Fresno State vs. Hawaii: What to watch, including a fit and prepared Jake Haener vs. nemesis

By Robert Kuwada

November 3, 2022 12:53 PM

Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener has had two poor games in his career against Hawaii. But one thing equally as bad as those upset losses, a combined 55.6% completion percentage and the seven interceptions, is the timing of those contests.

Haener made his first collegiate start against Hawaii in the 2020 COVID season opener with no spring ball, no summer workouts and only an abbreviated fall camp under him. Then last season he was not close to full health after absorbing some crushing hits in victories at UCLA and against UNLV, and the hype around a 4-1 start also was kicking into high gear, something that he readily admitted he did not handle well.

“I definitely felt like going into that game I tried to do too much,” Haener said this week. “I tried to make big plays. I tried to be the hero way too often in that game and it ended up making me make … not the best decisions and put the ball in harm’s way.”

But after returning in just five weeks from what at one point was thought to be a season-ending ankle injury, Haener on Saturday will get one last shot at the Rainbow Warriors and this time the timing of the matchup does not appear on the Rainbow Warriors’ side.

Fresno State, which would take a stronger hold on its lead in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference with a win, could see the Haener who has sliced up just about everyone else on the Bulldogs schedule.

The breakdown:

Haener vs. Hawaii

45 of 81, 55.6%
677 yards, 4 TDs and 7 interceptions

Haener vs. everyone else

543 of 791, 68.6%
6,688 yards, 50 TDs and 10 interceptions

That could be a thing to watch, with Josh Kelly one week healthier and the wideouts corps in general as healthy as it has been since the start of the season.

Fresno State head coachJeff Tedford, left, with quarterback Jake Haener, right, seen on the sidelines against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com

Hawaii is eighth in Mountain West games in passing defense, but there are some warning signs beyond that ranking.

Conference opponents have hit 61.9% of their passes against the Rainbow Warriors and are averaging 190.8 yards per game, but Hawaii has not faced a single Mountain West team that has hit 61% of their passing attempts or is averaging close to 190 passing yards on the season.

They just did it against Hawaii …

San Diego State, which has hit 52.4% of its passes and is averaging 137.1 yards per game, was 66.7% for 322 yards in beating Hawaii 16-14.

Nevada, which has hit 56.7% and is averaging 175.9 yards per game, was 57.9% for 188 yards in a loss at Hawaii.

Colorado State, which has hit 60.4% of its passes for 171.0 yards per game, hit 70.8% for 177 yards in a 17-13 win against Hawaii.

Wyoming, which has hit 53.3% of its passes for 145.0 yards per game, is the only team to struggle against the Rainbow Warriors, hitting 46.7% of its passes for 76 yards in a 27-20 victory at Hawaii.

BULLDOGS’ LOCKRIDGE FACES FORMER TEAMMATES

Fresno State is likely without cornerback Bralyn Lux, who suffered a lower leg injury in the victory over San Diego State. That probably will mean more snaps for Hawaii transfer Cameron Lockridge against his former teammates, which is an interesting twist to this game.

Lockridge obviously knows the Rainbow Warriors wideouts well from the practice field including senior Zion Bowens, who has played in only five games and the past four in a row and quickly has racked up a team-high 270 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

That familiarity helps, but doesn’t keep Lockridge out of the film room.

“The game plan, it’s totally different from what they were running last year,” he said. “I definitely have a lot more film and stuff like that to pick up. Concepts and third-down tendencies and passing tendencies, I can pick up on those. But, tendencies, I know that because I’ve been playing with those guys for the past two years. As far as maneuvering and route-running, those were my guys last year.”

Lockridge has the second-best reception percentage in the Bulldogs secondary, behind Lux. He has been targeted 28 times and allowed 13 receptions (46.4%), according to Pro Football Focus.

The Bulldogs corner said he is still in a group chat with his former teammates and dropped in a text this week with a question. “Y’all know who you’re playing this week?”

RUSHING GAME POST-DONTAE BULL INJURY

The Bulldogs’ Dontae Bull is out for the season with a broken leg, so the right tackle spot becomes a key piece in a Bulldogs run game that has struggled with its consistency game to game.

Guard Daniel Taumalolo subbed in last week when Bull was injured and made the start at right tackle when Bull did not play at UConn due to a groin injury. But tackle Braylen Nelson or Toreon Penright could also work into the starting lineup or rotation there against the Rainbow Warriors.

Fresno State had minus-3 rushing yards in its last-minute victory over San Diego State, due in part to seven sacks allowed. But the sacks were not the only issue for the Bulldogs; their sack-adjusted rushing yards per play was still just 2.5 with 9.0 tackles for loss.

And, this season:

San Diego State: 2.5 ypp, with 9.0 TFLs

New Mexico: 5.7, with 3.0

San Jose State: 3.4, with 7.0

Boise State: 3.3, with 3.0

UConn: 1.8, with 6.0

USC: 7.1, with 6.0

Oregon State: 5.1, with 5.0

Cal Poly: 6.2, with 5.0

It is there, or was early in the season, and it is worth noting that lead back Jordan Mims has run outside the right tackle more than anywhere else. Also, that the Bulldogs run game could be in for an early-season type revival this week against the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii, which is ranked last in the Mountain West in rushing defense, has allowed 61 rushing plays of 10 or more yards, the most in the nation.

It also has allowed 21 rushing plays of 20 or more yards and five rushing plays of 50 or more yards, tied for 129th and 131st and last in the nation.

Fresno State’s Jordan Mims, right, with San Diego State’s Keshawn Banks, left, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com

THE GAME