They say that games aren’t played or decided on paper and the University of Hawaii Warrior football team proved that Saturday in Reno. Being the stat junkie that I am, getting score updates at Hanapepe Stadium about UH’s football game
They say that games aren’t played or decided on paper and the University of Hawaii Warrior football team proved that Saturday in Reno.
Being the stat junkie that I am, getting score updates at Hanapepe Stadium about UH’s football game didn’t cut it for me.
Expecting some outrageous one-sided stats to back up their 31-9 loss to the Nevada Wolfpack, I decided to check out the box score Saturday night to put some reason to yet another blowout loss.
While I did receive those one-sided stats I was looking for in the form of six turnovers and 10 penalties totaling 75 yards, I was surprised to find that the Warriors played a much better game than the score advertised.
In almost every statistical category, the Warriors held the advantage over the Wolfpack. From total offense, 376 yards to 340 yards, to first downs, 20 to 10, to total time of possession, 32:29 to 27:31, by the stats, the Warriors were in this game.
Although I do believe in the importance of stats, I don’t believe in would of, could of or should ofs.
The Warriors simply did more harm than good for their team with those six turnovers, and injuries to starting quarterback Taylor Graham and running back Joey Iosefa in the first half didn’t help, either.
The Warriors did show signs of improvement on both sides of the ball Saturday but with Graham’s injury potentially keeping him out, things could go from bad to worse.
With backups Sean Schroeder, Jeremy Higgins and Ikaika Woolsey not necessarily impressing with four interceptions between the three Saturday, the Warriors are in a precarious position with Fresno State rolling into town.
Coming off a big 41-40 win against the Boise State Broncos last weekend, the Bulldogs are riding high at 3-0 and are ranked No. 25 in the nation.
The Warriors don’t have time to catch their collective breath and are back at it this Saturday when they take on the Bulldogs at 6 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
Although Saturday’s game has the Bulldogs names written all over it, something inside of me says me that Warriors won’t roll over that easy.
I hope.
Though the Warrior football team failed to get their first win of the season, the Rainbow Wahine racked up three more wins to cap off their first road trip of the season last week.
Beating the South Dakota Coyotes, Creighton Bluejays and Wichita State Shockers in Wichita, Kan., the Warriors are now ranked No. 6 in nation with a regular season record of 11-1.
Since dropping their Sept. 1 loss to San Diego in five sets, the Rainbow Wahine have strung together nine straight wins.
Dave Shoji has his wahine girls playing great ball, as usual, and they haven’t skipped a beat even with Jane Croson’s departure.
Tonight the Rainbow Wahine open up Big West conference play when they host Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Rainbow Wahine will play UC Riverside at 7 p.m. in their last home game until Oct. 11.
Both matches will be televised on OCSports (Channel 16) and will be broadcasted on ESPN AM 1420.
• Tyson Agbayani, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or tagbayani@thegardenisland.com.
