Spring Day 11 Reports and Wrap-Ups

Jason Kaneshiro reviews yesterday's scrimmage.

"The good thing about being a head coach is when the offense is making big plays, I was coaching offense. When the defense was making big plays, I was coaching defense," UH head coach Greg McMackin said after the scrimmage at Ching Field.

Don't be modest!

The Warriors' top three quarterbacks all led touchdown drives. Defensively, McMackin praised linebacker Mana Lolotai's play and five players came down with interceptions.

"I thought Mana Lolotai was just outstanding," McMackin said. "He's been playing like that all spring. (Linebackers coach) Cal (Lee) and I have to look at the film, but he's playing pretty good at middle linebacker."

Stephen Tsai takes a look at the receivers.

"You look a lot better as a coach when you've got the thoroughbreds," said Craig Stutzmann, who tutors the receivers. "The players we had last year did a good job. But this year we've got more overall speed, more depth. We've got guys who can flat-out run."

Tsai also writes about a big hit between friends Jeramy Bryant and Ryan Henry, as well as Mana Lolotai's big day.

Leila Wai has video from the scrimmage, with interviews with McMackin, Mana Silva and Rodney Bradley.

UPDATE: Sorry, had to get rid of the embedded video from the Advertiser - it was crashing my browser for some reason. I was able to find a direct link to the coaches clinic video, but not the scrimmage.

Wai also has video from the coaching clinic, including interviews with Punahou coach Kale Ane and Kahuku coach Reggie Torres.

On WSN, rbaloha has a report.

Standouts
+ Offensive Line -- Pass blocked very well. Aaron Kia appears in better condition. Displayed nice footwork, balance and hand placement. The run blocking is still a work in progress.
+ Wrs -- Rodney Bradley is amazing. Fast with nice hands. Javonte Taylor made some nice catches and displayed a second gear when the ball is in the air. Salas is a natural at slot and provides a big target. Mederios played well. Appears faster. Daniel Lofton and Billy Ray both made plays. By far the best collection of receivers in the JJ era.
+ Qbs -- Alexander is playing okay. learned to throw the ball away if a play does not exsist. Less of a windup release. IMO Austin is the #2 and the future starter for the next 2 years. Nice mobility, outstanding arm and field moxie.
+ DBs -- As a group are fast and athletic. Corners are unafraid to lower their heads and play the run. #4 made several outstanding plays. Spencer Smith is playing fast and making hits.

rbaloha posted the same report on Sportshawaii.com, with bleedgreen808 and uhwarriors chiming in with their observations.

My overall impression is that the offense is way ahead of where it was last spring. The O-line (1st and 2nd team) play particularly in pass pro is much better. The trap, shovel screen and wide receiver screen blocking still have a ways to go. While not all passes were completed, it's clear the QBs have a much better understanding of the offense. Alexander in particular got to the backside receivers as well as getting to the 4th read on occasion. He even threw it away when needed. Rausch and Austin shared reps with the second group. Initially Austin looked a little sharper, but in later series made some bad decisions and throws. The offense still has a long ways to go to get to mid-season form, but it was encourging to see the big improvement from last spring.

Jason Kaneshiro has some news and notes about the scrimmage and former UH player and current Kauai High coach Mike Tresler coming back to attend the coaching clinic.

And Dave Reardon takes a look at the progress of quarterback Brent Rausch.

"Brent's got an arm not a whole lot of guys have," quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich said. "He's worked on his discipline and his consistency. He's got a gun, but we want him to anticipate more."

Most agree that despite his potential, Rausch was far from ready to step in for a Heisman Trophy finalist last year.

"That probably didn't help him at that point," Rolovich said. "He put some stuff on himself. He had to learn to let it go, and he has."

RAUSCH'S TAKE ON last year?

"Over with."

Not that he regrets having been king for a day.

"It was definitely a learning experience. I was humbled, going from last on the depth chart to the top and back down."

Rausch is steadier. His shoulders don't hunch after a bad play anymore. Teammates and coaches notice that kind of thing, especially when it's a quarterback.