HONOLULU — As crews put the finishing touches on the newly expanded Clarence T.C. Ching Complex, the on-field building process continues for the University of Hawai’i football team as well.

Now into the second week of fall camp, the Rainbow Warriors have worked to enhance the foundation set in Timmy Chang’s first season as head coach, whether on the grass practice field across Lower Campus Road or on the turf in the Ching Complex.

The Warriors opened fall camp on July 26 and have two more weeks of camp remaining before focusing on game-week preparation leading into the Aug. 26 season opener at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn.

“There’s a lot of good talent and they’re starting to come along,” Chang said of the Warriors’ progress through the first week of camp. “It’s going to take a little bit, but they keep getting better and their attitude is really good and the want-to is really there, and that’s what’s important.”

Several Warriors alums stopped by practices this week as Chang continued to oversee the installation of the run-and-shoot attack and quarterback Brayden Schager and freshman receiver Pofele Ashlock connected on one of the highlight plays of the week.

During an 11-on-11 period on Wednesday, the right-handed Schager rolled to his left to evade pressure before turning his hips to launch into a deep ball as he approached the sideline. Ashlock ran it down in stride and took it into the end zone.

“I really talk to them about confidence and making plays, that’s the biggest thing,” Chang said. “Being confident, being detailed and making plays.”

 

The Warrior defense had its opportunities to celebrate as well in refining and expanding the system implemented last season by defensive coordinator Jacob Yoro.

“I think we’re progressing at a good pace right now,” said Yoro, now in his seventh season on the coaching staff. “Obviously, there’s a lot of learning lessons that come into camp in regards to situations, in regards to techniques, in regards to scheme. But where our guys are at and the way that they’re progressing and the way that they’re attacking each day, we’re really in a good place right now.

“When I look at us, I see us as on schedule. One week of camp is over and we’re at a lot more accelerated pace than we were last year.”

With the defensive system in place for a full season and through spring practice in March, “we’re able to grow in our schematic package, but also able to dial into the details and nuances of each call,” Yoro said.

The sense of familiarity in the program’s second year under leadership of Chang and the coaching staff extends beyond the playbook as the Warriors build toward the trip to Vanderbilt.

“It’s Year 2, so there is a comfort level amongst the entire team,” Yoro said. “The expectations are very clear. The guys understand what the standard is. They understand what our culture is all about. They understand what the word ‘Braddahhood’ means, and they’ve really brought newer guys into that and have really been able to integrate them into that.

“It’s starting to become a player-led unit, and that’s all we can ask for as a coaching staff.”

Fall camp continues through Aug. 19 before the fall semester begins on Aug. 21. The Warriors will make their season debut in the 15,000-seat Ching Complex on Sept. 1 when they play host to Stanford in their home opener.

 

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