Hawaii Bowl Preview - Quarterbacks

Tulsa's G.J. Kinne and Hawaii's Bryant Moniz have combined to throw for more yards than any other bowl game combo in the nation.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:05 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Dec 10, 2010 4:26 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma – Comparing players for the upcoming Sheraton Hawaii Bowl starts with the quarterbacks. It’s only fitting, because Tulsa and Hawaii are owners of two of the nation’s most prolific offensive attacks in the nation.

This Christmas Eve, fans will see an aerial attack like none other in the country. Tulsa’s G.J. Kinne and Hawaii’s Bryant Moniz’s 7,936 combined yards are the most between opposing quarterbacks in any bowl game this season.

Nobody has played better from the pocket this season than Moniz. The junior led the nation with 4,629 yards passing and tied for the lead in touchdowns (36, Dominique Davis, ECU). He finished the year ranked tenth in passer rating and led his Warriors to a 10-3 overall record. The only conference loss of the season for Hawaii was against the Boise State Broncos, who were the No. 4 team in the country at that time.

Moniz has a rocket for an arm. The only downfall to his game is that he’s asked to do too much. Hawaii can’t run the football at all. They average just over 109 yards per game on the ground. The Warrior’s offense is very one-dimensional. Maybe his biggest accolade is his team’s running deficiencies. Even with defensive coordinators focusing on stopping Moniz, he still led the nation in passing.

Kinne has been ‘Mr. Do It All’ for Tulsa in 2010. He led the team in rushing twice this season and averaged over 275 yards per game through the air. Kinne is Tulsa’s top option when the team needs a big play.

Kinne threw for 3,307 yards this season. That’s nearly 600 yards more than his first season at TU. A lot of his success had to do with his protection this season (only 24 sacks compared to 44 a year ago).

Protection aside, Kinne has been dynamic for the Golden Hurricane. The junior has combined for 35 total touchdowns (28 passing, 7 rushing) and has rushed for 557 yards. His ability to find receivers downfield against Hawaii will be key to Tulsa’s success on the island this bowl season.

Kinne clearly has the advantage when it comes to making plays with his legs, but Moniz has been more proficient with his arm this season. The team whose quarterback has the best afternoon in paradise may walk away with the win.