Difficult Season for Hawaii Continues as Warriors Play Host to 7-2 Boise State

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It’s not a panic time where we have to shift anything. We believe in what we do. Maybe play a little more zone. Maybe throw the ball around a bit better. Maybe spread it out some. But we’re not going to [do a] wholesale change. You’re never going to see us flinch.

—Hawaii head coach Norm Chow (UH Athletics channel on YouTube.com)

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When a team is 1-7 and 0-5 in its conference, returning home to play a game is usually a good thing. For Hawaii, returning home is a big plus—it’s this week's opponent that is worrisome.

Ranked 122nd in points against, the Warriors will face a Boise State team that comes in boasting a 7-2 record, and a 4-1 mark in the Mountain West Conference. Broncos quarterback Joe Southwick (169-of-258, 1,842 yards) will look to exploit the Hawaii pass defense, while running backs D.J. Harper (794 yards, 12 TDs) and Jay Ajayi (369 yards, three TDs) will provide the power on the ground.

"They’re what you’d like to be like," said Hawaii head coach Norm Chow regarding the Broncos (UH Athletics channel on YouTube.com). "They’re awfully, awfully good."

Hawaii quarterback Sean Schroeder (142-of-275, 1,446 yards) will have his work cut out for him against Boise State's defense, which surrenders an average of less than 15 points a game. The junior QB has already been sacked 25 times this season, and has thrown nine interceptions.

Much of the difficulty for Schroeder this year has been due to the spotty protection from the offensive line.

"We're still making too many mistakes," Chow said regarding his team's overall performance (UH Athletics channel on YouTube.com). "We're not lacking for effort."

Despite Schoeder's QB rating of 100.1, Chow's continued support of him as the team's starting quarterback has come under question in recent weeks. But, during his weekly press conference following the loss to Fresno State, the Warriors' head coach reaffirmed his belief in Schroeder.

"This is a good player, and I know everybody’s yelping about change and all that," said Chow in defense of Schroeder (UH Athletics channel on YouTube.com). "He gives us our best chance to win.”

Boise State's defense will tax the Warriors' backfield, and if Hawaii cannot get the run established, it could make for a long afternoon for Sean Schroeder. Chow has hinted at making some offensive adjustments, and even indicated in his press conference that the no-huddle offense is a possibility.

While Hawaii is clearly heading towards a losing record this year, Chow insists (UH Athletics channel on YouTube.com), "We're not giving up on this season by any means." 

Game Time: 7 p.m. ET; 4 p.m.  PT; 1 p.m. local; Saturday Nov. 10. Television: NBC Sports Network