2004 Statistics

Quarterback
For the first time in five years, the Warriors are holding auditions for the starting spot. Three players – senior Jeffrey Rhode, along with freshmen Inoke Funaki and Tyler Graunke – are vying for the spot, but Jones won’t name a starter until just before the opener. Expect Graunke to win the job. He lacks prototypical size, but throws a crisp ball and has the athletic ability to both escape a pass rush and (then) be a threat on the ground. He has also impressed the coaching staff with his leadership. Rhode will likely become the backup due to his experience in the system, while Funaki has struggled with learning the offense. This unit hopes to pick up where Chang left off, but without proven talent behind and around whichever hurler, expect Graunke (or the others) to struggle against the tough, early foes they have lined up.

Running Back
There is hardly any game-day experience at all in the Warrior’s backfield. This is usually such a pass-happy team, but since the Warriors are breaking in a new QB, they’ll need this dimension to have impact to have any chance at being formidable on offense. Carrying the torch will be Bryan Maneafaiga, who is coming back from torn shoulder ligaments. He’s not big, but with his quickness he can turn the corner well and is more than adequate as a blocker. He was good enough in the spring to force his main competition, Nate Ilaoa, to return to his receiver “slot” (where he was recruited to play). A real “bowling ball”, Ilaoa dropped some weight, and is now genuinely quick for his size. Ilaoa has gone through two straight injury-filled campaigns (shoulder in ‘03, then knee in ’04), but he’ll be a big part of the offense, no matter where he is placed. There is little depth, proven or otherwise, to look to if things get hairy, so watch this unit to see what kind of chances Hawai’i has at offensive continuity. Without a running dimension…it will be an extremely long season.

Receiver
Unfortunately, this is another unit with little/no experience. Major questions surround them, especially with Jason Rivers, last year’s second-leading receiver, seemingly ineligible. Currently attending community college, he was at spring practices only as a spectator, and his status for the fall remains up in the air. Without Rivers, this group is greener than the Warriors’ jerseys. Jason Ferguson and Devon Bess showed the most in spring, and Ian Sample looks good in his return from a shoulder injury. Ilaoa will increase what the corps can potentially deliver, but until the entire passing machine starts to click, Rainbow receivers will struggle for any gold.

Offensive Line
This is the one area of the offense about which Jones doesn’t have as much to worry. Four starters - from a group that paved the way for a 4.7-yard average on the ground and allowed just one sack for every 37.4 pass attempts - are back. Left guard Samson Satele (two-time all-WAC) is one of the top linemen in the country. His strength allows him to have his way with defenders, and his quickness prevents him from getting beat laterally. Tala Esera (all-WAC) is among the best pass-blockers in the conference (just ½ a sack allowed). Brandon Eaton moves to right guard, and he’s got the same level of ability as Satele. Center Derek Faavi is the smallest of the group, but, like his mates, he disrupts foes and their inside agenda rather effectively. Dane Uperesa didn’t start, but saw plenty of action at RT and will fit well.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The only thing preventing a total nosedive is the experience on the line, which is perhaps the best in the WAC. No QB has emerged as a clear-cut starter, but not because all the candidates are so good, but because none of them has proven worthy. Uncertainty there could linger. One fact that should change is the disparaging nature between their passing offense (2nd in I-A) and their air efficiency (45th) – consistency/effectiveness from the QB will eventually make the entire team better, so we feel Jones should choose wisely with this factor in mind. The Warriors will also spend the whole year fighting to find a go-to receiver. The running game will be more productive, if only because it has to be, but inexperience in the passing game will devastate a team that liked to throw 70 percent of the time. Forget scoring five touchdowns a game; this is an offense that will settle into the 24-25 point per game range.

Defensive Line
As they seek a turnaround from 2004 (117th against the run), the Warriors will depend on Melila Purcell (All-WAC) to lead them. The senior end has exceptional speed and strength, which helped him spend half of 2004 in the opposition’s backfield. He will continue to be the main force, for there is little experience next to him. Tony Akpan, a former basketball player, brings exceptional size and quickness to the other end spot. The two tackle spots will be occupied by a host of young, inexperienced players. As good as Purcell is, he’s again forced to rely on marginal talent adjacent to him, so the Warriors look to again be vulnerable against the run.

Linebacker
Tanuvasa Moe is primed for a big year. The outside backer has always had good strength and speed, but he has bulked up about 15 pounds to make him more versatile. The Warriors will often line him up against linemen. A father of three, Moe is also a key leader. Kila Kamakawiwo’ole moves back from his end spot, although his role won’t change much. He’s got the speed to get sacks and can chase down running backs; he’s also got the strength to beat linemen; and, to boot, he’s got the skills to cover tight ends and backs. There are many quality athletes throughout this unit’s depth chart, so the Warriors will see this group grow and improve.

Defensive Back
Hawaii was nearly as bad against the pass (83rd) as it was against the run, but the Warriors were also young. Inverse to the offense, this unit’s efficiency ranking (64th) means they know how to optimize their efforts. There is a host of veteran experience this time around. Leonard Peters is the one true playmaker in the group. He’s the most versatile player on the defense, with toughness to make tackles (team leader) anywhere on the field, and the speed and quickness to cover well. Corner Kenny Patton (36-inch vertical) can also cover anyone. Senior safety Lamar Broadway has been a key to the defense for two years, but needs more big plays on his résumé for Hawai’i to be at its defensive best.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
UH’s offensive production helped to mask a terrible defense. Army was the only team in the country to give up more yards (than UH’s 487.77 per game), and only five teams gave up more than their 38.4 per game. That’s why Jones hired defensive legend Jerry Glanville as his coordinator. His experience may not immediately improve results, but it will just be a matter of time until Glanville can maximize the potential of each defender. There are but-a-few playmakers on this defense, and Glanville will make a difference – how much of one will go a long way (along with the QB play) toward defining what is found at the end for/of the Rainbow Warriors. The -4:34 differential in playing time from one side of the ball to the other is a key stat – just keeping the defense off the field for those few extra minutes would allow hot, tired legs to go from guys marginally “putting their fingers into a leaking dyke” (and barely holding on) to hungry defensive studs who – together – equal more than the sum of their parts (which is all they have been as of late).