’Bows loathe
the road but have
no fear in Las Vegas
Hawaii expects to end its
By Paul Arnett
16-game WAC losing
skid tomorrow
Star-BulletinLAS VEGAS -- It's safe to say that these two teams won't be fighting for the Pacific Division crown two months down the road. For the University of Hawaii and Nevada-Las Vegas, tomorrow night's Western Athletic Conference affair at Sam Boyd Stadium is more a battle for survival, an opportunity to live for another day, than anything else.
The Rainbows already have equaled their win total of a year ago, but that's certainly not enough for head coach Fred vonAppen. He would like to finish near the .500 mark this season. And to do that, a win away from Aloha Stadium is imperative.
History is not exactly on vonAppen's side in this regard. Since the 1992 Holiday Bowl season, the Rainbows are 2-15 on the road. They have lost their last 16 WAC games away from the islands.
On the bright side, one of those two victories occurred nearly two years ago against UNLV. In fact, the Rainbows have reeled off seven consecutive victories over the Rebels, dating back to 1979.
"We haven't won a road game since Millard Fillmore was president, but this is a game we believe we have an opportunity to win," vonAppen said. "But I'm sure UNLV is looking at us as a chance for a victory, too.
"We're two programs trying to turn things around and become competitive football teams with established teams in our league. We're not there yet. But we need to beat each other in order to show that we're moving in the right direction."
UNLV head coach Jeff Horton said during the summer meetings that he believed the Rebels already had turned the corner. The fifth-year Rebel leader felt UNLV could win all of its five home games and maybe sneak away with a win or two on the road to finish with the school's first winning record since 1994.
"We almost stole one at the Air Force Academy last weekend, but we let it slip away late," Horton said. "A year ago, we were always hoping and wishing that if we were in the game late, that we would have a chance to win.
"The difference is, if a team scored late to take the lead, we usually didn't respond. We responded to that challenge last week at Air Force. But give them credit, they came back with a late drive of their own to get the win."
This week, Horton has had to deal with internal problems. On Monday, the team's top running back, Rodrick Johnson, blasted the coaching staff for not giving him enough work. In two UNLV losses, Johnson has 30 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, he rushed for nearly 2,500 yards at Dixie (Utah) Junior College, earning national player of the year honors.
The problem is, the Rebels are more of a passing team. Sophomore quarterback Jon Denton prefers to throw the ball.
In the wake of Johnson's remarks, Horton ordered him not to talk with the media. He also said Johnson might not start in tomorrow night's game. But according to defensive coordinator Don Lindsey, it may not be that big of a loss.
"I think they like to pass first and run later," Lindsey said. "Now, if their quarterback didn't start, or one of their wide receivers was benched, then I believe it would hurt them more. Johnson hasn't had that big of an impact -- yet."
Hawaii wants to keep it that way. But considering what Wyoming running backs Marques Brigham and Mike Jenkins combined for last week -- 187 yards and two touchdowns on the ground -- it might prove more difficult than expected.
Just a week ago, the Rainbows were ranked ninth in the nation in rushing defense. But after the Wyoming game, Hawaii dropped to No 47. VonAppen hopes the free fall doesn't continue.
"Right now, our defense has carried us in the first three games," vonAppen said. "But we need to get our offense going if we want to win some football games. If you don't score, you don't win.
"Our defense has played well, but the more teams get us on film, the more they will be able to scheme us defensively. I thought Wyoming did a good job of exploiting our weaknesses last weekend."
But UNLV's defense is not as strong as Wyoming's. The Rebels have two good linebackers, but are suspect everywhere else, especially in the secondary.
That's good news for UH quarterback Tim Carey, who is ranked ninth in the league in passing efficiency with a 116.91 rating. By comparison, BYU quarterback Kevin Feterik is first in the league and second in the nation with a rating of 188.72.
Carey has completed 51 of 83 passes for 804 yards. He has thrown one touchdown pass and has had four passes intercepted, two of which have been returned for scores.
"I just need to relax in the pocket and quit forcing things," said Carey, who may have a fan club of nearly 100 attending the game. "When you haven't played competitively in a few years, it takes time to get comfortable back there."
Offensive coordinator Wally English said he hopes Carey finds his comfort zone soon.
"We need to come out and execute better as a team," English said. "Our offense has struggled against teams with an eight-man front, but that's not something UNLV normally does. So maybe we can turn this thing around and come out with a win Saturday."
The facts
Records Hawaii (2-1, 0-1 WAC) at Nevada-Las Vegas (0-2, 0-1)
Rainbows schedule
Hawaii 17, Minnesota 3
Hawaii 34, Cal State Northridge 21
Wyoming, 35 Hawaii 6
Saturday, at UNLV, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 4, at Colorado State, 9:35 a.m.
Oct. 11, Fresno State, 7:35 p.m.
Oct. 18, at Brigham Young, 8:05 a.m.
Oct. 25, San Diego State, 7:05 p.m.
Nov. 1, Air Force, 7:05 p.m.
Nov. 15, at San Jose State, 10:35 a.m.
Nov. 22, Northeast Louisiana, 7:05 p.m.
Nov. 29, Notre Dame, TBA
All times are Hawaiian Standard Time
Notebook
UH Rainbow Warrior
Football Schedulehttp://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
