UH vs SJSU Game Notes, Dunnachie, Lutu

HawaiiAthletics.com and SJSUSpartans.com have game notes and info for this Saturday's game.

Stephen Tsai profiles Alex Dunnachie.

While Dunnachie has the power -- 12 of his 39 punts have exceeded 50 yards -- he often outkicked the coverage early in the season. Dunnachie finally is consistent in placing punts between the hashmarks and sideline, where Warriors can trap the punt returner.

"The returners are pretty specialized guys," Dunnachie said. "If he's back there, his team trusts him to do something with it, and he generally can. We're going to do our best to move him. Direction is a huge part of it. If we can pin him on the boundary, our coverage is right on top of him, and he'll have nowhere to go."

Dunnachie's goal is a punt that travels at least 45 yards with a minimum hangtime of 4.5 seconds. He has hit that mark consistently the past three games, and achieved a 5.2-second punt against Boise State.

And Tsai catches up with redshirting safety and former UH basketball player Leroy Lutu Jr..

Indeed, the future appears bright for Lutu, who was a walk-on in basketball. The football coaches have praised Lutu's development, and he is expected to challenge for playing time in 2011. Safeties Mana Silva and Spencer Smith are seniors.

"I'm feeling great," Lutu said. "My legs are coming back. I'm learning something new every day. I've been working with (associate head coach Rich) Miano, watching extra film, doing every footwork drill, getting into the weight room as much as I can."