2008 Hawaii Warriors Preview

It is a good thing the uniforms will still say “Hawaii” across the front, because there will be a lot about the new-look Warriors that will take some getting used to this season. Actually, even the jerseys will undergo something of a facelift, but that’s the least of the considerable changes confronting the Warriors after a 12–1 season that was the most celebrated in not only the school’s but also the state’s sporting history.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Warriors

The Warriors enter 2008 without the architect of their run-and-shoot offense and their NCAA record-setting quarterback, but new coach Greg McMackin is confident he can pick up the slack. Fifth-year senior Tyler Graunke will get the first shot at filling in for Colt Brennan, and he’ll have a gauntlet of a schedule to work through. Last year, the Warriors didn’t play a team that would emerge with a winning record until the ninth game of a back-loaded schedule. This year, UH hits the meat of a challenging schedule from the opening kickoff. How the rebuilding Warriors survive the season-opening Aug. 30 road trip against Florida in The Swamp and a game at Oregon State two weeks afterward will say a lot about where they are headed in McMackin’s debut season. From one team with a BCS pedigree in the regular season in 2007, the Warriors jump to four this year. Moreover, the Warriors play a school-record six road games, four coming in the first half of the schedule. Along with non-conference appearances at Florida and OSU, there are WAC stops in Fresno, Boise, Logan, and Las Cruces. The retooling Warriors need to get up to competitive speed out of the chute and hold things together early in the season to have a chance to get back to the postseason in 2008.

Just six days after the Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia, June Jones, who, in nine seasons as head coach established the pass-happy Warriors as one of the NCAA’s most formidable offenses, was on a plane to SMU along with three assistants. Also departed is quarterback Colt Brennan, the triggerman on the nation’s highest-scoring offense, all four of his starting receivers and two starting offensive linemen.

All in all, it was a tumultuous entry into 2008 with Jones’ departure also sparking the release of athletic director Herman Frazier the next day.

Greg McMackin, who did wonders with the defense in two tours (1999 and ’07) as coordinator at UH, was the quick and popular pick to replace Jones, and he has set about installing a focused, no-nonsense approach, retaining the foundation of the offense and adding his own wrinkles. Holdover assistants Ron and Cal Lee, a brother combo, will be the new offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. There will be precious little time to get online with the changes while facing one of the most challenging schedules in school history; UH will face four BCS conference teams this season.

Defense, at times almost a silent partner to the much-celebrated offense, will have to assume a bigger role this year, especially early, while the offense finds its way. The good news is the defense returns significant talent from a unit that was one of the school’s best in the last 15 years. While McMackin will attempt to fine-tune a big-play defense that returns its heart in the front seven, it is the retooled offense that will bear watching and tell the tale for the defending WAC champions.

Quarterbacks

The Warriors look to replace the NCAA career touchdown passing record holder and a local folk hero in Brennan. That daunting task will likely fall to his backup of the last three seasons, fifth-year senior Tyler Graunke. Graunke had been tabbed as UH’s quarterback of the future until Brennan arrived as a junior college transfer in 2005 and beat him out for the starting job two games into the season. Graunke does not lack experience. He has started three games, including two last season (both wins) when Brennan was sidelined with injuries. The highlight was a 358-yard passing effort in a come-from-behind victory at Nevada. Graunke, who has appeared in 25 games in his Hawaii career, has a 64 percent completion rate. He will be pressed by junior Inoke Funaki, with whom he shared snaps in the spring. Funaki has appeared in 17 games over two seasons. Junior college transfers Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch will be given a look upon arrival in the fall.

Running backs

After playing strictly a supporting role in the Jones offense as little more than a change-up pitch, running backs are gearing up for enhanced duty. That prospect has made for a competitive situation. Senior David Farmer, a bruising blocker, has the most experience with 37 games — seven as a starter — but only 33 carries in three seasons. Seniors Daniel Libre and Mario Cox as well as junior Leon Wright-Jackson figure to split the work with Farmer. Libre, a walk-on who was once cut from the roster, emerged as a key running threat down the stretch and finished with the best yards-per-carry average (8.3) on the team.

Receivers

Perhaps only at pass-first Hawaii could you lose all four starting receivers — three of them 1,100-yard plus performers — and still have significant experience returning. Four players who have caught touchdown passes — Malcolm Lane, Aaron Bain, Michael Washington and Greg Salas — are among the candidates for starting jobs. Salas, who has the best hands, has added weight and strength and may be ready to emerge as the big-play performer UH needs. Kealoha Pilares, who led the team last season in rushing with 388 yards as a running back, makes an intriguing addition to the slotback ranks, where coaches hope he’ll find more room to run. He had 26 catches for 249 yards coming out of the backfield as a freshman last year.

Offensive linemen

Eight sacks yielded to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl blowout underlined the offensive line as a place that needs considerable work. All-WAC center John Estes anchors the unit; who will flank him is up in the air. Keith AhSoon, who started 13 games at tackle, is being tried at guard, and Keoni Steinhoff, who held down right tackle, could retain his spot. Neither will lack for competition. Lafu Tuioti-Mariner and Raphael Ieru battle for the right guard spot while Ray Hisatake and Laupepa Letuli figure to sort out left tackle. Letuli is the closest thing UH has to a Swiss Army knife; he has played tackle, guard, running back, tight end and defensive end.

Defensive linemen

Last season’s defensive line depth will pay some important dividends this time around, limiting the impact of the loss of three starters. Defensive tackle Fale Laeli, coming off offseason knee surgery, is the only returning starter, but end David Veikune was a first-team All-WAC choice despite being almost exclusively a reserve. Veikune had seven sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss and has gotten both stronger and swifter in the offseason. Keala Watson is the likely starter at right tackle, and John Fonoti should emerge at right end. Rocky Savaiigaea and Josh Leonard will be in the mix at tackles while Victor Clore and C.J. Allen-Jones will see considerable time at the ends.

Linebackers

If this is the heart of the defense, it beats with intensity and experience. All-WAC performers Solomon Elimimian, in the middle and Adam Leonard on the outside were one-two on the team in tackles and have combined for 449 tackles and a handful of big plays the past two seasons. Leonard is quick enough to have returned two of the four passes he intercepted for touchdowns. Together, Elimimian and Leonard set the tone for the team’s deepest, most experienced unit. It will be considerably solidified if hard-hitting Blaze Soares and Brashton Satele can stay healthy. Soares has shown a capability for game-changing plays, when healthy. Satele, who signed on with fanfare, could finally have his breakthrough season if he’s not slowed by injuries again.

Defensive backs

Replacing both starting cornerbacks will be the priority. Ryan Mouton, who finished 2007 strong with memorable efforts against Boise State and Washington in the final two regular-season games, figures to lock down the left side. JoPierre Davis, an emerging performer, has a leg up on the right. Jameel Dowling, a transfer from Oregon, and Calvin Roberts are contenders to keep an eye on. Keao Monteilh and Desmond Thomas lay claim to the strong and free safety positions they held much of last season. Monteilh was off to an impressive start last year until his season was ended after eight games by injury. Mana Silva, a transfer from Oregon State, and Marcus Gibson could also find themselves in the picture soon.

Specialists

All-WAC kicker Dan Kelly’s heroics earned him the nickname “Iceman.” This year, the Warriors need him to get off to a faster start and improve his consistency. Punter Tim Grasso was seldom used (35 times in 13 games) but solid (39.7 per attempt). Return specialists Lane, Mouton and Washington each produced a touchdown last year. McMackin favors a more aggressive approach on special teams than his predecessor.

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