Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Scouting Hawaii: Boise State Broncos at Warriors

FACTS AND FIGURES

Where: Honolulu (population: 377,357)

Founded: 1907

Enrollment: 20,000

Colors: Green, black, white and silver

Nickname: Warriors

Record: 2-4 overall, 0-3 WAC

Last game: Lost at Idaho 35-23 on Oct. 17

Next game: at Nevada, Oct. 31

COACH

Greg McMackin survived a tumultuous summer, when he worked for a month without pay and took a pay cut after using a gay slur at the WAC football media preview. He might get in trouble with his fan base for other reasons after this season. The Warriors have lost four straight games for the first time in nine years. They are just 9-11 overall and 5-6 in WAC play since McMackin took over last year from the popular and successful June Jones.

OFFENSE

The Warriors still operate the run-and-shoot and it remains a dangerous offense. They rank third in the nation in passing (371.3 yards per game) and 15th in total offense (443.2 ypg). The problem is they waste many of those yards - ranking 87th in scoring at 23.7 points per game. The Warriors have scored touchdowns on a measly 10 of 27 red-zone possessions. That's the same number of times that they've reached the red zone and not scored at all.

The Warriors also are dealing with some significant injury woes. They've lost their quarterback (Greg Alexander, fifth in the nation in pass efficiency), two wide receivers (Rodney Bradley and Royce Pollard) and an offensive tackle.

DEFENSE

The Warriors only have one returning starter on defense, lineman John Fonoti, and he has missed three games. They have juggled some personnel as they learn more about the guys who are playing this year, but the defense has remained a liability. The last three opponents have gashed the Warriors on the ground.

Two of the Warriors' most productive players - linebacker Corey Paredes and safety Mana Silva - have been pulled from the starting lineup.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Warriors have been better in kick coverage this year. They use the "shield punt" that has become popular - a coverage style that has made it nearly impossible for the Broncos to spring Kyle Wilson. Kicker Scott Enos is 8-of-10 on field goals.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Warriors have more players from Hawaii (59) than the mainland (46). The mainland players come from 10 different states.

Chadd Cripe