UH-Nevada Previews, Colt, Libre, Security, Injuries

Here's a preview of Friday's game from The Sports Network, with an excerpt about the performance of the UH defense, last week and overall.

A more telling stat is the one that shows the Bulldogs converting just 2-of-11 on third down versus the Hawaii defense. Solomon Elimimian and his teammates zeroed in on FSU quarterback Tom Brandstater, recording five sacks and constantly forcing the visiting signal-caller to throw far off the mark. Elimimian finished with a team-high nine tackles, while Brad Kalilimoku continued to flush the pocket, en route to two and a half sacks. The Hawaii defense tends to get a bit weaker as the game wears on, just as any unit would in college football, but add to that the desperation of opponents and it is easy to understand why the group has surrendered more points in the fourth quarter than any other this season. Still, the Warriors are not only first in the conference in both tackles for loss and sacks, the squad ranks fourth in the nation in both departments with nine TFLs and 3.67 sacks per outing.

Matt Brown of the AP has a preview as well, here's an excerpt about Nevada's offense:

Nevada (5-4, 3-2) boasts one of the few offenses that may be able to keep up with Hawaii's. The Warriors lead the nation with 50.2 points per game, but the Wolf Pack rank 15th with 37.3. In four full games since redshirt freshman quarterback Colin Kaepernick took over for the injured Nick Graziano, Nevada has averaged 43.8 points.

The Wolf Pack opened the season 2-4, but Kaepernick has led them to three straight wins - most recently a 40-38 victory at New Mexico State on Nov. 2. Kaepernick has completed 81-of-145 passes for 1,248 yards, 13 TDs and only two interceptions, giving him a 155.0 passer rating that ranks 10th in the nation. He also has five rushing touchdowns.

It will be a great battle between the Nevada run game vs the UH defense. As Dan Hinxman of the Reno Gazette-Journal points out:

The Wolf Pack (5-4, 3-2 Western Athletic Conference) leads the Western Athletic Conference in rushing at 231.4 yards per game. It is the only team in the conference averaging more than five yards per carry (5.2).

The 13th-ranked Warriors (9-0, 6-0) lead the WAC in rushing defense at 111.3 yards per game. Hawaii holds teams to an average of 3.1 yards per carry, tops in the league.

Something, as they say, has got to give.

"Their defense is very good," Nevada coach Chris Ault said at Tuesday's practice. "Their offense gets all the publicity, but their defense is very good."

Darrell Moody of the Nevada Appeal has a preview of the game and a profile of Colt Brennan.

Ferd Lewis writes that the UH administration vows to beef up security for the Boise game after some Fresno fans complained about abusive treatment during this past game.

In a widely circulated posting on www.barkboard.com, a message board for Fresno State fans, one fan claimed, "... fights, alcohol, lax security and thug fans have turned Aloha Stadium into what is likely the most horrible game day atmosphere in college football." The posting came with a picture of police in the stands.

UH has scheduled a conference call with media from Fresno and Boise today to discuss the issue and announce steps to improve the situation, an athletic department spokesman said.

Let's hope so. The only reason opposing fans should feel bad in Aloha Stadium is because their team got smashed, not their alas.

Brian McInnis writes that Colt may practice today, and profiles running back Daniel Libre.

"Libre for Heisman!"

Running back Daniel Libre couldn't help but grin at Davone Bess' outburst. Suddenly -- and as seemingly from out of nowhere as Bess' theatrics -- the Konawaena graduate has emerged as an unlikely factor in Hawaii's high-powered offense.

The junior displayed fleetness of foot in the Warriors' 37-30 win against Fresno State, going for 61 yards on just six carries to help alleviate the absence of injured Damien alum Kealoha Pilares, who entered the game as Hawaii's leading rusher.

Stephen Tsai writes about Brennan and Libre, and has other injury updates:

Jones said running back Kealoha Pilares will not play in Friday's game.

Pilares is recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"There's no rush," said Pilares, who leads the Warriors with 294 rushing yards. "I don't want to make it worse. I'm sitting on it. It's getting better every day. I'm just rehabbing it, and doing what I can to get it better. The pain is almost gone. It's not that tender as it was last week."

With the return of left wideout Jason Rivers and left slotback Davone Bess, only one starting receiver — right wideout C.J. Hawthorne — did not compete in team drills yesterday.

Rivers did not practice Monday because of a sore neck. Bess had flu-like symptoms.

"C.J. wanted to practice but I held him out," Jones said.

Hawthorne is suffering from tightness in his right hamstring and groin. He left in the second quarter Saturday.

And Ferd Lewis compares the way MMA and boxing deal with concussions in contrast with football, and hopes that wider awareness of the problem will lead to more protective and preventative measures for the players.

Meanwhile, Brennan's case, where his availability will prudently be decided by team doctors although it will be up to head coach June Jones to decide even then if Brennan plays, is helping to focus attention on the treatment and prevention of concussions in football. As such, it is helping fuel discussion not only here but across wider landscape. The more pointed questions that are asked and the willingness to dig deeper for answers the better.