The University of Hawaii football team concluded a 96-hour Manoa layover with an abbreviated practice on Thursday before heading to the mainland for the second time in as many weeks.
The Rainbow Warriors had decided to return to Honolulu between last week’s game against Wisconsin in Madison and this Saturday’s game at Boise State. By returning, the Rainbow Warriors attended classes and prepared against a full scout team. If they had remained on the mainland, they would have had to use second-team players to simulate Boise State’s schemes.
This is the second leg of a four-games-in-five-weeks stretch for the Warriors, who also will return to Honolulu between this month’s consecutive road games against New Mexico and Nevada. The Warriors will miss 13 days of school for the six road games this season. In 2008 and 2010, they missed 19 school days each season because of a travel schedule in which they stayed on the mainland between road games.
UH VS. BOISE STATE
Boise, Idaho
>> Saturday: 4:15 p.m.
>> TV: ESPN2
>> Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM |
In their three on-campus practices this week, the Warriors worked on correcting glitches, such as backfield pass protection. In a 28-0 loss to Wisconsin, the Warriors relinquished two of three sacks when a Badger powered past a backfield blocker.
"It’s an attitude," running backs coach Wayne Moses said of pass blocking. "We’ve got to make it happen. We can’t just be a runner or a catcher. We have to be complete."
Steven Lakakala is considered one of the Warriors’ top blocking backs. Instead of setting up in a stance, Lakalaka often attacks blitzers and rush ends.
"Blocking is straight up mano a mano," Lakalaka said. "I take a lot of pride in blocking. If (a defender) makes the play, it’s my fault, and everybody is going to see it. I try my best to do the job."
Lakalaka said a strategy-changing moment came against Nevada in 2013 when rush end Brock Hekking repeatedly breezed past UH blockers. "I tried to chop him, but he kept sacking," Lakalaka said. "I learned my lesson from that — and from watching film."
Lakalaka said his technique depends on the opposing personnel. If a bigger defender is approaching quickly, Lakalaka might aim low. Sometimes, he will block low, anyway — football’s version of a purpose pitch — to make a pass-rusher hesitate the next time.
"It’s a chess game," Lakalaka said.
Moses said running back Mel Davis and Paul Harris were not required to block as much at their junior colleges. But, Moses said, "They’re both willing."
Davis said: "It’s a learning craft, but I’m a running back, and I’ve been blocking all my life. It’s really not a problem. As long as I know the scheme. I’ll blocker whoever it is on the field I need to."
