Despite loss, ’Bows climb
to 26th in defense

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

The University of Hawaii defense continued its climb up the national ladder.

Despite losing to the Air Force Academy, 34-27, the Rainbows are 26th in the country in total defense, yielding an average of 313.9 yards a game.

Hawaii's secondary also is highly ranked. The Rainbows are 29th nationally with a passing index of 107.41. By comparison, Michigan is first in the country with a passing index of 77.48.

"For the most part, our defense has played well this season," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said. "Not only have the kids responded to what Don (UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey) has asked of them, we've also had some very good schemes this season."

The Rainbows also are tied for 40th in kickoff returns, averaging 21.3 yards. Eleu Kane is largely responsible for that -- he is tied for 19th with a 25.64-yard average. Also, kicker Eric Hannum is tied for 38th in field goals, averaging 1.1 a game. He has hit 10 of 15.

Chad Shrout fell to fourth in the nation in punting, averaging 46.79 yards.

CAREY STILL ON HOLD: Senior quarterback Tim Carey failed to see playing time for the second consecutive game since returning to practice. He has been sidelined six weeks with a shoulder separation.

VonAppen said before the Air Force game that Carey might play, but Josh Skinner started his fifth consecutive game and looked good.

Carey might see some playing time in the three remaining games. Again, vonAppen didn't want to bring Carey back too quickly from the No. 3 grade separation. His status is still day-to-day.

"We're going to put him back into the quarterback rotation, but it's certainly not going to evolve into a controversy," vonAppen said. "Right now, Josh has produced pretty well.

"But if we went pretty cold on offense and Josh couldn't move us, we'd put Tim in, especially if we were in a throwing posture."

Skinner continued his hot hand, completing 23 of 41 passes for 331 yards and a touchdown. He also had two interceptions.

His numbers were strikingly similar to those he posted in the 10-3 loss to San Diego State the previous week. He completed 23 of 41 passes for 289 yards, but didn't throw a touchdown and was intercepted three times. He was sacked four times in each game.

NO GROUND GAME: Hawaii is still struggling mightily with its ground game. The Rainbows rushed for only 26 yards Saturday night. It was the seventh time in nine games that the Rainbows failed to crack the century mark in rushing.

"We run the ball so miserably right now," vonAppen said. "It's tough to call a game when you can't run any better than that. Again, this is not a scientific endeavor. We've got to block somebody in order to run, and we're not doing it."

Hawaii entered the game last in the WAC in rushing. Through nine games, the Rainbows are averaging an anemic 81.3 yards a game and 2 yards a carry.

Top UH running back Charles Tharp was controlled by the stingy Air Force defense. The freshman ran for 43 yards on 21 carries, although he did have a pair of touchdown runs. He also caught seven passes for 61 yards.

Air Force yielded 27 points and 357 yards, but the Falcons are ranked 14th nationally in total defense (293.5 yards a game) and 10th in scoring defense (14.6 points a game).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Hawaii has given up 231 points this season, but the defense is responsible for only 168 of those points. Nine of the 29 touchdowns allowed by the Rainbows have come on three punt returns, three blocked punts, two interception returns and a fumble return.

INJURY UPDATE: There were no major injuries in Saturday's game.

The Rainbows also have a good shot at getting back Al Hunter (broken hand) for the San Jose State game in 12 days. Cornerback Blase Austin also has an outside shot at coming back from a knee injury he suffered against San Diego State.

Strong safety Ron Wood (concussion) was cleared to play Saturday night, but the coaches elected not to use him.

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu