When you watch the game and just follow the ball or only watch Chevan your eyes can easily fool you. But watching the line block you could see the leverage our guys exerted on most of the plays. Run and pass but especially pass blocking. It wasn’t that bad.

There were several instances where the SDSU scheme isolated a rusher against a RB. On one instance there was an overmatch that resulted in a sack. On at least two others the isolated rusher forced Chevan into the offensive line fray resulting in pressures that looked like the line’s fault. And there were at least two occasions that I would attribute the sack to the SDSU coverage (more than enough time to throw). There was one sack (or just pressure, I can’t remember) where it looked like they were setting up a screen (or bubble route w/standard blocking) that didn’t develop right. And then there was that one play where NO lineman blocked anyone (so by design? looked that way to me, like a gadget play that wasn’t run properly)……Anyway, long story short, not all the O-Line’s fault…….Fixable.

ghd sports

I watch Chevan running for his life and taking sacks and it reminds me of Norm Chows QB’s Sean Schroeder and Taylor Graham running for their life and taking sacks. Both Sean and Taylor played injured and especially Sean Schroeder that young man was tough and was a champion for Hawaii Football.

Without a respectable inside running game the opponents are just going to rush 3-4 men and drop 7-8 men to cover the outsides for the outside runs or both RB and WR screen passes. Sounds kind of familiar from the Chow Era, we should remember that Chow started running 4 WR sets because of the lack of running game and thats when the QBs started running for their life and taking sacks. Got to fix the inside running game.

I’m not saying that the RNS in not a very explosive, exciting offense. I loved it when it came back. It’s just is not real flexible when there is an overmatch or when the defensive game plan works effectively. That was the main concern with Rolo’s RNS, “wait until there is more film on this offense”. Maybe we need to incorporate some concepts of RNS especially pre snap. Also maybe allow Chevan to check out of a play that he can see won’t work.

I always wished there were some bigger slots (flex TE’s, like Clark Evans) and FB/H (Mauia type or Furuta as FB in 2 back set) for certain packages last season so Smith/Rolo could adjust and extend drives. This years offense has some of that. Flexibility. This staff just hasn’t figured it all out yet. Neither have the players. But they will. Up to the coaches though…. Culture? Chow style (DO IT MY WAY) or Ohana style (do this “together”). Graham (and Matlin) has to fix this. Fixable.

Seems like this current group of players hasn’t FULLY “bought in” so far. So this young staff has to make better adjustments to fit the strengths/liabilities of the roster. Something more “savvy” staffs realize must occur (Rolovich did this because of St.Juste). They can do this. Adjust your eagerness.

You can see anything is possible with this offense. You just need a more realistic philosophy (a consistent, noticeable “proficiency” facet that needs to be game planned against) that your guys can grasp and have confidence in. Let it set up your “auxiliary” stuff so they may potentially become big plays. These young players know what they can and cannot do. I think the coaches also know but may be too “eager” to impress. These young men need confidence and “trust”. Just got to get more realistic. Fixable.

Turner has experience as QB so should take advantage. He’s the best offensive player right now plus he makes good decisions. Plus it could ease the pressure on the O-line using by the 21 package here and there (even with Chevan as QB just need to swap Hilborn for Smart). UH did use some 21 with offset Y and FB on Saturday. Turner had a nice run outside sweep with a nice block by Keliiliki. Need the same set with power read option using Turner as QB.,,,, Like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcDrDWZ_HSY