Quotes from the local papers

Not worried about their BCS chances, JJ said:
"I'm not even thinking about that right now. We need to win them one game at a time." (HA)


About how the firing of Nebraska's AD impacts their future scheduling, HF said:
"We were talking to (Pederson) about a game here in 2009 or '10. They were about ready to come here. Now I have to call Dr. Tom (Osborne) and see if we can continue those discussions, but I don't know what the situation is like there now." (HA)


About how he hopes Nebraska will still want to fill their open spot for 2009 or one of their 2 open spots for 2010, HF said:
"I hope they're still interested in coming here." (HA)

HA Note: "Frazier said he considers Pederson "a good friend," but also got to know Osborne when he was the football coach at Nebraska."


Asked about the Pederson firing, HF said:
"I don't know enough about the situation to comment." (HA)


About how he feels "pretty good" about their BCS #18 ranking, HF said:
"I think 18th coming out of the chute is pretty good with seven games under our belt. As I look at the future schedules, teams five through 12, a lot of them have to play each other. I think that's going to make a difference in what happens as we go forward." (HA)

"I think (No. 18 is) an excellent place to start for us. If you look at teams five through 12, they're going to start playing each other and it's going to have a huge effect on our numbers if we're successful in playing one game at a time." (HSB)


Asked if an undefeated UH team could be left out of the BCS, HF said:
"I don't even think about that." (HA)

"I would share the same thoughts as (WAC commissioner Karl Benson) that should we have a the opportunity to run the table, we've got a real good chance." (HSB)


About how their schedule hasn't held back their BCS position, HF said:
"I don't think it's holding us back at this point when we show up in the polls at No. 18 in the BCS. What's helped us is we're 7-0, that's the bottom line." (HSB)

Note: If you look at what some pollsters have said when putting UH low (or out) of their ballots, and what the computer ranking for UH is because of the schedule, you would have to conclude that UH would be rated higher in the BCS if they didn't have such a weak schedule...especially the two I-AA teams!

HSB Note: "UH (7-0, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference) is ranked 16th in both of the polls used in the rankings, but 25th by the computer rankings, which factor in strength of schedule."


About how Fresno and BSU are getting votes in the polls, which could help UH's strength of schedule later, HF said:
"The thing you have to look at this week is Fresno State and Boise State got votes (in the polls), so if that continues they could both come in here with a pretty decent ranking." (HSB)


About how the committee looking into Ian Sample's allegations of academic cheating is almost ready to submit their report, HF said:
"I have been informed that I should be getting something very soon. They have completed their work and they just need to write it." (HSB)


About the invitation he got to the Senior Bowl, Colt said:
"That's huge. That's very cool." (HA)


Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale was at the SJSU game and talked about Colt:
"The mark of a good quarterback is how the team responds in the fourth quarter. Colt showed a lot of poise and how competitive he is in bringing Hawai'i back to win the game. Colt is an outstanding quarterback." (HA)


About how Colt overcame the difficult conditions at SJSU, Hale said:
"Television and video don't do a quarterback justice, particularly Colt. He has a quick release. His passes have a lot of velocity. He has excellent accuracy. Seeing him in those conditions in San Jose was very impressive. He operated in very adverse conditions. It was as bad a condition as you could put a quarterback in, and he handled it well." (HA)


About how he will "definitely" play in All-star games, unlike most highly regarded QBs, Colt said:
"There are so many stereotypes and things I have to overcome being in the position I am. It's not like I'm a guy like (Louisville quarterback Brian) Brohm or Brady Quinn of last year, where everything is already settled, where everyone thinks you're good. I have all of these question marks still. People haven't seen us. Unfortunately, our nationally televised game wasn't my best game, and the conditions were really tough to showcase how talented we are.

As the season goes on, and we get a couple of more games on national TV, hopefully more questions will be answered," Br. Going to the Senior Bowl, really, is the best opportunity for me to make a statement." (HA)


About how Colt will benefit from the meetings with NFL officials that are held during Senior Bowl week, Hale said:
"It will be a great opportunity to spend time with National Football League teams and let them get to know him. There's so much more to being a quarterback than throwing the ball. After being there in person, I have an appreciation for his skills." (HA)


About how their reserve players are getting a lot of reps during this bye week, JJ said:
"That's what byes are for. Get the other guys a lot of reps and get the starters healthy." (HSB)


About how he makes all of the RBs evaluate the play of the RBs on the field, RB coach Wes Suan said:
"Oh yeah, they all do that. They need to. I'm insistent on that -- being observant, and actually critiquing the other person, the second or third guys in there. So they fully understand what needs to be done and anticipate problems." (HSB)


Rating his blocking now a 5 out of 10, Pilares said:
"In this offense you can kind of get away with it, because Colt slings the ball out of there so fast. The (defense) is just coming to you, and you have to turn around because the ball's out already. We're a passing team so you have to defend the pass. For the most part, I think I'm getting the job done, but my blocking isn't up to Farmer's." (HSB)


Praising Pilares, Suan said:
"We thought he was pretty talented coming out of high school. I think the thing that impressed me the most, that we really didn't know about, was just his people skills and his character. He's got a great work ethic, a passion for the game, he's an attention-to-detail guy. He generally pays really good attention to getting better." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Suan cited Pilares' continuous efforts in the weight and film rooms toward his steady contributions. In particular, he has studied ex-running back Nate Ilaoa's success in both blocking and exploding for huge gains. Granted, "Nasti Nate" weighed nearly twice as much."


About how he's noticed that Pilares has constantly been improving for them, JJ said:
"Big time. He's going to be a great player for us. He's got it all." (HSB)


About how he's 50-50 on extra points this season, breaking Jason Elam's single-season record of 46 straight, Dan Kelly said:
"I'm really blessed with the ability to kind of just push out the emotions when I go and kick any kind of field goal or PAT. I didn't feel anything (tying the game late) at Louisiana Tech, I didn't feel anything at San Jose. I just go out there and do my job regardless if we're winning 60-3 or we're trying to tie it up at 35-35." (HSB)


Asked about Ryan Mouton's injury status and availability for the NMSU game, JJ said:
"I'm hoping he'll be ready, but he's the only one that knows." (HSB)


About the tough choice he has in their Scout Bowl draft this afternoon, Colt said:
"Well, let's see ..." (HA)

HA Note: "Seniors on offense and defense will choose up sides, as well as serve as coaches. After some thought, Brennan said he would skip on a quarterback and, if given the choice, take running back Camron Carmona with the first pick."


About taking RB Camron Carmona with his first pick, Colt said:
"He's an offensive weapon. He's quick, fast. This will be a great chance to showcase what he's all about." (HA)


About how Camron was his teammate at Mater Dei, Colt said:
"No Mater Dei bias. That's who I'm going with. That's my first pick." (HA)

HA Note: "Yesterday, "coaches" began to create their draft boards. They had to scratch third-string quarterback Inoke Funaki, who was ruled ineligible for the game."


About ruling that Inoke could not play in the Scout Bowl, JJ (Scout Bowl commissioner) said:
"Anybody I don't want in the game won't be in the game, like the guys who are going to be playing on Saturday nights." (HA)


About how he wants to play in the Scout Bowl, Inoke said:
"I'm going to appeal. The past two years I got to play. I was looking forward to it." (HA)

HA Note: "Defensive end Antwan "Tua" Mahaley, defensive tackle Tuika Tufaga, linebacker Mana Lolotai, and quarterbacks Jake Santos and Shane Austin were mentioned the most."


About his flexibility in the draft, Hercules said:
"I'm willing to trade picks." (HA)


Timo Paepule responded to that by asking Hercules:
"How about your third for our sixth?" (HA)


Hercules resonded with:
"Nice try." (HA)

HA Note: "Paepule said the defensive seniors are split between taking Mahaley and Tufaga with their No. 1 pick."


About how he might be taken with the first pick by Timo, Tuika Tufaga said:
"I'm flattered. I have no words. It's an honor to be drafted by the great Timo Paepule." (HA)


Timo responded to Tufaga by saying:
"We didn't pick you yet. We're having a Pro Day. I know you're an up-and-coming rising star, but we want to make sure." (HA)

HA Note: "Mahaley is an intriguing prospect. He moved to defensive end after playing wideout his first two seasons at UH. He is African American, but accepted the name "Tua" from a chief because of his close ties to the Samoan community."


About Tua Mahaley, Hercules said:
"Tua is a sleeper. He works hard." (HA)


About how Amani Purcell has given him a lot of valuable tips, Mahaley said:
"Now I feel comfortable being at defensive end." (HA)


About how he won't hold out no matter who drafts him, Mahaley said:
"I don't care who picks me up." (HA)


Timo responded to that by saying:
"I'll talk to his agent." (HA)


About how he is expected to be drafted ahead of freshman Shane Austin, Jake Santos said:
"I want to play for the offense because Colt and Davone (Bess) will be calling the plays. It should be fun. We're looking for some quarterback draws." (HA)


About which scout team QB will be drafted first, Colt said:
"I can't make the quarterback prediction." (HA)


About how he won't run a passing offense, Michael Lafaele said:
"The offense will be smash-mouth, downhill. We'll run the I-formation, pound it on Hercules' team. Maybe we'll draft (running back Alonzo) Chopp. Then we can call ourselves the Choppers. That's a good name." (HA)


About how he practiced yesterday despite earlier talk that he'd sit out a few practices to rest his injured shoulder, Blaze said:
"I'm right here, unless I'm a ghost. Last time I checked, I'm living proof. Coach Jones thought it was more than it was. It's fine. It's minor." (HA)


About how he will have a blog for the NY Times, Colt said:
"A lot of journalism majors are upset with me because I've had such an easy road entering this field." (HA)