Photo Courtesy: John Martinez Pavliga
Game Info
Colorado Buffaloes vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Thursday – September 3 – 11:00 pm MT
TV: CBSSN
Aloha Stadium – Honolulu
“Last year we had our share of growing pains”, said Sophomore QB Sefo Liufau. During the off-season we grew not only as a team but as a family! “We had to learn to trust each other as brothers and not a bunch of kids trying to keep our positions from last year.” We will see if this team has grown any from the 2-10 record from last year.
Rainbow Warriors Offense
Moving from a run pro style offense back to a spread offense designed by former Coach June Jones. Hawaii will all but abandon it’s run game this year. That being said, transfer Paul Harris is the “Home Run Hitter” out of the back field for this team. Hawaii QB Matt Wittek is ready to put the ball in the air. WRs Chris Gant and Sean Shroeder will get much needed reps on offense. Lat year they used wide outs by committee because of poor play at quarterback. Last year Billy Ray Stutzman was the leading receiver with 35 receptions and 447 yards receiving.
Buffaloes Defense
Hawaii’s offense will be hit and miss. 8 new starters will be on the field for the opposing team so the D-line should apply pressure every snap. Hawaii was horrible last season in the Mountain-West so this should be a very interesting game. Jaleel Awini should have a field day coming off the left side of the line. Jordan Carrell and Leo Jackson should stuff the run. Colorado should be able with no trouble stopping the run inside and out. Matt Wittek (Hawaii) has to trust some rookies and inexperienced wide outs against some corner backs that grew over the last four games of the season with eight take a ways.
Buffaloes Offense
Mike Adams should have a field day against Hawaii’s 5-man front. Four returning starters on the Buffs O-line should be no problem controlling the trenches. QB Sefo Liufau should pass for at least 200 yards. He has the weapons on the outside with size and speed with Shay Fields and Nelson Spruce. Hawaii’s cornerbacks will be tested all day long.
Prediction
Colorado 28 – Hawaii 14 … Honestly speaking it won’t be that close! If the Buffs stick to their game plan this would be a sleeper even though they’re playing at 7:00, in Hawaii but seen at 11:00 p.m. here in Colorado.
