|
WR
Malcolm Lane |
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2007
Statistics |
Coach:
Greg McMackin
1st
year |
2007
Record: 12-1 |
|
NORTH.
COLORADO |
WON
63-6 |
at
Louisiana Tech |
WON
45-44 (OT) |
at
UNLV |
WON
49-14 |
CHARLESTON
SO. |
WON
66-10 |
at
Idaho |
WON
48-20 |
UTAH
STATE |
WON
52-37 |
at
San Jose State |
WON
42-35 (OT) |
NEW
MEXICO ST |
WON
50-13 |
FRESNO
STATE |
WON
37-30 |
at
Nevada |
WON
28-26 |
BOISE
STATE |
WON
39-27 |
WASHINGTON |
WON
35-28 |
SUGAR
BOWL |
Georgia |
LOST
10-41 |
|
2007
Final Rankings
AP-19, Coaches-17, BCS-10
|
2008
Outlook |
Greg
McMackin knows Rainbow Warrior
football. In his second stint
on the islands (was the defensive
coordinator in 1999, June Jones’s
first year at the helm), McMackin’s
current promotion will assure
the most continuity from the
nine-year successes of the Jones
era. There were two losing campaigns
under Jones, and that this year
is looking like it could be
a good time to revamp/reposition
more than just part of the coaching
staff works with the recent
player departures. Hey, following
the team’s first trip
to the BCS, losing 14 starters
makes 2008 all gravy.
What
the lopsided loss to Georgia
in the Sugar Bowl showed was
that this team needs to raise
its bar if it is to envision
itself amongst the nation’s
elite. That isn’t expected
in 2008. But to be in position
in 2009 to make another stab
at being one of the nation’s
best 10 teams heading into the
post-season seems realistic.
The quarterbacks will battle
it out, and any of them seem
to be viable stars that could
continue the recent strong tradition
here (Chang, Brennan). McMackin
would be wise to inject more
running, for the Bulldogs just
fielded between five and seven
DBs on most defensive plays
to easily handle this corps
in New Orleans. Those pass-heavy
plans work in the WAC and against
the lower BCS-aligned squads,
but the top 25 types will thrive
if Hawaii cannot find more offensive
balance.
The
defense has their own journey
to travel after losing the majority
of their DL and secondary. McMackin
will keep an eye on his former
unit, but DC Cal Lee being promoted
behind his new boss means they
will keep the same schemes and
systems in place. The LBs (Elimimian
and Leonard) are the key to
tying together the newer players
and their respective efforts.
The corners look deadly once
broken in and playing as a well-oiled
machine with their safety help.
Practicing against the Rainbow
Warrior passing game will have
them ready for just about anything.
The
one thing the DBs aren’t
ready for, like the rest of
the team and most of the FBS,
is their opening opponent. Losing
at Gainesville is a given, so
lessons need to be learned and
need to help more than hurt
the emotional state of the squad.
If the coaches can assure this
kind of reaction, the rest of
the season can be better for
the experience. The chances
are better at Corvallis two
weeks later, but the trips to
Fresno and Boise that alternate
with the easy home dates in
between mean Hawaii can have
four losses by their seventh
game. The rest of the WAC foes
and home closers Wazzu and Cincinnati
offer four of the last six out
here in Honolulu. Making a bowl
in McMackin’ first campaign
(the first time he’s ever
been in total control of a college
team) would be a signal that
only a few small steps backwards
will be needed. We think a tough
year will motivate this team
like the two losing seasons
seen under Jones (2000, ’05)
did…the next season each
time featured a six-win improvement.
Keeping 2009 in focus will help
make this season bearable.
Projected
2008 record: 7-6
|
|
|
LB
Adam Leonard |
HAWAI'I
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
|
HAWAI'I
2007 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
116 |
9 |
Passing: |
2 |
1 |
Total
Off: |
3 |
1 |
Sacks
Allow: |
100 |
9 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
41 |
2 |
Passing: |
37 |
2 |
Total
Def: |
34 |
2 |
Sacks: |
15 |
1 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Tyler Graunke, 90-137-6, 1234
yds., 10 TD
Rushing: Kealoha Pilares,
68 att., 388 yds., 3 TD
Receiving: Kealoha Pilares,
26 rec., 249 yds., 1 TD
Scoring: Dan Kelly, 12-17
FG, 70-74 PAT, 106 pts.
Punting: Tim Grasso,
35 punts, 39.7 avg.
Kicking: Dan Kelly, 12-17
FG, 70-74 PAT, 106 pts.
Tackles: Solomon Elimimian,
141 tot., 68 solo
Sacks: David Veikune,
7 sacks
Interceptions: Adam Leonard,
4 for 117 yds., 2 TD
Kickoff Returns: Malcolm
Lane, 25 ret., 29.2 avg. 2 TD
Punt Returns: Michael
Washington, 5 ret., 20.8 avg.,
1 TD
|
|
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 4 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Colt Brennan-QB, Jason Rivers-WR,
C.J. Hawthorne-WR, Hercules Satele-OG,
Larry Sauafea-OG, Davone Bess-WR
(NFL), Ryan Grice-Mullen-WR (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Amani
Purcell-DE, Michael Lafaele-DT,
Karl Noa-DE, Brad Kalilimoku-LB,
Myron Newberry-CB, Gerard Lewis-CB,
Jacob Patek-SS |
|
|
2008
OFFENSE |
The
difference between this year and last
is that ex-WR coach Ron Lee is now
running the offense. An exciting offense
that was innovated June Jones, the
same offense remains; Lee worked for
Jones, hence the master gives way
to a disciple. But there is great
suspicion whether Lee can even begin
to keep the momentum going that has
been in place here seemingly forever.
To start his first campaign in charge
of the passing legacy, Lee has to
sort out the QB conundrum. The starter
in ’05 was Tyler Graunke, but
he didn’t do much this spring
to secure the start. Inoke Funaki
(La’ie, O’ahu) did, and
he is poised to get the first look
during the trip to Florida. 25-year
old Funaki has poise and a dual-threat
tag that gives him the most weapons
of any possible Rainbow Warrior QB.
Greg Alexander is the experienced
JUCO transfer whose strong arm can
keep this offense from slowing the
least. Brent Rausch also has junior
college chops and has the quick feet
of Funaki. This is a good amount of
talent that only needs to sort itself
out before Hawaii again has aerial
prowess.
Nebraska
RB transfer Leon Wright-Jackson is
ready to carry the load, if given
the chance. Luckily, he has soft hands
so he’ll get the rock a few
more times. These island backs haven’t
gotten many carries lately, but Wright-Jackson
could change that. Dan Libre is an
all-around type and can do anything
he’s asked. This unit is good
for more than last year’s 944
rushing yards.
Washington
will thrive as the main receiving
weapon. A slated starter last summer,
his 4.3-speed means Washington will
be open anywhere and everywhere. X-receiver
Lane has the same open field abilities,
proven by his 29+-yard average on
kick returns. Pilares will be exclusively
in the multiple-WR sets now, but as
the main rushing weapon last year,
this Honolulu native (and two-time
state prep triple-jump champ) will
get the ball in creative ways. The
other big track champion WR is Daniel
Lofton (400m), the son of ex-NFL Hall
of Famer James Lofton. He sat out
after transferring from Cal and is
ready for action. Supposedly, Javonte
Taylor is in the 4.2 range, so the
JUCO standout is poised for some kind
of assignment.
Georgia
revealed much in the bowl game –
pass protection has a way to go against
top competition. To shore up the outside,
Kainoa LaCount was brought in from
the College of the Canyons and he
immediately displaced starter Keoni
Steinhoff. Ah Soon bumps inside, and
Aaron Kia will be ready to step in
at the all-important left tackle spot.
Estes is a rock inside. This OL fits
well with what the offense is likely
to run. Moreover, the talent is here
to keep the production flowing…it’s
up to Lee to make it happen.
|
|
C
John Estes
|
|
|
HAWAI'I
2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Inoke
Funaki-Jr (5-11, 195) |
Greg
Alexander-Jr (6-3, 230)
Tyle Graunke-Sr (6-0, 185)
(academics) |
RB |
Leon
Wright-Jackson-Jr (6-1, 210) |
Daniel
Libre-Sr (5-8, 185)
David Farmer-Sr (6-1,
245) |
WR |
Greg
Salas-So (6-2, 195) |
Joseph
Avery-Fr (6-5, 180) |
WR |
Malcolm
Lane-Jr (6-2, 185) |
Royce
Pollard-Fr (6-2, 175) |
SB |
Aaron
Bain-Sr (5-9, 190) |
Kealoha
Pilares-So (5-11, 190) |
SB |
Mike
Washington-Sr (5-7, 175) |
Jon
Medeiros-Sr (5-8, 195) |
OT |
Aaron
Kia-Jr (6-5, 298) |
Laupepa
Letuli-Jr (6-4, 320) |
OG |
Keith
AhSoon-Sr (6-1, 315) |
Ray
Hisatake-Jr (6-3, 315) |
C |
John
Estes-Jr (6-2, 290) |
Latu
Tuioti-Mariner-Sr (6-0, 285) |
OG |
Latu
Tuioti-Mariner-Sr (6-0, 285) |
Brysen
Ginlack-So (6-2, 290) |
OT |
Keoni
Steinhoff-Sr (6-3, 280) |
.. |
K |
Dan
Kelly-Sr (6-3, 210) |
Brett
Symonds-Fr (5-10, 145) |
|
|
2008
DEFENSE |
Losing
seven starters will affect the nation’s
No.34 defense. The other Lee brother,
Cal, is now in charge of what happens
instead of the promoted McMackin (former
DC). Well, the two of them will make
the most of the talent they already
know. Fale Laeli is the returning
starter who is now complimented by
feisty senior Keala Watson. Dave Veikune
and John Fonoti excelled as reserves.
These DEs will rule most of their
WAC brethren. The reserves are all
upperclassmen, and well broken-in,
too. The run stopping will be weaker
at first, but the pass rush will remain
healthy.
Nigerian
Solomon Elimimian had the ninth-most
tackles in the FBS, but WLB Adam Leonard
earned the same All-WAC status and
even had four INTs to tie for the
team lead. These LBs are the two biggest
reasons this defense may be able to
bounce back quickly. Soares is the
other experienced hand, but behind
him, we see many wanna-be’s
who need seasoning.
At
corner, the new faces are looking
like possible upgrades. Mouton is
a blazing lock-down type, a guy who
is just too good not to be in line
for post-season honors. 6’3
Oregon-transfer Jameel Dowling is
just as hungry to prove his speed
can translate to superior coverage
skills. Bryant as a nickel seems like
a good choice, but he, too, is pretty
new. Thomas will remain at free safety;
both he and senior classmate Monteilh
split time starting in deep coverage
(FS), proving coverage skills are
strong amongst both of them. Monteilh
will have to improve in run support
for the D to have the same resilience.
|
|
LB
Solomon Elimimian
|
|
|
HAWAI'I
2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
David
Veikune-Sr (6-3, 250) |
C.J.
Allen-Jones-Sr (6-3, 240) |
DT |
Fale
Laeli-Sr (6-1, 290) |
Josh
Leonard-Sr (6-3, 275) |
DT |
Keala
Watson-Sr (6-3, 300) |
Rocky
Savaiigaea-Jr (6-2, 300) |
DE |
John
Fonoti-Jr (6-3, 250) |
Elliott
Purcell-So (6-3, 240) |
SLB |
Blaze
Soares-Jr (6-1, 240) |
R.J.
Kiesel-Kauhane-Jr (5-11, 225) |
MLB |
Solomon
Elimimian-Sr (6-0, 220) |
Brashton
Satele-Jr (6-1, 245) |
WLB |
Adam
Leonard-Sr (6-0, 235) |
Tyson
Kafentzis-Sr (6-1, 220) |
CB |
Ryan
Mouton-Sr (5-10, 180) |
Calvin
Roberts-Sr (5-11, 190) |
CB |
Jameel
Dowling-Sr (6-3, 205) |
JoPierre
Davis-Jr (6-0, 200) |
SS |
Keao
Monteilh-Sr (5-11, 195) |
Mana
Silva-So (6-1, 205) |
FS |
Desmond
Thomas-Sr (6-3, 174) |
Dane
Porlas-Sr (5-10, 185) |
P |
Tim
Grasso-Sr (5-11, 221) |
.. |
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|
2008
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Grasson
is a decent punter, but the net results
(107th) have to reflect the defensive superiority
Hawaii has in the WAC. The field goals are
in good hands with senior Kelly, but his
struggles from 40-49 yards out seem to be
a possible sticking point since all of his
misses were from this range. Lane and Mouton
are the KR guys, but they will be on deck
in case Washington isn’t the shizz
he was in ’07 at PR.
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