INSIDE SLANT
One of the more bizarre seasons in Hawaii football history ended with a thud on Dec. 6 in Honolulu. The Warriors dropped a 51-10 decision to Wisconsin—killing their unlikely run at a bowl berth.
The Warriors finished 6-7—one win short of a spot in the Hawaii Bowl.
Their year began with coach Greg McMackin serving a 30-day suspension for using a gay slur at the WAC media preview and took another weird turn when they were forced to start a walk-on, third-string quarterback for much of the year. Even the fourth-string quarterback got a start. And then the Warriors, who started 2-6, won four straight games—including a defeat of Navy (then 8-3)—to get close to a bowl berth.
“I feel sorry for the seniors and not being able to get them to a bowl game,” said sophomore quarterback Bryant Moniz, the walk-on who ran the offense much of the year. “I know they really wanted it.”
This offseason presents an opportunity for the Warriors. They lost nearly their entire offense after the 2007 season and nearly the entire defense after the 2008 season. The losses are at a more normal level this year—heavy on the lines, but few and far between at the skill positions.
Developing the passing game will be critical. Moniz is likely to keep the starting job, and all of his starting receivers are back.
NOTES, QUOTES
Game Of The Year: UNLV 34, Hawaii 33—UNLV WR Phillip Payne caught a jump ball for the winning touchdown with 36 seconds left. Hawaii QB Greg Alexander threw for a career-high 477 yards but couldn’t save the defense, which gave up a lead three times in the second half.
Players Of The Year:
WR Greg Salas—He fell just short of the school record with 106 receptions. He had 1,590 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He led the WAC in catches and yards, and he’s only a junior.
LB Blaze Soares—The senior racked up 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
QB Bryant Moniz—The walk-on earned a scholarship with his performance in an emergency situation. He completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 2,396 yards and 14 touchdowns. He did have 10 picks.
Fast Forward: The Warriors take big hits on the lines, losing four starting offensive linemen. C John Estes played every snap for four years and will be difficult to replace. However, they will be loaded at the skill positions, which should allow them to build some cohesion in an offense designed around reading and reacting. All four starting wideouts are back, plus two more who received a bunch of playing time. On defense, all five defensive backs return. The 2010 schedule will be a challenge—featuring an opener at home against USC and a two-week trip to Army and Colorado.
Recruiting Trail: Hawaii reportedly has 16 players committed already, including a quarterback, filling about two-thirds of its available scholarships. Offensive and defensive linemen will be key to this class because of the heavy loss of seniors at those positions.
Quote To Note: “They were very physical, running power roll, what we call ‘the express,’ where they get a lot of mass at a certain point, and we couldn’t handle it.”—Hawaii coach Greg McMackin, on the loss to Wisconsin to end the season.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Players To Watch In 2010:
WR Greg Salas—He emerged this year as one of the WAC’s best offensive players with 106 catches for 1,590 yards and eight touchdowns.
RB Alex Green—The Warriors ran the ball well at times this season. Green, who rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns, returns.
S Mana Silva—The junior was in and out of the lineup, but he recorded six interceptions and four pass breakups this season.
Pro Prospects:
C John Estes—The Warriors have a track record of producing NFL offensive linemen, and Estes has played every snap for four years. He was a key part of the 2007 Sugar Bowl team.
DE John Fonoti—The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder has had injury problems. He had one sack in 10 games this year.
Roster Report:
• WR Malcolm Lane, who had six touchdown catches in 2008, redshirted this season to focus on academics. He’ll be back in 2010.
• WR Rodney Bradley, who had 31 catches and five touchdowns in six games, should return next season from a broken leg.
