the UH 21. An incomplete pass later, Saches connected on the field goal.
* * * * *
Boise State has a 14-7 lead and the ball entering the second quarter.
* * * * *
Despite back-to-back penalties — pass interference and targeting — Hawaii holds Boise State.
* * * * *
UH linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard was called for targeting, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and an ejection, with 6:45 to play in the first quarter.
* * * * *
The Warriors respond with a 63-yard scoring drive. Cole McDonald’s 46-yard pass to Cedric Byrd moved the ball to the BSU 17. Then McDonald lasered a 17-yard scoring pass to leaping slotback Lincoln Victor with 7:23 to play in the first quarter.
* * * * *
The Broncos extend their lead to 14-0 on a 26-yard scoring pass from Hank Bachmeier to speedy John Hightower. The Broncos had gained possession when Kahuku High graduated stripped the football from Cedric Byrd in the left flat, then recovered the ball.
* * * * *
On the direct snap, wideout/wildcat Khalil Shakir goes 5 yards up the gut for a 7-0 BSU lead with 11:59 to play in the first quarter. The drive was extended on a Khoury Bethley’s personal foul following John Hightower’s 30-yard reception.
* * * * *
This is the loudest crowd of UH’s three road games.
The Warriors already have been called for a false start — the 37th BSU has induced this season.
* * * * *
The largest crowd in Albertson Stadium history is expected for tonight’s Mountain West football game between Hawaii and 14th-ranked Boise State. The game is listed as a sellout. Albertson’s seating capacity is 36,387.
Kickoff will be delayed at least 10 minutes, to 4:25 p.m. HT, because of the loooong preceding game on ESPN2.
The Warriors (4-1, 1-0 in MW) have not won in Boise in six previous attempts. The Broncos are 5-0 and 2-0.
The Warriors are expected to get a boost with the availability of offensive linemen Michael Eletise and Kohl Levao, slotback/returner Melquise Stovall and nickelback Kai Kaneshiro. Elestise received a special waiver to play this season after transferring from Arizona in August. Levao, who has not played in a game after suffering a preseason injury, is expected to start at right guard. Stovall has missed the past two games and Kaneshiro was unavailable against Nevada because of ailments.
Keep an on stud linebacker Curtis Weaver, a projected first-round pick. Weaver leads the nation with nine sacks.
* * * * *
Scenes from downtown Boise:
Only saw Boise play last week and Weaver was impressive. He’s quick, strong and relentless. Think the RB’s gonna have to help the tackles to keep him away from McDonald.
Clyde:
A big difference is BSU will be without their second-best defender, the middle linebacker. It should be an interesting game … if it ever starts.
Prayers to SteveM. 🙏
I hope this is not self destruct time.
Hawaii looks like they’re trying to do too much! Penalties, BIG dropped passes, turnovers.
I think defense is playing good! Its the offense thats not playing well AT ALL!!
That looked like a incomplete pass not a fumble,
Well, as often the case, Warriors save their worse for nat’l TV. Personal foul penalties, targeting, fumbles, dropped passes, no running game……
Boise is practically handing us the game. And as usual we are doing everything possible to blow the game. 🤦🏽♂️
Well….after all the prep and hype….Warriors did not show up today…..so far. Too cold?… not sure but the penalties aren’t weather related.
Make the halftime adjustments and win!
It seems that our dbs take bad angles of they think they’re faster than they really are. Can’t seem to be able to stop when we need to make stops. Doesn’t look good.
Hightower’s a stud. Bring back Bachmeier! LOL
One thing’s for sure is that UH can’t compete withe the elite. We always seem to look silly when we even try. We have a long way to go! Phase 2 is not apparent yet!
What a waste of a bye week. All on the coaches. Unprepared.
Second time the team has comeback from a bye and looked really bad. Rolo and staff need to find out why.
Just not ready or prepared for the big stage. Will hurt attendance at home.
Blame this on the coaches. Terrible discipline, lackluster execution on both sides of the ball, and they had two weeks to prepare.
And recruiting.
One positive is our offense is humming. Without the turnovers, it could have been closers but at least we scored more against Boise than we scored against UW.
Buck Foise and their Bucking flue turf! UH can’t even compete when their second string QB played majority of the game. Foise never skipped a beat. Again UH has a long way to go to compete with the elite! If we can recoup and play lights out the rest of the season we have a chance to try again to play those smurfs for the MW championship!
I was surprised UH didn’t make the defensive adjustments to stop Boise State. I still feel we are on our way to establishing a culture of winning year in year out. Go Bows! Win out!
First half one sided referee calls, 2 WR turnover, 1 wrong fumble call on CM, Batoon and his defense (DBs, Safeties, LBs) were horrible. Time to play the younger guys on defense. Embarrassing for MWC to protect Boise State with this type of officiating on national TV. Shame on you Craig Thompson.
Physical superiority cancels all theory (recruiting). BSU QB who started the game was a 4-star prepster out of Cali.
Sun comes up tomorrow. AFA NEXT!!
The refs calling it a fumble over an incomplete pass changed the tide of the game I thought.
We could still see Boise again if we win the west.
Boise is good but not great this year. I think if UH played them here at home today there would have been about 30000 in attendance. The game would have been back and forth similar to parts of tonight’s game. The fans would have a hand in the outcome for sure. Next year we need to beat them here. No excuses. In the mean time Air Force, Fresno St and San Diego St at home are MUST wins this current season. They too are all good but not great teams this year. UH is evenly matched with all of them. Hawaii is not that “great” either as it turns out. But they are good. Lets keep that in mind going forward. Boise is on a slightly different level but totally “beatable” (at Utah St and in MWC title game vs SDSU and Fresno). I think Hawaii would get killed worse if they play a title game at Boise (mentally beaten) but lets worry about that and win first. One game at a time. Anything seems possible. Everything. Phase II.
Should be “lets NOT worry about that and win first”. Sorry. But yes, I did say “mentally beaten” vs Boise. “Mental hurdle” for real. Different than vs BYU years ago. Like its not only in the players minds but in the Coaches minds’ as well. So “lopsided”. Next year no excuses. Gotta do it.
AFA up next. Watched their game v Fresno St. They look really good-strong. Their O-line moved Fresno’s D backwards. Strong push. Warriors have to be at their best to win – no stupid penalties and secure the ball. Turnovers are killing us.
IIRC, on the questionable fumble call on McDonald, Reed was left one-on-one to block Weaver, who leaped over Reed’s cut block attempt and was left with an unimpeded path to the quarterback. Perhaps the play was designed to be a quick pass to the left side, but that matchup (Reed vs. Weaver) was a disaster in the making.
One positive is that Eletise got some game time.
Snap and clear….Time to really focus on AFA. Falcons are disciplined, tough, quick and they execute. Warriors seem to have trouble with teams like this.
Defending the option takes team/position discipline. Now they attack through the air too.
Warrior defense will be tested again.
Here is the basic concepts of building a football program in phases. Of course in Hawaii’s case, Phase I encompassed a lot of pieces to change the identity of the program including the installation of a distinctive offensive system and the embracing of the “Hawaiian Style” multi-cultural way of doing things as part of its foundation.
Phase II ensues (I think) as Phase I is installed (last season) so as each foundational piece is complete the next Phase can follow. I think June Jones got to full Phase II headed for Phase III had he not left the program. Boise is in full Phase IV. Amazing (that it could be done in Boise Idaho as opposed to somewhere like San Diego or Fresno or even Las Vegas).
I believe it can be done here. Rolovich has really begun the process in an incredible (considering he followed Norn Chow’s mess) way, so plausible. Like a picture that gets larger and clearer as things occur. The two losses this year was against top 25 teams on the road so losing both was not a surprise. Compare this team to the 2006 team as a good barometer. I think its on pace. Lots to learn from and got some tough “tests” to pass but Coach Rolovich is on June Jones’ track Phase wise. Awesome.
https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/288/the-4-stages-of-program-building
BTW Just to add some context “Mentally Beaten” = “Scared of”
sackkabooya: Respectfully, we can only hope that the 2019 team is as good as the 2006 team, which, IMHO, was better than the 2007 team. As NorthShoreFan said, snap and clear cuz AFA dominated Fresno State yesterday … keeping the ball for nearly 40 of the 60 minutes.
Clyde
Yes, you’re right. The 2006 team was really good (Statistical Reference SRS rates them at 10.71 best year for UH, 1981 had a 10.25, 2007 had a 6.36) and definitely better than this years team. But they were (knowingly or not) in their Phase II infancy similar to this seasons team, learning how to translate competing into winning. The same. The 2006 team had a lot of physical guys who were seniors so the 2007 team had to more “finesse” its way to victories (except for that de-cleater from Blaze vs Boise). I think that is what full Phase II looks like (2007). Figuring out how to win, especially on the road (Louisiana St, Nevada, San Jose). This team is Phase II infancy but heading toward full Phase II next year. Same as 2006. Lets hope they can remain “on track” with the remaining schedule (totally manageable). Can do.
36
The 2006 team’s losses were close within one score and all had shots to win, so yeah they had to learn how to win. This years team got blown out twice. They need to learn how to not self destruct with penalties and turnovers to be competitive against teams like Washington and Boise State before they need to learn how to win. they are not at that stage yet. We seem to always have momentum going into these big games and then all of a sudden it’s all these self destructive plays that lead to blow outs
Fresno could get only 8 drives in the game vs AF and had 30 less plays than AF.
Compare to the UH vs Boise game, UH had 15 drives and 7 less plays than Boise.
2020 away games
at Arizona
at Oregon
at Air Force
at Fresno St
at San Diego St
at San Jose St
Perfect (manageable) schedule for full Phase II. On track.
Andrew
Yes, you’re right too. The learning process. It’s happening slowly. But its happening. They are not at the same level as 2006 team but they are in the same stage. Lots to establish until they get to that same 2006 level yet. Its is apparent though that the learning of how to translate being competitive into winning games is happening/happened. Just hard to gauge where in the “process” this team is because it was not real competitive on the road vs 23 Washington then 14 Boise. Hopefully everything stays on track.
36… from that 1981 team, my informal count has 16 guys playing in the NFL, that’s a whole lot of talent for any program.
Well now it’s their chance to regroup and take care of business at home vs Air Force. If they want a chance to win the west, this is a must win. The west is wide open this year. At least we get both SDSU and Fresno State at home. Everyone in the west already has a loss already too. It looks like the winner of the west will be playing the championship either at Boise State or Utah State
It would have taken a Herculean effort to beat Boise State on the blue turf… Boise lands some really good recruits and has a tradition of winning. Hawaii didn’t play a clean game and Boise State talent and depth just over matched Hawaii at Boise. With out the turnovers the game would have been closer but it was not the traditional 38 point loss like the majority of Hawaii teams of the past.
This Boise State game showed us that the Phase 2 is still in it’s early stages and Hawaii Football is back folks, Rolo has got the program tracking in the right direction. This years team is really good and has a chance to do something special and should be back to for a rematch against Boise State in the MWC Championship game. Just got prepare, focus, play clean games, execute what the coaches are calling or just play smart, tough, fast football the rest of the season.
Go Warriors!
43
If Hawaii is to make the MW championship game and have a rematch @ Boise, that would be a tough game. However, if they were to play a cleaner game and make it actually competitive and close until the end, I would be satisfied even if they lost. That would at least show me that they can compete with the elite of the conference in a big time game.
Going into the Boise game, I had reservations. Boise and Washington similar in the the way they approach a game. Boise continues the program. Washington handed us a huge lesson and now Boise has done the same. These games need to be remembered and used as a “measure” of what needs to be done…nothing else.
Going forward…..lets just get better.
SteveM…..hoping you getting better. Lot more games on the schedule.
UH is far behind the 06 team, not even close. Too many mistakes, drops, fumbles and sometimes lackluster play, like a yo-yo up and down. Byes don’t always work as some teams tend to get sluggish. UH looked like they were stuck in quicksand. The Defense was on the field for too long in the 1st half sucking wind. Only can regroup and get Boise again? We’ll see.
MEC Recruiting news …
JUCO OL Riden Leong (Maryknoll ?) visited Boise State
UH has offered.
# 47
That’s MWC Recruiting news …
From MWC news ..
The last sentence sez it all …
In the biggest conference game to date, Boise State showed why they are the top team in the MWC. They forced 4 turnovers and the offense was the real star of the night.
Three different players scored at least 2 TDs as the speed and size seemed too much for Hawaii’s defense to handle.
The Warrior offense kept pace as much as possible but this game showed how big the divide still is.
#49 I think the first sentence says a lot. The MWC favors Boise whenever possible. Their defense clearly did not force 4 turnovers – Cole did not fumble, the recovery of Byrd’s fumble was questionable IMO, and Cordeiro’s interceptions was a Hail Mary. If Pritchard’s hit was targeting, might as well outlaw tackling and go to flag football.
If you talking “juicy” games, Lions and Packers is a text book example.
2 Hands to the face when replays showed shoulder pads firmly secured. Then a non-call for pass interference when in real time it showed defender hit the receiver before ball got there.
Lions should file for a review of the calls.
Broncos just plain out kicked butt. Just got to hope we get them again this year.
Saw on Rob Demello’s football final show that a fan messaged in wondering if Hawaii, if bowl eligible, is only destined for the Hawaii Bowl and as if sounding disappointed with that reality. That’s ridiculous. Hawaii has only been to 5 bowl games in 12 years. Even more so if I’m not mistaken since 2007, Hawaii has only won one of those bowl games, 2016 vs Middle Tennessee State. Unless Hawaii is going to the Hawaii Bowl nearly every year and winning, there really shouldn’t be any complaining about what Bowl game we are going to. Also if I’m not mistaken, every bowl loss was a blow out too in the Hawaii Bowl, Notre Dame 2008, Tulsa 2010, and Louisiana Tech 2018
Thinking of the Boise game I’m starting to think opposing defensive coordinators are knowing about Hawaii’s fumblerooski problem and are intentionally trying to keep the player upright while a defensive player tries to strip the ball out.
52, not sure what your attempted point might be, but a Bowl is reflective of the current season. But, following your line of thinking /rationale, you are aware that the most hallowed and storied football program in history, well, arguably, Norte Dame, has a losing bowl game history, see: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/bowls.html
54.
I’m just saying that Hawaii has been in such a bowl drought and even the years we have gone to the bowl ,we’ve been blown out. It seems comical to me that on a season we start seeing success, there are fans that think the Hawaii bowl is beneath us. If there’s a year we are in the hunt for a new years six bowl then sure let’s strive for that but other than that we should be fortunate that the Hawaii bowl is even there in the first place.
With 6 minutes left in 2nd Quarter Boise led 17-7, with a gifting of 7 points. They had amassed 75 yards running 75 yards passing……we had fumbled twice had a key player ejected and had a ton of penalty yards. This game was gifted a lot of ways. Stay the course for a comeback vs AF. In the hunt for three or more victories-
Seems the overall opinion of Mountain West blogs is that Boise State talent both players and coaches is very significant. While Hawaii made mistakes with turnovers, penalties, and dropped passes, those mistakes were more due to the talent of Boise rather than purely self infliction by Hawaii.
Is that true or did the self inflicted mistakes just make it seem that way? I’m in the opinion that it was self inflicted mostly and without those it would have been a closer game. Outside opinion says Boise State Coach Harsin is known to be conservative with a lead and they could have easily dropped 70 points on Hawaii and less mistakes by Hawaii wouldn’t have made a difference.
Are we just being homers and the talent/play gap between Hawaii and Boise State is that significant?
Watching the condensed game video I would say this……
1. Boise St played different against UH. Like they were more focused or something. They didn’t look that good vs Marshall and Air Force.
2. They did force the turnovers with their style of play. Similar to the BYU game last year. UH receivers were “Scared” (of something, I cant figure it out yet). Messes up the execution.
3.Boise’s O-line was awesome. Really big and burly. If Rolo/Batoon can recruit (DL especially) so they can match up vs Boise strategically then they can match up vs anybody. But Boise should set the blueprint.
4. The defense wasn’t terrible. But they weren’t real good either. They were good after the turnovers though (all season actually). The “platoon” rotation needs to be tweaked in my opinion with more reps going to the “obvious” playmaking unit(s).
5. The tackling problem is way different from last seasons tackling problems. The approach toward contact needs to be cleaned up and “refined”. It needs to look like the way Boise does it. “Wrap up and squeeze (“choke off”) so second guy can “punch”.
6. Keliiliki needs to play more. Reed needs to be schemed for better (to get into the open field, flat passes on checkdown maybe?). And Holly needs to be the 3rd down back. He is the better blocker right now.
7. Lastly. There should be specialty units depending on down and distance situations. Especially with the differing skillsets of the receivers (O-line and RB too everyone actually). Or platoon like the defense does. IDK. But there is a lot of playmakers ready to go. Got to figure it out. especially the running game. Needs to look like it did at Nevada.
58.
#1 That’s actually something I was fearing. There was so much buzz around this game, especially on the side of Boise State. They started seeing this game as their biggest test of the season so far and one of the few games this season that they saw as a real threat. They sold out their stadium and their players were amped up.
I wonder if the lack of crowds at Aloha Stadium might affect the players in ways that when they go to large crowds on road games, it’s kind of a shock to them and feels intimidating. It can get loud at Aloha Stadium but no where near where it used to be. Although the crowds at Aloha Stadium are on their side, a large crowd can really make it feel like big-time football
Looking ahead …
HNN’s Kainoa Carlson’s article.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/10/15/warriors-look-defend-kuter-trophy-against-rival-air-force/
POMAI
UH 42 – Air Force 35
I think if Furuta did not get injured the offense would be unstoppable passing wise. This offense stops itself (sometimes it’s because of the run play calling by Smith?) by turning the ball over. But it is way different from last year. I think its mainly because the offensive line is so much better. Way better protection. But imagine what 2 more seconds to throw would do. Which brings us back to Furuta.
Furuta almost always cleans up protection break downs and allows time for McDonald to check down (albeit into triple coverages last year). Even the run game was pretty good vs Arizona. But you can see what this offense can do when they are not “scared”. Furuta gives everybody (QB, O-line, and subsequently the WR’s) greater confidence to execute. You saw that kind of confidence vs Nevada. I think it was the way they called running plays (lots of play action that game as opposed to RPO “fakes”) that left the Nevada defense totally off balance (never really needed extra protection except for first series). That didn’t happen vs Boise. We missed having that dimension Dayton would have provided.
I think (my opinion) we need to see more Keliiliki. When Reed is in the play calling should reflect his abilities (more creative running plays with play action on passes). With Holly the offense can be more traditional (vanilla?) RPO mix. But you can use Keliiliki just as you would Furuta (lots of RPO and let QB’s run too) albeit maybe his protection needs a little “ironing out” some.
The Defense may be a “bend but don’t break” “roller coaster ride” of inconsistency (maybe unpredictability might be a better description) but this Offense, when their “mind’s right” (including Coaching Staff) is going to be/already is…Unstoppable.
BTW imagine this. Both of Hawaii’s losses were on the road against two top 25 programs. Plus for whatever reason (bad luck maybe?) both teams came in more focused and prepared than they would have normally. And they still managed to “tough it out” and not get “totally” embarrassed tightening up the score at some points. Plays toward the Phase I mantra of more “playing to potential”. On the right track for sure. Potential. Can do.
Not totally sure if this statement is accurate (too lazy to watch 18 hours of video) but I think after turnovers Batoon uses his “Primary” unit off the quick change. Lot of drives are/were extended because Batoon uses random (I know its not random but I don’t understand what I’m seeing usage wise) personnel packages (everybody is mixed in, except Russell) and it is at times overmatched (even vs CAU). I cant really figure it (Batoon’s scheme) out, but Boise did. Really exposed individual mismatches. But the defense off turnovers has seemed a little more efficient than other drives. I could be wrong but seems like it is.
ST’s column ” Hawaii’s offensive line is just fine “.
Warriors have 20 OL ready for next game.
RB Reed should have taken one for the team blocking LB Weaver. Right shoulder into his gut almost head on to gain a second for our QB. However, just as last year, QB apparently hasnt improved his peripheral vision. Perhaps its not possible to improve on that. In any case, 11-2 is still possible. We will ;still watch UH games
This years XMAS list should include a long armed big hands RB 6’2″ 4.5 speed who can block. LOL! H. Keliiliki might work better altho never seen him block. Got to face the facts that Reed, Holly are a little too small.
It’s crazy Hawaii has two targeting calls this season and both were not targeting and both on the road in the same region.
Need to make sure the next generation OL is on track. Wa’a was a real surprise, looked poised and polished. Mose has the “bulk”, just needs to muscle-up upper body during redshirt. And Hilborn has some nice agility to size proportion. Hope he can move like Manning eventually. Going still be solid OL in 2021. Keep the Process “flowing”. Awesome.
Old film clip showing AF beating Colo.
Basic triple option play, EASY 25 yd TD run, in OT.
Warriors HAVE to defend this bread n butter play –
fake fullback dive, fake QB keep, pitch to tailback – easy TD
GO WARRIORS !!!
BEAT air force.
link for # 70.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401114185
68
I thought the targeting call @Washington was justified.
I think finding a running back that is a right fit for this system shouldn’t be that hard, you just have to know what you’re looking for. I’m sure got lots of backs a little too big (tweeners FB/HB) to get primary touches for traditional offenses. Who wouldn’t love a system where they can run vs 3 or 4 in the box.
Recently St Juste was so good that Rolovich hesitated installing his system to feature him. Iosefa could carry the ball 25 to 35 times a game and still get 5 yds per carry. Paul Harris was similar in size to Holly but followed blocks and set up runs really well (I still think Holly will figure things out). And Tuiasoa I think, would have done well in this system because he can break one on one tackles and could pass block.
A 4 star RB transferred here (Wright-Jackson) and a 4 star RB/SB accidentally became the perfect fit (Ilaoa) here as well. But the prototype is Alex Green. That’s what you should be looking for. The speed to size to physicality ratio is the “fit” necessary for RB. I love having the “change of pace” jump cutter (Reed is unreal) but maybe not as the primary as much. And we definitely need a FB/RB/H blocking specialist (Furuta, Mauia) but for special packages, not as much primary either. Can do for sure.
IMHO I feel like Rolovich doesn’t need to run the ball at all (slight exaggeration but no real urgency to) unless/until the pass rush gets over aggressive. So the pass would set up the run. Then the run would be used to keep the pass rush honest (from the interior). The pressure really comes mostly from outside so keep one RB in to pass block, shovel, or flat route. Use Stovall and Victor (too bad no more TE/H) in those “bubble” passes replacing Byrd (needs to be in open field only) in a ball control package. 4 to 8 yards every play. Even the running plays would get 4 to 8 yards too I think. Better ball control than Air Force. But of course the “home run” ball will be opened up guarantee. Just the protection. Then sprinkle in Wildcat like Boise did. Unstoppable.
New post: https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=51562