June keeping things hot for Hawai'i

(Editor's Note: This is the eighth of 10 articles previewing football teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Today, the Appeal takes a look at the Rainbow Warriors from Hawai'i).

When June Jones came to Hawai'i five years ago, he had a vision.

"I wanted to become the best passing team in college football, and attract the top quarterbacks the way Lavell (Edwards) used to at BYU," Jones said at the recent WAC Media Day in Reno. "For the first time (since I started here) we have three freshmen quarterbacks. What's really nice is that all three contacted me. It's what I thought would happen five years ago.

"They know some of the stuff they see on ESPN, the win over Alabama and myself signing a new contract were factors."

Jones, who guided Hawai'i to a 9-5 record last year, shouldn't need those three freshmen this year - Taylor Humphrey, the NorCal Player of the Year; Brandon Satcher, the South Carolina Player of the Year; and Tyler Graunke, the all-time leading passer in Arizona high school history - because he has Timmy Chang, the preseason WAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Chang, a 6-2 194-pound senior from Waipahu, Oahu, is only 2,218 yards away from becoming the all-time leading passer in NCAA history, supplanting Ty Detmer of BYU. In 40 games, Chang has completed 1,030 out of 1,834 attempts for 12,814 yards and 79 touchdowns.

"Barring injury, I think he will (break it)," Jones said. "It will be fun to watch this happen. What it will do for the program, state and conference is second to nothing that has ever happened to us.

"Week five or six, maybe four, every TV set in America will be on (and people) watching him break that record."

Breaking the record makes him a prime candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and Jones, who thought it was a longshot two years ago, thinks his pupil is deserving.

This is an offense that could be the most prolific in the country. With 10 of 11 starters returning, the Rainbow Warriors could improve on last year's 34.8 points and 488 yards per game averages.

"This is the best offensive group I've ever had," Jones said. "We only lost one player (Jeremiah Cockheran), and I think we have Ross Dickerson and Andrew Pearman competing for that spot."

The weapons are there for Chang at wide receiver. Senior Chad Owens caught 85 balls for 1,134 yards and nine scores last year. Jason Rivers (48-594-5), Nate Iloa (2-51-0), Britton Komine (53-602-5), Se' Poumele (29-330-2), Dickerson (8-57-0) and Gerald Welch (43-462-4) were all contributors last season.

"Chad Owens, I think every coach knows what he can do," Jones said. "I think he's going to have a great season. My feeling is that he's the best slot I've ever had, including a lot of pro players. He doesn't have great straightaway speed, but he gets separation and has quickness, and he makes the right decisions.

"Jason Rivers, toward the end of the season started coming into his own. We have five or six guys that when they come into the game can make things happen."

Michael Brewster (54 carries, 405 yards, 2 TDs) and Mike Bass (53-307-3) return at running back. West Keliikipi (37-247-6) is more a short-yardage type of back.

The offensive line, led by sophomore guard Samson Satele (6-3, 289) and sophomore tackle Tala Esera, is intact. Junior Derek Faavi (6-1, 273) starts at center, while senior Uriah Moenoa (6-2, 340) starts opposite Satele and junior Brandon Eaton (6-3, 287) mans the other tackle slot.

Satele only gave up one sack all last year, and he had 53 knockdowns of opposing linemen, which led the Rainbows.

"Samson has great balance and power," assistant coach Mike Cavanugh said in the Rainbows' media guide. "He's explosive and plays with a nasty streak which is what you need in an offensive lineman."

Jones believes that Esera could be a first-round draft pick by the time he leaves Hawai'i.

While Jones is confident about his team's offense, he's not sure how his defense will stack up.

"The jury is still out," said Jones, whose team will start nine new faces on defense. "Athletically, this is the best group I've had. We have some young players; some exceptional players."

Hawai'i must replace defensive end Travis LaBoy and tackle Isaac Sopoaga, both of whom went to the NFL.

Junior Nkeruwem Akpan (6-7, 254) from Nigeria and junior Melila Purcell (6-5, 285) start at defensive end. Akpan had three tackles last year while Purcell amassed 40 and three sacks. Junior Abu Ma'afala (6-3, 261) and fifth-year senior Lui Fuga (6-1, 299) man the tackle spots. Fuga had 21 tackles, two sacks and an interception last year, while Ma'afala had 10 stops and two sacks.

Fuga missed 2001 because of two shoulder surgeries and sustained a season-ending injury in the 2002 season-opener. Hawai'i needs him to stay healthy and be productive for this young defense to succeed.

The linebacking corp is led by junior Ikaika Curnan (5-11, 218), who had 121 tackles, 12 behind the line. His best game was a 15-tackle effort against Alabama. He's flanked by junior Tanuvasa Moe (6-0, 220) and senior Paul Lutu-Carroll (6-0, 200). Moe had 11 stops in limited action last year.

Senior Abraham Elimimian (5-10, 191) leads the secondary. He had 78 tackles, four interceptions and 10 deflections last season.

"He's the best cornerback in the league," Jones said. "I believe he will be able to play at the next level."

Sophomore Kenny Patton (6-0, 190) and junior Omega Hogan (5-7, 160) are battling for the other cornerback slot, and junior Leonard Peters, who had 66 tackles and five deflections, starts at strong safety. Junior Lamar Broadway (5-11,190) is currently tops at free safety.

The kicking game was a little erratic. Justin Ayat hit only 14 of 22 field goals last year, and briefly lost his job to Nolan Miranda. Those two will battle in the fall for the starting spot. Punter Kurt Milne needs to improve on his 39.7 average.