Taking on Warriors in Hawaii no vacation
The University of Idaho football team plans on doing some of the things visitors do when they travel to Honolulu: visit Pearl Harbor, hit the beach, soak up some sun.
And something few visiting teams do: beat Hawaii.
Idaho (3-8) closes its season against the Warriors (4-5) tonight at 8 Pacific in Aloha Stadium. All four of Hawaii’s wins have come at home.
“It’s kind of a neat game to end on,” Idaho coach Nick Holt said. “I guess you could look at it as our bowl game, but we’re approaching it like any other game.”
Except that it’s not being played in Logan, Ypsilanti, Murfreesboro, Troy or Denton. Many of the players have family on hand and will stay a few extra days.
“I’m staying for (Thanksgiving) break after the game,” said sophomore offensive tackle Hank Therien. “My dad rented a condo on the beach somewhere, so I’m going to have a week after the game to see what Hawaii has to offer. The days leading up to the game will be just about football.”
Hawaii, which has three home games remaining and a shot at a fourth bowl berth in six years, is 4-1 at home. The Warriors average 40 points, allow 25.6, gain 449.4 yards and allow 400.6 in home games. On the road, Hawaii averages 19 points, allows 57.8, gains 344.8 and yields 570.3.
Those stats are reflected in Hawaii’s last three games. The Warriors were drilled 69-3 at Boise State, defeated Louisiana Tech 34-23 in Honolulu and lost 70-14 at Fresno State.
“Obviously, we’re very disappointed in the way we’ve played on the road, but we’re able to play to our capabilities at home,” coach June Jones said.
Quarterback Timmy Chang, the NCAA’s all-time leader in passing yards (15,470 and counting), has been much more comfortable at home. He’s averaging 321 yards at home and he has 14 touchdown passes. Chang averages 263 yards on the road and has just six TD passes.
“They play very fast when they’re at home,” Holt said.
Hawaii generates only 95.9 yards rushing per game, but Chang’s protection has been outstanding. He was sacked five times by Rice, but only five more times combined by eight other opponents. He’s only been sacked once in his last four games.
“We have experienced guys in our backfield with J.R. (Ruffin), Chris Nathan and Simeon Stewart,” UI defensive end Mike Anderson said. “Our defensive line is small and more built for pass rushing, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Hawaii gave up 503 yards rushing to Fresno State last week, dropping the Warriors to No. 117 nationally (last) in rush defense – by nearly 30 yards per game.
That bodes well for the Vandals, if they can find a healthy running back. Rolly Lumbala appears to be the most able-bodied of the four backs to travel. Lumbala and Jayson Bird both left last week’s game with injuries. Other options are converted tight end Willie Sipoloa and Justin Wall, who hasn’t had a carry since the season opener. Antwaun Sherman (leg) didn’t make the trip.
Notes
Bobby Bernal-Wood needs nine catches to break Jerry Hendren’s single-season record of 95 set in 1969. … Idaho will face the Warriors on an annual basis when it joins the WAC next year. “It’s a good gauge of where we need to be and what we need to recruit,” Holt said. Idaho flunked its other WAC test, losing to Boise State 65-7. … Hawaii entertains Northwestern on Nov. 27 and John L. Smith’s Michigan State Spartans on Dec. 4.