|
by
Joel Welser
#26 Hawaii
Warriors
Western Athletic
2006 Record: (11-3, 7-1)
Coach: Junes Jones (64-40 at Hawaii, 64-40
overall)
Starters Returning: 15 (6 offense, 8 defense,
1 specialist)
Offensive Starters Lost: RB Nate Ilaoa, WR
Ross Dickerson, OL Tala Esera, OL Samson Satele, OL Dane Uperesa
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Colt
Brennan, WR Davone Bess, WR Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR Jason Rivers, OL John Estes,
OL Hercules Satele
Defensive Starters Lost: DE Ikaika Alama-Francis,
DE Milila Purcell, S Leonard Peters
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Michael
Lafaele, LB Solomon Elimimian, LB Tyson Kafentzis, LB Micah Lau, LB Adam
Leonard, CB Gerard Lewis, CB Myron Newberry, S Jacob Patek
Starting Specialists Lost: P Kurt Milne
Starting Specialists Returning: K Dan Kelly
In the contiguous United States there is the
perception that any quarterback would put up huge numbers in Hawaii’s run and
shoot offense. While it certainly helps, Colt Brennan is a special talent who
would be a star at any school on the mainland. And, with a slew of receiving
talent returning, Brennan could improve on his nation high 5,549 passing yards
of a year ago.
Offense:
When Brennan opted to return to Hawaii, Warrior fans
started thinking big…bigger than just a mere WAC title. The return of Davone
Bass, Jason Rivers and Ryan Grice-Mullen will, again, make this the best offense
in the nation. The Warriors ranked first in scoring with 46.9 points per game,
passing offense with 441.3 yards per game and total offense with 559.2 yards per
game. Anything less than first again will be a surprise.
The absence of running back Nate Ilaoa, who rushed
for 990 yards and added 837 more on 67 catches, will hurt Hawaii. Junior David
Farmer, who only carried the ball seven times in 2006, and freshman Kealoha
Pilares have big shoes to fill. There are even bigger shoes to fill on the
offensive line, most notably Samson Satele’s. The center was drafted in the 2nd
round and is expected to be replaced by sophomore Aaron Kia. Despite the losses,
with the return of Hercules Satele and John Estes, the Hawaii line should be
good enough to keep the passing attack on top of its game.
Defense:
It is hard to blame the secondary for giving up
nearly 242 yards per game through the air. The opposition feels the need to
compete in the shoot out and the passing defense numbers feel the effect.
However, there is plenty of room to improve and with Gerard Lewis, Myron
Newberry and Jacob Patek returning, the veteran unit should be better.
The biggest change in the defense is the absence of
coordinator Jerry Glanville, who took the head job at Portland State. Greg
McMackin, an NFL veteran, took over the job and will change the 3-4 defense to a
4-3 defense. The transition period might slow down the development of the
defense, but in the long run the change could help the struggling defense.
Outside of tackle Michael Lafaele, the line will look very different. Ikaika
Alama-Francis and Melila Purcell were the sack leaders a year ago and the
Warriors need to find some new pass rushers. Led by Adam Leonard and Solomon
Elimimian the linebackers are a deep and experienced group that will be the best
unit on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bottom Line:
Crashing the BCS party is not out of the question.
The defense needs to come around, because sometimes scoring 35 points just is
not enough, but they have the potential to be better than they were last year
thanks to the senior laden secondary. The news is even better when the schedule
is analyzed. The tougher games are at home and the Warriors should cruise to
November undefeated, be ranked in the top 15 and have everybody talking BCS. |
From