Quotes about UH's #1 vote from an AP voter

About how he voted UH #1 in his AP ballot and will vote UH #1 after they play Georgia, El Paso Times sportswriter Bret Bloomquist said:
"I expect Hawaii to win. I think they could beat Ohio State. I think they can line up with anyone in the country. Their offense can score against anyone, and you win with quarterbacks." (HSB)

Note: Hal Mumme voted UH in the coaches' poll and retired sportswriter Larry Keech voted UH #1 in the Harris poll.


Bloomquist did not have UH very high in his rankings early in the season, but:
"once teams stared losing, I moved them up quickly." (HSB)


About how he saw got to watch several of UH's games on TV, Bloomquist said:
"I got to see a lot of highlights, too. I do take schedules into account. But winning is certainly the biggest thing." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Bloomquist said he received four e-mails regarding his No. 1 vote for the Warriors. Three (two of them from Hawaii) applauded his choice. One criticized it."


About how they appreciate the #1 votes they got, but they are focused on winning games, Solomon Elimimian said:
"It's humbling to know that they think we're that good. We are a great team, we played against Coach Hal Mumme, so he would know. At the same time I don't know how much we care. We know we have to win this upcoming game. (The BCS ranking) matters, but it doesn't. We did all we can do and we let the chips fall where they may." (HSB)


Asked if they deserved a shot at the national title if they beat Georgia, Sol said:
"Honestly I don't know. It's very complicated. A lot of people don't know how good a team we are. If we beat Georgia, more people will come around and understand that Hawaii is a great team. We know we're a great team, and we know Georgia is a great team." (HSB)


Asked if UH should be #1, Jason Rivers said:
"I would say no, because these other teams have been good for a long time. We just started being good. Just like they paid their dues, we gotta pay our dues, too. You can't just come out of nowhere and go straight to the top. You gotta go through the ranks. At least some people are giving us respect." (HSB)


About Hal Mumme's #1 vote, JJ said:
"Hal respects what we've done and how we've done it." (HSB)


Asked if they deserve to be ranked #1 if they beat Georgia, JJ said:
"I don't have any feelings either way on that. We're just going to try to play our best. We'll have our hands full." (HSB)