Notre Dame continues its quest for a bowl victory on Christmas Eve in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl against the University of Hawaii. The matchup is essentially a home game for the Warriors, but the Irish were more than happy to make the trip to this tropical paradise after their regular season ended in disappointing fashion. The focus now is on breaking a 0-9 drought at various bowl venues over 15 years and moving forward in a positive way toward 2009. For Hawaii, a second place team in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), it is a rare opportunity to play a big name opponent and gain national television exposure.

The Warriors finished at 7-6 under first year head coach and former defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who took over for June Jones. McMackin has a long resume that includes assistant coaching stints in both college and the NFL. As one might expect, Hawaii is a better home team at 5-2 than when it must travel to the mainland. Road losses to Boise State, Florida and Oregon State were blowouts, but Hawaii’s home losses to Cincinnati and San Jose State were by narrow margins.

McMackin runs the same basic pass-oriented offense as Jones, although record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan and his four top receivers have moved on after leading the 2007 team to a BCS bowl. Three different quarterbacks struggled early this fall before Greg Alexander took over the starting job in mid season and executed a 4-2 finish. Hawaii suffered 19 interceptions in its first seven games, but Alexander threw only two picks during the final six weeks against 12 touchdowns.

Conversely, the Irish performed better in the first five games before faltering in the second half of the season. Jimmy Clausen’s passing statistics have declined since a devastating interception to open the third quarter at North Carolina, and an injury to Michael Floyd temporarily disabled a favorite target. Floyd will be in uniform against the Warriors, but Notre Dame has been a much more productive offensive team when it runs the ball effectively. Unfortunately, this type of balance was achieved very infrequently during the course of the season.

Notre Dame’s Offense vs. Hawaii’s Defense

The Irish offensive line has something to prove after being outplayed down the stretch against less heralded players from Boston College and Syracuse, not to mention the utter failure against USC’s first stringers. Hawaii has its own overachievers on the defensive front in 320-pound tackle Keala Watson and left end David Veikune, who recorded nine sacks in his last six games. The experienced Warrior defense will hope to utilize experience and motivation to overcome a talent deficit.

Senior linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Leonard were named to the All-WAC first team, with Elimimian achieving honors as the WAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. This pair led the Warriors in tackles and make plays despite less than ideal size. The secondary boasts four senior starters led by safeties Ryan Mouton, a talented all-purpose player, and Keao Monteihl, who leads the team with five interceptions.

The Irish have an advantage in terms of its skill position athletes, as the Warriors do not normally face opponents with the talent level of Floyd, Golden Tate and a trio of gifted running backs led by Armando Allen. Hawaii may be in trouble on paper, but this season has taught Notre Dame that its weapons cannot be effective unless its offensive line can win the battle in the trenches.

The game plan must therefore include a sustained rushing attack against this group of veterans that defend the pass quite well and apply considerable pressure on the quarterback from all positions and angles. This will require the Irish to match the intensity of the Warriors. Anything less than a full effort will enable Hawaii to pull off what would now be considered only a mild upset.

Hawaii’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense

Since Alexander took over under center on October 25, the Warriors have averaged 32 points per game as compared to only 19 during its first seven contests. The new receivers are also becoming more consistent with game experience. Michael Washington and Greg Salas are the primary targets, but shifty 5’8” Aaron Bain often earns extra yards by making the first tackler miss. The wild card in this offense is slot man Malcolm Lane, who is capable of breaking open the game or disappearing entirely.

Notre Dame will have its hands full in pass coverage since Gary Gray did not make the trip. Terrail Lambert is healthy again after missing action in November, while promising freshman Robert Blanton and veteran Raeshon McNeil will also start. Sergio Brown is the most likely candidate to cover the fourth wideout in the spread.

The Warriors do run the ball, if only to keep the defense honest. A committee of backs has shared the load this season, but Daniel Libre and Kealoha Pilares are the primary ball carriers. Hawaii averages just 100 yards per game on the ground, and Libre leads the team with a paltry 36. It should also be noted that Alexander is a threat to take off from the pocket. This may be more out of necessity since Warrior quarterbacks have been sacked 49 times this season and are frequently running for their lives.

Hawaii has a veteran offensive line led by All-WAC center John Estes, but they have not performed exceedingly well as a group. The game could be decided by the better of two struggling units – the Warriors ineffective offensive line and a Notre Dame defensive front that has been largely unable to put pressure on the passer.

Special Teams

Kicker Dan Kelly is called Ice Man by his teammates for his cool demeanor in the clutch, but the fact is that he has converted only ten of 20 field goals this season and has suffered three blocks. Hawaii’ return teams are not statistically impressive, although Mouton has brought back a kickoff for a touchdown this season. Notre Dame could gain a field position advantage on special teams, but they will have to play hard and look to hit people rather than go through the motions. Brandon Walker has also improved as the Irish place kicker and could be a factor in the final outcome.

Summary

Once again, Notre Dame will face a highly motivated team with far less talent on paper. The Irish could win by three touchdowns or lose by a few points. The outcome will depend on whether the team is still in vacation mode at kickoff or if they are ready to play to their potential. Another concern is their ability to sustain a high level of performance over 60 minutes. Second half collapses against Pitt, North Carolina, Navy and Syracuse will ensure that Hawaii will not give up until the final whistle.

The Warriors will attempt a lot of quick, short passes to keep Alexander upright and maintain possession of the ball. They will mix in a few runs and deep passes, but their ability to score will come down to Alexander’s accuracy and the play of an often inconsistent receiving corps.

Notre Dame should win the time of possession battle with any semblance of balance in its attack. If the Irish offensive line fails to establish control, the evening could produce another embarrassing bowl loss. While Clausen will benefit from Floyd’s return, a solid ground game will be needed to keep Hawaii at bay during the fourth quarter and secure the win.

Here are a few questions that will help determine the outcome:

– Will Sam Young and others be able to handle the pass rush of David Veikune?
– Will the Irish gain 150 yards rushing, which is the average yield for Hawaii’s defense?
– Can Notre Dame pressure Alexander and force a lot of third down incompletions?
– Will the Irish win the battle of field position through good special teams play?
– Which struggling kicker will come through for his team?
– Which team can avoid dev
astating turnovers?
– Will Notre Dame play a full game with the intensity it has lacked against other less talented teams?

Prediction

The Irish should be motivated to break the school’s long losing streak in bowl games, and this year’s team sorely needs to end this season on a high note since most of the players will be back in 2009. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know the current state of mind of these 20 year olds, especially after half-hearted performances on Senior Day and against their arch-rival to end the regular season. Hawaii will make this game closer than Notre Dame fans would prefer, but the Irish have too much talent and hopefully too much pride to let this game slip away.

Notre Dame 30 Hawaii 24