The Hawaii football coaches took the metaphorical deck they were dealt — and shuffled it.
“What I am proud of is we took everybody who was in the program and (looked at) what they did best and we kind of molded to be successful as early as we can,” said Nick Rolovich, who was hired as head coach in late 2015.
Last season, that meant shifting Jahlani Tavai from rush end to middle linebacker, Dejon Allen from guard to blind-side tackle, and creating an H-back position for 5-foot-11, 240-pound Kaiwi Chung. This season, Cole McDonald, Dylan Collie and Matt Norman are among the Rainbow Warriors contributing in new roles.
McDonald, the Warriors’ No. 2 quarterback, has been used as the wildcat — a hybrid passer/back — in read-option schemes. Against UCLA, McDonald ran 58 yards on a keeper and then scored on an 8-yard dash. On third-and-8 against Wyoming, McDonald ran 13 yards on a misdirection keeper.
Although McDonald has displayed arm strength and accuracy in practices, he has accepted his role in the zone-read offense in which his decision — hand off or keep it — is dictated by the defensive coverage.
“Whatever’s best for the team, I’ll do,” McDonald said. “If (Rolovich) thinks I can make plays, he calls me in. I’m going to make a play and see what I can do. This is how it’s going right now.”
At Sonora (Calif.) High in 2015, McDonald was a dual threat, passing for 2,313 yards and rushing for another 1,091. He also competed in track. He ran 10.9 seconds over 100 meters.
After redshirting in 2016, McDonald has picked up the nuances of the Warriors’ hybrid offense that uses elements of the run-and-shoot, run-pass option, and pistol.
“There are a lot of different schemes we can put together,” McDonald said. “It’s more so learning the defense, learning what we have to do against certain coverages. Game-time experience helps with that a lot. It’s been a good deal.”
Collie has been established as a slot receiver in his first two UH seasons. This season, he also has aligned as a wideout. In a new formation last week, he aligned as a running back.
“It’s fun,” Collie said. “I love it out there. It’s a good place to be. It just shows the diversity. That’s what I want to be. I want to be a diverse guy. I don’t want to be a one-trick pony. (Receivers) coach Kefense (Hynson) gives me the opportunity to do that. And that’s why I trust him so much and appreciate him because he understands the way I play football. He understands I want to play to the best of my ability and be in a position where I can help our team the most, wherever that is.”
Norman had difficulty earning playing time at a crowded tackle competition. In last year’s Hawaii Bowl, the solution was to create a third tackle spot for Norman in so-called jumbo formations. Against Wyoming, Norman was used in double-tight-end formations, aligning in a 3-point stance on the line, as a flex blocker, or fullback.
“There’s a lot of movement,” Norman said. “You get to hit some guys on the move. It’s a good time.”
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Who: Colorado St. (2-2) at Hawaii (1-2)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu
TV: Pay-per-view
Radio: 670 AM
Line: Colorado State by 6 1/2
