The Timmy Chang Chronicles Pt. 6: 0-1, Let’s Talk About It
With a packed house and the sentiment of braddahhood in the air, the 2022 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors looked to kick off their season by giving HC Timmy Chang his first ever win in his debut. Things didn’t go to plan with Vanderbilt scoring 42 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 63-10 victory. There were some bright spots, some nice performances and a lot of issues with the team. Time to break it down.
Despite not naming a QB until game time, expected starter Brayden Schager got the nod over Pitt transfer Joey Yellen and Washington State transfer Cammon Cooper. His first pass was a duck but he picked it up on the first drive. He diagnosed blitzes and picked apart Vanderbilt. Running back Dedrick Parson used his hard nose style to pick up key yardage and then a 30+ yard run to the house to open up scoring. That’s about it for good plays on offense. Dedrick Parson coughed up the ball twice and both fumbles were returned for TDs. The right side of the offensive line is horrifically awful and lacked continuity and communication on multiple occasions, allowing Vanderbilt to get home on 3 man rushes. Zion Bowens’ injury hampered the bows and outside of him and Jonah Panoke, the team lacks offensive playmakers at the wide out position. Joey Yellen came into the game and had a strong second drive until the offense turned the ball over on downs. Yellen didn’t do himself any favors in winning the starting job. In my opinion, Schager is still the QB of the future but it would’ve been nice to see what Cooper could do. A big bright spot is that Ilm Manning remains as dominant as ever.
Schager made some arid throws but the receivers weren’t creating the greatest amount of separation either. His lack of an INT is a positive sign. The offensive scheme itself shows a lot of promise and OC Ian Shoemaker is no idiot. I expect a better, well-oiled machine in week 2. The former Eastern Washington OC comes from an offensive scheme that excels on separation through route concepts. I’ll explain what I hope to see in week two during my film breakdown.
The big issue is the defense. In short, Hawaii’s defense is horrible and DC Jacob Yoro has a lot to answer for. Yes Hawaii did lose a ton of talent on defense. Tremendous tone setters and playmakers but if the only issue was Hawaii’s inability to control the LOS and get pressure on the QB, then that’s a talent question. However they looked poor in both scheme and fundamentals. Say what you want about Todd Graham and there is a lot to say, his 3-3-5 was very effective at home. Hawaii was out of place, having shocking awful performances on goal line plays and tackled worse then Pop Warner players. Yoro’s 4-3 formations proved ineffective against Vandy’s Read Option/ RPO plays and the linebackers were constantly keying on the wrong person. Multiple times, the inside linebacker had his eyes on the QB despite the OLB having containment. This allowed RB Re’Mahn Davis to run into open space. Once they hit the hole, they ran over defenders as would be tacklers bounced off Vandy players with ease. When QB Mike Wright took off, Hawaii couldn’t contain him in open space either, allowing him to pick up 2 more yards on every play then he usually should. Hawaii gave up 404 yards on the ground and 601 yards of total offense. That is completely unacceptable. Multiple instances of blown coverages, multiple instances of misreading route combinations, multiple instances of being out of position defined their game. A big change needs to be made or a change in staff is bound to happen.
HC Timmy Chang is young and there will be some growing pains. Not calling a timeout when Vandy had an uncovered WR on the goal line was an issue. Staying with 5 man protection when Vandy was getting home in an issue. Allowing 42 unanswered points in an issue. I am firmly behind Chang and his staff. I am not a short sighted fan who wants to remove him from his position after one game. Things happen but if Hawaii just didn’t have the talent, I could live with it. I can live with the offense because the scheme just needs to be fine tuned. However the lack of intelligent play calling/ play design on defense scares the daylight out of me.
No matter what, just like Nick Rolovich, the ever-looming shadow of the “What could’ve been?” with June Jones will linger until he eliminates it. I have the upmost confidence in Chang but the country just saw a first class ass kicking by the worse team in the SEC. How Hawaii rebounds against Western Kentucky will set a tone for the season and possibly Chang’s tenure and I expect them to ball out. The last thing I have to say is that until the wheels fall of the wagon and even if they do…Go Bows forever.
