With the hopes of a winning-season and bowl game far gone, and just two games left, those left standing on the Hawaii football team have to have a real look-in-the-mirror moment and ask themselves — what’s left to play for?
With the hopes of a winning-season and bowl game far gone, and just two games left, those left standing on the Hawaii football team have to have a real look-in-the-mirror moment and ask themselves — what’s left to play for?
“Pride. That’s the only thing it comes down to,” Hawaii interm head coach Chris Naeole said after a 42-14 loss to Fresno State last weekend. “A lot of guys are dinged up and our cupboard is pretty empty right now. But two other teams are going to come in here and try to put the hurt on us. They aren’t going to feel sorry for us. They line up 11, we line up 11 and we are going to play a game.”
Hawaii’s injury report has grown faster than most kid’s Christmas wish list. In total, 17 starters have missed at least one contest this season to injury. Quarterback Max Wittek — who will undergo surgery to repair a patella injury — headlines a group that includes wide receiver Keelan Ewaliko, tight end Dakota Torres and defensive back Dejuan Butler who will not play the final two games of the season, according to Stephen Tsai of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“We are going to figure out who wants to play,” Naeole said. “The easy thing to do is tuck your tail between your legs and hide. But we are really going to find out who wants to play this game.”
Hawaii (2-9, 0-7 Mountain West) is riding an eight-game losing streak and has dropped three straight at home, but welcome a familiar foe in San Jose State on Saturday. The series between the Spartans and Rainbow Warriors is tied at 18-18-1. In the last six meetings, each team has three wins. Hawaii won last year’s game 13-0 — just the fifth shutout in the series that dates back to 1936.
The Spartans (4-6, 3-3) have lost three of their last four, with the lone win coming against New Mexico.
Running back Tyler Ervin has been the catalyst on offense for San Jose State, racking up 1,303 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He has gone for over 100 yards on five occasions, including a 300-yard game against Fresno State and a 263-yard effort vs. New Mexico. Ervin, who is ranked second nationally in all-purpose yards (209.8), and eighth in rushing yards (1,303), draws a matchup with Hawaii’s 120th ranked run defense.
The Rainbow Warriors will not only be looking to break the winless streak, but also record their first Mountain West win of 2015. Since joining the conference in 2012, Hawaii won a single conference game in their inaugural season, and were winless in year two. Last season provided some signs that the ship would turn, winning three, with 3-of-5 losses decided by just 10 points or fewer.
After the tumultuous season, Saturday is the last chance for the Rainbow Warriors to garner more than a goose egg in the conference win column. In the final week, Hawaii will welcome 1-9 Sun Belt foe Louisiana-Monroe.
Ikaika Woolsey is expected to draw the start at quarterback for UH. On the season, Woolsey has completed 52-of-108 passes for 590 yards, throwing for two touchdowns, but five interceptions. Wittek, who started eight of the team’s 11 games this season and came in relief of Woolsey against Fresno St., but is done for the year.
Many have clamored for redshirt freshman Beau Reilly to see some playing time, but he still is working back to form from his two-year mission to Brazil. He is listed as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart. Another option is freshman Aaron Zwahlen, but with just a few games remaining, he is likely to maintain his redshirt.
“Myself, and the rest of the captains just have to stay positive,” Woolsey said. “We can’t let anyone get negative and bring down the locker room. We have to continue working hard. Nothing comes easy.”
Football search committee announced
It’s unknown who will coach the University of Hawaii football team in 2016, but the people who will be involved in the decision-making process is a little clearer.
Included on the eight-person search committee is Rainbow Warriors baseball coach Mike Trapasso.
As of Monday morning, the school announced the athletics department received more than 50 applications, and athletic director David Matlin’s advisory group has begun the review process.
Chris Naeole is 0-2 as Hawaii’s interim coach after taking over the fired Norm Chow.
Also on the search committee are Carl Clapp, associate athletics director; Dan Harris-McCoy, assistant professor; Lori Ideta, vice chancellor for students; Eric Okasaki, head athletic trainer; Amanda Paterson, director of compliance; Roxie Shabazz, director of admissions; and Hugh Yoshida, ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue chair and a former AD.