Five players to watch for as Hawai’i hosts Ashton Jeanty and No. 17 Boise State

HONOLULU – The world doesn’t stop when you are hurting, and neither will Ashton Jeanty. 

Hawai’i (2-3, 0-1 Mountain West Conference) is coming off a brutal 27-24 road loss to San Diego State last weekend, seeing a close battle that had both sides feeling like a win was on the way go to the Aztecs after failing to convert on a late 4th-and-2 inside SDSU territory. It was the 13th loss in 14 road games for Hawai’i over the past three seasons, continuing struggles away from Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. 

The Rainbow Warriors now return home, where they have gone 9-8 over the same three-year stretch, for a date with the 17th-ranked Boise State Broncos and the Heisman hopeful running back Ashton Jeanty. Beating BSU is a tall order to fill, a feat that only #3 Oregon has pulled off this season and something that a Hawai’i football team has not done since the magical 2007 season. 

For Hawai’i to hang around with Boise State, here are five players to watch for the Rainbow Warriors in Week 7. 

RT James Milovale / RT Luke Felix-Fualalo 

A little bending of the rules to open this week’s version as two different offensive linemen combine to make the position group’s first appearance of the season among the players to watch for Hawai’i. Luke Felix-Fualalo has been out since suffering a lower body injury during UH’s 16-13 loss against UCLA but has been progressing towards a return to the field, where junior James Milovale has filled in since. 

Regardless of who plays for the Rainbow Warriors this weekend, that tackle needs to be ready to go against one of the top teams in the country and the third-best graded defense (81.3, PFF) in the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos have the preseason MWC Defensive Player of the Year in Ahmed Hassanein (6 sacks, 22 QB pressures) and 27 sacks as a team and will be ready to try to get after Brayden Schager.

For Hawai’i to have any chance at upsetting Boise State for the first time since 2007, the entire offensive line needs to play better, and the right tackle position specifically needs to have a bounce back after a rough outing against San Diego State. Milovale posted a 55.9 pass blocking grade against the Aztecs, allowing three hurries and a sack while playing at replacement level in the run game. 

If Felix-Fualalo is ready to go, the 6-foot-8, 310-pound tackle would provide a big boost to the right side of the offensive line in both pass and run blocking. If he cannot go once again, Milovale will have to return closer to his form against Northern Iowa (75.0 run block, 64.9 pass block) and shake off a pair of brutal performances against FBS programs. 

WR Pofele Ashlock  

The top gun for the Hawai’i attack, Ashlock has seen more than double the targets of the next closest UH receiver with 67 passes (40 receptions) in five outings so far. He has continued to produce into his sophomore season, totaling 428 yards and four touchdowns to pace the team. 

Ashlock is one of the players on the roster for Hawai’i that could see an NFL future if his development continues along with his production, meaning games such as the one on Saturday can provide a chance to show out against higher level competition that could translate to the next level. He has certainly started to heat up, hauling in a score in each of Hawai’i’s last four outings with at least eight catches in each of those contests. 

It has not come without some shaky moments as the 6-foot-2 wide receiver leads the team with eight drops (which can be expected slightly with his usage). Against the 17th-ranked Broncos, Ashlock will need to have sticky hands to help Hawai’i move up and down the field. 

The sophomore has a big chance to introduce himself to many new onlookers, some with connections to levels he may be able to reach someday. Look for him to remain Brayden Schager’s go-to target and have a chance to show out – Hawai’i will need him to. 

DL Jackie Johnson III 

The true unsung hero of the elite Hawai’i defense, Jackie Johnson III is one of the highest-graded edge rushers in the country through five games. The Roosevelt alum broke out in Week 0 with seven total pressures and the first of his team-high 3.0 sacks and has had sacks in back-to-back games against stronger offensive lines in Northern Iowa and San Diego State. 

Boise State has struggled slightly when forced to go to the passing attack (which is not much) with protecting the quarterback and Broncos QB Maddux Madsen has made five turnover-worthy plays when under pressure this season. However, Madsen is elite against the blitz with a perfect 5-0 TD-INT ratio while completing 68.8 percent of his passes when defenses send the house. 

Johnson has become the truest pass rusher in the entire rotation for Hawai’i, who has seen an uptick in defensive line production this season in general. As his breakout year continues, he will get a chance to test himself against top talent in the country and see if his production can roll on. 

He has also been above average against the run, which Hawai’i will need everyone to be and then some as Heisman-hopeful RB Ashton Jeanty rumbles into the islands with his nation-leading 1,031 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. Johnson and the defensive line will have to be able to get home while closing all holes possible, though the right edge should be extra prepared – that’s Jeanty’s favorite place to run from (24 attempts, 268 yards & 5 TDs off right-end). 

LB Jamih Otis 

Speaking of stopping the run, sophomore linebacker Jamih Otis is one of the best run defenders on the roster and among the best-graded linebackers in the country against rushing attacks. He has ramped back up to full health and will need to show that on Saturday as Hawai’i attempts to subdue Jeanty with better success than the first five opponents. 

Jeanty is the human first-down maker, averaging over 10 yards per carry and making opponents look silly on the weekly. Otis has shown himself off to be a heat-seeking missile for the Rainbow Warrior defense and admitted this week that these are the types of matchups you dream about and work for. 

Defense will be the unit to watch in general for Hawai’i, who has been rated as the best defense in the conference so far with an 89.6 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. They face off with the Mountain West’s top-rated offense in Boise State, a team that is averaging more than 50 points per game so far and have been able to rest Jeanty for the second half in two separate contests already. 

Otis’ continued development and added production is a must-have for Hawai’i. The Bishop Gorman product is built for these moments and can show that in full on Saturday. 

CB Cam Stone

Another first among “Player to Watch” articles this season, cornerback Cam Stone is the first UH player to be highlighted in back-to-back weeks as someone to keep an eye out for. Stone has been among the best corners in the country through five games for the Rainbow Warriors according to PFF. 

He will need to be that once again for Hawai’i against the nation’s most potent offense this year. Boise State enters Saturday as the only team in all the entire FBS to be averaging over 50 points per game (50.6 ppg), coming off a 62-point showing against Utah State and averaging an insane 537.6 yards per game on offense. 

While more than 300 of those yards typically come on the ground, the passing game is no slouch for the Broncos, averaging 236.4 yards through the air each time out. Stone has had a nice year so far but has turned up his coverage over the past couple of weeks. 

After his worst outing of the year against Sam Houston, Stone has bounced back with back-to-back games allowing 10 or less yards in coverage. He is one of the best tacklers on the defense and will need to be ready to contribute to stopping the run as well when Jeanty breaks into the second level looking for house calls.