The Timmy Chang Chronicles Pt. 10: Can’t spell Hawaii without a W
In the first conference home game of the season, Hawaii played lights out. A second straight week of stifling defense combined with Hawaii’s finest offensive performance to date gave HC Timmy Chang his first Mountain West win. Let’s break down the Hawaii improvements.
If there was a course offered on how to be a head coach, then Timmy Chang is in advanced placement. His fast tracked growth from before the BYE week to now is not only evident but paints a clear picture that the job is not too big for him. Great game management with his Run N Shoot fingerprints all over this revamped offense show he’s the man for the job. In my opinion, the June Jones question mark can finally be quieted as Hawaii is going toe to toe with opponents in the early days of the conference schedule.
Ian Shoemaker’s offense continues to evolve with the return of Zion Bowens and a potent rushing attack. Dedrick Parsons had 136 and Tylan Hines had 70 rushing yards on the day. Parsons 3 TDs proves he’s one of the best running backs in the Mountain West. Schager had the performance that should cement his place as QB1. A young QB who has already shown the ability to make massive improvements, I look forward to what he’s able to do in the second half of the season.
Jacob Yoro, Abe Elimimian and Chris Brown have reinvented this defense into a hard nose, bend but don’t break, tackling machine. Toa Taua, the main offensive threat for the Wolfpack was held to just 23 rushing yards with no scores. Very impressive for a defense that allowed big rushing performances earlier in the season. Yoro has quieted all my doubts and I have full confidence in him as a play caller.
In my earlier editions, I called for Chang to be daring, to gamble and he did. The fake punt on 4th and 15 goes against every piece of analytical thought there is and guess what…it worked. Beautiful call, beautiful execution and a much needed win for the special teams. Like I said, Matt Shipley comes through more times than not.
As a UNLV graduate, it’s always FUNR and Hawaii accomplished that goal. A bad Colorado State team could see Chang top his former mentors in Jay Norvell and Matt Mumme. For the boys heading to Fort Collins, I say good luck and GO BOWS!
