Quotes from 12/18

About what he'd like to do with his communications degree, Colt said:
"I look at guys like Kirk Herbstreet (of ESPN), and a bunch of other guys. They travel around the world, and talk about college football, and watch college football, or watch pro football -- I can't imagine a better life." (KHNL)

About how his 4-year probation period for trespassing (entering a room) and burglary (not leaving immediately) in a University of Colorado dormitory in January 2004 was ended after when he graduated, Colt said:
"I'm done with probation." (HA)

"I did the time. Now I'm a normal kid again." (HA)

HA Note: "Brennan, who developed into a Heisman Trophy finalist in his third season at UH, has been a model citizen since arriving in Hawai'i in July 2005. He has been a frequent speaker at juvenile-detention centers in Hawai'i. Brennan, who said the probation was always in the back of his mind, was not concerned about his behavior in Hawai'i."

Colt had worried about being on probation and that sometimes:
"situations can be taken out of your control. That was the worry. What if something happened, no matter how slight? It wouldn't have mattered. There really are no second chances when you're on probation. It could be a number of small things. But no matter how small they are, because you're on probation, you're pretty much screwed." (HA)

About how he cannot relax until the Sugar Bowl is over, Colt said:
"I can't really rest until the season is over. It's the competitive nature. You feel responsible in the position I'm in. That's part of the (quarterback) position. You have a bunch of responsibilities." (HA)

About how they can make this season even more special with the Sugar Bowl, Colt said:
"We have to ask ourselves what we're trying to do here. We've already won over a state. We've already done a lot of great things. But maybe it's time for us to impact a nation." (HA)

About how they are representing now just their football team, but previous UH football teams too, Colt said:
"Not only for this team, but for so many other (UH) teams in the past. There's so much for people to learn about what we've overcome, what we do out here, and how unique and different it is. It seems all the Mainland (media) people do is talk about negative things or bring up excuses. And, really, this whole time what they should be doing is saying how impressed they are that Hawai'i can compete so far away from the Mainland, and have the success they've had." (HA)

Colt said that theyare facing:
"a great Georgia team." (HA)

About their opportunity in the Sugar Bowl, Colt said:
"We basically have a chance to write our own history, our own script. Right now, we can't talk. We just have to keep working." (HA)


About how he suffered a right shoulder injury when he was thrown while riding a bull on Friday and will not play in the Sugar Bowl, Victor Clore said:
"You've got to accept the fact that it's injured and move on. But it's kind of embarrassing." (HA)

HSB Note: "Backup defensive end Victor Clore's right arm was in a sling yesterday. He said he injured his shoulder lifting weights and may not be able to play in the Sugar Bowl."

About how Clore asked if he could tag along with him, Brad Kalilimoku (who is a paniolo) said:
"He wanted to come to the ranch (at Whitmore Village), so I took him to the ranch." (HA)

HA Note: "Kalilimoku said he put Clore on a bull that has "good and bad days." "

About how Kalilimoku told him that he wouldn't get hurt, Clore said:
"He said I wouldn't get hurt. I ended up getting hurt, anyway." (HA)

Kalilimoku said that he feels "a little bit" guilty about Clore's injury:
"But I'm like, 'If you want to try, go ahead.' They see little ol' me doing it. He tried to do it and he got hurt." (HA)

About Kalilimoku, Clore said:
"Brad is a pretty intimidating guy. See him? Big arms." (HA)

About how he has no regrets, Clore said:
"There's first time for everything." (HA)

About how they renamed that bull, Kalilimoku said:
"Before we used to call him 'Kaipo.' Now we named him 'Victor.' " (HA)

About how he switched sides with DE Amani Purcell due to his sore left hand, and he will play Purcell's left end spot, Karl Noa (who played at left end in his first 2 UH seasons) said:
"It feels more comfortable to be on the left side." (HA)

HA Note: "At left end, Noa goes into a stance in which his right hand is on the ground. His left hand is heavily wrapped, although there is no fracture."

HA Note: "Purcell, who played defensive right end at Penn State before transferring to UH, said he does not have a preference. He also has been used as a nose tackle when the Warriors go to a three-man line in certain passing situations."

About switching sides with Noa, Purcell said:
"Karl loves that (left) side. We're letting him have that chance so he can perform better." (HA)

About graduating from UH, Noa said:
"It feels awesome. It's another accomplishment added to my life. A lot of people don't see what we've got to do. It makes it a lot more rewarding for us to put in the time and work in the classroom." (HA)

HA Note: "Purcell follows his older brother, former UH defensive end Melila Purcell, as a UH graduate."

About how he lost a lot of credits when he transferred from Penn State, Amani Purcell said:
"Only half of my credits were accepted (by UH). I had to make up a whole year and a half of classes (before being eligible to play for UH). I had to take a whole bunch of classes." (HA)

HA Note: "Purcell credits his parents for pushing him to graduate. Sauimoana and Melila Jr. have traveled from American Samoa every week to watch their son's games."

About being held out of contract drills because of a sore right shoulder, Fale Laeli said:
"I had to calm it down a little bit." (HA)


About Khevin Peoples, the primary scout team RB to help the defense prepare for Georgia freshman Knowshon Moreno's speed and power, JJ said:
"I played against his Dad. He was a good player, an inside-running guy, really good player." (HSB)

HSB Note: "SEC football is part of Peoples' DNA; his father was George Peoples, a star at Auburn who played four seasons in the NFL."

HSB Note: "George Peoples died a few months before Khevin traveled to Hawaii from Tampa, Fla., and reported to UH as a freshman. But Khevin will have several relatives from Alabama and Florida (including his mother, Regina, a former Auburn track star) at the Superdome."


About how he hasn't been able to play in games but he has been able to help out in other ways, such as the scout team and assisting with videotaping games, Peoples said:
"I had to take a back seat, but I was still able to help out." (HSB)


Praising Peoples, Desmond Thomas said:
"His spirits are high and he never gives in and never gives up. I think before his time is up he's going to get a good shot." (HSB)

About the importance of his job on the scout team, Peoples said:
"It's a job that I was given. I'm not gonna turn my nose up at anything, be it scout team or whatever it is. An opportunity like this, it really feels good. I'm physically getting back into what I used to know playing football in the South. I was brought up with the I-formation and running straight at you. Spreading out, four recievers, I really wasn't brought up with, it wasn't shown to me." (HSB)

About how he's seen Moreno play enough this season to try to simulate his running style, Peoples said:
"He's a cutback and a straightforward (runner). When I saw him he reminded me of Cadillac Williams. They're both straight power backs and if they need to cut, they cut. Moreso, more than anything, if you're in the way, tough luck. It's gonna be you or him, and he's gonna pretty much make damn sure it's you." (HSB)

About SEC running games, Peoples said:
"Southeastern Conference football, just run the ball. It's that old-school, get down in the trenches between the tackles and do it." (HSB)

About how they appreciate the work that Peoples does on the scout team to prepare their D, Desmond Thomas said:
"Khevin Peoples, he makes our defense play up every day. We can't take a day off. We can't go half-speed on any plays. When Khevin has the ball, after he gets hit he's going to continue to run. It gets irritating at times, but he's making us such a better defense. Great preparation. He's running hard, and we know the Georgia backs are going to run hard. Our scout teams have done a great job all season, and they deserve a lot of credit." (HSB)

About how they have look for opportunities for Peoples to play, JJ said:
"We've tried to find an opportunity to find a place for him to play. He works hard and does what he's supposed to do and perseveres. Hopefully we'll have an opportunity to get him on the field before he gets out of here. But right now his role is to help us get ready." (HSB)

HSB Note: "A lower back strain that kept him off the field much of this season didn't help. Typical to his style, though, Peoples found a way to help the team while injured. He assisted with videotaping during games."

About assisting with videotaping during games, Peoples said:
"I wasn't suiting up and I didn't want to just be sitting in the stands. I wanted to contribute and help out in some way." (HSB)

About their various injured players need to be able to practice to prepare for the game, JJ said:
"We gotta get the rest of the guys out there. If you don't practice you don't play good. They'll be ready, but you've got to push through some stuff." (HSB)


Asked where the latest batch of 1,000 tickets came from, Derek Inouchi, media relations director of the athletic department, said:
"I'm really not sure." (HSB)

HSB Note: "He also did not know where the seats are located in the Louisiana Superdome. The 1,000 tickets will be available solely to season ticket holders who have not had a chance to purchase tickets since UH sold out 8,500 tickets in two days a few weeks ago."

HF said that the athletic department has "worked tirelessly" to meet the demand:
"We're hopeful that this final offering of tickets will satisfy the needs of most or all of the season ticket holders who were interested in tickets." (HSB)

About how UH hasn't released a list of who will be using their reserved tickets, Inouchi said:
"They haven't finalized that list." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Meanwhile, some season tickets holders who picked up their tickets yesterday were disappointed at the location of their seats. A Manoa resident, who did not want to give her name, said her 11 seats are in the middle of the end zone instead of at the 20-yard sideline behind the UH bench, where she normally sits at Aloha Stadium."

The unnamed season ticket holder said:
"I'm not happy about that. We thought they would give us equivalent seats." (HSB)

After getting his Sugar Bowl tickets, Kalihi resident Vincent Scharsch, 68, said:
"It feels like heaven. ... I get all chicken skin. It's once in lifetime, this game." (HSB)

About the 1,000 tickets, UH officials said:
"Tickets will not be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, so any season ticket holder calling Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. will have equal access to tickets." (HSB)

HSB Note: "An unidentified Honolulu businessman has arranged a private charter on an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-700 aircraft to transport friends and business associates to the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl game against the University of Georgia. Those flying on the trip will share the charter costs. The charter, which can carry up to 124, will leave on Dec. 29."