Quotes from Wednesday morning

NT = Tacoma News Tribune

Hoping that the fans respect the Senior Walk even if they rush the field, HF said:
"I think everybody knows what a tradition the Senior Walk is. The thing is, the reason you want the fans to get back up in the stands, if they do rush the field, is because everybody can't get down there, at least some of our older fans that we have. And it wouldn't be fair to them if the players aren't able to do their lap around the stadium. So we hope everybody understands the magnitude of that." (HSB)


About how they will guard the goalposts again, HF said that it is:
"for the safety of those people down there to ensure no young people get hit in the head or sustain any kind of life-threatening injuries." (HSB)

HSB Note: "A win Saturday over the Pac-10 Huskies would likely mean a berth in the New Orleans-based Sugar Bowl, carrying a payout of roughly $4.5 million to Hawaii, and between $400,000 and $600,000 to other Western Athletic Conference schools -- similar to Hawaii's share of Boise State's Fiesta Bowl berth last year. Frazier said the net income from the bowl would be somewhat less, depending on which bowl the Warriors would go to. The Fiesta Bowl, for example, mandates a parade and band participation, and the costs of those are subtracted from the payout."


Asked about how they would spend the BCS money, HF said:
"I've thought about it a little bit, but again, we gotta get there first. It's just like your own personal checkbook. Don't spend it until you get it. But I will tell you, whatever it is, it would go back toward our programs. I would certainly hope it's all athletics." (HSB)


Comparing their win over BSU to the US hockey win over Russia, where the US team had to beat Finland for the gold medal, HF said:
"That's what this is. We had Boise State first and we had to clear that hurdle to get to the point where you have a finished product, which is this weekend. So, as much as everybody wanted to be happy last week, this really is the week. This is probably the largest game in the history of the program." (HA)


Towards the end of UH's win over BSU, ESPN's McDonough said on air about JJ's expiring contract:
"The price to keep him just went up." (HA)


About those comments that JJ will be more expensive to sign to a new contract now, HF said:
"Sean McDonough doesn't live in Hawai'i, so I don't pay attention to stuff like that. June's contract is not an issue. That I told everybody right from the beginning. We're not going to negotiate in the media. That's something that will be negotiated between June Jones, his agent and yours truly." (HA)


During the ESPN broadcast, McDonough said about UH's facilities:
"Folks, if you saw their practice field and their office building, you'd be amazed that they could have this kind of success with their facilities in, quite frankly, an embarrassing state of disrepair." (HA)


Claiming ignorance about the criticism of UH's facilities, HF said:
"Our practice field is a grass practice field that's in great shape. I can't comment on something I don't know the specifics of ... what's wrong with our practice field?" (HA)


About how he hasn't thought about what they could do with the BCS money yet, HF said:
"That's pie in the sky. You've got to wait until you get to that point. Again, that's a decision that's made through everybody on the campus." (HA)


About how one of the best times he had this year was attending a UH football game, Joe Maloof (he and his brother own the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino) said:
"June Jones' team is such fun to watch. I've never had so much fun." (HA)

HA Note: "The brothers are putting their money where their heart is. Last month, they donated $50,000 to Na Koa, the football program's booster club, to double the Warriors' annual recruiting budget. They also wrote a $25,000 check to the June Jones Foundation."


About how he and his brother will establish a scholarship in JJ's name (valued at $15k annually) that will go to a player who has completed his NCAA eligibility but:
"still has more school left. We'll pay for the extra year." (HA)


Joe Maloof played for New Mexico and pays for a scholarship there in the name of a former Lobo teammate and said:
"I wanted to do the same thing for June Jones. He's a class act." (HA)

HA Note: "The Maloof brothers and Kevin Kaplan, executive director of the June Jones Foundation, have been long-time friends. In September, Kaplan invited the brothers to attend the Warriors' practice on the eve of their road game against Nevada-Las Vegas."


About how they met with JJ at practice the day before the UNLV game, Joe Maloof said:
"We went with Kevin to practice, and we had an opportunity to meet June. In two minutes, I got captivated by his personality. He's so down to earth, unpretentious, a gentleman. He acted like he knew me for 10 years. He acted like he knew my brother." (HA)


About how he found out that JJ's recruiting budget was about $50k, Joe Maloof said:
"I couldn't believe what I heard. I couldn't believe he built this kind of team — I guess you can call it a dynasty — with the type of budget that he has." (HA)


About how they were also introduced to Colt that day, Joe Maloof said:
"What a gentleman he is. Then Gavin and I went back to the hotel. I told Kevin, 'We've got to do something for June Jones and his program.' And that's how it all started." (HA)

HA Note: "First, they matched the recruiting budget. Then they made the donation to the non-profit foundation, which benefits several charities."

Joe Maloof said that he wants the scholarship recipient to:
"exhibit the spirit that June Jones has. It's the least we could do after all of the things he brought to University of Hawai'i football." (HA)


About how they need to beat UW, Ryan Mouton said:
"Yeah, we won the WAC, but now we have to go ahead and get ready for Washington." (HSB)


About how he knew he wanted to come to UH instead of going to other schools that recruited him like BSU, Mouton said:
"But when I came here to visit, I knew this is where I needed to be. I knew we could win the WAC." (HSB)

HSB Note: "On several of the plays Friday, Mouton seemed to instinctively be in the right place, or speed to the receiver to make a hit and jar a ball loose. While Mouton is a great athlete, defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said the plays were more a result of Mouton's preparation, as well as that of his teammates."


About how Mouton prepares and is disciplined, which makes him able to make plays, GM said:
"Everything has to do with responsibility. That's why we're improving as a defense, everybody's playing responsibly. Ryan's very disciplined. He plays within his responsibility, then when he has the opportunity he makes the play." (HSB)


About how he understands the importance of discipline, Mouton said:
"I learned a lot of discipline in high school. It's just about doing your job, not trying to make the spectacular play. I have to trust my teammates like they trust me. You can't think like an individual, it takes all 11 guys." (HSB)


About how he's almost completely recovered from his knee injury, even getting to return kicks again, Mouton said:
"It feels good, I'm almost back to 100 percent. I've been trying to get back there the past couple weeks and I'm glad Coach Jones put me back there for the championship game." (HSB)


About how he's a little taller (5'9") than Lewis and Newberry, Mouton said:
"It's not all about height. There's heart, and how hard you play." (HSB)


Not worried about having short CBs, GM said:
"I've never had a problem with short, as long as you can jump. We just have to mix up our coverages. Our corners are one of our strongest units." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors are 13th nationally in interceptions with 18 and 19th in pass efficiency defense."


About being on crutches and wearing a brace on his right ankle during practice yesterday, Dan Kelly insisted that he will be ready for UW. Kelly said that there is a:
"lot of discoloration, a lot of swelling, but I've been going to therapy twice a day. Nothing is broken. Nothing is torn. I'll still be able to sustain all of the pressure and all of the stuff. It's a matter of getting the swelling down." (HA)


About how he suffered the ankle injury on the blocked extra point in the 1st quarter of the BSU game, Kelly said:
"Some guy rolled on top of my (right) foot, and I got pushed away from him, and it kind of pulled my whole foot. I'll be back. It won't be a problem. I kicked with it the rest of the game." (HA)


Kelly said he "tweaked" his right ankle a few times this season, but:
"It's a little more serious this time." (HA)

Kelly said that the brace and crutches are:
"precautionary (measures) so I don't do anything stupid. It reminds me not to run." (HA)


About how he received medical clearance to play again after missing the past 3 games with a fractured left fibula, Francis Maka said after practicing yesterday:
"I still have four more days to get over the discomfort. There's a little bit of pain." (HA)


About how Maka has been cleared to play earlier than expected, GM said:
"He has a chance. He's been cleared. We just want to get him used to being out here again." (HSB)


Hoping he can play against UW, Maka said:
"I'm hoping I can play. We'll see how it goes this week. I feel good. Every day was treatment, then the weight room." (HSB)


About how they aren't going to rush Maka back and risk further injury to him, GM said:
"We're going to try to be smart. We don't want to re-activate his injury. We feel good about our depth on the line." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Sophomore John Fonoti has emerged as a force as a reserve end, with sacks in each of the last two games. He also forced a key fumble recovered by Joshua Leonard to end Boise State's last scoring threat Friday."


About how John Fonoti has been productive with the playing time he has been getting, GM said:
"John is playing strong and physical and with great quickness and discipline. On our defense you have to play with discipline." (HSB)


About how he didn't practice because of a "tweaked" right ankle that was injured when a BSU player stepped on his right foot during the BSU game, Jake Patek said:
"It felt pretty bad. I believe in the Lord, and I'll be restored fully." (HA)


About having LWJ serve as scout team RB to prepare the defense, GM said:
"He gave us a great look. We needed that. This guy is the best back we've faced." (HA)


About the repremand for Bess running onto the field and into the end zone to taunt Nevada fans seated in the stands after the Nevada game, Karl Benson said:
"His actions clearly violate the WAC sportsmanship code and won't be tolerated. Any further actions of this type may result in a one-game suspension." (HSB)

Bess apologized in a press release:
"I apologize to the Nevada fans for my behavior at the end of the game that night. It was an emotional win and my actions were inappropriate. I can assure you that it will not happen again." (HSB)


About how his hometown Washington never offered him a scholarship, Adam Leonard said:
"Udub never put an offer on the table so it was something that wasn't an option for me." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Leonard's mom, Lila Leonard, went to Washington, and his grandfather, Nathaniel Davis, played for the Huskies. Lila, Adam's father, Richard Leonard, and his two brothers, will be in the stands Saturday, along with most of Adam's high school coaches."


About not cheering for UW in this game, Lila Leonard said:
"I wanted Washington to win all their games this year. At least, until this game." (HSB)


About signing autographs now while wearing a cast on his fractured right hand, Adam Leonard said:
"I try my best." (HA)


About playing despite having a broken finger when he was 7, Adam said:
"It was a pinky finger. You don't need one." (HA)


About why she let Adam play with his broken finger, his mother Lila Leonard said:
"I think it would have hurt him more if he didn't play." (HA)


About how he didn't let injuries stop him from playing, Adam Leonard said:
"When I was young, I didn't want anything to stop me. Kids play through anything. They can run around all day no matter what's wrong with them. I was a tough kid." (HA)


Praising the job JJ has done at UH, former UH assistant (95 and 96) and current UW RB coach Trent Miles said:
“June Jones has done a great job. They’ve always loved football in Hawaii. There’s always been great support. You could see (how things could improve). They’ve always had a chance to win. Now obviously, this is a special year for them. The state of Hawaii deserves good football. It’s the only show in town. They love it. You can see how they could be successful.” (NT)



About how their depth has gradually increased to the point that they are deep now, JJ said:
“(We sent) three offensive linemen to the National Football League. My first year here we had five guys, and if we lost one of them we were done. The next guy couldn’t have played at Grant High School. Now we’re deeper. We’ve got 13 guys. On the D-line, we’ve got 12 guys. Over our time period, our depth has gotten better at the key spots. You’ve got to have O-linemen and D-linemen. You can kind of fill in at the other positions.” (NT)

NT Note: "Jones reshaped the Warriors by keeping Hawaii players at home – 34 on the current roster."


About how he wanted to play for a mainland school at first, but realized that UH was best for him, Michael Lafaele said:
“When I came out of high school, I wanted to go to the mainland, I wanted to see what else was out there. But Hawaii was my best fit.” (NT)

NT Note: "All schools in all geographic settings know certain local players are going to want to stay home. But they also know certain local players are going to want to spread their wings. Those realities are only heightened by so remote and remarkable an island paradise as Hawaii."


About how UH has done a good job recruiting, Miles said:
“At Hawaii, the thing that you had to be careful of was the kid who just would take a visit. They’ve done a really good job of getting the guys that people overlook or (other recruiters) think, ‘Well, he might be a little short,’ or ‘He doesn’t fit the profile.’ ” (NT)


About the excitement level for the Warriors in Hawaii, Colt said:
“The excitement level out here right now is at a sky high. I think everybody here right now is very excited about this football game and the chance to close this out undefeated.” (NT)


ESPN spokesman Mike Humes talked about how happy ESPN was that the UH-BSU game had the highest Friday night rating on ESPN or ESPN2 this season, with 2.647 mil households:
"That (2.8 share) was also ESPN2's best rating (overall) of 2007, a great rating." (HA)


Happy with the high ratings for the game and hopeful it will help their TV negotiations in the offseason, Karl Benson said:
"Those are pretty darn good numbers." (HA)

HA Note: "The existing agreement pays the WAC approximately $6 million over six years and guarantees a minimum number of appearances for football (8) and men's basketball (3) each season spread over the ESPN network of ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Both subsequent extension offers from ESPN have carried improved financial terms, but Benson said, "I can't disclose how much."

The WAC also has sought a rights fee more in line with the seven-year, $48 million deal the Mountain West Conference has with College Sports Television. The MWC, however, has been burdened by a deal where many of its televised games are not available in areas represented by conference members."


About how UH football team members, cheerleaders, the pep band and Rainbow Dancers to gather on campus (probably the Stan Sheriff Center) to view and celebrate UH's selection for a BCS Bowl, Fox spokesman Dan Bell said:
"They are an exciting team that we want America to get to know better, and what better way than when you have a prime-time BCS selection show? Not only are they a tremendous story, they have one of the best players in the country in Colt Brennan, one of the most exciting offenses and best teams in the country." (HA)


About how they did a similar segment at BSU's packed Taco Bell Arena when BSU got their BCS big, Bell said;
"(Reporter) Chris Myers was amazed with the atmosphere." (HA)


About how reporter Charissa Thompson and a camera crew will be there for the event if UH wins on Saturday, Bell said:
"We're excited about the possibility of doing a (segment) from Hawai'i." (HA)


John McNamara, UH associate athletic director said about the plans:
"We're working internally to coordinate all the logistics and details with Fox but we won't be announcing anything publicly until after the game on Saturday, hopefully a UH victory." (HA)