About the opportunity for their D, Wilson Afoa said:
"This is a chance for us to step up to a challenge. It's just a chance for us." (SPI)
About their offense, JJ said:
"I think our scheme is pretty good. A lot of people just don't ... they're not committed to what we do, and we committed to it, believe in it. We route adjust. We have packages where the receivers read coverage as the ball is snapped. It's a lot of reading on the run -- if (a defender) does this, we do that. Subsequently, we have a lot of plays." (SPI)
About how UH's WRs are dangerous after the catch, Tyrone Willingham said:
"What they do after the catch is amazing. All (four receivers) can take it and dash and make a 5-yard pass into a 50-yard pass." (SPI)
About how they are going to have to put pressure on Colt, Afoa said:
"As a D-line, we're going to have to give a fanatical pass rush. It's going to be a challenge for us to get to that quarterback." (SPI)
About how they will need to run the ball and keep UH's offense off the field, offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said:
"We've got to be able to manage the clock, and that means run the football. You're not going to shut them out, but we've got to slow them down, and I don't think anyone has done that -- not that I'm aware of." (SPI)
Praising RB Rankin, JJ said:
"(Rankin) might be the equivalent of (former Cal running back Marshawn Lynch). He looks like that type of player -- very explosive." (SPI)
"Their quarterback and running back might be the best athletes we've played all year." (SPI)
About what their offense needs to do, Lappano said:
"It's really important we stay on the field, convert third downs. We can't drop balls, can't fumble the ball, can't miss throws." (SPI)
About how they are going all out to beat UH, Lappano said:
"They're playing for the BCS game and $11 million. We're going to let it fly." (SPI)
About UW, JJ said:
"Washington has played the most difficult schedule in the country. They had USC down to the wire, beat Cal ... they can play. They beat Boise handily, and we're going to have to be ready to play another high-level game to beat them." (SPI)
About how they have to focus on the UW game, Colt said:
“I know everyone is really excited about the possibilities in front of us, but everyone needs to focus on Washington right now because we've got to win this football game." (AP)
About their trip to play UH, DL Jordan Reffett said:
“This is not a vacation. This is business. (We need to) get the job done and go out as a winner and give the fans something to cheer about, which we haven't done for a while,” (AP)
Sol Elimimian is happy with their success:
“but at the same time we know it could be gone in a second.” (AP)
Sol said that it would be "embarrasing" to lose to UW and added:
“If we lose to Washington, all of it is for nothing.” (AP)
Praising Jake Locker, Adam Leonard said:
“He's just a baller. Everything in the word 'athlete,' that's what he is. He's fast, big, strong. ... He's not an everyday quarterback that runs and gets out of bounds. He runs through tacklers and tries to score on every play.” (AP)
About facing UH, Locker said:
“It's a good opportunity to go in and kind of let it all hang out, give everything we have and see what happens.” (AP)
JJ called RB Rankin:
“scary.” (AP)
About facing UH's offense, Tyrone Wittingham said:
“You kind of feel like you're running up a treadmill all the time against these guys. You're chasing from behind and it takes most teams out of their game.” (AP)
About how he doesn't want Wittingham to be fired, Reffett said:
“Obviously I'm not the president or athletic director, but stability is the best thing this team needs right now." (AP)
About how UW reminds him of how UH was in 2005, his first year with the Warriors, Colt said:
“We had all the talent, but we just didn't put it together yet. But we played with everyone, and I think Washington is going to come out and play with us, especially with the season they've had. We've got to get this victory.” (AP)
Excited to end his college career at Aloha Stadium, former Hawaii state champion Wilson Afoa said:
“I’m definitely excited. Not many college athletes can say that they played their last high school game and their last college game in the same stadium.” (NY)
About the game, Afoa said:
“I believe 100 percent in my teammates. This is pretty much a business trip for us – just another game on our schedule. So we just have to step up to the challenge and play football.” (NT)
About why they are flying into Hawaii late so that they can sight-see on Sunday, Willingham said:
“Hopefully, the way we will do things will allow them to focus on winning the football game first, and then see the beauty of Hawaii." (NT)
About how he wants his teammates to get the feel of Hawaii, Afoa said:
“It’s real laid back. Everybody cares about each other. It’s just that love that you’re not going to feel anywhere else.” (NT)
About the laid-back attitude at Aloha Stadium, Te'o-Neesheim said:
“It was quiet whenever I’ve been there. I’ve been there for three games. One was Cincinnati, (another was) when they beat Michigan State and when they beat Idaho. They weren’t really that packed. They were quiet. It was kind of an island feel, I guess.” (NT)
About how he wasn't a big UH fan growing up, Te'o-Nesheim said:
“I watched UH football when I was there, but I wasn’t a super hard-core UH football fan. They never did this good when I was there.” (NT)
About how he went to UW to have a chance at conference titles and bowl games but they haven't had either during his 5 years there while UH will go to 4 bowl games and just won the WAC title, Afoa said:
“I’m happy for the state of Hawaii, where the program has gone. I respect coach (June) Jones and where he has taken the program to. But I have no regrets picking Washington over Hawaii.” (NT)
Friday, November 30, 2007
More quotes from Friday morning
KGI = Kauai Garden Isle News
ST = Seattle Times
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
About Colt not being a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award for the nation's best QB, Willingham said:
"There's still somewhat of a perception that there is a major difference between the (Western Athletic Conference) and (BCS conferences)." (SPI)
Praising Colt's throwing ability, Willingham said:
"He has a wonderful knack of knowing where his people are and has a unique release that he can almost release it underhand to get it to people." (SPI)
About how Tebow has his Heisman vote, with 4 less TDs than Colt (on 105 fewer attempts) and 7 more rushing TDs than McFadden, CBS Sportsline writer (and Heisman voter) Dennis Dodd said:
"You got a guy in Florida that did what Colt did last year, shattering the record for touchdowns in a season. He's Hershel Walker as quarterback. Fifty-one touchdowns? He's my No. 1 guy right now." (SPI)
About how he thinks that Colt was better last year, Dodd said:
"I don't think Colt is a runaway winner at all. I thought he was better last year on an 8-3 team than this year with a 11-0 team because he hasn't been as efficient and he hasn't played in all the games." (SPI)
About how Colt should be a Heisman finalist if they go undefeated, JJ said:
"If we win (all 12 games), he'll be impressive because there's no way we can win unless he is." (SPI)
About how he got through the crowd after the BSU game to give him his WAC Champion shirt, Kenny Estes said:
“I had to wrestle my way through the crowd to get to him. I saw (my family) in the stands before the game so I kind of knew where he was.” (KGI)
Proud of his son, Clarence Estes said:
“I was so elated for him. After the game, he came up to me and presented me with one of the WAC Champions shirts. I’m so proud of him.” (KGI)
KGI Note: "But just the week before, the freshman out of Waimea High School was faced with a dilemma. Coach Dennis McKnight approached Estes, who had just gotten out of class, and explained to him that the coaches wanted him to suit up for the WAC game against Fresno State. Estes was on the team under redshirt status. Suiting up would mean giving up that year of sitting out and joining the team on the field to play special teams."
About how Kenny called him about giving up his redshirt status, Clarence said:
“(Kenny) called me one day and said ‘Dad, I have a dilemma. They want me to play.’ I told him that he ought to feel privileged. It says a lot about his part on the team and I said to him ‘If the team needs you, you have to go.” (KGI)
Kenny said that he thought about it for an hour before agreeing:
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give up my redshirt status or not. But I really wanted to play.” (KGI)
About how he practiced all summer, sometime staying late to work with Rich Miano, Kenny said:
“This whole time (practicing) I was trying to prove myself to them. I guess they noticed.” (KGI)
KGI Note: "Estes suited up for the game that week, but status as an active player was short. He hurt his shoulder and could not play the next couple of weeks. The time off, though, was just the right amount of time as Estes expects to suit up tomorrow for the sold-out Washington (4-8) game at Aloha Stadium."
About how the attention the team has been getting doesn't affect him, Kenny said:
“It doesn’t really affect me, the fact that everyone’s talking about Hawai‘i. It feels kind of normal.” (KGI)
Happy to be with the Warriors, Kenny said:
“Before I signed, people were all telling me about their experiences in college. And they were all true. It’s just like they said. The game is faster and the playing is more technical.” (KGI)
Not regretting giving up his redshirt status for the 1 game he was able to play, Kenny said:
“The time I play against Fresno is what I’ll remember about this season." (KGI)
KGI Note: "Estes is one of five Hawai‘i players who claim Kaua‘i as his hometown: wide receiver Jett Jasper, defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga, and defensive linemen Keala and Keahi Watson."
About the Kauai Warrior group, Kenny said:
“I think it’s great. Jett’s a great guy and I know Vaughn. He used to practice with us in Waimea in the summer." (KGI)
If he wasn't playing college football, Kenny was asked what he would be doing:
“I was actually thinking about running track for the University of Oregon. I wanted to run maybe the 100, 200 or maybe the 4-by-1 relay. When I was over at Waimea, coach Walker was going to help me, but I didn’t know if I would get a scholarship from Oregon so when UH said they’d give me a scholarship, I kind of took the first opportunity I could get.” (KGI)
Asked if he had a favorite football team or player growing up, Kenny said:
“Not really. I didn’t really watch a lot of football. I just like playing it.” (KGI)
Asked what he does in his spare time while he's home in Kauai, Kenny said:
“Fishing. I like to go fishing on the Westside or ride my bike. Sometimes I ride my Harley with my Dad.” (KGI)
About how he misses the Seattle weather, Adam Leonard said:
"Putting on that coat and carrying around an umbrella, I enjoy that. But I'm getting used to Hawaii." (ST)
JJ praised Adam this week, calling him:
"maybe the best player in the [Western Athletic Conference] on defense." (ST)
ST Note: "Not bad for a player few schools thought worthy of a scholarship after he suffered two knee injuries that caused him to miss most of his senior season at Rainier Beach in 2004. Leonard said he was talking to coaches at Dixie College in Utah when they showed his film to coaches at Hawaii, who offered him a scholarship the next day, a few weeks after signing day."
About how Washington never offered him a scholarship, even though he talked to both coaching staffs (they changed from Gilbertson to Willingham that offseason), Adam said:
"It would have been great to be home but I didn't want to go to a school that didn't want me. It hurt, but I'm not a guy that dwells on the past. I'm just happy I ended up here." (ST)
About how people who study them know they are a good defense, Adam said:
"But if people watch our film and study us, they know we are a good defense. It might not show in all the key stats. We're not going to be defined by outside people. We're just going out there each week competing." (ST)
Tyson Kafentzis, the 9th member of his family to play for UH, said about UH:
"It's like one big family over here." (ST)
ST Note: "Hawaii linebacker Tyson Kafentzis, a junior from Richland, is the ninth member of his family to play for the Warriors. Tyson is the son of Mark Kafentzis, a former Richland High star who began the migration when he transferred there from Columbia Basin College in 1980, later helping lure brothers Kent, Kurt, Kyle and Sean to play there as well."
Note: Tyson's older brother Landon played at Hawaii in 2004-05.
ST Note: "He said he has "about a thousand" cousins, many of whom are young football players, and figures the family name at Hawaii will continue someday. Like many of the other family members, he wears No. 8 for Hawaii."
ST = Seattle Times
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
About Colt not being a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award for the nation's best QB, Willingham said:
"There's still somewhat of a perception that there is a major difference between the (Western Athletic Conference) and (BCS conferences)." (SPI)
Praising Colt's throwing ability, Willingham said:
"He has a wonderful knack of knowing where his people are and has a unique release that he can almost release it underhand to get it to people." (SPI)
About how Tebow has his Heisman vote, with 4 less TDs than Colt (on 105 fewer attempts) and 7 more rushing TDs than McFadden, CBS Sportsline writer (and Heisman voter) Dennis Dodd said:
"You got a guy in Florida that did what Colt did last year, shattering the record for touchdowns in a season. He's Hershel Walker as quarterback. Fifty-one touchdowns? He's my No. 1 guy right now." (SPI)
About how he thinks that Colt was better last year, Dodd said:
"I don't think Colt is a runaway winner at all. I thought he was better last year on an 8-3 team than this year with a 11-0 team because he hasn't been as efficient and he hasn't played in all the games." (SPI)
About how Colt should be a Heisman finalist if they go undefeated, JJ said:
"If we win (all 12 games), he'll be impressive because there's no way we can win unless he is." (SPI)
About how he got through the crowd after the BSU game to give him his WAC Champion shirt, Kenny Estes said:
“I had to wrestle my way through the crowd to get to him. I saw (my family) in the stands before the game so I kind of knew where he was.” (KGI)
Proud of his son, Clarence Estes said:
“I was so elated for him. After the game, he came up to me and presented me with one of the WAC Champions shirts. I’m so proud of him.” (KGI)
KGI Note: "But just the week before, the freshman out of Waimea High School was faced with a dilemma. Coach Dennis McKnight approached Estes, who had just gotten out of class, and explained to him that the coaches wanted him to suit up for the WAC game against Fresno State. Estes was on the team under redshirt status. Suiting up would mean giving up that year of sitting out and joining the team on the field to play special teams."
About how Kenny called him about giving up his redshirt status, Clarence said:
“(Kenny) called me one day and said ‘Dad, I have a dilemma. They want me to play.’ I told him that he ought to feel privileged. It says a lot about his part on the team and I said to him ‘If the team needs you, you have to go.” (KGI)
Kenny said that he thought about it for an hour before agreeing:
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give up my redshirt status or not. But I really wanted to play.” (KGI)
About how he practiced all summer, sometime staying late to work with Rich Miano, Kenny said:
“This whole time (practicing) I was trying to prove myself to them. I guess they noticed.” (KGI)
KGI Note: "Estes suited up for the game that week, but status as an active player was short. He hurt his shoulder and could not play the next couple of weeks. The time off, though, was just the right amount of time as Estes expects to suit up tomorrow for the sold-out Washington (4-8) game at Aloha Stadium."
About how the attention the team has been getting doesn't affect him, Kenny said:
“It doesn’t really affect me, the fact that everyone’s talking about Hawai‘i. It feels kind of normal.” (KGI)
Happy to be with the Warriors, Kenny said:
“Before I signed, people were all telling me about their experiences in college. And they were all true. It’s just like they said. The game is faster and the playing is more technical.” (KGI)
Not regretting giving up his redshirt status for the 1 game he was able to play, Kenny said:
“The time I play against Fresno is what I’ll remember about this season." (KGI)
KGI Note: "Estes is one of five Hawai‘i players who claim Kaua‘i as his hometown: wide receiver Jett Jasper, defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga, and defensive linemen Keala and Keahi Watson."
About the Kauai Warrior group, Kenny said:
“I think it’s great. Jett’s a great guy and I know Vaughn. He used to practice with us in Waimea in the summer." (KGI)
If he wasn't playing college football, Kenny was asked what he would be doing:
“I was actually thinking about running track for the University of Oregon. I wanted to run maybe the 100, 200 or maybe the 4-by-1 relay. When I was over at Waimea, coach Walker was going to help me, but I didn’t know if I would get a scholarship from Oregon so when UH said they’d give me a scholarship, I kind of took the first opportunity I could get.” (KGI)
Asked if he had a favorite football team or player growing up, Kenny said:
“Not really. I didn’t really watch a lot of football. I just like playing it.” (KGI)
Asked what he does in his spare time while he's home in Kauai, Kenny said:
“Fishing. I like to go fishing on the Westside or ride my bike. Sometimes I ride my Harley with my Dad.” (KGI)
About how he misses the Seattle weather, Adam Leonard said:
"Putting on that coat and carrying around an umbrella, I enjoy that. But I'm getting used to Hawaii." (ST)
JJ praised Adam this week, calling him:
"maybe the best player in the [Western Athletic Conference] on defense." (ST)
ST Note: "Not bad for a player few schools thought worthy of a scholarship after he suffered two knee injuries that caused him to miss most of his senior season at Rainier Beach in 2004. Leonard said he was talking to coaches at Dixie College in Utah when they showed his film to coaches at Hawaii, who offered him a scholarship the next day, a few weeks after signing day."
About how Washington never offered him a scholarship, even though he talked to both coaching staffs (they changed from Gilbertson to Willingham that offseason), Adam said:
"It would have been great to be home but I didn't want to go to a school that didn't want me. It hurt, but I'm not a guy that dwells on the past. I'm just happy I ended up here." (ST)
About how people who study them know they are a good defense, Adam said:
"But if people watch our film and study us, they know we are a good defense. It might not show in all the key stats. We're not going to be defined by outside people. We're just going out there each week competing." (ST)
Tyson Kafentzis, the 9th member of his family to play for UH, said about UH:
"It's like one big family over here." (ST)
ST Note: "Hawaii linebacker Tyson Kafentzis, a junior from Richland, is the ninth member of his family to play for the Warriors. Tyson is the son of Mark Kafentzis, a former Richland High star who began the migration when he transferred there from Columbia Basin College in 1980, later helping lure brothers Kent, Kurt, Kyle and Sean to play there as well."
Note: Tyson's older brother Landon played at Hawaii in 2004-05.
ST Note: "He said he has "about a thousand" cousins, many of whom are young football players, and figures the family name at Hawaii will continue someday. Like many of the other family members, he wears No. 8 for Hawaii."
Quotes from Friday morning
About Colt, his father Terry Brennan said:
"He knows I'm his biggest fan." (HSB)
Watching old videotapes of Colt's games when he was a kid, Betsy Brennan said with a laugh:
"Colt was like 8 or 9, and he's running back and forth with the ball and you can hear Terry in the background saying, 'Get rid of the ball, get rid of the ball!' The same thing he yells at him now." (HSB)
Asked whether or not he puts pressure on Colt, Terry said:
"That's how they make diamonds, through pressure. A lump of coal under extreme pressure." (HSB)
About how her husband is rough on Colt, Betsy said:
"He's probably harder on Colt than anyone." (HSB)
HSB Note: "But Terry Brennan is also Colt's "No. 1 fan." When his son was slammed to the field with a concussion three weeks ago, Terry Brennan hauled his husky 6-foot-4-inch frame to the locker room so fast he arrived at the same time Colt did, and was relieved to hear him say, "Hi, Dad." "
About all of the tickets he arranged for friends and family to see Colt play, Terry said:
"There's nothing greater than college football." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The elder Brennan, 56, is known as "the Ticketmaster" and lines up seats and handles logistics for hordes of relatives and friends to attend every game, from here to Louisiana. More than 90 turned out for the Las Vegas contest, coming from as far as Boston."
About how Colt was warned that locals often give pushy outsiders a hard time, Betsy said:
"I think he knew when he came over here that he had to lay low. He was quiet, unassuming and humble." (HSB)
About what Colt learned from his Colorado problem, Terry said:
"He learned that you can't take anything for granted. Adversity can touch anyone. There's maturity and responsibility for your actions, and there's a toll for making poor decisions." (HSB)
About the media criticism directed towards Colt after his Colorado incident, Betsy said:
"He didn't give up; he kept plugging along. And he could have. The press was ugly, even in our hometown. We didn't know how to handle it. They said a lot of bad things that weren't true." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Even before Colt Brennan had a say in the matter, his parents had a hunch he would be into sports. Their top choices of names for their newborn were Colton and Maverick. He has looked the part since he was 3, when his favorite outfit was a Rams replica uniform. His Pee Wee coach made him a quarterback at age 9."
About how Colt always wanted to play football with his older cousins, Betsy said:
"Colt was always the youngest, and he tried to hang with them. We'd have football games at Thanksgiving. He was always too young, and he was always upset he would have to sit on the side." (HSB)
About how Colt never wanted to give the ball up when he got into the game, Terry said:
"And when he got in, he always wanted the ball. Everybody had to stand around and give Colt the ball until he got so tired he had to go to the sidelines and suck his thumb." (HSB)
About how Colt loved diving in the surf to catch balls thrown from him, Terry said:
"I'd time it so that when I threw the ball, he'd have to reach up to get it, and just about that time the wave would smash into him. That was good practice. Kind of like those linebackers and defensive ends hitting him." (HSB)
About how Colt's cousin Brad Brennan is playing pro ball in Japan for the Fujitsu Frontiers and has learned to speak Japanese and is now mastering the written language, Betsy said:
"Brad has embraced the culture there, like Colt's embraced it here. All the nephews are like Colt. They're all cute, outgoing; they love people. Terry's side of the family has got a gift." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Like other Warrior parents, the Brennans have been crisscrossing the country to follow their boys. Terry Brennan, a residential and commercial broker, said the market downturn has given him more time. Betsy will take the red-eye home to Irvine Sunday night to do payroll for her family business. Gary and Gay Patek of Victoria, Texas, sold their cars and opted for older ones so they would not have car payments and could use the money for trips to watch their son, safety Jake Patek."
About downgrading their cars to get the money to go to their son Jacob's games, Gay Patek said:
"You know it's worth it. It's so exciting. It's just a very special time for our family." (HSB)
Not sure if she wants to sit next to Terry during tomorrow's game, Betsy said:
"He gets pretty intense." (HSB)
Terry cut in and said:
"It's a good intense." (HSB)
About how he's starting to get nervous about the UW game, Terry said with a smile:
"Here we go. The good news is that the state of Hawaii and the people of Hawaii are on the same roller coaster that we are. We're not alone." (HSB)
About how he likes to get away to the Island home on Kaloko Mountain on the Big Island that the father (Nick Furtado) of his girlfriend (Shakti Stream) built:
"Just getting out there and experiencing all of that is really cool." (HA)
HA Note: "Years ago, Stream's father, Nick Furtado, bought three acres on Kaloko Mountain. He cleared an area and built a house. There are solar panels to light the house's interior. A running-water system was installed about eight years ago. But the house does not have electricity. It is, in every definition, wireless."
About how Colt can never really get away, Dan Morrison said:
"He's passed that line where there's no turning back. He's too well known." (HA)
HA Note: "Indeed, the most popular gift this holiday season appears to be a Brennan-autographed item. This season, Brennan has signed his big looping "C" and "#15" on thousands of items. After one practice last week, he signed autographs for about an hour. Yesterday, next to the sign-up sheet for the team's training-table breakfast, there were three stacks of footballs, mini-helmets, T-shirts and pictures awaiting his autograph."
About how Colt has to autograph so many things, Morrison said:
"I've never seen anything like this. He can't even get breakfast. It's taxing on him, but he keeps plugging away. He doesn't want to say 'no' to people. Sometimes he needs help moving along, or he'll be stuck for hours." (HA)
About how this could be his last game with the Warriors at Aloha Stadium, Colt said:
"It'll be kind of interesting when Saturday rolls around, the feelings and stuff that will go through my head. There have been so many great memories. Considering the season and success we've had, it's been a great run. I can't wait to get there Saturday, and hopefully end my career at that stadium on a great note." (HA)
About how his first year at UH was the most fun despite their 5-7 record, Colt said:
"That year was the most fun. It was great because each win was so honored and so cherished." (HA)
About how he was nervous when he first came to UH, Colt said:
"Whenever you go to a college for the first time, you never know what's going to happen." (HA)
About how the first teammate he saw when he showed up at the athletic complex was Tyler Graunke, his host during his recruiting trip, Colt said:
"I had nothing going on, and he was like, 'You wanna hang out?' (HA)
HA Note: "They eventually became roommates in a Waikiki studio. They took turns sleeping on the floor. Later, Brennan, who was not on scholarship his first semester, moved to an apartment in Makiki."
About living in Hawaii, Colt said:
"To be living in the city the past couple of years was the kicker. To come to Hawai'i was a trip. I remember I thought the university was on the North Shore, and I'd be surrounded by surf beaches. But what's really neat about O'ahu is it offers everything. It offers the city. Whatever you need, you can get here. If you need some city life, you've got it. If you need to calm down and relax, you've got that, too." (HA)
About why he chose to go to Hawaii, Colt said:
"I came here because Hawai'i was so different and laid back. It seemed like a place where, besides football, you could enjoy yourself. You could really be happy, and enjoy life and the simple things. At the same time I loved football. When I took care of having fun off the field, that's when on the field it all kind of worked out for me." (HA)
About going to Irvine, CA for 2 weeks after the 2005 fall semester, Colt said:
"That's when I knew Hawai'i was the place for me. I remember when I'd go home to Cali, I couldn't wait to get back. It's weird right now. I know I'm leaving soon, so I'm trying to enjoy it." (HA)
HA Note: "After the bowl game, Brennan will return to California to train for the Senior Bowl in Alabama and National Football League combine in Indianapolis."
About how he doesn't know when he'll be back in Hawaii after their bowl game, but he will always have Hawaii in his heart, Colt said:
"I'll never be done with Hawai'i. This will be a place I'll never leave, even though I have obligations on the Mainland. If I get a chance to make some money, I'll get a place here. Even if I don't (make money), I need to come back." (HA)
Asked about his best UH memory, CJ Hawthorne said:
"Sports-wise, it was the game last Friday. But I've had a lot of good memories at UH. Personally, one was getting married out here. There were a couple of good things I was able to do for the church. The state's been real good to me." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"What comes to mind is the Fresno game my first year, coming from high school to playing against Fresno. That woke me up and put me in the right place to play the game. That's when I knew the difference between hitting in high school and college." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Ryan Keomaka said:
"I've got many memories, like hanging out with the boys. I'm going to miss that." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Michael Lafaele said:
"Winning the WAC championship, and making all of the friendships that I did. It's been a long road for me. It's exciting to move on." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Micah Lau said:
"Beating Boise State at home for the WAC championship." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Jason Laumoli said:
"Just being with the boys every morning, and having a good time practicing hard. And, of course, winning the WAC championship." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Gerard Lewis said:
"11-0." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Francis Maka said:
"Just the boys. They're pretty much family-oriented. I like how family-oriented this team is." (HA)
About his best UH memory, A.J. Martinez said:
"Just playing in the Alabama game in that stadium." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Myron Newberry said:
"Winning the WAC title." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Karl Noa said:
"Winning the WAC championship. It's everything I've worked for all these years. To win outright was amazing." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Timo Paepule said:
"Getting to spend time with the guys. The things we do off the field, and the bond we share. It's been a memorable year because it's my senior year and we're WAC champs. What you remember are the things off the field. I didn't make friends, I made brothers on this team." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Jacob Patek said:
"I have to say being with all of the players on the team. Just being with my friends. The late night at the hotel (before games) in Bible study. Even though we were supposed to be in our rooms, we'll be talking about the Lord. That's the best memory I've had." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Lorgan Pau said:
"Everything, man, everything. I enjoyed being here." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Amani Purcell said:
"The boys. Everyday, spending time with them." (HA)
About how they aren't afraid of playing BCS conference teams, RGM said:
"We showed that at the beginning of the summer when they couldn't get enough top BCS schools to play us in the first place. That should tell you something there, you know? We're not worried about that. Football is football. A game is a game. All you have to do is go out there and win, no matter who we play. Boise made the BCS last year and people thought we'd struggle against them. That just tells you it's the players and who wants it most." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Several UH players are transfers from schools in BCS conference, including quarterback Colt Brennan (Colorado), wide receiver Daniel Lofton (California), defensive end Francis Maka (Arizona), running back Leon Wright-Jackson (Nebraska), defensive end Amani Purcell (Penn State) and defensive end David Veikune (Colorado)."
Looking forward to facing Washington, Amani Purcell said:
"I'm just looking forward to playing good Pac-10 competition. I always wanted to play these guys. It'll be fun. I had a (recruiting) letter from them, but I don't really remember if they were trying that hard." (HSB)
About how the lightly recruited players often become better than the heavily recruited guys, Amani said:
"Yeah, they may have more talent, but this year's Warriors team has a lot of heart. And that's going to be the big difference. They want to give their seniors a good last game, but we have a lot of seniors, too. Yeah, I came from a big-time school and stuff, but the leader of our D-line is Mike (Lafaele), and he's always been here. There ain't no difference. It all depends on the person and his heart. Mike has the biggest heart." (HSB)
Looking forward to the Washington game, Colt said:
"Everyone talks about making statements. What better chance to make a statement this Saturday against a BCS school?" (HSB)
About Washington, JJ said:
"We line up against anyone we play and this is the best team we've played. On film, athletically, and we're going to have to show up and play our best game." (HSB)
About how they play whoever is on the schedule, RGM said:
"This isn't the first Pac-10 team we've played. Arizona State last year in the bowl game. People saw what we can do in that game. And there were other games throughout the year, Purdue. It don't really matter to us. We just go out there and play who shows." (HSB)
About how Jake Patek will be ready to play tomorrow, GM said:
"We're just being a little careful with him. His ankle felt good, he took reps (yesterday)." (HSB)
"He knows I'm his biggest fan." (HSB)
Watching old videotapes of Colt's games when he was a kid, Betsy Brennan said with a laugh:
"Colt was like 8 or 9, and he's running back and forth with the ball and you can hear Terry in the background saying, 'Get rid of the ball, get rid of the ball!' The same thing he yells at him now." (HSB)
Asked whether or not he puts pressure on Colt, Terry said:
"That's how they make diamonds, through pressure. A lump of coal under extreme pressure." (HSB)
About how her husband is rough on Colt, Betsy said:
"He's probably harder on Colt than anyone." (HSB)
HSB Note: "But Terry Brennan is also Colt's "No. 1 fan." When his son was slammed to the field with a concussion three weeks ago, Terry Brennan hauled his husky 6-foot-4-inch frame to the locker room so fast he arrived at the same time Colt did, and was relieved to hear him say, "Hi, Dad." "
About all of the tickets he arranged for friends and family to see Colt play, Terry said:
"There's nothing greater than college football." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The elder Brennan, 56, is known as "the Ticketmaster" and lines up seats and handles logistics for hordes of relatives and friends to attend every game, from here to Louisiana. More than 90 turned out for the Las Vegas contest, coming from as far as Boston."
About how Colt was warned that locals often give pushy outsiders a hard time, Betsy said:
"I think he knew when he came over here that he had to lay low. He was quiet, unassuming and humble." (HSB)
About what Colt learned from his Colorado problem, Terry said:
"He learned that you can't take anything for granted. Adversity can touch anyone. There's maturity and responsibility for your actions, and there's a toll for making poor decisions." (HSB)
About the media criticism directed towards Colt after his Colorado incident, Betsy said:
"He didn't give up; he kept plugging along. And he could have. The press was ugly, even in our hometown. We didn't know how to handle it. They said a lot of bad things that weren't true." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Even before Colt Brennan had a say in the matter, his parents had a hunch he would be into sports. Their top choices of names for their newborn were Colton and Maverick. He has looked the part since he was 3, when his favorite outfit was a Rams replica uniform. His Pee Wee coach made him a quarterback at age 9."
About how Colt always wanted to play football with his older cousins, Betsy said:
"Colt was always the youngest, and he tried to hang with them. We'd have football games at Thanksgiving. He was always too young, and he was always upset he would have to sit on the side." (HSB)
About how Colt never wanted to give the ball up when he got into the game, Terry said:
"And when he got in, he always wanted the ball. Everybody had to stand around and give Colt the ball until he got so tired he had to go to the sidelines and suck his thumb." (HSB)
About how Colt loved diving in the surf to catch balls thrown from him, Terry said:
"I'd time it so that when I threw the ball, he'd have to reach up to get it, and just about that time the wave would smash into him. That was good practice. Kind of like those linebackers and defensive ends hitting him." (HSB)
About how Colt's cousin Brad Brennan is playing pro ball in Japan for the Fujitsu Frontiers and has learned to speak Japanese and is now mastering the written language, Betsy said:
"Brad has embraced the culture there, like Colt's embraced it here. All the nephews are like Colt. They're all cute, outgoing; they love people. Terry's side of the family has got a gift." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Like other Warrior parents, the Brennans have been crisscrossing the country to follow their boys. Terry Brennan, a residential and commercial broker, said the market downturn has given him more time. Betsy will take the red-eye home to Irvine Sunday night to do payroll for her family business. Gary and Gay Patek of Victoria, Texas, sold their cars and opted for older ones so they would not have car payments and could use the money for trips to watch their son, safety Jake Patek."
About downgrading their cars to get the money to go to their son Jacob's games, Gay Patek said:
"You know it's worth it. It's so exciting. It's just a very special time for our family." (HSB)
Not sure if she wants to sit next to Terry during tomorrow's game, Betsy said:
"He gets pretty intense." (HSB)
Terry cut in and said:
"It's a good intense." (HSB)
About how he's starting to get nervous about the UW game, Terry said with a smile:
"Here we go. The good news is that the state of Hawaii and the people of Hawaii are on the same roller coaster that we are. We're not alone." (HSB)
About how he likes to get away to the Island home on Kaloko Mountain on the Big Island that the father (Nick Furtado) of his girlfriend (Shakti Stream) built:
"Just getting out there and experiencing all of that is really cool." (HA)
HA Note: "Years ago, Stream's father, Nick Furtado, bought three acres on Kaloko Mountain. He cleared an area and built a house. There are solar panels to light the house's interior. A running-water system was installed about eight years ago. But the house does not have electricity. It is, in every definition, wireless."
About how Colt can never really get away, Dan Morrison said:
"He's passed that line where there's no turning back. He's too well known." (HA)
HA Note: "Indeed, the most popular gift this holiday season appears to be a Brennan-autographed item. This season, Brennan has signed his big looping "C" and "#15" on thousands of items. After one practice last week, he signed autographs for about an hour. Yesterday, next to the sign-up sheet for the team's training-table breakfast, there were three stacks of footballs, mini-helmets, T-shirts and pictures awaiting his autograph."
About how Colt has to autograph so many things, Morrison said:
"I've never seen anything like this. He can't even get breakfast. It's taxing on him, but he keeps plugging away. He doesn't want to say 'no' to people. Sometimes he needs help moving along, or he'll be stuck for hours." (HA)
About how this could be his last game with the Warriors at Aloha Stadium, Colt said:
"It'll be kind of interesting when Saturday rolls around, the feelings and stuff that will go through my head. There have been so many great memories. Considering the season and success we've had, it's been a great run. I can't wait to get there Saturday, and hopefully end my career at that stadium on a great note." (HA)
About how his first year at UH was the most fun despite their 5-7 record, Colt said:
"That year was the most fun. It was great because each win was so honored and so cherished." (HA)
About how he was nervous when he first came to UH, Colt said:
"Whenever you go to a college for the first time, you never know what's going to happen." (HA)
About how the first teammate he saw when he showed up at the athletic complex was Tyler Graunke, his host during his recruiting trip, Colt said:
"I had nothing going on, and he was like, 'You wanna hang out?' (HA)
HA Note: "They eventually became roommates in a Waikiki studio. They took turns sleeping on the floor. Later, Brennan, who was not on scholarship his first semester, moved to an apartment in Makiki."
About living in Hawaii, Colt said:
"To be living in the city the past couple of years was the kicker. To come to Hawai'i was a trip. I remember I thought the university was on the North Shore, and I'd be surrounded by surf beaches. But what's really neat about O'ahu is it offers everything. It offers the city. Whatever you need, you can get here. If you need some city life, you've got it. If you need to calm down and relax, you've got that, too." (HA)
About why he chose to go to Hawaii, Colt said:
"I came here because Hawai'i was so different and laid back. It seemed like a place where, besides football, you could enjoy yourself. You could really be happy, and enjoy life and the simple things. At the same time I loved football. When I took care of having fun off the field, that's when on the field it all kind of worked out for me." (HA)
About going to Irvine, CA for 2 weeks after the 2005 fall semester, Colt said:
"That's when I knew Hawai'i was the place for me. I remember when I'd go home to Cali, I couldn't wait to get back. It's weird right now. I know I'm leaving soon, so I'm trying to enjoy it." (HA)
HA Note: "After the bowl game, Brennan will return to California to train for the Senior Bowl in Alabama and National Football League combine in Indianapolis."
About how he doesn't know when he'll be back in Hawaii after their bowl game, but he will always have Hawaii in his heart, Colt said:
"I'll never be done with Hawai'i. This will be a place I'll never leave, even though I have obligations on the Mainland. If I get a chance to make some money, I'll get a place here. Even if I don't (make money), I need to come back." (HA)
Asked about his best UH memory, CJ Hawthorne said:
"Sports-wise, it was the game last Friday. But I've had a lot of good memories at UH. Personally, one was getting married out here. There were a couple of good things I was able to do for the church. The state's been real good to me." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"What comes to mind is the Fresno game my first year, coming from high school to playing against Fresno. That woke me up and put me in the right place to play the game. That's when I knew the difference between hitting in high school and college." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Ryan Keomaka said:
"I've got many memories, like hanging out with the boys. I'm going to miss that." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Michael Lafaele said:
"Winning the WAC championship, and making all of the friendships that I did. It's been a long road for me. It's exciting to move on." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Micah Lau said:
"Beating Boise State at home for the WAC championship." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Jason Laumoli said:
"Just being with the boys every morning, and having a good time practicing hard. And, of course, winning the WAC championship." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Gerard Lewis said:
"11-0." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Francis Maka said:
"Just the boys. They're pretty much family-oriented. I like how family-oriented this team is." (HA)
About his best UH memory, A.J. Martinez said:
"Just playing in the Alabama game in that stadium." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Myron Newberry said:
"Winning the WAC title." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Karl Noa said:
"Winning the WAC championship. It's everything I've worked for all these years. To win outright was amazing." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Timo Paepule said:
"Getting to spend time with the guys. The things we do off the field, and the bond we share. It's been a memorable year because it's my senior year and we're WAC champs. What you remember are the things off the field. I didn't make friends, I made brothers on this team." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Jacob Patek said:
"I have to say being with all of the players on the team. Just being with my friends. The late night at the hotel (before games) in Bible study. Even though we were supposed to be in our rooms, we'll be talking about the Lord. That's the best memory I've had." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Lorgan Pau said:
"Everything, man, everything. I enjoyed being here." (HA)
About his best UH memory, Amani Purcell said:
"The boys. Everyday, spending time with them." (HA)
About how they aren't afraid of playing BCS conference teams, RGM said:
"We showed that at the beginning of the summer when they couldn't get enough top BCS schools to play us in the first place. That should tell you something there, you know? We're not worried about that. Football is football. A game is a game. All you have to do is go out there and win, no matter who we play. Boise made the BCS last year and people thought we'd struggle against them. That just tells you it's the players and who wants it most." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Several UH players are transfers from schools in BCS conference, including quarterback Colt Brennan (Colorado), wide receiver Daniel Lofton (California), defensive end Francis Maka (Arizona), running back Leon Wright-Jackson (Nebraska), defensive end Amani Purcell (Penn State) and defensive end David Veikune (Colorado)."
Looking forward to facing Washington, Amani Purcell said:
"I'm just looking forward to playing good Pac-10 competition. I always wanted to play these guys. It'll be fun. I had a (recruiting) letter from them, but I don't really remember if they were trying that hard." (HSB)
About how the lightly recruited players often become better than the heavily recruited guys, Amani said:
"Yeah, they may have more talent, but this year's Warriors team has a lot of heart. And that's going to be the big difference. They want to give their seniors a good last game, but we have a lot of seniors, too. Yeah, I came from a big-time school and stuff, but the leader of our D-line is Mike (Lafaele), and he's always been here. There ain't no difference. It all depends on the person and his heart. Mike has the biggest heart." (HSB)
Looking forward to the Washington game, Colt said:
"Everyone talks about making statements. What better chance to make a statement this Saturday against a BCS school?" (HSB)
About Washington, JJ said:
"We line up against anyone we play and this is the best team we've played. On film, athletically, and we're going to have to show up and play our best game." (HSB)
About how they play whoever is on the schedule, RGM said:
"This isn't the first Pac-10 team we've played. Arizona State last year in the bowl game. People saw what we can do in that game. And there were other games throughout the year, Purdue. It don't really matter to us. We just go out there and play who shows." (HSB)
About how Jake Patek will be ready to play tomorrow, GM said:
"We're just being a little careful with him. His ankle felt good, he took reps (yesterday)." (HSB)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Quotes from Thursday night
About how they have looked forward to facing Washington since the offseason, Colt said:
"We had Washington circled. Even though they have the record they have, they've still shown that they're a tremendously talented football team and I think a victory over them would do a lot for us." (HN)
About the importance of this game and the entire 4 games to close their season, JJ said:
"When we got to 8-0, we knew that every game was going to be the biggest game in the history of the program." (HN)
Looking forward to the chance to ruin UH's perfect season, WR Marcel Reece said:
"Me, I love it. We don't get a chance to go to a bowl game, which was one of our team goals this year, but we do get to try to spoil something for a good team and that's something that you can always look forward to. They're ranked, they're undefeated and we can do something big and spoil it for them. It sounds bad, it sounds mean, but it's something that we can do." (HN)
"We had Washington circled. Even though they have the record they have, they've still shown that they're a tremendously talented football team and I think a victory over them would do a lot for us." (HN)
About the importance of this game and the entire 4 games to close their season, JJ said:
"When we got to 8-0, we knew that every game was going to be the biggest game in the history of the program." (HN)
Looking forward to the chance to ruin UH's perfect season, WR Marcel Reece said:
"Me, I love it. We don't get a chance to go to a bowl game, which was one of our team goals this year, but we do get to try to spoil something for a good team and that's something that you can always look forward to. They're ranked, they're undefeated and we can do something big and spoil it for them. It sounds bad, it sounds mean, but it's something that we can do." (HN)
Quotes from Thursday morning
About his goal was for them to be undefeated this season, Colt said:
"I set out to be undefeated. I came back to be a winner my senior year. It wasn't about records but just about getting 12 victories in the regular season. I'm one week away from that. So it can be what I hoped for if I can get one more victory." (ST)
About how his problem in Colorado was exaggerated, Colt said:
"There's a lot of ways you could look at it. It was really weird what I went through at Colorado. It wasn't until after I went through that and I (came) to Hawaii that every dream I ever had as a kid has come true." (ST)
UW coach Tyrone Willingham said that Colt:
"has a wonderful knack for knowing where his people are and he has a unique release that he can almost release it underhand and get it to people, which you don't really see a lot of." (ST)
About how UH's offense is tough to stop, Fresno State coach Pat Hill (who also faced Oregon this season) said:
"The passing game is all about timing and spacing, and their timing and spacing is excellent. . And don't ever underestimate the speed of their receivers. Oregon's a good football team with very good receivers and Hawaii's may not be as big . . . but I felt they were a lot faster, and they could really run. They know what they are doing and Colt has a great release, and it's very hard to get to them because they get the ball out of there so quickly." (ST)
About his path to Hawaii and his career there, Colt said:
"It's kind of a crazy story, and I'm sure there's a lot to be learned from it. I'm just trying not to mess things up." (ST)
About sliding down a neighboring hill after practice was cancelled due to a thunderstorm, Michael Lafaele said:
"It was fun. It felt good to be a little kid out there. You can't get hurt ... well, unless you get electrocuted." (HA)
John Estes said that the rain was:
"relentless. Big ol' drops. You couldn't even see. It was like it was foggy because there was so much rain." (HA)
About the downpour, Colt said:
"I've never been outside in rain like that before. It made everyone's morning." (HA)
About practice being cut short, Colt said:
"We were going to run into our indoor facilities, but there was some problem. It hasn't been built yet. Then we thought we'd go to Cooke Field, but there's no field. We were going to go to the (Murakami) baseball stadium, but there's no field there, either." (HA)
"It was a nice downpour. We were going to run over into our indoor facilities, but there was some problem I think. It hasn't been built yet. Then we thought we'd go to Cooke Field, but there's no field." (HSB)
About how it was fun to end their morning practice early, Larry Sauafea said at breakfast:
"It was fun today. Fun to end practice early. But (it) sucks to know we have to practice later on." (HSB)
About how they completed their practice 7 hours later at Aloha Stadium, Lafaele said;
"We were having fun until we heard we had to practice at 4 p.m." (HA)
About how he couldn't wear his practice shoes because they were soaked, Estes said:
"My braces were still wet, too." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors had a spirited 90-minute practice at the stadium. They worked mostly on position drills."
About the practice at Aloha Stadium, Colt said:
"To come out for the second time today, it was what it was. It wasn't that bad at all." (HA)
About the 40% chance of rain on Saturday, Colt said:
"It can hurt us, but at the same time, the cool thing is we play on turf. We don't have to worry about guys slipping or the ground being too soft. All we really need to do is worry about catching the ball and not fumbling. We play in the rain almost every day out here and hopefully the ball bounces our way a couple times if it is raining." (HSB)
About how fans are being asked to stay off the field after the UW game, Aloha Stadium manager Scott Chan said:
"We will not be able to begin this ceremony until the field is cleared, so we are asking everyone for their kokua. We are hoping that this will not be an issue and the guests will show respect for the graduating seniors." (HSB)
About how he was told that Washington would call him to finalize a recruiting trip and scholarship offer, Timo Paepule said:
"They screwed me over." (HA)
Timo said that he was a fan of UW:
"A lot of Saint Louis boys went there. I was impressed with their program. And I like Huskies. That's like my favorite type of animal." (HA)
Timo was so happy when UW "verbally offered" a football scholarship that even before a recruiting trip was finalized he said:
I told my dad, 'I want to go to Washington.' " (HA)
About being told later by the Washington recruiter that he should look at other schools, Timo said:
"That was a slap in the face. I was heartbroken. They said 'we'll have your scholarship ready' and 'we want you.' That's what they said. Schools lie to you a lot. That's why I want to thank (UH) coach (June) Jones. If he didn't offer me that scholarship, I don't know where I'd be." (HA)
About how things worked out for him, Timo said:
"It all worked out. I would have been at Washington playing (against) the WAC champs, but now we are the WAC champs." (HA)
About how he's close to his former high school teammate Timo, Jason Rivers (who has known Timo since the 7th grade) said:
"We've always been there for each other." (HA)
About his friendship with Jason Rivers, Timo said:
"We grew up together, playing side by side. We have that silent type of friendship. He does his thing and I do my thing. But we're brothers off the field. I love his family, and he has respect for mine." (HA)
About how his foot is a "little tender", Dan Kelly said:
"It's my kicking foot, and I have to land on it. I'll be fine in a couple of days. I'll go. I'll definitely go." (HA)
About how he might not kick until the day of the game, Kelly said:
"I'll be ready by then. I don't want to do anything stupid when I'm this close to being ready to go and being back to 100 percent. It doesn't seem worth it to push it early." (HA)
About how medical tests did not show any significant damage to his sprained right ankle, Dane Porlas said:
"It looked really bad, but it wasn't." (HA)
About how Micah Lau has worked hard on special teams despite losing his playing time on D, JJ said:
"Every player's role is important, and Micah's done a great job on special teams for us this year -- that's what his role has been. He gave us everything he had -- he's been positive." (HSB)
About how Lau's consistent enthusiasm is "heartwarming", LB coach Cal Lee said:
"I couldn't ask for a better person as far as attitude, being where he was and where he's at right now. He's grasped the idea that the biggest concern for him is us winning, no matter what part he plays. He's doing special teams very well, but (is) very supportive to all the other linebackers who are playing in front of him." (HSB)
About how he'll never forget his Warrior career, Lau said:
"Oh yeah, I will never forget what happened in Hawaii, playing for the University of Hawaii. I could never forget the guys, and five years over here is a long time and knowing these guys. I could never forget this experience." (HSB)
About being part of a championship team is better than starting on D, Lau said:
"Well, from playing a lot last year, it's hard to switch (roles), but I'm happy to because this is where, as a team, you rather have a team championship than have individual recognition. It feels way better now than when I played last year, a lot. Just to have any contribution to the team, even if it's just on special teams, it's better than nothing. And the feeling of being a champion is way better than starting." (HSB)
About how this could be his last game in front of the Hawaii fans, Lau said:
"It's pretty exciting and somewhat sad at the same time because we've been here for so long and we got to play in front of our crowd for five years. Just knowing that it might be our last time playing in front of our families. It's kind of sad because it might be our last time suiting up in Hawaii." (HSB)
UW safety Nate Williams said that UH's WRs are:
"fast and tough and shifty" (ST)
About how their secondary can earn respect by doing well against UH, Williams said:
"It is a chance to prove a lot of people wrong because probably for the whole year people have questioned the secondary. This is a good week for us to do that because Hawaii does pass a lot." (ST)
About how they want to beat UH to support their coaches, UW DT Jordan Reffett said:
"We are trying to take the heat off the coaches as much as we can and go out there and play well." (ST)
About their bad year, Reffett said that he and the other seniors:
"take responsibility for a lot of the bad things that have happened." (ST)
About how he doesn't think that UW defensive coordinator Kent Baer deserves the criticism he's been getting, Reffett said:
"Those guys put their heart and soul into their work and I appreciate it. It's just that some of the guys on the football team don't get it done for them, don't do the right thing. I think the coaches get too much credit for winning and too much credit for losing. We're the ones out there playing. They can't go out there and get a sack or a pick for us." (ST)
About how he was skeptical about the run-and-shoot until he actually ran it, Warren Moon said:
“As a quarterback, you do want to throw the ball, and I didn’t mind that we were going to throw the ball. But I still wanted to know what the downside was, what were the positives of it. Once I started to learn it, it was a fun offense.” (NT)
About how they have to run the ball well and keep UH's offense off the field, UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said:
“It’s really important that we’re able to run the football and manage the clock. You’re not going to shut them out; you’re trying to slow them down. I don’t think anybody’s done that, that I’m aware of.” (NT)
Asked if Colt's success is due to the system, Moon said:
“It’s definitely a passing-quarterback’s fancy, and it can inflate numbers. But it can inflate them even more if you’re more gifted. It can make an average quarterback look good, but it can make a good quarterback look great. I think that’s what it’s doing for Colt. I think he was a really good quarterback when he got there, but I think it has made him great.” (NT)
NT Note: "Moon and Jim Kelly had the best statistical seasons of their Hall of Fame careers while running it. Bobby Hebert, Jeff George and Chris Miller all made their only Pro Bowls while running it."
About how their offense makes QBs better, JJ said:
“Obviously, average quarterbacks or guys in the middle of the range get better, and the great ones are great and it doesn’t matter what they do. If Joe Montana was playing our system, he’d figure it out. I think the advantage that Colt will have going to pro football is that he has seen everything. We see every blitz, we’ve seen everything imaginable, and he’s seen it over and over.” (NT)
About how he believes in Colt, JJ said:
“He’s a little bit of everything. As far as accuracy, I think the only guy I’ve seen throw the ball like Colt is Jeff George. He’s a little bit like Jim Kelly in the intangible things. Those are two pretty good players. … Jeff George, Dan Marino and Colt are the only three people I’ve seen when they release the ball sometimes their right foot is off the ground. They’re the only three guys I’ve ever seen on film who sometimes do that. That’s a God-given thing. I don’t know what that means, but I’m going to start looking for it.” (NT)
About the criticism over their schedule, Colt said:
"It sucks, to be honest. But we do have what they say is the weakest schedule in college football, so it's tough to argue when that's where you stand. We're not going to argue. We're about beating the teams that are in front of us. Until we get two more victories, there is only so much we can say." (HN)
About reasons why teams don't want to play UH, HF said:
"You name it, I've heard it. Some guys said, 'Herm, my schedule's already too tough, I don't want to come over there. There's no way.' I knew who had open dates, and I knew who they were playing the week before and the week after. I also looked at teams that might have an open date after playing us so they could get some rest. We tried everything. We were fortunate when I called Todd Turner that he was real responsive right away and we were able to get the University of Washington." (HN)
HN Note: "Teams no longer view a game against Hawaii as an easy non-conference win with a tropical getaway on the side. In the five years prior to June Jones' hiring, the Warriors were 12-47-1. Since Jones became head coach in 1999, Hawaii is 75-40."
About how their team is better now, HF said:
"If you come here now you know you're going to be in for a football game. That's why I really salute and support the University of Washington. Todd Turner and Tyrone [Willingham] knew what kind of game this was going to be and they didn't blink. That's what competition's about and that's why they are quality, stand-up people." (HN)
About the criticism of their schedule, HF said:
"Everybody wants to bash our schedule, but it's not like we didn't try. At the end of the day, you play the schedule before you, and we've been fortunate to this point. You won't hear us crying about anything. We just go about our business." (HN)
BCS coordinator Mike Slive said that the BCS is working as intended:
"I think Boise (State) last year, a very fine football team, proved it. Hawai'i has had a great season and, I think by moving (eligibility) from top 6 to top 12 we have even created more interest in the BCS and and spread it around. So, I think it has worked out the way it was anticipated." (HA)
About how the BCS process works, Karl Benson said:
"I've said all along, with Boise State and now, Hawai'i, that the process works." (HA)
About the BCS, Slive (who is also commissioner of the SEC) said:
"... if you don't like the BCS, you're going to have to admit that it has made a contribution to the interest in college football. And one of the things I always cite is take a game as important now as Hawai'i and Boise State. Fifteen years ago that would have been an important game in the region and to the fans. But now that game is a national game and I think there's some appreciation for that." (HA)
HA Note: "ESPN said an audience of 2,647,000 households for its telecast of the UH-Boise State game was the largest of its 14 Friday night games this season and most watched game on ESPN2."
About how if UH goes to the Sugar Bowl it shouldn't be assumed that it was because the Sugar Bowl has the last choice, Slive said:
"I don't think you can say that because you don't really know what rationale that (bowls) have in selecting teams. One of the things I don't try to do is categorize teams. The bowls have a selection right and they'll exercise it and when you're talking to bowls they have a whole lot of different reasons for selecting teams. As you know, they've got reasons that relate to their own situation. Last year — or a couple of years ago — when Utah was in, it worked very well and last year with Boise State it worked very well, regardless of the selections rights, so I don't focus on that too much." (HA)
About how UH would be attractive for any bowl game, Benson said:
"I think any bowl would be glad to have a team as attractive as an undefeated Hawai'i would be." (HA)
"I set out to be undefeated. I came back to be a winner my senior year. It wasn't about records but just about getting 12 victories in the regular season. I'm one week away from that. So it can be what I hoped for if I can get one more victory." (ST)
About how his problem in Colorado was exaggerated, Colt said:
"There's a lot of ways you could look at it. It was really weird what I went through at Colorado. It wasn't until after I went through that and I (came) to Hawaii that every dream I ever had as a kid has come true." (ST)
UW coach Tyrone Willingham said that Colt:
"has a wonderful knack for knowing where his people are and he has a unique release that he can almost release it underhand and get it to people, which you don't really see a lot of." (ST)
About how UH's offense is tough to stop, Fresno State coach Pat Hill (who also faced Oregon this season) said:
"The passing game is all about timing and spacing, and their timing and spacing is excellent. . And don't ever underestimate the speed of their receivers. Oregon's a good football team with very good receivers and Hawaii's may not be as big . . . but I felt they were a lot faster, and they could really run. They know what they are doing and Colt has a great release, and it's very hard to get to them because they get the ball out of there so quickly." (ST)
About his path to Hawaii and his career there, Colt said:
"It's kind of a crazy story, and I'm sure there's a lot to be learned from it. I'm just trying not to mess things up." (ST)
About sliding down a neighboring hill after practice was cancelled due to a thunderstorm, Michael Lafaele said:
"It was fun. It felt good to be a little kid out there. You can't get hurt ... well, unless you get electrocuted." (HA)
John Estes said that the rain was:
"relentless. Big ol' drops. You couldn't even see. It was like it was foggy because there was so much rain." (HA)
About the downpour, Colt said:
"I've never been outside in rain like that before. It made everyone's morning." (HA)
About practice being cut short, Colt said:
"We were going to run into our indoor facilities, but there was some problem. It hasn't been built yet. Then we thought we'd go to Cooke Field, but there's no field. We were going to go to the (Murakami) baseball stadium, but there's no field there, either." (HA)
"It was a nice downpour. We were going to run over into our indoor facilities, but there was some problem I think. It hasn't been built yet. Then we thought we'd go to Cooke Field, but there's no field." (HSB)
About how it was fun to end their morning practice early, Larry Sauafea said at breakfast:
"It was fun today. Fun to end practice early. But (it) sucks to know we have to practice later on." (HSB)
About how they completed their practice 7 hours later at Aloha Stadium, Lafaele said;
"We were having fun until we heard we had to practice at 4 p.m." (HA)
About how he couldn't wear his practice shoes because they were soaked, Estes said:
"My braces were still wet, too." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors had a spirited 90-minute practice at the stadium. They worked mostly on position drills."
About the practice at Aloha Stadium, Colt said:
"To come out for the second time today, it was what it was. It wasn't that bad at all." (HA)
About the 40% chance of rain on Saturday, Colt said:
"It can hurt us, but at the same time, the cool thing is we play on turf. We don't have to worry about guys slipping or the ground being too soft. All we really need to do is worry about catching the ball and not fumbling. We play in the rain almost every day out here and hopefully the ball bounces our way a couple times if it is raining." (HSB)
About how fans are being asked to stay off the field after the UW game, Aloha Stadium manager Scott Chan said:
"We will not be able to begin this ceremony until the field is cleared, so we are asking everyone for their kokua. We are hoping that this will not be an issue and the guests will show respect for the graduating seniors." (HSB)
About how he was told that Washington would call him to finalize a recruiting trip and scholarship offer, Timo Paepule said:
"They screwed me over." (HA)
Timo said that he was a fan of UW:
"A lot of Saint Louis boys went there. I was impressed with their program. And I like Huskies. That's like my favorite type of animal." (HA)
Timo was so happy when UW "verbally offered" a football scholarship that even before a recruiting trip was finalized he said:
I told my dad, 'I want to go to Washington.' " (HA)
About being told later by the Washington recruiter that he should look at other schools, Timo said:
"That was a slap in the face. I was heartbroken. They said 'we'll have your scholarship ready' and 'we want you.' That's what they said. Schools lie to you a lot. That's why I want to thank (UH) coach (June) Jones. If he didn't offer me that scholarship, I don't know where I'd be." (HA)
About how things worked out for him, Timo said:
"It all worked out. I would have been at Washington playing (against) the WAC champs, but now we are the WAC champs." (HA)
About how he's close to his former high school teammate Timo, Jason Rivers (who has known Timo since the 7th grade) said:
"We've always been there for each other." (HA)
About his friendship with Jason Rivers, Timo said:
"We grew up together, playing side by side. We have that silent type of friendship. He does his thing and I do my thing. But we're brothers off the field. I love his family, and he has respect for mine." (HA)
About how his foot is a "little tender", Dan Kelly said:
"It's my kicking foot, and I have to land on it. I'll be fine in a couple of days. I'll go. I'll definitely go." (HA)
About how he might not kick until the day of the game, Kelly said:
"I'll be ready by then. I don't want to do anything stupid when I'm this close to being ready to go and being back to 100 percent. It doesn't seem worth it to push it early." (HA)
About how medical tests did not show any significant damage to his sprained right ankle, Dane Porlas said:
"It looked really bad, but it wasn't." (HA)
About how Micah Lau has worked hard on special teams despite losing his playing time on D, JJ said:
"Every player's role is important, and Micah's done a great job on special teams for us this year -- that's what his role has been. He gave us everything he had -- he's been positive." (HSB)
About how Lau's consistent enthusiasm is "heartwarming", LB coach Cal Lee said:
"I couldn't ask for a better person as far as attitude, being where he was and where he's at right now. He's grasped the idea that the biggest concern for him is us winning, no matter what part he plays. He's doing special teams very well, but (is) very supportive to all the other linebackers who are playing in front of him." (HSB)
About how he'll never forget his Warrior career, Lau said:
"Oh yeah, I will never forget what happened in Hawaii, playing for the University of Hawaii. I could never forget the guys, and five years over here is a long time and knowing these guys. I could never forget this experience." (HSB)
About being part of a championship team is better than starting on D, Lau said:
"Well, from playing a lot last year, it's hard to switch (roles), but I'm happy to because this is where, as a team, you rather have a team championship than have individual recognition. It feels way better now than when I played last year, a lot. Just to have any contribution to the team, even if it's just on special teams, it's better than nothing. And the feeling of being a champion is way better than starting." (HSB)
About how this could be his last game in front of the Hawaii fans, Lau said:
"It's pretty exciting and somewhat sad at the same time because we've been here for so long and we got to play in front of our crowd for five years. Just knowing that it might be our last time playing in front of our families. It's kind of sad because it might be our last time suiting up in Hawaii." (HSB)
UW safety Nate Williams said that UH's WRs are:
"fast and tough and shifty" (ST)
About how their secondary can earn respect by doing well against UH, Williams said:
"It is a chance to prove a lot of people wrong because probably for the whole year people have questioned the secondary. This is a good week for us to do that because Hawaii does pass a lot." (ST)
About how they want to beat UH to support their coaches, UW DT Jordan Reffett said:
"We are trying to take the heat off the coaches as much as we can and go out there and play well." (ST)
About their bad year, Reffett said that he and the other seniors:
"take responsibility for a lot of the bad things that have happened." (ST)
About how he doesn't think that UW defensive coordinator Kent Baer deserves the criticism he's been getting, Reffett said:
"Those guys put their heart and soul into their work and I appreciate it. It's just that some of the guys on the football team don't get it done for them, don't do the right thing. I think the coaches get too much credit for winning and too much credit for losing. We're the ones out there playing. They can't go out there and get a sack or a pick for us." (ST)
About how he was skeptical about the run-and-shoot until he actually ran it, Warren Moon said:
“As a quarterback, you do want to throw the ball, and I didn’t mind that we were going to throw the ball. But I still wanted to know what the downside was, what were the positives of it. Once I started to learn it, it was a fun offense.” (NT)
About how they have to run the ball well and keep UH's offense off the field, UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said:
“It’s really important that we’re able to run the football and manage the clock. You’re not going to shut them out; you’re trying to slow them down. I don’t think anybody’s done that, that I’m aware of.” (NT)
Asked if Colt's success is due to the system, Moon said:
“It’s definitely a passing-quarterback’s fancy, and it can inflate numbers. But it can inflate them even more if you’re more gifted. It can make an average quarterback look good, but it can make a good quarterback look great. I think that’s what it’s doing for Colt. I think he was a really good quarterback when he got there, but I think it has made him great.” (NT)
NT Note: "Moon and Jim Kelly had the best statistical seasons of their Hall of Fame careers while running it. Bobby Hebert, Jeff George and Chris Miller all made their only Pro Bowls while running it."
About how their offense makes QBs better, JJ said:
“Obviously, average quarterbacks or guys in the middle of the range get better, and the great ones are great and it doesn’t matter what they do. If Joe Montana was playing our system, he’d figure it out. I think the advantage that Colt will have going to pro football is that he has seen everything. We see every blitz, we’ve seen everything imaginable, and he’s seen it over and over.” (NT)
About how he believes in Colt, JJ said:
“He’s a little bit of everything. As far as accuracy, I think the only guy I’ve seen throw the ball like Colt is Jeff George. He’s a little bit like Jim Kelly in the intangible things. Those are two pretty good players. … Jeff George, Dan Marino and Colt are the only three people I’ve seen when they release the ball sometimes their right foot is off the ground. They’re the only three guys I’ve ever seen on film who sometimes do that. That’s a God-given thing. I don’t know what that means, but I’m going to start looking for it.” (NT)
About the criticism over their schedule, Colt said:
"It sucks, to be honest. But we do have what they say is the weakest schedule in college football, so it's tough to argue when that's where you stand. We're not going to argue. We're about beating the teams that are in front of us. Until we get two more victories, there is only so much we can say." (HN)
About reasons why teams don't want to play UH, HF said:
"You name it, I've heard it. Some guys said, 'Herm, my schedule's already too tough, I don't want to come over there. There's no way.' I knew who had open dates, and I knew who they were playing the week before and the week after. I also looked at teams that might have an open date after playing us so they could get some rest. We tried everything. We were fortunate when I called Todd Turner that he was real responsive right away and we were able to get the University of Washington." (HN)
HN Note: "Teams no longer view a game against Hawaii as an easy non-conference win with a tropical getaway on the side. In the five years prior to June Jones' hiring, the Warriors were 12-47-1. Since Jones became head coach in 1999, Hawaii is 75-40."
About how their team is better now, HF said:
"If you come here now you know you're going to be in for a football game. That's why I really salute and support the University of Washington. Todd Turner and Tyrone [Willingham] knew what kind of game this was going to be and they didn't blink. That's what competition's about and that's why they are quality, stand-up people." (HN)
About the criticism of their schedule, HF said:
"Everybody wants to bash our schedule, but it's not like we didn't try. At the end of the day, you play the schedule before you, and we've been fortunate to this point. You won't hear us crying about anything. We just go about our business." (HN)
BCS coordinator Mike Slive said that the BCS is working as intended:
"I think Boise (State) last year, a very fine football team, proved it. Hawai'i has had a great season and, I think by moving (eligibility) from top 6 to top 12 we have even created more interest in the BCS and and spread it around. So, I think it has worked out the way it was anticipated." (HA)
About how the BCS process works, Karl Benson said:
"I've said all along, with Boise State and now, Hawai'i, that the process works." (HA)
About the BCS, Slive (who is also commissioner of the SEC) said:
"... if you don't like the BCS, you're going to have to admit that it has made a contribution to the interest in college football. And one of the things I always cite is take a game as important now as Hawai'i and Boise State. Fifteen years ago that would have been an important game in the region and to the fans. But now that game is a national game and I think there's some appreciation for that." (HA)
HA Note: "ESPN said an audience of 2,647,000 households for its telecast of the UH-Boise State game was the largest of its 14 Friday night games this season and most watched game on ESPN2."
About how if UH goes to the Sugar Bowl it shouldn't be assumed that it was because the Sugar Bowl has the last choice, Slive said:
"I don't think you can say that because you don't really know what rationale that (bowls) have in selecting teams. One of the things I don't try to do is categorize teams. The bowls have a selection right and they'll exercise it and when you're talking to bowls they have a whole lot of different reasons for selecting teams. As you know, they've got reasons that relate to their own situation. Last year — or a couple of years ago — when Utah was in, it worked very well and last year with Boise State it worked very well, regardless of the selections rights, so I don't focus on that too much." (HA)
About how UH would be attractive for any bowl game, Benson said:
"I think any bowl would be glad to have a team as attractive as an undefeated Hawai'i would be." (HA)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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)
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)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Quotes from Tuesday night
So happy to be WAC champs outright, Solomon Elimimian said:
“It feels good to be WAC champs outright for the first time ever." (AP)
AP Note: "When asked how long he had worn the green, wrinkled shirt, Elimimian said, “like two days.” It looked closer to two weeks, but Elimimian wasn’t taking it off."
About the feeling they have after beating BSU, Colt said:
“It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders and now there’s all this energy and new life." (AP)
About how UH and BSU demonstrate the strength of the top of the WAC, Karl Benson said:
“What Boise State was able to do last year, Hawaii is on the cusp of doing that this year. It demonstrates the strength at the top of the WAC.” (AP)
Benson said that last week's win:
"really validated how good Hawaii is." (AP)
About their success last year when they went 11-3, JJ said:
“The three losses last year were by 18 points. That says a lot. The kids are believing in each other." (AP)
About how they have to run the ball to keep Colt and the UH offense off the field, offensive coordinatory Tim Lappano said:
"We've got to be able to run the football. It's really important that we're able to run the football and manage the clock. You're not going to be able to shut them out. You try to slow them down, and I don't think anybody has done that, that I'm aware of. So it's really important that we stay on the field and convert third downs." (HN)
HN Note: "Locker needs 90 yards against Hawaii to reach 1,000, which would give Washington two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in school history. He and Louis Rankin would also be just the fourth 1,000-yard tandem in Pacific-10 Conference history.
If Rankin and Locker, who rank fourth and sixth in the Pac-10 in rushing yards per game, can run the ball successfully, that will leave less time for Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan and his receivers to victimize a struggling UW defense."
Liking the idea of reaching 1000 rushing yards for the season, Jake Locker said:
"If it's something that would help us win, then yeah, that would be awesome." (HN)
About how they will need to score a lot of points to keep up with UH's offense, WR Anthony Russo said:
"We definitely feel we have to step up on offense. They're going to put up some points and some yards, so we need to do the same and stay on the field." (HN)
About practicing in their indoor facility all week to prepare for the warm temperatures in Hawaii, Lappano said:
"That's a good thing, because it's cold out. We'll try. We're going to go in there and rent a couple of space heaters and crank it up a little bit." (HN)
About how he'd like to give 5th-year senior backup QB Carl Bonnell some playing time vs. UH, Lappano said:
"I wanted to play Carl in that Apple Cup, I wish we could have. I'm not saying that we can't play him a little bit against Hawaii. I think he deserves to play one more time before it's all said and done. There's a chance you could see Carl out there a series or two. I don't have any problem with that. I don't think Jake would either." (HN)
“It feels good to be WAC champs outright for the first time ever." (AP)
AP Note: "When asked how long he had worn the green, wrinkled shirt, Elimimian said, “like two days.” It looked closer to two weeks, but Elimimian wasn’t taking it off."
About the feeling they have after beating BSU, Colt said:
“It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders and now there’s all this energy and new life." (AP)
About how UH and BSU demonstrate the strength of the top of the WAC, Karl Benson said:
“What Boise State was able to do last year, Hawaii is on the cusp of doing that this year. It demonstrates the strength at the top of the WAC.” (AP)
Benson said that last week's win:
"really validated how good Hawaii is." (AP)
About their success last year when they went 11-3, JJ said:
“The three losses last year were by 18 points. That says a lot. The kids are believing in each other." (AP)
About how they have to run the ball to keep Colt and the UH offense off the field, offensive coordinatory Tim Lappano said:
"We've got to be able to run the football. It's really important that we're able to run the football and manage the clock. You're not going to be able to shut them out. You try to slow them down, and I don't think anybody has done that, that I'm aware of. So it's really important that we stay on the field and convert third downs." (HN)
HN Note: "Locker needs 90 yards against Hawaii to reach 1,000, which would give Washington two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in school history. He and Louis Rankin would also be just the fourth 1,000-yard tandem in Pacific-10 Conference history.
If Rankin and Locker, who rank fourth and sixth in the Pac-10 in rushing yards per game, can run the ball successfully, that will leave less time for Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan and his receivers to victimize a struggling UW defense."
Liking the idea of reaching 1000 rushing yards for the season, Jake Locker said:
"If it's something that would help us win, then yeah, that would be awesome." (HN)
About how they will need to score a lot of points to keep up with UH's offense, WR Anthony Russo said:
"We definitely feel we have to step up on offense. They're going to put up some points and some yards, so we need to do the same and stay on the field." (HN)
About practicing in their indoor facility all week to prepare for the warm temperatures in Hawaii, Lappano said:
"That's a good thing, because it's cold out. We'll try. We're going to go in there and rent a couple of space heaters and crank it up a little bit." (HN)
About how he'd like to give 5th-year senior backup QB Carl Bonnell some playing time vs. UH, Lappano said:
"I wanted to play Carl in that Apple Cup, I wish we could have. I'm not saying that we can't play him a little bit against Hawaii. I think he deserves to play one more time before it's all said and done. There's a chance you could see Carl out there a series or two. I don't have any problem with that. I don't think Jake would either." (HN)
Quotes from Tuesday morning
HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
ST = Seattle Times
HN = Everett HeraldNet
NA = Nevada Appeal
SI = Sports Illustrated
OL = The Olympian
AP = Associated Press
KGMB = KGMB9.com
**** Special section about the idiots who stole UH helmets after the BSU game ***
About how someone tried to grab his helmet and run away with it after the game, Colt said:
"I held on to my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "Some of his teammates were not as fortunate. At least six dark-green Warrior helmets were taken after fans stormed onto the FieldTurf to celebrate the Warriors' first outright WAC football championship. UH officials were able to retrieve helmets belonging to right tackle Keoni Steinhoff and defensive right end Karl Noa. But quarterback Inoke Funaki, linebacker Brashton Satele, wideout Greg Salas and running back Jason Laumoli were left bare-headed."
About how someone took his helmet, Steinhoff said:
"I dropped it on the ground when I went to tell my mom 'Hi' in the stands, and somebody swiped it." (HA)
About how he wants his helmet back, Inoke said:
"I miss it. I loved my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials have asked for the safe return of the helmets. Although each helmet is valued at $200, the players want them back because it is too difficult to break in new ones. Satele has had the same dark green helmet for three years."
Hoping that his helmet is returned, Brashton Satele said:
"Hopefully, somebody will bring it back." (HA)
About when his helmet was stolen, Inoke said:
"I made my way eventually to the (makeshift) stage where the trophy was. I jumped up on the stage, waving my towel. I was up there for a while. I put my helmet down between my legs. All of the fans were on the bottom. Finally, after being up there for a while, I said, 'Enough, I'm taking it in.' I reached down and it wasn't there. I don't know where it went. I assumed somebody grabbed it. It must be on someone's wall right now." (HA)
HA Note: "The helmets are adorned with Warrior stickers for good plays."
About the Warrior stickers he earned for his helmet, Inoke said:
"I had a few decals. It wasn't as decorative as Colt's helmet. But there were a couple of marks on there. Maybe this next home game we might have to use our silver (road) helmets." (HA)
About the importance of the lost helmets, UH spokesman Derek Inouchi said:
"It's not the cost. But it's the fact that the helmets are fitted to the guys' heads and it takes some time to break them in." (HSB)
About how he wore his helmet as "protection" when the fans ran onto the field, but took it off to hug people that he knew, Colt said:
"When I saw people I knew, I took it off. I was hugging people. As I was going over to the podium, I was getting lifted up. Some guy kind of grabbed it, and held my helmet up. All of a sudden, I thought he tried to walk off with it. I held on tight. I wouldn't let him walk off with my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "Still, Brennan did not come away unscathed. A fan told The Advertiser's Kalani Takase that he has Brennan's used mouthpiece."
***
*** Special section on UH's facilities and lack on funding ***
During the ESPN2 broadcast of the BSU game, ESPN announcer Sean McDonough said:
"If they (Hawaii) do get to a BCS Bowl game, let's hope they spend some of the money on facilities here because folks if you saw their practice field and their office building, you'd be amazed they could have this kind of success with their facilities in quite frankly an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "McDonough must have been referring to Cooke Field. It is the university's artificial turf field but it is missing artificial turf. Cook is covered with soft black material that once served as padding under artificial turf."
About ESPN's comments on their facilities, JJ said:
"They were in our offices and made some comments and saw Cooke Field. It's not anything that isn't known. I came here not for the facilities and our players don't come here for the facilities. They come here because it's a great place to live and a great place to play football." (HSB)
"I didn't hear 'em. I know when they came in here for the (pre-game) interview, they were in our offices, you know, and made some comments, and looked out on Cooke Field. That was it. We didn't talk about any of that. It's not anything that isn't known already. There's nothing there." (HA)
Asked if he was embarrassed by the condition of UH's athletic facilities, JJ said:
"I came here not for the facilities, and our players don't come here for the facilities. They come here because it's a great place to live and a great place to play football. If we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (HA)
Hoping the BCS money would lead to improved facilities, JJ said:
"Certainly I would think if you get to the big dance (BCS bowl game) it's going to help. The athletic department get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field would get some field turf." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "If Hawaii beats Washington and is invited to a BCS bowl game, the athletic department stands to get in the neighborhood of $4.5 to $5 million. About a million could go to bowl game expenses, but everything after that is pure profit."
After saying that UH's facilities are among the worst he's seen, Solomon Elimimian said:
"But facilities doesn't necessarily make the team. There's nothing we can do. We want great facilities, not for us, but for the guys coming behind us. We're not one of the worst teams in college football. We're up there. So we deserve better facilities." (HSB)
About feeling they deserve better facilities, Sol said:
"It's something that I think we deserve. We're not one of the worst teams in all of college football. We're actually up there, you know. So I think we do deserve better facilities. It's one of the worst that I've seen." (KGMB)
About their facilities and recruiting, Sol said:
"We tell them the truth. You can't hide it and they're going to see it," Elimimian said. "Hawaii has other things to offer. The best thing on our team is the guys." (HSB)
About how UH manages to compete despite having just a fraction of the funding of other schools, UH Associate AD John McNamara said:
"Compared to the other BCS schools, it's clear that UH has to manage its resources rather frugally. When you look at the finances of the other institutions and find us in their company, it is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the players and the coaches." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i reached No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings despite a football program that generated a measly $7.5 million last year, puny in the world of big-time college football where programs like Ohio State and Georgia bring in more than $60 million. UH ranks last out of this week's Top 12 BCS teams in both money earned and money spent on football, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education.
UH, Ohio State and West Virginia did not report overall football team expenses to the Department of Education, like the other nine universities did. But under operating team expenses, UH said it spent $2.17 million through June 30 — compared with overall team expenses of more than $16 million for much richer programs such as Georgia, the University of Southern California, Oklahoma and Boston College. And Virginia Tech and Florida spent more than $20 million apiece on overall team expenses. Overall, seven Top 12 BCS teams spent more than twice what UH earned in total football revenue."
About how UH is shut out of concessions revenue, Rep. Takai said:
"The only thing UH generates in revenue is sales of tickets," Takai said. "None of the beer, none of the hot dogs, none of the parking revenue. Many other schools have their own facilities and generate a lot of revenue from that."
About how they need to invest into their football program to be able to stay at this level every year, Takai said:
"Now that we have gotten to this level, we need to put our money into this program. If we're going to expect June Jones and his team to compete at this level year in and year out, they're going to need additional support, whether it's to the facilities which are clearly in desperate need of help, or whether it's corporate or public support." (HA)
Colt talked the Advertiser back in May about their limited resources:
"When we're winning, we get compared to big programs like Ohio State and USC. I wonder how analysts would look at our achievements if they realize what we have to overcome through facilities, resources and traveling." (HA)
HA NOte: "Dexter Kekua, chief financial officer of Heide & Cook, responded to Brennan's comments by offering to buy a year's supply of locker-room soap. Coach Jones declined Kekua's offer, saying that maintenance crews were already replacing missing soap dispensers and refilling them. But the memory still irks Kekua."
Still upset that UH didn't have soap in the showers, Kekua said:
"This is a Division I-A program. You've got to be kidding me. It just didn't make any sense." (HA)
HA Note: "Kekua has donated a pair of fans to use at practice and always provides misting sideline fans on game day whenever asked — for free. Kekua also always tells any opposing teams that he's out of fan inventory if they should call to rent fans for their side of the field. The success of the UH football team has inspired an entire island state, Kekua said, and it's only fitting that businesses like his try to help out. He's a huge fan of Jones' speeches and has implemented many of Jones' tactics — such as changing the design of Heide & Cook's logo, having each of the 157 employees undergo motivational training and changing the company's appearance by having Reyn Spooner redesign the company's work T-shirts for plumbers, sheet metal workers and air-conditioner installers."
About changing their branding like JJ did with the Warriors, Kekua said:
"We wanted to change our persona, give us a stronger look. Coach Jones changed uniforms and got rid of the old 'Bows. Look at how people are calling him a super genius." (HA)
About how he hoped that the BCS money helped their athletic facilities (BSU got $4.5 mil last year and netted $3 mil after bowl expenses), JJ said:
"If you get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletic department gets some money. Hopefully, that means Cooke Field gets some FieldTurf." (HA)
HA Note: "The athletic department shares its financial troubles with the rest of the other nine UH campuses on every major island. A newly ruined science building and dilapidated dormitories on the main Manoa campus are just a few of the items on a long list of other big-ticket needs."
About how the BCS money will be spent by the Chancellor, and not just given to the Athletic Department, McNamara said:
"If we are fortunate enough to advance to a BCS game, the revenue from that opportunity is not going to cure all the financial ills. The athletic department does not exist in a vacuum. We're part of an entire university system, and our needs and priorities should not take on any greater urgency than any other department in the system. That money is to be spent at the discretion of the chancellor." (HA)
About how UH has already benefitted from the team's success this season, McNamara said:
"With this type of national success and acclaim, you tend to see increases in season ticket sales, donations and admissions applications to the university. We can't put a price on the exposure that four straight national telecasts has delivered, not only to the football program but to tourism, to the entire state of Hawai'i. Everything has been touched in some way. Everybody has greater pride in being a citizen of Hawai'i." (HA)
About how he's seen a 10% increase in business on football game days compared with last year, Robbie Acoba (owner of Eastside Bar & Grill) said:
"As a whole, everybody has benefited." (HA)
HA Note: "UH's football financial "numbers show that we have more work to do," he said. "But the kids and the coaches have given 200 percent and have shown the rest of the nation what Hawai'i is about." "
About how he follows one of JJ's favorite sayings, Kekua said:
"It's not how many times you get knocked down. It's how many times you get up." (HA)
**************************************************************
About how he isn't surprised that they are close to getting a BCS bowl spot, JJ said:
"Yeah, I envisioned it. I talked about it during the first press conference I had. This has been a dream season. Hopefully we cam keep it going." (NA)
About how he didn't celebrate the BSU win for long, JJ said:
"After the game I went to Murph's, (celebrated) a little, then back to it." (HSB)
About the importance of winning the U-Dub game, JJ said:
"We knew before the season that we were going to have to win them all. All we have to do is take care of business." (SI)
Praising Washington, JJ said:
"They played the hardest schedule in the country and had Ohio State at halftime and lost to USC by (a field goal). They beat Cal at home, at their place, so they're pretty good. They beat Boise, probably more handily than we did. They can play." (HSB)
JJ said that QB Jake Locker and RB Louis Rankin:
"might be the two best athletes we have played this year." (ST)
"I think that their quarterback and their running back might be the two best athletes we've played this year." (HN, OL)
After comparing Ranking to Cal running back Marshawn Lynch, a first-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills, JJ said:
"He's very explosive, and the quarterback is as good as anybody. People can talk about Tim Tebow all they want, but the quarterback at Washington is the real deal." (HN, OL)
Praising Locker, JJ said:
"Everybody can talk about [Florida QB Tim] Tebow all they want, that quarterback at Washington is the real deal." (ST)
"This guy's faster than anybody we've played, including any running back we've played. (And) their running back (Louis Rankin) is probably the best running back we've played, too. That guy's scary on tape." (HSB)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He should have won the Heisman last year. He threw for more yards and touchdowns than [Ohio State's Heisman winner] Troy Smith and [Michigan's] Chad Henne combined." (SI)
Praising their fans at the BSU game and hoping they will be just as loud for Washington, JJ said:
"The crowd was into the game and hopefully they'll be into the game this week. It's obviously helpful to the players to have that kind of crowd. It changes the momentum at different times of the game." (HSB)
About how they will be prepared for Washington, JJ said:
"No. I can tell already from today. Everybody understands. If we don't win the game it's not going to be because we're not ready to play, I'll tell you that." (HSB)
About their defense in the BSU game, GM said:
"We missed one gap. After that, everybody played really smart." (SI)
About the championship rings he has won before, GM said:
"I was fortunate to get a few (rings). Miami's was nice. We got some good ones at Texas Tech." (HA)
HA Note "Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin has been named the lone member of the screening committee to choose a ring commemorating the Warriors' WAC championship. McMackin also was the UH defensive coordinator in 1999, Jones' first season as UH head coach, when the Warriors won a share of the WAC title."
About how they need to have big rings because GM said it has to be:
"big on a kid, because they have big hands. It has to be something worthy of what they've accomplished, you know, a lot of bling." (HA)
HA Note: "Na Koa, the football team's booster club, will pay for the rings."
About their rings, Hercules said:
"It needs to have a big ol' '1' on it." (HA)
RGM considered the Warriors' fashion plate said:
"They should let me design it. I'll put a little flavor to it. That seems like a fun project. I don't want a puny ring. I want something big and shiny." (HA)
About how he won't do anything for the ring until after the Washington game, GM said:
"We won't do anything until after the Washington game. That's the most important thing. We're not thinking of rings at this point. " (HA)
About 30 pounds during the offseason under GM's orders, Michael Lafaele said:
"No rice. Being from the islands, I grew up on that stuff." (SI)
SI Note: "The faster, leaner Warriors wreaked havoc in the Boise State backfield with three sacks and six tackles for loss; they now have 37 sacks, seven more than they had in 14 games last year."
Regretting his somersault in the BSU game, Bess said:
"It was a way of expressing how I felt. I wasn't trying to showboat. I was trying to solidify me getting into the end zone and making a statement. I was disappointed because it was kind of selfish on my behalf, and I made my team back up when they kicked it off. It happens." (HA)
Note: Bess and Patek were named UH's top players in the BSU game.
Looking forward to playing in the Hula Bowl, Michael Lafaele said:
"I'm kind of looking forward to that one. When I got the invitation I was pretty excited." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hawaii wide receivers C.J. Hawthorne and Jason Rivers, defensive tackle Mike Lafaele, and guard Hercules Satele have committed to play in the Jan. 12 Hula Bowl."
Hula Bowl Executive director Neil Stratton said that more Warriors may be invited:
"We'd like to have 50 Warriors on the West squad, but of course we can't do that. Obviously Colt (quarterback Brennan) we'd love to have. We hope that he will be willing, but we have to be patient about it." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, which is considered the premier college football all-star game. It is rare for top prospects to play in more than one such game."
About why he chose Nebraska instead of his hometown Washington, LWJ said:
"They didn't know who the head coach was going to be, so that drew me away." (HA)
About not playing in the BSU game because JJ said he wanted his best 2 pass blocking RBs in the game, LWJ said:
"It was just the situation. I just have to wait." (HA)
About how he didn't celebrate much after the BSU game, Colt said:
"To be honest with you, the party was that game. It was awesome. I went out after I got some food after the game and I hit the wall and I had to go to bed. I think now we've got just one more week left and it's time to get ready for Washington." (HSB)
About the potential reward available if they beat Washington, Colt said:
"It's sky high with what's kind of in front of us right now. There's a lot of excitement going on." (HA)
About not overlooking Washington, Colt said;
"Considering that Washington has played the toughest schedule in football and they have the record they have, that's not bad. They can play with anyone in the country and I'm sure that they'll come out here ready to play. They have the talent to play with us, they have the talent to beat us. So it's really exciting because it's a big game for us and this is definitely a team that we cannot overlook." (HN, OL)
About how facing Washington is a good test for them, Colt said:
"It's a great steppingstone, probably, to the competition we'll have if we do beat Washington. I think it's set up really well. Washington is a good football team. They kind of remind me of our first year (in 2005). We had all the talent, but we just didn't put it together yet. We played with a lot of good teams that year. We've got to get this victory and then we can start thinking about what's in front of us and show what we can do." (HSB)
About how they need to beat Washington, Sol said:
"It feels good to start getting some (team) recognition. Then again we don't want to have a big party and this week lose to Washington. That's going to be embarrassing. That's just going to prove everybody right. 'Hawaii's not a great team, losing to a 4-8 Washington.' Their quarterback's a great quarterback and they've got a great running back. We were happy, but at the same time it can be gone in a second." (HSB)
About how they are focused on Washington, Sol said:
"Today. I think today is like 'We gotta play Washington now.' The coaches have their game faces on now. Every game from now is going to be the most important game of the season." (HSB)
Asked about the difference in their schedule and UH's schedule, Tyrone Willingham said:
"I don't know if I really measure the difference between the two. To me it's all football and regardless of what league you come out of, you've got to play your best and execute. I think some years ago there might have been a distinct difference between the teams, but I think right now it's all football, and everyone has some talented players and everyone has good athletes." (HN, OL)
"Regardless of what league you come out of, you gotta play your best and if you execute, you have a chance to do that. I think some years ago there might have been a distinct difference between the (conferences), but I think right now it's all football and everyone has talented players and good athletes." (HSB)
Asked about the irony of the team with one of the hardest schedules playing one with one of the easiest schedules, Willingham said:
"With the schedule that we had, I didn't have a chance to reflect on that." (HN, OL)
About how their team has a chance to beat a ranked team this week and spoil UH's season, Washington coach Ty Willingham said:
"It's a great role to be in. But I like every role; every role offers an opportunity. And the key is, can you embrace it, can you envision yourself being successful with it. And if you can, it's a lot of fun." (HSB)
"I think our guys felt like we left a little on the table Saturday and (this week) it's against a ranked team seeking something special and we have an opportunity to be involved in that." (SPI)
"It doesn't matter what title, what role you carry into this ball game. We're facing a very good football team and I think everyone knows that. I think our players know that. But if that helps get us to the end result that we desire, we'll try to use it and make good use of it." (AP)
"There is still a sense of challenge for us, because I think our guys feel we left a little bit on the table Saturday and we've got a ranked team that is seeking something special and we have an opportunity to be a part of that." (AP)
About how their leaders will have the team ready for UH, Willingham said:
"I think the leadership of our team will kind of get to our guys. Obviously, it is a different environment. I don't have a head count for the number of guys who this will be their first time out of the continental United States. So, it will have some of those. But hopefully the way we'll do things will allow them to focus on winning the football game first, then see the beauty of Hawaii." (HSB)
About facing UH, Willingham said:
"They're undefeated, playing very well, have one of the premier players in the country, so it would be the ultimate challenge for us, especially coming off a very tough loss last week and to an arch rival (42-35 to Washington State). But I think our young men have the character and the courage and the leadership from within their peers to get it done." (HSB)
About how the key to stopping UH is putting pressure on Colt, Willingham said:
"You don't have to worry about the run. You can think pass and go play. This one is just pretty much going to be pass." (SPI)
SPI Note: "The Huskies' worst games against the pass this season were against Arizona (510 yards) and Washington State (399), which are ranked eighth and 10th in rushing offense in the Pac-10, respectively."
About facing UH with their chance for a BCS spot on the line, Willingham said:
"This will be a championship environment for them. Hopefully this puts us in a mind-set that, with ranked opponents, this is the kind of environment we should be in, and that we should be playing these kinds of ball games." (SPI)
About how they have to put pressure on Colt, senior DT Wilson Afoa said:
"As a D-line, we have to get a fanatical pass rush." (SPI)
SPI Note: "Afoa is one of four Huskies players with ties to Hawaii and one of three born there. The Honolulu native said the atmosphere at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium could factor into the outcome. The game is sold out and tickets are going for as much as $800."
ST Note: "The other Huskies making a homecoming are sophomore defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim of Waikoloa, walk-on safety Jay Angotti of Honolulu and true freshman Kalani Aldrich of Hilo. It is the final college game for Afoa, who also finished his high-school career at Aloha Stadium. His Saint Louis High team played there to win a state title in 2002. Afoa, Aldrich and Te'o-Nesheim had scholarship offers from Hawaii but elected to come to Seattle."
About facing UH at Aloha Stadium, Afoa said:
"You're basically going against the entire state of Hawaii when you're in that stadium. Their fans are crazy. For us to go in there, we have to not fall for the hype and go play football." (SPI)
"Basically you are going against the state of Hawaii when you are in that stadium." (ST)
About turning down UH's scholarship offer, Afoa said:
"I wanted to get outside the islands and experience something new." (ST)
Afoa, who never got a chance to play in a bowl while at Washington, said about hoping to ruin UH's BCS chances:
"We have a chance to spoil their BCS bowl. And that's a goal for us." (ST)
About treating the Hawaii trip as a business trip, LB Dan Howell said:
"All of us are pretty well trained. Every trip is a business trip. We really expect no fun, to be honest with you, except for the game." (HA)
About how the jump in computer rankings (#22 to #14) got UH to #12 in the BCS, Karl Benson said:
"That (computer ranking jump) is what really got Hawaii to No. 12. Hawaii is not flying under the radar screen. The last three years they have been very successful. Obviously their offensive system is built around the quarterback. Timmy Chang started it, and Colt (Brennan) took advantage of that. Hawaii has a brand of its own." (NA)
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
ST = Seattle Times
HN = Everett HeraldNet
NA = Nevada Appeal
SI = Sports Illustrated
OL = The Olympian
AP = Associated Press
KGMB = KGMB9.com
**** Special section about the idiots who stole UH helmets after the BSU game ***
About how someone tried to grab his helmet and run away with it after the game, Colt said:
"I held on to my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "Some of his teammates were not as fortunate. At least six dark-green Warrior helmets were taken after fans stormed onto the FieldTurf to celebrate the Warriors' first outright WAC football championship. UH officials were able to retrieve helmets belonging to right tackle Keoni Steinhoff and defensive right end Karl Noa. But quarterback Inoke Funaki, linebacker Brashton Satele, wideout Greg Salas and running back Jason Laumoli were left bare-headed."
About how someone took his helmet, Steinhoff said:
"I dropped it on the ground when I went to tell my mom 'Hi' in the stands, and somebody swiped it." (HA)
About how he wants his helmet back, Inoke said:
"I miss it. I loved my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials have asked for the safe return of the helmets. Although each helmet is valued at $200, the players want them back because it is too difficult to break in new ones. Satele has had the same dark green helmet for three years."
Hoping that his helmet is returned, Brashton Satele said:
"Hopefully, somebody will bring it back." (HA)
About when his helmet was stolen, Inoke said:
"I made my way eventually to the (makeshift) stage where the trophy was. I jumped up on the stage, waving my towel. I was up there for a while. I put my helmet down between my legs. All of the fans were on the bottom. Finally, after being up there for a while, I said, 'Enough, I'm taking it in.' I reached down and it wasn't there. I don't know where it went. I assumed somebody grabbed it. It must be on someone's wall right now." (HA)
HA Note: "The helmets are adorned with Warrior stickers for good plays."
About the Warrior stickers he earned for his helmet, Inoke said:
"I had a few decals. It wasn't as decorative as Colt's helmet. But there were a couple of marks on there. Maybe this next home game we might have to use our silver (road) helmets." (HA)
About the importance of the lost helmets, UH spokesman Derek Inouchi said:
"It's not the cost. But it's the fact that the helmets are fitted to the guys' heads and it takes some time to break them in." (HSB)
About how he wore his helmet as "protection" when the fans ran onto the field, but took it off to hug people that he knew, Colt said:
"When I saw people I knew, I took it off. I was hugging people. As I was going over to the podium, I was getting lifted up. Some guy kind of grabbed it, and held my helmet up. All of a sudden, I thought he tried to walk off with it. I held on tight. I wouldn't let him walk off with my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "Still, Brennan did not come away unscathed. A fan told The Advertiser's Kalani Takase that he has Brennan's used mouthpiece."
***
*** Special section on UH's facilities and lack on funding ***
During the ESPN2 broadcast of the BSU game, ESPN announcer Sean McDonough said:
"If they (Hawaii) do get to a BCS Bowl game, let's hope they spend some of the money on facilities here because folks if you saw their practice field and their office building, you'd be amazed they could have this kind of success with their facilities in quite frankly an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "McDonough must have been referring to Cooke Field. It is the university's artificial turf field but it is missing artificial turf. Cook is covered with soft black material that once served as padding under artificial turf."
About ESPN's comments on their facilities, JJ said:
"They were in our offices and made some comments and saw Cooke Field. It's not anything that isn't known. I came here not for the facilities and our players don't come here for the facilities. They come here because it's a great place to live and a great place to play football." (HSB)
"I didn't hear 'em. I know when they came in here for the (pre-game) interview, they were in our offices, you know, and made some comments, and looked out on Cooke Field. That was it. We didn't talk about any of that. It's not anything that isn't known already. There's nothing there." (HA)
Asked if he was embarrassed by the condition of UH's athletic facilities, JJ said:
"I came here not for the facilities, and our players don't come here for the facilities. They come here because it's a great place to live and a great place to play football. If we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (HA)
Hoping the BCS money would lead to improved facilities, JJ said:
"Certainly I would think if you get to the big dance (BCS bowl game) it's going to help. The athletic department get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field would get some field turf." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "If Hawaii beats Washington and is invited to a BCS bowl game, the athletic department stands to get in the neighborhood of $4.5 to $5 million. About a million could go to bowl game expenses, but everything after that is pure profit."
After saying that UH's facilities are among the worst he's seen, Solomon Elimimian said:
"But facilities doesn't necessarily make the team. There's nothing we can do. We want great facilities, not for us, but for the guys coming behind us. We're not one of the worst teams in college football. We're up there. So we deserve better facilities." (HSB)
About feeling they deserve better facilities, Sol said:
"It's something that I think we deserve. We're not one of the worst teams in all of college football. We're actually up there, you know. So I think we do deserve better facilities. It's one of the worst that I've seen." (KGMB)
About their facilities and recruiting, Sol said:
"We tell them the truth. You can't hide it and they're going to see it," Elimimian said. "Hawaii has other things to offer. The best thing on our team is the guys." (HSB)
About how UH manages to compete despite having just a fraction of the funding of other schools, UH Associate AD John McNamara said:
"Compared to the other BCS schools, it's clear that UH has to manage its resources rather frugally. When you look at the finances of the other institutions and find us in their company, it is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the players and the coaches." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i reached No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings despite a football program that generated a measly $7.5 million last year, puny in the world of big-time college football where programs like Ohio State and Georgia bring in more than $60 million. UH ranks last out of this week's Top 12 BCS teams in both money earned and money spent on football, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education.
UH, Ohio State and West Virginia did not report overall football team expenses to the Department of Education, like the other nine universities did. But under operating team expenses, UH said it spent $2.17 million through June 30 — compared with overall team expenses of more than $16 million for much richer programs such as Georgia, the University of Southern California, Oklahoma and Boston College. And Virginia Tech and Florida spent more than $20 million apiece on overall team expenses. Overall, seven Top 12 BCS teams spent more than twice what UH earned in total football revenue."
About how UH is shut out of concessions revenue, Rep. Takai said:
"The only thing UH generates in revenue is sales of tickets," Takai said. "None of the beer, none of the hot dogs, none of the parking revenue. Many other schools have their own facilities and generate a lot of revenue from that."
About how they need to invest into their football program to be able to stay at this level every year, Takai said:
"Now that we have gotten to this level, we need to put our money into this program. If we're going to expect June Jones and his team to compete at this level year in and year out, they're going to need additional support, whether it's to the facilities which are clearly in desperate need of help, or whether it's corporate or public support." (HA)
Colt talked the Advertiser back in May about their limited resources:
"When we're winning, we get compared to big programs like Ohio State and USC. I wonder how analysts would look at our achievements if they realize what we have to overcome through facilities, resources and traveling." (HA)
HA NOte: "Dexter Kekua, chief financial officer of Heide & Cook, responded to Brennan's comments by offering to buy a year's supply of locker-room soap. Coach Jones declined Kekua's offer, saying that maintenance crews were already replacing missing soap dispensers and refilling them. But the memory still irks Kekua."
Still upset that UH didn't have soap in the showers, Kekua said:
"This is a Division I-A program. You've got to be kidding me. It just didn't make any sense." (HA)
HA Note: "Kekua has donated a pair of fans to use at practice and always provides misting sideline fans on game day whenever asked — for free. Kekua also always tells any opposing teams that he's out of fan inventory if they should call to rent fans for their side of the field. The success of the UH football team has inspired an entire island state, Kekua said, and it's only fitting that businesses like his try to help out. He's a huge fan of Jones' speeches and has implemented many of Jones' tactics — such as changing the design of Heide & Cook's logo, having each of the 157 employees undergo motivational training and changing the company's appearance by having Reyn Spooner redesign the company's work T-shirts for plumbers, sheet metal workers and air-conditioner installers."
About changing their branding like JJ did with the Warriors, Kekua said:
"We wanted to change our persona, give us a stronger look. Coach Jones changed uniforms and got rid of the old 'Bows. Look at how people are calling him a super genius." (HA)
About how he hoped that the BCS money helped their athletic facilities (BSU got $4.5 mil last year and netted $3 mil after bowl expenses), JJ said:
"If you get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletic department gets some money. Hopefully, that means Cooke Field gets some FieldTurf." (HA)
HA Note: "The athletic department shares its financial troubles with the rest of the other nine UH campuses on every major island. A newly ruined science building and dilapidated dormitories on the main Manoa campus are just a few of the items on a long list of other big-ticket needs."
About how the BCS money will be spent by the Chancellor, and not just given to the Athletic Department, McNamara said:
"If we are fortunate enough to advance to a BCS game, the revenue from that opportunity is not going to cure all the financial ills. The athletic department does not exist in a vacuum. We're part of an entire university system, and our needs and priorities should not take on any greater urgency than any other department in the system. That money is to be spent at the discretion of the chancellor." (HA)
About how UH has already benefitted from the team's success this season, McNamara said:
"With this type of national success and acclaim, you tend to see increases in season ticket sales, donations and admissions applications to the university. We can't put a price on the exposure that four straight national telecasts has delivered, not only to the football program but to tourism, to the entire state of Hawai'i. Everything has been touched in some way. Everybody has greater pride in being a citizen of Hawai'i." (HA)
About how he's seen a 10% increase in business on football game days compared with last year, Robbie Acoba (owner of Eastside Bar & Grill) said:
"As a whole, everybody has benefited." (HA)
HA Note: "UH's football financial "numbers show that we have more work to do," he said. "But the kids and the coaches have given 200 percent and have shown the rest of the nation what Hawai'i is about." "
About how he follows one of JJ's favorite sayings, Kekua said:
"It's not how many times you get knocked down. It's how many times you get up." (HA)
**************************************************************
About how he isn't surprised that they are close to getting a BCS bowl spot, JJ said:
"Yeah, I envisioned it. I talked about it during the first press conference I had. This has been a dream season. Hopefully we cam keep it going." (NA)
About how he didn't celebrate the BSU win for long, JJ said:
"After the game I went to Murph's, (celebrated) a little, then back to it." (HSB)
About the importance of winning the U-Dub game, JJ said:
"We knew before the season that we were going to have to win them all. All we have to do is take care of business." (SI)
Praising Washington, JJ said:
"They played the hardest schedule in the country and had Ohio State at halftime and lost to USC by (a field goal). They beat Cal at home, at their place, so they're pretty good. They beat Boise, probably more handily than we did. They can play." (HSB)
JJ said that QB Jake Locker and RB Louis Rankin:
"might be the two best athletes we have played this year." (ST)
"I think that their quarterback and their running back might be the two best athletes we've played this year." (HN, OL)
After comparing Ranking to Cal running back Marshawn Lynch, a first-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills, JJ said:
"He's very explosive, and the quarterback is as good as anybody. People can talk about Tim Tebow all they want, but the quarterback at Washington is the real deal." (HN, OL)
Praising Locker, JJ said:
"Everybody can talk about [Florida QB Tim] Tebow all they want, that quarterback at Washington is the real deal." (ST)
"This guy's faster than anybody we've played, including any running back we've played. (And) their running back (Louis Rankin) is probably the best running back we've played, too. That guy's scary on tape." (HSB)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He should have won the Heisman last year. He threw for more yards and touchdowns than [Ohio State's Heisman winner] Troy Smith and [Michigan's] Chad Henne combined." (SI)
Praising their fans at the BSU game and hoping they will be just as loud for Washington, JJ said:
"The crowd was into the game and hopefully they'll be into the game this week. It's obviously helpful to the players to have that kind of crowd. It changes the momentum at different times of the game." (HSB)
About how they will be prepared for Washington, JJ said:
"No. I can tell already from today. Everybody understands. If we don't win the game it's not going to be because we're not ready to play, I'll tell you that." (HSB)
About their defense in the BSU game, GM said:
"We missed one gap. After that, everybody played really smart." (SI)
About the championship rings he has won before, GM said:
"I was fortunate to get a few (rings). Miami's was nice. We got some good ones at Texas Tech." (HA)
HA Note "Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin has been named the lone member of the screening committee to choose a ring commemorating the Warriors' WAC championship. McMackin also was the UH defensive coordinator in 1999, Jones' first season as UH head coach, when the Warriors won a share of the WAC title."
About how they need to have big rings because GM said it has to be:
"big on a kid, because they have big hands. It has to be something worthy of what they've accomplished, you know, a lot of bling." (HA)
HA Note: "Na Koa, the football team's booster club, will pay for the rings."
About their rings, Hercules said:
"It needs to have a big ol' '1' on it." (HA)
RGM considered the Warriors' fashion plate said:
"They should let me design it. I'll put a little flavor to it. That seems like a fun project. I don't want a puny ring. I want something big and shiny." (HA)
About how he won't do anything for the ring until after the Washington game, GM said:
"We won't do anything until after the Washington game. That's the most important thing. We're not thinking of rings at this point. " (HA)
About 30 pounds during the offseason under GM's orders, Michael Lafaele said:
"No rice. Being from the islands, I grew up on that stuff." (SI)
SI Note: "The faster, leaner Warriors wreaked havoc in the Boise State backfield with three sacks and six tackles for loss; they now have 37 sacks, seven more than they had in 14 games last year."
Regretting his somersault in the BSU game, Bess said:
"It was a way of expressing how I felt. I wasn't trying to showboat. I was trying to solidify me getting into the end zone and making a statement. I was disappointed because it was kind of selfish on my behalf, and I made my team back up when they kicked it off. It happens." (HA)
Note: Bess and Patek were named UH's top players in the BSU game.
Looking forward to playing in the Hula Bowl, Michael Lafaele said:
"I'm kind of looking forward to that one. When I got the invitation I was pretty excited." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hawaii wide receivers C.J. Hawthorne and Jason Rivers, defensive tackle Mike Lafaele, and guard Hercules Satele have committed to play in the Jan. 12 Hula Bowl."
Hula Bowl Executive director Neil Stratton said that more Warriors may be invited:
"We'd like to have 50 Warriors on the West squad, but of course we can't do that. Obviously Colt (quarterback Brennan) we'd love to have. We hope that he will be willing, but we have to be patient about it." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, which is considered the premier college football all-star game. It is rare for top prospects to play in more than one such game."
About why he chose Nebraska instead of his hometown Washington, LWJ said:
"They didn't know who the head coach was going to be, so that drew me away." (HA)
About not playing in the BSU game because JJ said he wanted his best 2 pass blocking RBs in the game, LWJ said:
"It was just the situation. I just have to wait." (HA)
About how he didn't celebrate much after the BSU game, Colt said:
"To be honest with you, the party was that game. It was awesome. I went out after I got some food after the game and I hit the wall and I had to go to bed. I think now we've got just one more week left and it's time to get ready for Washington." (HSB)
About the potential reward available if they beat Washington, Colt said:
"It's sky high with what's kind of in front of us right now. There's a lot of excitement going on." (HA)
About not overlooking Washington, Colt said;
"Considering that Washington has played the toughest schedule in football and they have the record they have, that's not bad. They can play with anyone in the country and I'm sure that they'll come out here ready to play. They have the talent to play with us, they have the talent to beat us. So it's really exciting because it's a big game for us and this is definitely a team that we cannot overlook." (HN, OL)
About how facing Washington is a good test for them, Colt said:
"It's a great steppingstone, probably, to the competition we'll have if we do beat Washington. I think it's set up really well. Washington is a good football team. They kind of remind me of our first year (in 2005). We had all the talent, but we just didn't put it together yet. We played with a lot of good teams that year. We've got to get this victory and then we can start thinking about what's in front of us and show what we can do." (HSB)
About how they need to beat Washington, Sol said:
"It feels good to start getting some (team) recognition. Then again we don't want to have a big party and this week lose to Washington. That's going to be embarrassing. That's just going to prove everybody right. 'Hawaii's not a great team, losing to a 4-8 Washington.' Their quarterback's a great quarterback and they've got a great running back. We were happy, but at the same time it can be gone in a second." (HSB)
About how they are focused on Washington, Sol said:
"Today. I think today is like 'We gotta play Washington now.' The coaches have their game faces on now. Every game from now is going to be the most important game of the season." (HSB)
Asked about the difference in their schedule and UH's schedule, Tyrone Willingham said:
"I don't know if I really measure the difference between the two. To me it's all football and regardless of what league you come out of, you've got to play your best and execute. I think some years ago there might have been a distinct difference between the teams, but I think right now it's all football, and everyone has some talented players and everyone has good athletes." (HN, OL)
"Regardless of what league you come out of, you gotta play your best and if you execute, you have a chance to do that. I think some years ago there might have been a distinct difference between the (conferences), but I think right now it's all football and everyone has talented players and good athletes." (HSB)
Asked about the irony of the team with one of the hardest schedules playing one with one of the easiest schedules, Willingham said:
"With the schedule that we had, I didn't have a chance to reflect on that." (HN, OL)
About how their team has a chance to beat a ranked team this week and spoil UH's season, Washington coach Ty Willingham said:
"It's a great role to be in. But I like every role; every role offers an opportunity. And the key is, can you embrace it, can you envision yourself being successful with it. And if you can, it's a lot of fun." (HSB)
"I think our guys felt like we left a little on the table Saturday and (this week) it's against a ranked team seeking something special and we have an opportunity to be involved in that." (SPI)
"It doesn't matter what title, what role you carry into this ball game. We're facing a very good football team and I think everyone knows that. I think our players know that. But if that helps get us to the end result that we desire, we'll try to use it and make good use of it." (AP)
"There is still a sense of challenge for us, because I think our guys feel we left a little bit on the table Saturday and we've got a ranked team that is seeking something special and we have an opportunity to be a part of that." (AP)
About how their leaders will have the team ready for UH, Willingham said:
"I think the leadership of our team will kind of get to our guys. Obviously, it is a different environment. I don't have a head count for the number of guys who this will be their first time out of the continental United States. So, it will have some of those. But hopefully the way we'll do things will allow them to focus on winning the football game first, then see the beauty of Hawaii." (HSB)
About facing UH, Willingham said:
"They're undefeated, playing very well, have one of the premier players in the country, so it would be the ultimate challenge for us, especially coming off a very tough loss last week and to an arch rival (42-35 to Washington State). But I think our young men have the character and the courage and the leadership from within their peers to get it done." (HSB)
About how the key to stopping UH is putting pressure on Colt, Willingham said:
"You don't have to worry about the run. You can think pass and go play. This one is just pretty much going to be pass." (SPI)
SPI Note: "The Huskies' worst games against the pass this season were against Arizona (510 yards) and Washington State (399), which are ranked eighth and 10th in rushing offense in the Pac-10, respectively."
About facing UH with their chance for a BCS spot on the line, Willingham said:
"This will be a championship environment for them. Hopefully this puts us in a mind-set that, with ranked opponents, this is the kind of environment we should be in, and that we should be playing these kinds of ball games." (SPI)
About how they have to put pressure on Colt, senior DT Wilson Afoa said:
"As a D-line, we have to get a fanatical pass rush." (SPI)
SPI Note: "Afoa is one of four Huskies players with ties to Hawaii and one of three born there. The Honolulu native said the atmosphere at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium could factor into the outcome. The game is sold out and tickets are going for as much as $800."
ST Note: "The other Huskies making a homecoming are sophomore defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim of Waikoloa, walk-on safety Jay Angotti of Honolulu and true freshman Kalani Aldrich of Hilo. It is the final college game for Afoa, who also finished his high-school career at Aloha Stadium. His Saint Louis High team played there to win a state title in 2002. Afoa, Aldrich and Te'o-Nesheim had scholarship offers from Hawaii but elected to come to Seattle."
About facing UH at Aloha Stadium, Afoa said:
"You're basically going against the entire state of Hawaii when you're in that stadium. Their fans are crazy. For us to go in there, we have to not fall for the hype and go play football." (SPI)
"Basically you are going against the state of Hawaii when you are in that stadium." (ST)
About turning down UH's scholarship offer, Afoa said:
"I wanted to get outside the islands and experience something new." (ST)
Afoa, who never got a chance to play in a bowl while at Washington, said about hoping to ruin UH's BCS chances:
"We have a chance to spoil their BCS bowl. And that's a goal for us." (ST)
About treating the Hawaii trip as a business trip, LB Dan Howell said:
"All of us are pretty well trained. Every trip is a business trip. We really expect no fun, to be honest with you, except for the game." (HA)
About how the jump in computer rankings (#22 to #14) got UH to #12 in the BCS, Karl Benson said:
"That (computer ranking jump) is what really got Hawaii to No. 12. Hawaii is not flying under the radar screen. The last three years they have been very successful. Obviously their offensive system is built around the quarterback. Timmy Chang started it, and Colt (Brennan) took advantage of that. Hawaii has a brand of its own." (NA)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Quotes about UH's facilities
http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/14698836/detail.html
ESPN announcer Sean McDonough criticized UH's facilities during the end of the national broadcast of the BSU game, saying:
"If you saw the practice field and their office buildings, you'd be amazed that they can have this kind of success with their facilities in, quite frankly, an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KITV4)
About the criticism of the facilities, JJ said:
"It's not anything that isn't known." (KITV4)
About how his players do not come to UH for the facilities, JJ said:
"They come here because it is a great place to live and because it is a great place to play football. And umm, if we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (KITV4)
About how getting to a BCS game should help them improve their facilities, JJ said:
"We get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletics department can get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field will get some Field Turf." (KITV4)
KITV4 Note: "The UH Athletics Department said Athletic Director Herman Frazier was not available to talk about the issue until his weekly press conference on Tuesday."
About how he doesn't show off their facilities to recruits, Solomon Elimimian said:
"You can't hide it. You know? But we try to take them away from the facilities and to Waikiki Beach." (KITV4)
ESPN announcer Sean McDonough criticized UH's facilities during the end of the national broadcast of the BSU game, saying:
"If you saw the practice field and their office buildings, you'd be amazed that they can have this kind of success with their facilities in, quite frankly, an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KITV4)
About the criticism of the facilities, JJ said:
"It's not anything that isn't known." (KITV4)
About how his players do not come to UH for the facilities, JJ said:
"They come here because it is a great place to live and because it is a great place to play football. And umm, if we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (KITV4)
About how getting to a BCS game should help them improve their facilities, JJ said:
"We get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletics department can get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field will get some Field Turf." (KITV4)
KITV4 Note: "The UH Athletics Department said Athletic Director Herman Frazier was not available to talk about the issue until his weekly press conference on Tuesday."
About how he doesn't show off their facilities to recruits, Solomon Elimimian said:
"You can't hide it. You know? But we try to take them away from the facilities and to Waikiki Beach." (KITV4)
Quotes from JJ's weekly press conference
About the BSU game, JJ said:
"I'm happy for the players. We are watching tape of the Boise State game today. Tomorrow, we'll begin focusing on Washington. The defense really played physically well. Blaze (Soares) had a big game. The D-line did a great job - (John) Fonoti played excellent. Jacob (Patek) had a really good game; he was our (defensive) player of the game." (UH Athletics)
Asked for one thing that stood out in the BSU game, JJ said:
"I think it was that we were able to run the ball and run out the clock. We threw one pass towards the end. The kids blocked well and David (Farmer) ran hard. We were able to move the chains a different way which says a lot. I told them to take a knee at the end (on the 6-inch line). I'm not into scoring as many points as you can. We had the game won. Yeah, I thought about the BCS, that's why I took the knee." (UH)
Asked what he ranked his team after the game, JJ said:
"I don't vote anymore. I used to, but they wanted it at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday night and I didn't even know who had won that night since we were playing. I just withdrew from voting." (UH)
Asked about Hawaii fans and their sellout, JJ said:
"The crowd was really into the game and hopefully they will be into the game again this week. It is obviously very helpful to the players to have that type of crowd to change momentum at critical times during a game." (UH)
Asked about Washington, JJ said:
"They've played the most difficult schedule in the country from what I read in the paper. They had SC; they were even with Ohio State at halftime - they're a really good football team. SC they lose by one, beat Cal at Cal who was either 1 or 2. They beat Boise probably more handily than we beat them. They can play. This guy (UW QB Jake Locker) is way faster than anybody we've played, including many running backs. He's a really good player. Their running back (Louis Rankin) is scary on tape." (UH)
Asked if he was concerned about a let down by his team, JJ said:
"No, I can tell it already in our meetings today that everyone understands. If we don't win the game (against Washington), it won't be because we weren't ready to play, I can tell you that." (UH)
Asked about WAC Players of the Week Colt and Sol, JJ said:
"They both played very well (against Boise State). Solomon has been our leading tackler in more than half our games and Colt played very well after coming back from a couple of adverse things early to have a strong game." (UH)
Asked about Colt's chances for the Heisman, JJ said:
"He's a competitive player. I'm happy for him, and it's good for us. Hopefully, if we win this week and he plays well, it will get him to New York. That would be huge." (UH)
Asked about being the last undefeated team in D-1A, JJ said:
"Well, it is hard to go undefeated. We've won 21 of our last 22 and the three loses last year were by a combined 18 points which says a lot. The kids believe in each other. They play with energy." (UH)
Asked about their seniors, JJ said:
"I think that the senior leadership started in the off-season last year and has been the difference in our team. In particular, Michael Lafaele and Hercules Satele have been accountable and demanding that the peer pressure be high for the rest of the group." (UH)
"I'm happy for the players. We are watching tape of the Boise State game today. Tomorrow, we'll begin focusing on Washington. The defense really played physically well. Blaze (Soares) had a big game. The D-line did a great job - (John) Fonoti played excellent. Jacob (Patek) had a really good game; he was our (defensive) player of the game." (UH Athletics)
Asked for one thing that stood out in the BSU game, JJ said:
"I think it was that we were able to run the ball and run out the clock. We threw one pass towards the end. The kids blocked well and David (Farmer) ran hard. We were able to move the chains a different way which says a lot. I told them to take a knee at the end (on the 6-inch line). I'm not into scoring as many points as you can. We had the game won. Yeah, I thought about the BCS, that's why I took the knee." (UH)
Asked what he ranked his team after the game, JJ said:
"I don't vote anymore. I used to, but they wanted it at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday night and I didn't even know who had won that night since we were playing. I just withdrew from voting." (UH)
Asked about Hawaii fans and their sellout, JJ said:
"The crowd was really into the game and hopefully they will be into the game again this week. It is obviously very helpful to the players to have that type of crowd to change momentum at critical times during a game." (UH)
Asked about Washington, JJ said:
"They've played the most difficult schedule in the country from what I read in the paper. They had SC; they were even with Ohio State at halftime - they're a really good football team. SC they lose by one, beat Cal at Cal who was either 1 or 2. They beat Boise probably more handily than we beat them. They can play. This guy (UW QB Jake Locker) is way faster than anybody we've played, including many running backs. He's a really good player. Their running back (Louis Rankin) is scary on tape." (UH)
Asked if he was concerned about a let down by his team, JJ said:
"No, I can tell it already in our meetings today that everyone understands. If we don't win the game (against Washington), it won't be because we weren't ready to play, I can tell you that." (UH)
Asked about WAC Players of the Week Colt and Sol, JJ said:
"They both played very well (against Boise State). Solomon has been our leading tackler in more than half our games and Colt played very well after coming back from a couple of adverse things early to have a strong game." (UH)
Asked about Colt's chances for the Heisman, JJ said:
"He's a competitive player. I'm happy for him, and it's good for us. Hopefully, if we win this week and he plays well, it will get him to New York. That would be huge." (UH)
Asked about being the last undefeated team in D-1A, JJ said:
"Well, it is hard to go undefeated. We've won 21 of our last 22 and the three loses last year were by a combined 18 points which says a lot. The kids believe in each other. They play with energy." (UH)
Asked about their seniors, JJ said:
"I think that the senior leadership started in the off-season last year and has been the difference in our team. In particular, Michael Lafaele and Hercules Satele have been accountable and demanding that the peer pressure be high for the rest of the group." (UH)
Quotes from Monday morning
About how he's just focused on winning and isn't going to worry about the rankings or BCS, JJ said:
"Nothing that anyone else says has meant anything to us. We knew from the beginning that if we didn't win every game, Colt (Brennan) would have no chance for the Heisman, and we would have no chance for the big dance." (HSB)
About how he didn't vote UH #1, former UH football coach Bob Wagner said:
"I'm probably a little more objective than some people think I should be." (HSB)
About how he moved UH "way up" after they beat BSU but wasn't the one who voted UH #1, former UH AD Hugh Yoshida said:
"I'm very happy for the team, but I have to keep a little bit of credibility." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another panelist who lives in Hawaii, Star-Bulletin sports writer Cindy Luis, said she voted the Warriors at No. 9."
About whether or not the Fiesta Bowl (HF used to be a Fiesta Bowl director and chairman) would pick UH or leave UH for the Sugar Bowl's last choice), Karl Benson said:
"(Frazier's) got great relationships there, but the Fiesta Bowl will do what's best for the Fiesta Bowl. Right now I think the BCS takes care of itself, and there's no lobbying to do there. It's a matter of which bowl believes that Hawaii's the best team for it." (HSB)
About how he hasn't picked which WAC teams would be in which bowl, Benson said:
"We predicate everything on trying to match up with the best possible opponents. And there's still a lot of uncertainty, especially if Hawaii loses." (HSB)
About the possibility of losing UH to a BCS Bowl, Hawaii Bowl honcho Jim Donovan said:
"We're hoping (the Warriors) go to the BCS. We want them to win that one remaining game." (HA)
About how beating Washington should give UH a 95% chance of making the final top 12 in the BCS, Sam Chi (BCSguru.com) said:
"If Hawai'i beats Washington that should be enough. I'd put it at about 95 percent. It should be a near slam-dunk now." (HA)
"The only scenario I can see for the Warriors not to get into the BCS is this: LSU beats Tennessee, Oklahoma beats Missouri and Boston College beats Virginia Tech, Hawai'i wins a sloppy game against Washington, or at least the final score is very close." (HA)
Last week Chi wrote on BCSguru:
"The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher." (HA)
Estimating a 90% chance for UH if it beats Washington, Jerry Palm (CollegeBCS.com), Palm had warned last month:
"Hawai'i's schedule is so bad that they might not crack the top 15 in the computers, even at 12-0." (HA)
About how Boston College or Tennessee could jump over UH in the BCS standings, Palm said:
"If either Boston College (over Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship) or Tennessee (over LSU in the Southeastern Conference championship) wins, but Virginia Tech or LSU stays above (UH) anyway. I'm not saying Virginia Tech or LSU would definitely not fall below them, just that they might not." (HA)
About how beating UH would make their season, Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said:
“We’ve got an opportunity to go play a football team that gives us an opportunity to recover some of the things that we’ve lost this year. We’ve got an opportunity to play a football game in December. When you start playing in December, usually good things are happening, and we want to start recognizing that.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About wanting to win the UH game for UW's seniors, QB Jake Locker said the UH game will be:
"a chance to send the seniors out right. There are a lot of really good relationships on this team. Everybody really cares about each other. So I think it will be important for us to send those guys out on the right note." (Seattle Times)
About the last time UH played Washington, former UH assistant coach and current President and General Manager of KGMB-TV Rich Blangiardi said:
"Back then (in Seattle in 1973), we turned on the TV and Jimmy the Greek, who was doing telecasts, said we were 50-point underdogs. That was the way people viewed it." (HA)
About how he feels UH will get into the BCS if they finish 12-0, Karl Benson said:
"They need to finish the way they have started." (HA)
Asked if there would be any way for UH not to make it into the BCS if they beat Washington, Benson said:
"Absolutely not." (HSB)
Benson added that:
"having back-to-back BCS (entrants) would validate the fact the WAC has established itself as a major player in college football." (HA)
About how it is harder to schedule teams now for UH, Karl Benson said:
“We’ve seen coaches make the decision that they would just as soon play 12 and not play that extra game. I know that the University of Hawaii went through scheduling challenges. … I think the decision that the Pac-10 made to play nine conference games is going to have an effect on our ability to schedule the Pac-10.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About how Hawaii fans travel well, Karl Benson said:
"Hawaii has historically had a great fan following when they play on the mainland. This year when they played UNLV in Las Vegas, they had 12-15,000 fans there and maybe only 2,000 made the trip from the state of Hawaii." (NY Sun)
About how Colt makes it easy for fans to cheer for UH, Benson said:
"Colt Brennan is a cult figure. It would be easy for fans to adopt Hawaii for the day. Put on an aloha shirt and go to the Superdome and root for the underdog." (NY Sun)
"Nothing that anyone else says has meant anything to us. We knew from the beginning that if we didn't win every game, Colt (Brennan) would have no chance for the Heisman, and we would have no chance for the big dance." (HSB)
About how he didn't vote UH #1, former UH football coach Bob Wagner said:
"I'm probably a little more objective than some people think I should be." (HSB)
About how he moved UH "way up" after they beat BSU but wasn't the one who voted UH #1, former UH AD Hugh Yoshida said:
"I'm very happy for the team, but I have to keep a little bit of credibility." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another panelist who lives in Hawaii, Star-Bulletin sports writer Cindy Luis, said she voted the Warriors at No. 9."
About whether or not the Fiesta Bowl (HF used to be a Fiesta Bowl director and chairman) would pick UH or leave UH for the Sugar Bowl's last choice), Karl Benson said:
"(Frazier's) got great relationships there, but the Fiesta Bowl will do what's best for the Fiesta Bowl. Right now I think the BCS takes care of itself, and there's no lobbying to do there. It's a matter of which bowl believes that Hawaii's the best team for it." (HSB)
About how he hasn't picked which WAC teams would be in which bowl, Benson said:
"We predicate everything on trying to match up with the best possible opponents. And there's still a lot of uncertainty, especially if Hawaii loses." (HSB)
About the possibility of losing UH to a BCS Bowl, Hawaii Bowl honcho Jim Donovan said:
"We're hoping (the Warriors) go to the BCS. We want them to win that one remaining game." (HA)
About how beating Washington should give UH a 95% chance of making the final top 12 in the BCS, Sam Chi (BCSguru.com) said:
"If Hawai'i beats Washington that should be enough. I'd put it at about 95 percent. It should be a near slam-dunk now." (HA)
"The only scenario I can see for the Warriors not to get into the BCS is this: LSU beats Tennessee, Oklahoma beats Missouri and Boston College beats Virginia Tech, Hawai'i wins a sloppy game against Washington, or at least the final score is very close." (HA)
Last week Chi wrote on BCSguru:
"The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher." (HA)
Estimating a 90% chance for UH if it beats Washington, Jerry Palm (CollegeBCS.com), Palm had warned last month:
"Hawai'i's schedule is so bad that they might not crack the top 15 in the computers, even at 12-0." (HA)
About how Boston College or Tennessee could jump over UH in the BCS standings, Palm said:
"If either Boston College (over Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship) or Tennessee (over LSU in the Southeastern Conference championship) wins, but Virginia Tech or LSU stays above (UH) anyway. I'm not saying Virginia Tech or LSU would definitely not fall below them, just that they might not." (HA)
About how beating UH would make their season, Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said:
“We’ve got an opportunity to go play a football team that gives us an opportunity to recover some of the things that we’ve lost this year. We’ve got an opportunity to play a football game in December. When you start playing in December, usually good things are happening, and we want to start recognizing that.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About wanting to win the UH game for UW's seniors, QB Jake Locker said the UH game will be:
"a chance to send the seniors out right. There are a lot of really good relationships on this team. Everybody really cares about each other. So I think it will be important for us to send those guys out on the right note." (Seattle Times)
About the last time UH played Washington, former UH assistant coach and current President and General Manager of KGMB-TV Rich Blangiardi said:
"Back then (in Seattle in 1973), we turned on the TV and Jimmy the Greek, who was doing telecasts, said we were 50-point underdogs. That was the way people viewed it." (HA)
About how he feels UH will get into the BCS if they finish 12-0, Karl Benson said:
"They need to finish the way they have started." (HA)
Asked if there would be any way for UH not to make it into the BCS if they beat Washington, Benson said:
"Absolutely not." (HSB)
Benson added that:
"having back-to-back BCS (entrants) would validate the fact the WAC has established itself as a major player in college football." (HA)
About how it is harder to schedule teams now for UH, Karl Benson said:
“We’ve seen coaches make the decision that they would just as soon play 12 and not play that extra game. I know that the University of Hawaii went through scheduling challenges. … I think the decision that the Pac-10 made to play nine conference games is going to have an effect on our ability to schedule the Pac-10.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About how Hawaii fans travel well, Karl Benson said:
"Hawaii has historically had a great fan following when they play on the mainland. This year when they played UNLV in Las Vegas, they had 12-15,000 fans there and maybe only 2,000 made the trip from the state of Hawaii." (NY Sun)
About how Colt makes it easy for fans to cheer for UH, Benson said:
"Colt Brennan is a cult figure. It would be easy for fans to adopt Hawaii for the day. Put on an aloha shirt and go to the Superdome and root for the underdog." (NY Sun)
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