Quotes from the UH-Fresno State game

HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press

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Quotes about Colt's concussion

Colt issued a statement through UH spokesman Derek Inouchi:
"I'm doing fine. I'd like to thank everyone for the support they gave out there. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field for next week's game against Nevada." (HA, AP, HSB)


About how Colt was doing, Colt's father Terry Brennan said:
"He was in good spirits. He wanted to know how the team was doing." (HA)

Expecting Colt to play in the Nevada game, Terry said:
"He's ready to play another four quarters." (HSB)


JJ said about Colt's condition:
"If you play football you're going to have concussions. I just talked to him. He's ready to play right now." (AP, HA)

"(Colt) is fine. He'll be ready for the next game." (HSB)

About the hit, JJ said:
"I've seen a lot of hard hits, but I think he was out before he hit the ground." (HSB)


About how concern over Colt outweighed everything else after the game, Rich Miano said:
"A lot of things go through your mind when you see a guy like that go down. The fact that we won this football game is huge because that (Fresno State) is a good football team but obviously people are subdued because of what happened to Colt. You worry about the health of a guy who turned down a lot of money to help build a dream season we're having. That's first and foremost." (HA)


About Colt, center John Estes said:
"We just wanted him to get up. We think about him as a person. You never want to see that in football, ever." (HA)

HA Note: "The offensive line felt responsible. Brennan was sacked twice, both times by linebacker Mike Cheese. To a man, the linemen could not enjoy the victory, as sweet was it is supposed to be to beat Fresno State."


Upset about Colt's injury, Keith AhSoon said:
"It's not even a win. I'm so ------ off. Putting him in a position like that ... A win's a win, but it's not a win for me. I should've done better. I just hope he's ready for the next game." (HA)

About how Fresno State stopped stunting on their rushes in the 4th quarter, AhSoon said:
"Fourth quarter came around, it was just a four-man rush, one-one. It just kind of got us off-guard because we were expecting a lot of stunts." (HA)

Blaming himself for Colt's injury, AhSoon said:
"But for Colt, man, it's all on me. It wasn't supposed to happen, but it happened. I pray for him." (HA)

"It was my fault. If I didn't miss that block ... I blame it all on me." (HA)


Hercules then put his arm around AhSoon and said:
"It's not your fault. It's football. That's how it is. Things happen. Injuries happen. You have to get over it. We got the win. That's all we were worried about." (HA)


About Colt, Solomon Elimimian said:
"Colt is a big part of this team. It's not just on offense. Without Colt, we wouldn't be where we are today. Colt is one of our leaders. We all love Colt." (HA)


About why they did not do their postgame ha'a, Michael Lafaele said:
"It is hard to celebrate when he went out of there like that." (HA)


After Colt's injury, Timo Paepule thought "Uh-oh" and also:
"I wanted to get them back." (HA)


About Fresno State's reaction to Colt's injury, Siave Seti said:
"They were celebrating while he was lying there. They looked at us like, 'That's it for you.' " (HA)

HA Note: "On the ensuing punt, Jones got a bead on Fresno State punt returner Clifton Smith. Jones bore down at full stride on Smith as he caught the ball and promptly leveled him with a clean but make-no-mistake-what-I-mean tackle."

About Keenan Jones' hit on the punt return after Colt's injury, Seti said:
"That was the turning point. Thank God he made that hit." (HA)


About how the team was focused on Colt after the game, RGM said:
"Guys said prayers, hoping he'd be alright. Seeing a teammate go down like that is hard." (HA)

"We're definitely happy to win. But around the locker room it was kind of dead knowing that one of our leaders, our brothers, went down." (AP)

About Colt getting up and being helped off the field, RGM said:
"He showed a lot of heart by getting to his feet because we all knew he was out of it." (AP)

About how he thought about Colt during the game, RGM said:
"I'm not going to lie. I'm not the only one that had Colt on my mind the next snap." (AP)

"I knew as soon as the dude hit him and Colt went down it wasn't good. It's not just (about) football. Anyone seeing a family member go down like that you forget about everything else. I never wish that on anyone, both sides of the ball. I was glad both teams' trainers (assisted), Fresno showed real class. (Brennan) showed real heart getting back on his feet. I hope the island continues to pray for him." (HSB, AP)

About losing Colt, RGM said:
"When you lose one guy, as big as Colt, that's a loss. We're not going to lie and say, 'We're going to be A-OK.' The starting quarterback, our leader, a Heisman candidate -- that's a big loss." (AP)


About why he visited with Colt after the game, Pat Hill said:
"I just wanted to see how he was. He's a heck of a player. ... I wished him luck. That was a heck of a hit he took." (HA)


About the range of emotions he felt after the play where Colt was hurt, Marcus Riley said:
"It's tough, because I started to celebrate, and when he (Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan) was still down it kind of changed my whole attitude about the situation." (HSB)

About how he was hoping that Colt wasn't seriously hurt, Riley said:
"I was kind of nervous. I kind of relaxed after I knew he was alright, when he got up, started moving around. I didn't really know what to think. I was hoping it wasn't anything major and nothing serious. I didn't want anybody to get hurt, but injuries are a part of the game. I'm just glad he's alright." (HSB)

About how he went to UH's locker room to check on Colt after the game, Riley said:
"Oh, he'll be fine. He recognized me." (HSB)

About his INT in the end zone, Riley said:
"They had me beat on one where they scored a TD and I was a little bit late. I knew if they ran that play again I'd be right there on it. What a great quarterback to get it on, a Heisman hopeful who's set so many NCAA records ... my first interception on somebody of his caliber." (HSB)

HA Note: "Outside the south entrance to the stadium, fans who normally come for autographs also sought the latest news on the fallen quarterback. "What's happening with Colt?" they asked. "How's Colt?" they wondered."

Quotes from the UH coaches

About how they have to keep winning, JJ said:
"It's NFL playoff time. You lose, you're out." (AP)

About how he expected this to be a tough game, JJ said:
"It was a dogfight and I knew it was going to be." (AP)

About how Fresno State's comeback was not surprising, JJ said:
"We knew they weren't going to quit." (HA)

About their early 67-yard TD and the early lead they took, JJ said:
"We took them out of their game plan early." (HSB)

About their 9-0 start, JJ said:
"I'm not thinking about it. I'm glad we won, and we get to go to the next one." (HA)

About taking Hawthrone out of the game due to his tight hamstring, JJ said:
"You never know with fast guys. I didn't want him to stay in and pull it." (HSB)

About how they ran the ball a lot more against Fresno State than they did earlier this season, JJ said:
"I knew the last four games we would have to run the ball. Daniel Libre has some quickness, happy to see Leon do well." (HSB)

"I knew the last four games we will have to run the football. And I knew they could pass rush. They have good pass rushers. Daniel had a little something about him. I'm happy with him and Leon and David (Farmer)." (HSB)


Relieved about the win, GM said:
"Win one game a week. That's our goal. You have to make it exciting for ESPN. ... It was a chess game of making adjustments. I'm proud of our kids. They fought under some adversity, and came out with a win." (HA)

“The most we can do is win one game a week.” (HSB)

Pleased with how his defense played, GM said:
“The guys played the system and were consistent.” (HSB)

About how they need to adjust quicker on defense, GM said:
“We have to get better on the sudden change. They made some adjustments and we made adjustments. It was sort of a chess match.” (HSB)


Quotes from the UH players

About being ready to start if Colt cannot play vs. Nevada, Tyler said:
"That's my job. If he goes down I'm in there." (HSB)

Wishing that he had been more warmed up before going into the game, Tyler said:
"I was ready to go in, and when I saw that I popped my helmet on to get ready to go. But I wish I would have been stretching my legs or getting my hands ready and taking some snaps or something." (HSB)


About their confidence in Tyler if he has to start, Bess said:
"We have a tremendous amount of confidence and we're just going to lift him up and let him know he's our buddy and we're here for him. He definitely can get the job done." (HSB)


About how he wanted to have a big game vs. Fresno State because his injury last year vs. Boise State kept him out of the Fresno State and Nevada games, RGM (who had 9 catches for 128 yards) said:
"I definitely wanted to come out this week and have a big game and help my team." (HSB)


About the play in which he caught a 67-yard TD pass for the first score of the game, Jason Rivers said:
"Everybody run deep. That was the call." (HA)

About being shaken up on the onside kick, Rivers said:
"I got banged. I don't know who hit me, but he hit me hard. I saw (the football) in the air, and I tried to go for it, and I got hit." (HA)


About recovering the onside kick, Desmond Thomas said:
"I was asking the Lord for strength to let me keep holding onto the ball. I wasn't going to let it go. I was going to show these fans I had the ball." (HA)


About splitting time in the first half and playing all of the 2nd half despite not being fully over his injury, Blaze said:
"It was game-time decision, but hey, everybody is playing hurt over here, so I have got to sacrifice my body for the team." (HSB)


About the game, Ryan Mouton said:
“At the end of the day as long as we get the W that’s all that counts.” (HSB)

About the adjustments that Fresno State made in the 2nd half, Mouton said:
“They started shifting and blocking us differently (in the second half).” (HSB)

About how their defense stepped up their game after Colt was hurt, Mouton said:
“We knew we had to go out there and make some stops. We knew our quarterback was down and the game was put on us to go out there and get some stops at the end of the game.” (HSB)


About his 33-yard TD on a draw play, LWJ said:
"It was a new idea coach (June Jones) had. There was a big giant hole where Herc (Satele) was. I followed where Herc led." (HA)

About lining up in the pistol position instead of next to the QB in the shotgun, LWJ said:
"I guess they noticed that I'm a downhill runner, so (the pistol) probably helped me," Wright-Jackson said. "Instead of going side to side, just go straight and hit the hole as fast as I could.

"We wanted to wrinkle with it and see what happens and it worked. We don't know if we're going to keep it, but you never know. Coach Jones is a brilliant man when it comes to this offense. I'm just waiting to see what else he's got." (HSB)

Praising Daniel Libre, LWJ said:
"He's a great athlete, he works hard in practice and he deserves to be here. He did a great job tonight, and I knew he would." (HA)

About his friendship with Libre, his roommate on the road, LWJ said:
"Me and (Libre) had a game plan together. We were going to forget the rivalry and just play the game 110 percent, just like in practice. It's a new relationship between us and we've become really close." (HA)

"Me and Libre had a game plan of coming out here and let's just work hard and play our game. Let's not worry about all the fans and all the hype with the rivalry. Let's just go play the game." (HSB)

About how Fresno State had to adjust to their running game, LWJ said:
"When Kealoha is here, me and him are 1 and 2, with David Farmer in there, too. With him out, Libre had to step up and he did. I think (Fresno State) figured we weren't going to run much, but when (Libre) and I did, they were forced to adjust." (HA)


About how he and LWJ complimented each other in this game, Daniel Libre said:
"We complemented each other a lot, we have different styles. I guess they really weren't ready for it, because I came out of nowhere." (HSB)

Happy to get a chance to play in the Fresno State game, Libre said:
"It was great to be a part of such a big game. I'm happy that we won and that I was able to contribute to that win in some way." (HA)

"I just wanted to make sure I did my job. It was my first opportunity and I didn't want it to be my last." (HSB)

About how the practice time he got this past week with the first team made prepared him to play, Libre said:
"The first day they put me in (in practice) I was so nervous. I was probably more nervous that day than I was today. But it helped me a lot" (HSB)

About how Fresno State's DL had to watch out for him instead of just pass rush, Libre said:
"After a while, they weren't coming off the blocks at all. They really started to key up on me." (HA)

About how LWJ constantly helped him, Libre said:
"Whenever I came out, he'd tell me what to look for and how to react. He's always been encouraging to me and (sharing downs) with him makes it easier because all the pressure is not on me." (HA)


About how they expected Fresno State to throw the ball when they were down by so much in the 4th quarter but they kept running instead, Sol Elimimian said:
"We were waiting for them to start throwing the ball, but they just kept running. It caused us a lot of problems." (HSB)


About how their defense did against Fresno State, Adam Leonard said:
"I feel our defense did a good job, especially in the first half, but Fresno did a few things in their running game we didn't see on film." (HSB)

“Late in the second quarter they found something that worked for them that we hadn’t seen on film and they stuck with it.” (HSB)


About the game, Karl Noa said:
“We knew they had revenge on their minds from last year and they came out really wanting to win. It was the same thing as a lot of the WAC games this year. We had some adversity at the end and had to overcome it.” (HSB)


About the horrible pass interference called on him, Gerard Lewis said:
"That was a horrible call. I think I got robbed." (HA)


Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino has offered a scholarship from JJ the day he was drafted and said:
"I would've love to play in this offense." (HA)


About the stereotype of Pat Hill, Sol Elimimian said:
"His stigma is that he's a really nasty guy." (HSB)

After the game, JJ entered the locker room and told his team:
"Everyone up." (HSB)

HSB Note: "In a sight rarely seen in college football, Hill walked into the opposing team's locker room moments after a grueling game."


Hill told the Warriors:
"You've got a good football team here. We knew it was going to be a fight and it was fun. I like playing teams that are strong. I like this conference." (HSB)

HSB Note: "It was a sight that left a lot of Warriors shaking their heads. Soares, Noa and Elimimian admitted to never seeing an opposing coach walk into the postgame locker room."


About Hill coming to their locker room to talk with them, Sol said:
"He showed a lot of respect by coming in here and congratulating our team. That's something you don't forget." (HSB)


About how Fresno State played them tough, Karl Noa said:
"They play like their mascot. Bulldogs. You can tell they play up for their coach. He's a great leader." (HSB)


Quotes from Fresno State

About how his team never gave up, head coach Pat Hill said:
"We just didn't get it done, but our guys are fighters. Most teams would have folded. We grew some tonight. I just wish we could have started faster. Bottom line, we came out one touchdown short." (AP)

"I don't like the outcome. We don't go any place to lose. But I thought we grew some tonight." (HA)

"Most teams would've folded down 24-7 in the first quarter. We don't go anyplace to lose." (HSB)

About how they didn't play well enough to win, Hill said:
"We had three dropped balls, a fumble and a late hit. We just didn't get it done." (HSB)

Praising the Warriors and BSU, Hill said:
"I'm very competitive, but I'm real proud of what Hawaii's doing and Boise's doing. I think they're doing a great job in our conference. We're just a little bit young." (HSB)


About how they kept running the ball even when they were behind, QB Tom Brandstater said:
"That's how we play. That's what we believe in." (HA)


About how they thought they would come back, Smith said:
"We always thought we could come back. You always have to believe in miracles." (HA)


Other stuff

About all of the Colt T-shirts that are not being licensed from UH (and so UH gets none of the money), assistant AD of compliance and eligibility Bill Bryant said:
"Everybody does their own thing ... because everyone wants to be involved. Everyone wants to be like Colt." (HSB)

HSB Note: "So far this year, UH's corporate sponsorships are tracking last year's numbers with about $2.1 million in cash and $500,000 in trade, according to McNamara.

None of the revenue generated from UH football merchandise sales goes to the athletics department. Instead, it goes to the UH bookstore to support the educational program.

Souvenir sales at the Rainbowtique, a part of the UH bookstore, are up "moderately" over last year at this time, according to Didot Soewondopranoto, a manager for the apparel and souvenir shops at Ward Centre, the Stan Sheriff Center, the UH bookstore and on game days at the stadium."