GameDay: Hawaii at Fresno State

Dave Reardon's gameday preview highlights a key matchup in today's game.

Fresno State FB Roshon Vercher vs. UH linebackers

Vercher has one carry for 1 yard this season. But the 5-foot-11, 245-pound senior is a vital cog in the Bulldogs running game, and has been so for four seasons. He's paved the way for 1,000-yard rushers in three straight years: Wendell Mathis, Bryson Sumlin and FSU's current stud, Dwayne Wright (in 2003 and probably again this season). In 2004, Vercher led the way for 503 rushing yards in the Bulldogs' 70-14 win over the Warriors.

...

UH's linebackers -- especially inside guys Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian -- will have to find a way to deal with Vercher AND Wright, sometimes on the same play.

It'll be a great battle to watch.

Stephen Tsai's gameday preview has some statistics on the amazing Nate:

The NFL draft is six months away, but a scout for the Washington Redskins already is crafting a role for Ilaoa. "I see him as a fullback, for sure, but he's so elusive, we could isolate him in one-back formations," the scout said yesterday. "I watched a lot of film of that Hawai'i team, and I've never seen a guy like that."

The head of "Nasti Nation" has caught 24 of the 26 passes thrown in his direction. His yards-after-catch average is 14.01. He also is excelling in an unofficial statistic: yards after contact. An Advertiser study shows Ilaoa has gained an additional 248 yards after being hit initially. This season, according to The Advertiser study, Ilaoa averages 1.18 broken tackles per rush.

Gotta appreciate him while he's here. I hope he has a gigantic game against Fresno!

Stephen Tsai writes about the intensity of Fresno coach Pat Hill and his players.

"The first year when we got here, that's the way we decided to have a certain type of personality, and that's what we're going to be," Hill said. "We try to play hard every game we play. We try to play a physical style of offense and defense. That's what we try to hang our personality on. We look for certain personality-type players when we recruit. We're looking for a guy who has a personality that fits. Not every guy who goes to college wants to run the football in this day in age."

Was that a dig on Hawaii? I bet it was. Oooooo.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the intensity of the Fresno fans.

Colt Brennan has been told all about Fresno State's "Red Mile" and Bulldog Stadium's reputation for burning the ears of opposing players.

Today, the Hawaii quarterback gets his first opportunity to experience it for himself.

"That's the one thing I've heard about the most," Brennan said as the Warriors prepared for their visit to Fresno. "The one stadium on the road that is kind of notorious throughout the WAC.

"I'm excited, and I know it's going to be a hostile environment, but I'm still excited."

Ferd Lewis reminds us that this is Fresno's homecoming game.

Once upon a time, in the first years of head coach June Jones' tenure, UH more than held its own on the road, going 3-0 in his first year (1999) and 8-7 between 1999 and '02. But road wins have been few and far between since with UH 4-13 from 2003 through this season. Which, in a nutshell, is why the Warriors haven't contended for a Western Athletic Conference championship in a while.

Probably not since the Fred vonAppen years have the Warriors been as popular homecoming guests. Not since 1985 --— a 4-6-2 season -- have they been booked for back-to-back festivities.

Next week is also New Mexico State's homecoming game. Let's go out and prove those bastards wrong! GO WARRIORS!!!!!

UPDATE: Forgot to add this preview from Mario Gomez of The Bark Board, with some things to look for during the game:

Hawaii’s game plan is to pass the ball as much as possible and score points. This season Fresno State has tried to control the ball and keep the game out of the hand of its quarterback. There is no doubt Hawaii will execute, but will the Bulldog defense step up in the red zone? If the Bulldogs come out with the same game plan it has every week this season and continues to not execute, it could get ugly. There is room for failure. Hawaii will score at will and often in drives of two minutes or less. Fresno State’s current offensive scheme will not be able to counter, if it falls behind early. Something has to change and it has to happen this week.

It'll be all about red zone execution for UH. We had terrible problems against Fresno last year, but something tells me this year's team won't have too many problems. UH's defense will once again be they key in this game. Once again, GO WARRIORS!!!!!