More info: https://www.nakoa.org/event-calendar/alec-waterhouse-memorial-football-awards-banquet-2/

1. Ford needs to play better. He is a tough, big, physical nickel coverer. Doesn’t play like any of those three descriptions. He did as a freshman. Then leveled off some (same numbers really) as sophomore. Now looks like he is misplaced in this scheme. He can cover a TE or H or even shallow/mid third (Sanitoa’s area) in zone. A good pass rush would help him out because he is physical enough to re-route smaller Slots. Synch him up and he can be awesome like freshman year. Batoon please. Eugene can do it.

2. Bethley needs to play better too. He was awesome as true freshman. He flies around, fast and downhill. Sometimes over aggressive. But that’s the OK part. He needs to finish the tackles better. Just a matter of time before he becomes a “cornerstone” playmaker for this team. But since there is not much in terms of “help” after over aggressiveness then he should temper his technique and discipline himself more to finish the tackle. He can do it. The perfect Rover. Just finish the tackles.

3. Okeke needs to play side to side more. Ikem likes to step up into the box unnecessarily sometimes (linebacker instincts). Plus he is a bad angle taker. Plus he’s fast. So he quickly eliminates himself in some plays (he was worse last year). But when he allows himself to play side to side (like at Nevada) he is so good (maybe NFL physical ability, similar to McDonald skill/asset/liability wise) Side to side and backwards please. Come upfield “lightly” when necessary. Protect the backend.

4. We need to see Taala as a “one gap” 3 technique more on running downs (or vs triple option teams) Slide him over to 1 technique on passing downs. So maybe use Akoteu ,Hune or Tavai (or Sunia? but not Se’ei) as 0/1 NT to plug middle so Taala can iso . “Cornerstone” next year. With Laulu. Going be unbelievable. But iso him now if can.

5. Lastly “unleash” Paul Scott as disruptor. I know Padello is disruptor but that comes (only) from the edge and (only) if he is not as LB “stuck” in pass coverage. Scott can disrupt from anywhere (edge too if you like). Anytime. Versus anybody. He’s ready. Physical “Beast”. He just lacks the ‘savvy” to counter finesse blocking tactics (like chop blocks or double teams) but he will disrupt when in iso. Unleash the Beast!

This Defense is ready to take the next step if Batoon is ready to Evolve. I think in these remaining games the D will 1) rise to the occasion, 2) play to their strengths and execute, 3) look to a leader Mautautia?) and 4) trust each other. We kind of got a glimpse of it at UNLV and seen it first hand at Reno. It can happen. Anything can happen. Next year going be unreal, But this year, from now, going be the “first” step. Can DO.

On just your average play there might be some bad pursuit angle taken, a whiff, wrong hole filled, bad tackle attempt, out leveraged (when it seemed totally avoidable) at second level on blocks, excitedly over aggressive miscue, disappointingly under aggressive misplay, and/or totally fooled on misdirection. I’ve never seen execution so bad by a UH defense (even compared to last season). But…

Somehow they manage to “suck it up” and regroup as “a unit” to make key plays here and there. I think they just lack a vocal leader. Someone to “cohesively bind” everyone together when some parts struggle. When I watch this defense on video they don’t have a “speed” problem really. They are fast enough (kind of too small actually). They just take bad angles or are “off balance” (on their heels) because of indecision (or wrong decision). So fixable. So obvious on video some of these things.

I think its like watching freshmen. They make mistakes and do the wrong things a lot. But when led/mentored correctly and put in the right places/positions (with vocal coaxing) they become immediate usable pieces that blossom into playmakers later. This Defense is not as bad as they look. They can “turn a corner” execution wise I think. Just a matter of effort “focus” wise (discipline?). Eliminate some (or as much as you can) of the “sloppiness” and trust your ability (they are all good players on video. Strength and ability wise, guarantee. Just the “mental” focus is weird). I think this Defense can level up to this Offense and help win more than just the UNLV game. Lucky we have Davis, he is the leader out there. Now we just need a vocal one. Someone “Nutz” to get everyone hyped (crowd too). “NUTZ”. Can DO.

Yes you’re right. Both are great. But both are human (Tua, Milton, and even Gabriel) too. Hard to be perfect.

#55 winning

His (Edwards, per video) dimensions are secondary to his Physicality. That kind of running style. With the power to pause would be tacklers. And the ability to break first contact. That’s the kind of RB this offensive system needs. Combined with a shifty “change of pace” RB as complement. And with a FB/RB/H used when necessary. All should be able catch. All should be able pass block. The “change of pace” back should be able to run pass routes.