Saturday, Oct. 04, 2008

Picking up the pieces: Hawaii a shadow of its former self

By BRYANT-JON ANTEOLA
The Fresno Bee

FRESNO -- There is another side to fairy tales, the dark and warped side that's not nearly as delightful to tell.

Once upon a time, the Hawaii Warriors lived a storybook season.

They had a star quarterback and an innovative offensive guru for a head coach.

They were the class of the Western Athletic Conference and college football's only undefeated team in the regular season last year.

They reached a Bowl Championship Series game -- the ultimate prize for a mid-major program -- and had much of a state beaming with island pride.

Then, Hawaii's season ended with a blowout defeat on national TV.

Its head coach, soon after, abruptly departed, and its quarterback left, too, along with most of his weapons.

This is the not-so-dreamy story of Hawaii.

"I wouldn't call it sad times, but definitely tough," said Warriors quarterback Inoke Funaki, who will start for Hawaii when it plays Fresno State at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.

"We're running the same plays, same schemes, but the results are different," Funaki added. "It's been trying these past couple of weeks.

"You look back at what we did last year, and to be struggling now. It's just tough. Everyone is just trying to hang in there."

Hawaii (1-3) has gotten off to rocky starts before. The Warriors started 1-4 in 2005 and 1-7 in 2000.

And with June Jones gone, having left in January to become the Southern Methodist coach, there is fear Hawaii's memorable run will be followed by a major collapse that could last indefinitely.

Hawaii has been outscored 121-34 in its three losses. Its only win so far came against Weber State.

The Warriors have gone through four quarterbacks, attempting to find a replacement for Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan.

"Every week there's a new problem, and this week is the same situation," head coach Greg McMackin said. "People think we can't make a decision on a starting quarterback. It's not that.

"In this offense, you need repetition. You start out, one guy is not eligible, then the other guy gets hurt.

"There's been something every week. It hasn't been a very stable position for us, and it has detracted from our success."

Know your foe: Hawaii (1-3, 0-1 WAC)

KICKOFF: Today at 7 p.m., Bulldog Stadium

SERIES: The Bulldogs have a slight edge in the series (20-19-1), but the Warriors have won the past two games and embarassed the Bulldogs the last time they visited Bulldog Stadium in 2006. Helped by 570 total yards, Hawaii won 68-37, scoring the most points against Fresno State in Pat Hill's tenure and the most by an opponent inside the stadium.

PLAYERS TO WATCH (OFFENSE): Four Hawaii quarterbacks have stood behind center this season, but Inoke Funaki and Tyler Graunke are the two to look for Saturday. Funaki is expected to start.

PLAYERS TO WATCH (DEFENSE): Hill said linebackers Blaze Soares and Solomon Elimimian are two of the best in the conference, but Soares may miss this game with a calf injury, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.

-- The Fresno Bee