Game Week: Fresno State - Friday News

Stephen Tsai writes about Greg Alexander ascending to #2 QB.

But Alexander picked up the offense, and he improved his throwing technique. Alexander, who used to throw out of a windup, often held the football too long.

"I liked that he stayed the course," Rolovich said. "He didn't have an easy go at Florida. But he never took a step back or pouted. He still continued to learn, and he had a very consistent attitude. He got a lot more comfortable in the offense."

Rolovich said Alexander, a junior, benefitted from observing Funaki and Graunke.

"It was good for him to sit back and watch the offense for a while," Rolovich said. "He's quickened his decision-making."

Tsai writes about Spencer Smith's roles on special teams and has a couple other notes.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about UH's second-half woes.

"We've been highly successful in our games on our first series," UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee said. "Then it gets to where teams adjust, and that's where we need to execute better. Make the tight throw or make the big catch, because they're tightening their coverages. That's where we have to get better."

Kaneshiro writes about the Warriors needing to improve in the passing game.

The ever-changing quarterback situation hasn't helped the offense's maturation, although Inoke Funaki is scheduled to make his second straight start tomorrow and took most of the snaps in practice this week, bringing some sense of stability.

"We've been jumping around so much," UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee said. "Now I see the timing getting better, just getting more reps is helping."

Said Washington: "Especially in the run-and-shoot offense, you always need the rhythm and timing between the quarterbacks and receivers. We built up that rhythm with Inoke and we have to get better with it."

The article includes other news and notes and mentions two functions the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California will be hosting.

The Warrior Nation Rally is set for tonight at the Hukilau restaurant in San Jose. The Warrior Tailgate is set for 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Fresno State's Beiden Field. Admission is free. More details are available at hccnc.com.

Ferd Lewis writes about Fresno State preparing for Inoke Funaki, PPV revenue being up, the HCCNC tailgate and other news and notes.

Perry Smith of the Visalia Times-Delta has a game preview.

After all, if there is any hope for Hawaii, it's that the defensive play of the Bulldogs the last two weeks has become miracle grow for an opponent's struggling offense.

The status of UCLA's offense couldn't have been much worse than it was heading into its meeting with Fresno State's defense at the Rose Bowl last weekend, averaging five points a game less than Hawaii.

Four quarters later, UCLA left with the Rose Bowl feeling a little better about its offense after receiver Terrence Austin put up a school-record 298 all-purpose yards in the team's 36-31 loss.

On top of potential vulnerabilities, the Warriors own a lot of the intangibles Fresno State seems to be lacking.

"They still have a very experienced offensive line and I think their defense and special teams are very solid," Hill said.

The Collegian Online has team breakdowns, keys to the game, matchups etc. in their game preview.

Russell Tolentino of Ka Leo has a game preview and a prediction.

If the Warriors can take care of the ball, they may be able to remain in the game, but the Bulldogs have proven to be more consistent, effective and efficient than the Warriors so far this season.

Final score: Fresno State, 42-13

Ouch.

Bryant Jon-Anteola of the Fresno Bee takes an in-depth look at the changes to the UH football program from last year to this year.

This is the not-so-dreamy story of Hawaii.

"I wouldn't call it sad times, but definitely tough," said Warriors quarterback Inoke Funaki, who will start for Hawaii when it plays Fresno State at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.

"We're running the same plays, same schemes, but the results are different," Funaki added. "It's been trying these past couple of weeks.

"You look back at what we did last year, and to be struggling now. It's just tough. Everyone is just trying to hang in there."

And finally, Ferd Lewis writes that the rivalry between UH and FSU is just not the same with June Jones no longer here.

So, as Greg McMackin debuts in the series in the role of UH head coach, you wonder whether he can be a keeper of the flame. Can he fan it or will we find that a lot of the fire went out with Jones' departure to SMU?

Whether it be claims of mystery screwdriver tossing — and Bulldog fans are still grousing about that — suggestions of having run up the score, doing the haka on sacred Bulldog Stadium landscape or just plain beating the Bulldogs in big games, Jones brought a lot to the series.