The Timmy Chang Chronicles Pt. 9: A losing effort in San Diego is a big win for Timmy Chang
When CFB superstar, Super Bowl Champion and CBS analyst Aaron Taylor gives you praise, you know you’re doing something right and Aaron Taylor is definetely Pro-Bows in 2022. Not only did he give Coach Chang his flowers, he predicted UH would upset Nevada this week. Taylor’s optimism is for good reason as the Bows put in an outstanding defensive performance against the Aztecs, holding them to just 16 points. Bending but not breaking, the gashes that plagued Jacob Yoro’s scheme seemed to be fixed during the bye week and for the first time we saw 4 wide on offense. Let’s talk details.
Hawaii’s QB situation still remains in the air. Despite Brayden Schager establishing himself as QB1, we’ve seen this coaching staff be quick to switch to Joey Yellen. This offense has remained poor but from a scheming standpoint, they look a lot better last week. As previously mentioned, I can live with a lack of talent but lacking a proper scheme is unacceptable. We saw more spread offense, some 4 wide and explosiveness. Zion Bowens continues to show why he’s one of the best receivers in the Mountain West and Koali Nishigaya got back to the form we saw under Todd Graham. However, this offense is more Run N Shoot blanks than Run N Shoot but it is a process. Dedrick Parsons and Tylan Hines were very impressive on the ground with Parsons scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes of the game. All I ask from Ian Shoemaker is more of what he’s doing.
Not much negative to say about the defense. The scheme is effective, the players are rallying to the ball and making solid tackles. Jacob Yoro went from hot seat to trustworthy in the last 10 weeks. The players are firing off the line, getting more penetration than in previous weeks and whenever the ball is in the air, I no longer feel the impending doom of a big play. These position coaches have gotten back to fundamentals and the product on the field shows.
Perhaps the most improved player in Matt Shipley shit the bucket against San Diego State. The kicker and now punter has been booming the ball downfield from all facets of special teams. However in the biggest moment, when all Hawaii needed to do was make another defensive stand, Shipley kicked the ball out of bounce. Not only did it give SDSU the ball with great starting position, it completely swung momentum. Now I will not trash Shipley for one moment. I will not talk down on him for what happened because for this one game, he’s won us many. However, I do think it was a result not of lack of concentration but more over usage. UH needs to bring in a proper punter in 23 because when you need him to kick you the game-winner, I don’t want fatigue to play any factor.
The future looks bright. Jeff Reinebold looks to have the same hands that made him one of the best recruiters in the country all over UH’s 2023 class. I would like to see an offer extended to Jayden Maiava once he hits the portal (as Doug Brumfield looks to be UNLV’s incumbent QB1) if the staff lacks confidence in Schager. That is talk for another day. Today I say well done to Coach Chang, his staff, the players and the program. It is the dawn of a new era. An era of promise and an era of excitment. Let’s go Bows!
