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WARRIORS FOOTBALL

Irish aim at Alexander

Notre Dame doesn't want Hawaii's quarterback to be able to sit back and relax

By Star-Bulletin staff

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 22, 2008

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For all of the miles that separate Honolulu and South Bend, Ind., the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl could be decided by the few inches between the Hawaii and Notre Dame front lines.

SHERATON HAWAII BOWL

Who: Notre Dame (6-6) at Hawaii (7-6)

When: 3 p.m. Wednesday TV: ESPN

Line: Notre Dame by 1 1/2

The battle at the line of scrimmage will go a long way in determining the outcome of Wednesday's duel between the Warriors (7-6) and Fighting Irish (6-6) at Aloha Stadium.

Protecting their quarterbacks has been a lingering issue for Hawaii, which has given up 49 sacks, the most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. They'll face a Notre Dame defense that has 18 sacks this season and will look to pressure Hawaii's Greg Alexander.

"They have good guys, they make plays," Hawaii center John Estes said. "It's just a matter of us doing our techniques and it's time to mount up."

Estes has been an anchor for the Warriors line the last three seasons and earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors the last two years while starting 40 consecutive games.

The Irish hope to pressure Alexander mercilessly in passing situations, but are also aware of Hawaii's ability to run the ball.

"Everybody loves the sacks, but they run the football, too," defensive end Pat Kuntz said. "We're focused on the pass, but we have to stop the run, too."

For all of the miles that separate Honolulu and South Bend, Ind., the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl could be decided by the few inches between the Hawaii and Notre Dame front lines.

MIKE BURLEY / MBURLEY@STARBULLETIN.COM
Harrison Smith stretched out a teammate as Notre Dame practiced at Aloha Stadium yesterday.

SHERATON HAWAII BOWL

Who: Notre Dame (6-6) at Hawaii (7-6)

When: 3 p.m. Wednesday TV: ESPN

Line: Notre Dame by 1 1/2
The battle at the line of scrimmage will go a long way in determining the outcome of Wednesday's duel between the Warriors (7-6) and Fighting Irish (6-6) at Aloha Stadium.

Protecting their quarterbacks has been a lingering issue for Hawaii, which has given up 49 sacks, the most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. They'll face a Notre Dame defense that has 18 sacks this season and will look to pressure Hawaii's Greg Alexander.

"They have good guys, they make plays," Hawaii center John Estes said. "It's just a matter of us doing our techniques and it's time to mount up."

Estes has been an anchor for the Warriors line the last three seasons and earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors the last two years while starting 40 consecutive games.

The Irish hope to pressure Alexander mercilessly in passing situations, but are also aware of Hawaii's ability to run the ball.

"Everybody loves the sacks, but they run the football, too," defensive end Pat Kuntz said. "We're focused on the pass, but we have to stop the run, too."

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