GameDay: Hawaii vs Purdue

Today's game should be a good one. I'm excited to see how this year's Warriors line up against a Big Ten team. I think UH needs to win by at least 28 points so there will be NO EXCUSES. I guess Hawaii will have to spot Joe Tiller 7 points for the distance, 7 points for the humidity, 7 points for the 13th game, 7 points for Waikiki. Do we need to spot him more? Anything less than a 28 point victory and almost guarans you're gonna hear the excuses. Nah, even if it's a 50 point victory, there's gonna be excuses. Well Joe Tiller, no matter how hard you try, you can't diminish a Warriors' victory!

Dave Reardon writes a great article about the importance of this game for the Warriors.

"That's what's been holding us back, people saying we're playing lesser opponents in the WAC," Brennan said. "Here comes two teams at the higher end of their conferences, the Big Ten and the Pac-10. So, for us to win these two games would make a huge statement. If we do it in the manner we've been lately, it makes a gigantic statement. There's a lot riding on these next two games for us."

Defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said the players know the credibility they've built up in two months can vanish in 3 hours tonight.

"In our meeting room we talk about how this can all disappear in one bad outing. Everything you've built so far, the level of play, the ranking. They're all tenuous at best. You need to play well against elite level teams," Reinebold said. "The great thing about our schedule, the next three games, Purdue, Oregon State and hopefully UCLA or whoever the Pac-10 sends, is going to give these guys a chance to make a statement about who they are."

Dave Reardon's gameday preview highlights this key match-up:

UH left tackle Tala Esera vs. Purdue DE Anthony Spencer

Of all the tremendous numbers the Hawaii offense has put up this year, this might be the most impressive: 3.18 tackles-for-loss allowed per game, No. 1 in the nation.

In previous years, the UH attack was considered a high-risk, high-yield proposition. The risk was lessened this year, with the incredible level of protection the offensive line of Tala Esera, Hercules Satele, Samson Satele, John Estes and Dane Uperesa -- plus backs Nate Ilaoa and Reagan Mauia -- has provided. Colt Brennan's ability to smell out a potential sack and scramble for a gain helps, too.

But Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer is a serious threat to that sense of security.

The probable All-American leads the nation with 26.5 tackles-for-loss, and he averages a little less than a sack a game.

"He looks like a very good player," Esera said.

"He's a speed rusher."

Indiana slowed him down last week with a tackle-guard double team. The Warriors will probably use a combination of Esera and Ilaoa or Mauia to slow Spencer. Because Ilaoa is such a force as a playmaker, it will be Spencer and Esera, mano a mano, on at least some downs.

"He's got really good feet. He's aggressive and strong. A well-rounded player," Spencer said of Esera.

Though as Reardon wrote earlier, Spencer could also line up on Dane Uperesa's side, so that should be something to watch out for.

Stephen Tsai's gameday preview also discusses the match-up between the Warrios' O-line vs the Purdue D-line.

The Boilermakers have the sort of scheme — an athletic four-man front — that has given the Warriors fits in the past (see Alabama, 2002). "They're the best one-on-one rushers we've seen," UH offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said. "They've got good depth. They play seven guys who are better than anybody we've faced this year. It's going to be a great challenge."

...

After dismissing the defense, the Warriors spent an extra hour of yesterday's practice working on running routes and blocking defensive stunts and loops. The Warriors are concerned about the Boilermakers' athletic pass rush, which will require three offensive linemen to solo block. Purdue's defensive push might be disruptive to the Warriors' most effective pass play, the shovel. Brennan and Ilaoa are a combined 28 of 28 on shovel passes this season; on shovels, Ilaoa's yards-after-catch average is 19.18.

Stacy Clardie of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a hint of what else the Boilermakers might do on defense.

Hawaii has had success running a run-and-shoot offense, a style that makes it difficult to pressure Brennan because he typically takes a three-step drop and releases the ball in a hurry.

Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack will have a challenge trying to slow Brennan.

Bick wouldn’t divulge just what Spack’s plan may be.

“If Coach Spack and Coach (Mark) Hagen feel there’s a spot on their offense we can attack with the blitz, we’re going to do it,” Bick said.

“I like to blitz. It’s a lot of fun. But it all depends on what happens in the game. If they have trouble handling pressure, we’ll keep doing it. If they’re protecting well and taking advantage of the secondary, we’ll drop another back in coverage.”

Stephen Tsai has a great quote from Colt Brennan praising his teammates.

"If anything, our offensive line needs to be praised," Brennan said. "I can't believe people can recognize me and not recognize the guys around me in the same way. Our o-line is the best in the nation. If you look at how many times we pass and how few sacks we've given up, and then you look at how our running backs are averaging 8 yards per carry, I don't understand how (center) Samson (Satele) and these guys are not getting national notoriety. It's kind of ridiculous, really. This will be a great test for our o-line. This will be a great way for them to get that notoriety."

And just a reminder, if you haven't already, you must read Stephen Tsai's in-depth profile of Colt Brennan.

GO WARRIORS!!!!

UPDATE: Here's another article from a Purdue site, this one from BoilerStation.com.

There's only one word to describe the numbers being put up by the Hawaii offense.

Obscene.

OK, maybe there are others.

Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack seems to prefer the word ridiculous.

"They're ridiculous. This is a well-oiled machine. They're really good. They're scary good, as a passing team," Spack said. "Notre Dame, all around, is excellent with Brady Quinn at quarterback. But this crew here, it's ridiculous."

Great article with a lot of interviews with Purdue coaches and players.