Hawaii Warriors Football Preview 2013 [AUDIO]

Hawaii's struggles occurred on both sides of the football last season, which was head coach Norm Chow's first year. However, after finishing the season with a couple of victories, maybe the Warriors can carry some momentum into 2013.

Offensively, the Warriors struggled last season, but having 9 starters back may help that side of the ball. Senior QB Sean Schroeder returns after having surgery on his back. Schroeder finished the season with 175 completions on 344 attempts for 1878 yards, 11 TD’s, and 12 INT’s. He will be in a battle for the starting spot in 2013.

The Warriors have depth at running back as starter Joey Iosefa (125 carries, 463 yds, 1 TD) returns as a junior. However, sophomore RB Will Gregory (137 carries, 691 yds, 3 TD’s) returns as the Warriors’ leading rusher from last season. Sterling Jackson (175 yds) and John Lister (149 yds) will also add depth to the RB position. Iosefa suffered an injury to his foot during the summer.

At receiver, the Warriors return 3 of their top 4 leading receivers from last season. Billy Ray Stutzmann returns as a senior after catching 35 passes for 447 yards last season (10^th in MWC). Juniors Scott Harding (20-321 yds, 2 TD’s, 21^st in MWC) and Trevor Davis (17-235 yds, 2 TD’s) add experience to the WR position as well.

The Warriors O-line returns four of its starting five from last season. Seniors Chauncy Winchester-Malainai and Mike Milovale will need to step-up as the leaders at that unit.

Defensively, Hawaii ranked 4^th in the conference in total defense. They look to continue their success as they return 8 of their 11 starters from last season. On the D-line, Yap (37 tackles, 10.5 TFL’s, 3 sacks, 1 FF) and Matagiese (21 tackles, 2 TFL’s) return up front for the Warriors. They lose an outstanding player in Paipai Falemalu (56 tackles, 10 TFL’s, 5 sacks, 1 FF), who co-led the team in tackles last season. Look for Senior DL Tavita Woodard (38 tackles, 5.5 sacks) to step-up at this position.

At linebacker, the Warriors have all three starters returning from last season. Seniors Laurel (51 tackles, 13.5 TFL’s, 4 sacks) and Daley (26 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s) look to lead the Hawaii defense. Sophomore Garcia-Williams (33 tackles, 3 TFL’s, 1 sack) started as a freshman in 2012 and adds experience to that position this season.

In the secondary, the Warriors lose Mike Edwards (43 tackles, 5 TFL’s, 2 INT’s), a second team All-MWC selection. However, sophomores Marrell Jackson and Ne’Quan Phillips return along with senior John Hardy-Tuliau. Jackson led the team in tackles with 56 and had 1 TFL. Phillips racked up 25 tackles, 2TFL’s, and 2 INT’s. Lastly, Hardy-Tuliau (42 tackles, 3 TFL’s, 1 sack, 3 INT’s) comes back as the leader in the defensive backfield.

Defensive Presence in the Offensive Backfield: Art Laurel tied for 1^st in the conference in TFL’s. He recorded 13.5 TFL’s and ranked T-31^st nationally in that category. It’s important that Hawaii continues to get to the quarterback on defense this season.

Offensive Blues: The Warriors nearly ranked last in the nation in total offense (297.42 yds/game) last season. This stat put them in last place in the MWC. In 2012, Hawaii was out-gained by opposing teams by about 75 yards per game. However, the Warriors have new OC Aaron Price and 9 of 11 starters returning on offense.

2013 Schedule:

8/29 USC
9/7 at Oregon State
9/21 at Nevada*
9/28 Fresno State*
10/5 San Jose State*
10/12 at UNLV*
10/26 Colorado State*
11/2 at Utah State*
11/9 at Navy
11/16 San Diego State*
11/23 at Wyoming*
11/30 Army

*-Conference Games

Critical Games:

Colorado State: Hawaii lost 42-27 to the Rams in Ft Collins last season. This year, the Warriors host the Rams for a game that might turn out to be very important for these two teams.
San Diego State: Last season’s match-up was a route, but having the Aztecs at home might change the outcome this season. This would be a huge game for the Warriors to pick up.

Hawaii Warriors

Honolulu, HI

Founded in 1907

Head Coach: Norm Chow (2^nd season, 3-9 in 1^st season)

Coordinators:

Aaron Price (1^st season, Offensive Coordinator)
Thom Kaumeyer (2^nd season, Defensive Coordinator)
Chris Demarest (2^nd season, Special Teams Coordinator)

2012 Record: 3-9 (1-7 MWC)

Game	Result	W/L
at USC	49-10	L
Lamar	54-2	W
Nevada*	69-24	L
at BYU	47-0	L
at San Diego State*	52-14	L
New Mexico*	35-23	L
at Colorado State*	42-27	L
at Fresno State*	45-10	L
Boise State*	49-14	L
at Air Force*	21-7	L
UNLV*	48-10	W
South Alabama	23-7	W

*-Conference Game

2012 Statistics:

Category	Actual	MWC Rank	NCAA Rank
Points For/Game	21.2	9	T-100
Points Allowed/Game	35.7	10	104
Yards For/Game	297.4	10	118
Rush Yards For/Game	108.6	10	111
Pass Yards For/Game	188.8	7	98
Yards Allowed/Game	372.9	4	41
Rush Yards Allowed/Game	190.2	5	86
Pass Yards Allowed/Game	182.8	3	11
Passing Efficiency	103.0	10	118
Passing Efficiency Defense	130.3	3	56
Turnover Margin	-1.17	10	110
Sacks Allowed/Game	3.33	10	112
Sacks For/Game	2.33	4	38
Tackles For Loss/Game	6.67	3	31

Returning Starters: 17 (9 Offensive, 8 Defensive)

Starters Lost: 5 (2 Offensive, 3 Defensive)

Returning Offensive Starters:	Returning Defensive Starters:
Sophomore OL Ben Clarke	Senior LB Brenden Daley
Junior WR Trevor Davis	Sophomore LB Jerrol Garcia-Williams
Junior WR Scott Harding	Senior DL Siasau Matagiese
Junior RB Joey Iosefa	Senior DB John Hardy-Tuliau
Junior OL Dave Lefotu	Sophomore DB Marrell Jackson
Senior OL Mike Milovale	Senior LB Art Laurel
Senior QB Sean Schroeder	Sophomore DB Ne'Quan Phillips
Senior WR Billy Ray Stutzmann	Junior DL Beau Yap
Senior OL Chauncy Winchester-Malainai
	Defensive Starters Lost:
Offensive Starters Lost:	DL Haku Correa
TE Ryan Hall	DB/PR/KR Mike Edwards#*^
OL Blake Muir	DL Paipai Falemalu^

Returning Specialists:
Junior PK Tyler Hadden (13-21 FG)