Wednesday Morning Quotes for the UH-BSU Game

Sam Chi, operater of BCSguru, said that UH has to:
"not only need to beat Boise but to look good doing it." (HA)


Chi wrote on BCSGuru:
"...the hopes of a WAC representative in a BCS bowl were all but dashed by Ohio State's victory (over Michigan). The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher. Hawai'i's only hope appears to rest with a Tennessee upset of LSU in the SEC title game, but even that doesn't guarantee anything. Boise State's quest for a repeat trip to a BCS bowl is deader than Generalissimo Francisco Franco." (HA)


Chi says that a top 12 finish for UH without beating BSU soundly or some help from other teamS;
"from where they are right now is probably a little bit of a stretch. The problem for them is they need all the votes they can get in the polls because the computers are just not going to help a whole heckuva lot at this point because of Hawai'i's schedule." (HA)


Karl Benson gave his standard response:
"I remain confident that the (BCS) process will reward a 12-0 Hawai'i team." (HA)


About returning from injury to boost UH's special teams, Rustin Saole said:
"I feel pretty good — 100 percent." (HA)


About how Saole is positioned 2nd from the right on the front line on kick returns, Rich Miano said that in the Nevada game Saole's replacement missed a key block:
"If Rustin were in there, it would have been a touchdown." (HA)


About how Solomon Elimimian replace Saole as right guard on punts, Miano said:
"Solomon is a leader on defense, and we'd rather have him on the sideline during punts." ( HA)


About how Saole is one of the inside wedge-busters on kickoffs, Miano said:
"He's one of the guys who takes great pride in playing special teams. When he's in there, it makes a big difference." (HA)


About wearing a knee brace after his return from his knee injury, Pilares said:
"It takes a lot away. It's like baggage. I'm getting used to it, because I might have to play with it." (HA)

HA Note: "The Broncos recruited Pilares in 2005, when he was the state's Offensive Player of the Year as a Damien Memorial High senior. But Pilares balked when he was encouraged to join the Broncos as a defensive back."

About why he didn't want to go to BSU, Pilares said:
"I didn't want to play defense. That was the major key why I didn't want to go there." (HA)

HA Note: "He also said he felt pressured to make a quick decision. Pilares accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy, but left during the equivalent of basic training. He then enrolled at UH."


About whether or not he'll go to the NFL after this season, Bess said:
"It's in the air still." (HA)


Asked about the reasons to return, Bess said:
"Hawai'i, the people here. Obviously it will help to have an extra year to put up good numbers. And I can graduate. Right now I'm on track to graduate right after my senior season. Graduating is the main thing." (HA)


About a play last year where an airborne BSU CB appeared to be aiming for his knee, requiring him to jump to avoid being hit and upsetting the UH coaches, Colt said:
"It was a corner blitz. Cornerbacks — I'm not speaking of all cornerbacks — they're not big hitters, so they usually go low, anyway. I think the guy was just trying to get to me. Luckily, I felt him and was able to get off the ground." (HA)


About how their 34-19 win over BSU (who was 10-3 in 1999) in 1999 was the turning point for their program, Rich Miano said:
"That's when I knew we were a good football team. To me, that's when I knew the June Jones era arrived." (HA)


About his wife of two weeks and high school sweetheart, the former Leona Wright, Keala Watson said:
"She's the love of my life." (HA)

HA Note: "They met as Nanakuli High juniors in the fall of 2002 after Keala moved from Kaua'i."


About how she knew Keala was the one even in high school, Leona said:
"I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him." (HA)

HA Note: "Their affection was strengthened by their Christian faith and the perseverance over tragedy. It was during their senior year in January 2004 when Leona's 40-year-old mother, Elizabeth Kanani Mathewson, died in a car accident. Two months later, Leona's father, Renold Wright, 45, suffered a fatal heart attack."


About how Leona lost both of her parents during her senior year, Keala said:
"They passed away so close together. It was devastating." (HA)

HA Note: "Leona also was caring for her grandmother, who died shortly after that."

About how his Christian faith helped get her through those tragedies, Leona said:
"Believing in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, that's the only thing that helped me get through all of the tragedies." (HA)


About how his parents invited Leona to move into their home in Nanakuli, Keala said:
"She needed somebody, and we were there. My parents were really cool about it. They took on the mother and father role." (HA)


About the Watsons' kindness, Leona said with her eyes moistening:
"His family was there for me when my parents passed away. His parents are practically mom and dad to me. They fill in those roles. I praise the Lord for blessing them, and bringing them into my life." (HA)

HA Note: "Leona also has been supportive of Keala, attending every UH home practice — in the rain or sweltering training-camp heat. She was at his side when he was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disorder, a condition similar to hemophilia in which a chemical deficiency does not allow his blood to clot normally. He redshirted as a UH freshman in 2004 because of the condition. And she has watched as he has ascended the depth chart. Keala is now in the starting rotation at defensive tackle."


Praising Keala, DL coach Jeff Reinbold said:
"He's doing a really good job." (HA)


About his proposal to Leona 3.5 years ago, Keala said:
"She was crying. She cried for five minutes. I was like, 'is that yes or no?' She said, 'yes.' " (HA)


About how they knew that they were too young to get married but Leona changed to the church where Keala worshiped, Leona said:
"We wanted to grow together in the Lord." (HA)


About how they wanted to get married before the start of training camp in August, Leona said:
"we wanted to make it right already." (HA)

HA Note: "But the wedding was delayed while Keala sought answers about his medical coverage. He feared the cost of his blood-clotting medicine would soar if he left his father's medical-insurance plan. He carries a nasal-spray bottle containing medicine he must take before every game. Each 12-dose bottle costs about $900. When it was learned the insurance he paid through the school would cover the medicine, the wedding was set for one of the bye weeks."


About their simple service at Leona's uncle's house in Nanakuli, Leona said:
"It's a beach-front property. It extends over the reef in Nanakuli. It was the right place. We met in Nanakuli. My parents are both scattered out there." (HA)

HA Note: "Keala, a fourth-year junior, and Leona are on track to earn their bachelor's degrees in May 2009. Keala, who has a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average, is majoring in environmental studies. Leona, who is studying to be a speech pathologist, has a 3.8 GPA."


About how they want to get their masters degrees at UH after this year, Leona said:
"We both want to continue to go to school and get our masters. We really like going to school at UH."


About Karl Noa's district All-America award, Keala said:
"Karl's only taking about four credits and has a 4.0 right now. He's graduating this semester." (HSB)


About Keala's classes that include advanced biology, geography, botany, and Hawaiian courses, Reinbold said:
"He's designing his own major. Endemic horticulture." (HSB)


About how he's actually an environmental studies major, Keala described his customized program:
"Preservation of native plants and animals." (HSB)


About how Keala is a fun guy to be around, Adam Leonard said:
"He just has that wit about him, anything can turn into a joke around him. He's a fun guy to have around. Walrus, he always keeps us on our toes. And you can see how hard he works, especially getting down in weight from last year (334 to 300 on his 6-foot-3 frame). I was shocked to see how much he changed. He's been making plays the past two years. He's one of those guys that when he comes in the game we have confidence he'll get the job done." (HSB)

HSB Note: "That was the case last Friday when Watson, the third defensive tackle, saw more action than usual when starters Mike Lafaele and Fale Laeli left the game with injuries. Watson was in on three tackles, but one of them forced a Colin Kaepernick fourth-quarter fumble that Watson recovered, preventing the Wolf Pack from adding to their 26-25 lead. After Desmond Thomas stopped the Pack on the next series, UH took over for the game-winning drive that ended with Dan Kelly's 45-yard field goal."


About how Keala's attention to technique and quickness allowed him to force that fumble and recover it, Reinbold said:
"On that particular blitz, he looks at the tackle. The tackle released, and because his eyes were in the right place he was able to chase him and knock the ball out. Because he's conscientious he put himself in position to make the play. I don't want to make it sound like he's not talented, because not many guys his size have that quickness." (HSB)


About how Keala is considered a 3rd DT starter, GM said:
"He, Mike and Fale are all solid players. They give us a great inside push. That's our starting point, those guys inside. I feel like we really have some good ones. He plays smart, he plays low, very coachable, runs to the football. Knows where the ball is. Very smart player, very seldom busts." (HSB)


About how he and Siave Seti observe what goes on when the starters are in the game to prepare for when they get in, Keala said:
"He's a real big influence for me on the sideline with me. Seti keeps me pumped up and takes a role as a leader even though he doesn't have that much playing time. We have a connection. Every time we go in there we just try to cause havoc.

Everyone has a role on this team. I can't grumble about where I sit. I can control what I put out on the field. I can't control anything else. Scout guys, they don't even see the playing field. I'm just lucky and blessed to go out there and at least have some time." (HSB)


About how Keala never gave up despite his blood disorder and broken hand, Reinbold said:
"He kept on believing and doing what he was asked to do, with his weight, and technique. Conscientious. That's the thing that separates him. He's not just book smart. He's book smart and football smart. When we ask him to do something, he does it every single time. He's exactly what you want representing your program." (HSB)