Spring Quotes from the local papers

About returning to Spring Practice, Keith AhSoon said
"It's the best feeling ever. Sitting out was the most depressing feeling. They told me I would be out four to six weeks, but I was doing extra rehab and I guess it worked." (HA)

About returning to practice, AhSoon said:
"Man, it feels good being back. Last week, I was hella depressed on the sidelines and stuff like that. Waking up this morning, I was looking forward to it. It's my last spring, and I can't just let it go like that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "AhSoon was first told he'd miss the remainder of spring ball with the first real injury of his career, but extensive rehab allowed an early comeback."

HA Note: "In addition to normal treatment from the UH training staff, AhSoon said he would spend his afternoons walking in the sand and also in waist-deep water at the beach."

About his rehab at Ala Moana Beach, AhSoon said:
"The ocean is a magic cure for anything, I'm telling you." (HA)

About how he'd go to the beach when injured when he was growing up in American Samoa, AhSoon said:
"When ever we got a cut or felt banged up, we'd just jump in the water. It's like it gets your body all relaxed, and a couple days later, you're all better." (HA)

About how Bulla Ginlack replaced his as #1 LG in practice the pas 2 weeks, AhSoon said:
"I was actually happy for him when he was filling in for me. I think Bulla is the most improved guy on the whole O-line." (HA)

About elevating AhSoon to the #1 LG spot after he was healthy, Mack said:
"Keith is a veteran. When you get all those guys healthy in there, that's going to be a strength." (HA)

About adjusting to LG after starting at LT last year, AhSoon said:
"Moving from tackle to guard is only one spot over, but it's a whole different look. This spring was supposed to introduce me to it, that's why I was so depressed when I got hurt. I'm still learning all the angles from the guard spot." (HA)

HA Note: "Laupepa Letuli, who is expected to compete for a starting tackle spot, has been out all spring with a pulled hamstring. Raphael Ieru, a key reserve at guard, did not practice yesterday due to an ankle injury."

About the injuries on the OL, AhSoon said:
"We're banged up, but we're getting better every day." (HA)

"Seriously, this spring I think the most O-line got hurt (of any year). But at the same time it's a good thing for the young guys to step in, take some reps and get some experience." (HSB)


About their Spring Game, Mack said:
"We're calling it the Warrior Bow." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Kickoff would be at 8 p.m., except there will be no kickoffs. There will be punts, but no returns. Field goals and extra points, but no rushing them. The clock will run normally in the first half, but running time will be used in the second half."

About how Tyler and Inoke will play a lot during the Warrior Bowl, Mack said:
"The quarterbacks aren't going to be live (targets for tackling), but they're going to play (a lot). And the good receivers are gonna play. We want to get a lot of looks at (Funaki and Graunke). They've been battling, they've been real close all spring. There'll be live bullets out there because the secondary will be going full speed." (HSB)

About how the atmosphere will be like a real game, Mack said:
"We'll have officials, 90 members of the band, cheerleaders. And what I'm hoping -- we have the greatest fans in the world, that was proven at the Sugar Bowl -- we'll get 30,000 people there. The Gators had 60,000." (HSB)

About how they divided the team for the Warrior Bowl, Mack said:
"We had a draft, but we went position by position so that the teams will be fairly even." (HA)

HA Note: "For example, Tyler Graunke is the starting quarterback for the Green, and Inoke Funaki is the starter for the Black. They are considered the co-No. 1 contenders this spring. Also, All-Western Athletic Conference linebackers Solomon Elimimian (Black) and Adam Leonard (Green) were separated. The other projected starting linebacker, Blaze Soares, will not play Saturday because of a shoulder injury."

About how many of the starters will not play for very long, Mack said:
"Everybody's going to play. But the defensive starters will probably play a couple of series and then sit out. Some of the key (offensive) linemen who have been hurt, I don't want them out there too long either." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin said the first two quarters will be run like a regular game, with the clock stopping for incomplete passes and out-of-bounds plays. But the third and fourth quarters will feature a running clock. He also said the defenses will not be allowed to hit the quarterbacks. Defensive coordinator Cal Lee will be in charge of the Green squad, and offensive coordinator Ron Lee will be in charge of the Black squad. The event will start with fan activities (including an autograph session) at 5:15 p.m., with the scrimmage to start around 7 p.m. Admission is free."

About how they have to cut some players to make room for the recruits coming in the Fall, Mack said:
"The problem is we have 25 recruits coming in this fall, and you can only have 105 total (players) in camp. It's a tough situation. In the pros, when you cut a guy, you're cutting his livelihood. Here, you're cutting their heart because they really want to make this team." (HA)

HA Note: "One walk-on who impressed the coaches yesterday was senior receiver Nathaniel Nasca. He caught two deep passes during the 11-on-11 drills. Nasca has been getting more practice time as an inside receiver recently because projected starter Michael Washington is out with a hamstring injury."


About his speed, Nasca said:
"I'm actually more of a football player than a track guy. Growing up I was always smaller than everybody, so I started doing track to develop my speed so I wouldn't get killed out there." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Nasca's speed did the killing yesterday at spring practice. He slipped behind the safeties two plays in a row during the team period for big gains. The second catch was a tough one where he held on despite hard contact with the ground."

About how Nasca can use his speed on the field, Craig Stutzmann said:
"Some guys, when you put them on the football field, they slow down. This guy doesn't. He works hard and he's quick as a cat out there. He's very coachable." (HSB)

About how Nasca is learning the offense, Ron Lee said:
"He's starting to get an understanding of what we're doing. You really can tell. He's new to this, it's his first year, but he's got speed. He's starting to understand the reads and he had a helluva day today. He caught everything, in the individual drills, too." (HSB)

About how the 5'8", 165-pound Nasca is tough enough to play at the D-IA level, Ron Lee said:
"He has football speed, and he has that savvy. You can't jam him. He's making them miss on the jam. "He's going to help us." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Nasca helped his own cause with yesterday's performance, as well as with a couple of receptions in Saturday's scrimmage. On one, he bolted for 20 extra yards after the catch on a day when voracious Hawaii defenders were closing in fast and exacting a high toll for catches."

About how he talked with Nasca after Saturday's scrimmage, Stutzmann said:
"I talked to him after. He said, 'Coach, I don't want to get hit that hard, I'm running.' But don't let that fool you. He's a tough kid, a competitor. I don't know if he's running scared out there, but sometimes that's the best way to play. That's how I played. It seems like he's coming along. He knows the routes a lot more." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Nasca led Pearl City to a state track and field championship in 2004, and was a three-way standout in football at receiver, cornerback and kick returner. He then went to Azusa Pacific -- the alma mater of decathlon Olympic silver medalist Bryan Clay -- to pursue both sports. Nasca, whose father, Phil, played football at UH, transferred to Manoa last year. He was bothered by hamstring injuries while at Azusa, and since he missed the 2004 season due to injuries, he might get an additional year of eligibility with the Warriors. Otherwise, it's one and done."

About how his increased reps have helped him learn the offense, Nasca said:
"Getting more repetitions the past couple of weeks helps. Mike and (Aaron) Bain and Jon (Medeiros) have been helping me out, reading defenses and stuff. I think just getting more reps, we've got a lot of guys banged up." (HSB)

Praising Nasca, Mack said:
"He's got excellent speed. Bob Hayes was a track guy. Speed, besides character, is the thing that we look for. That obviously helps him, as long as he can catch the ball. If you can't catch the ball, speed doesn't help you. But he's been catching the ball pretty well, he had a big play today. Two back-to-back. He used his speed to get the ball, so that kind of thing we're excited about. He's jumped out there and done some good things." (HSB)

About how he has been taking advantage of his opportunity to get reps due to Washington's injury, Nate Nasca said:
"It's unfortunate that other guys get hurt, but it's an opportunity for me to show what I can do." (HA)

About how he's trying to make the team as a walk-on this year, Nasca said:
"My goal is just to make the team. I know there's no guarantees, so I'm just trying to go out and work hard every day." (HA)

About how he'd like to get a chance at WR in addition to his starting CB spot, Mouton said:
"I think I can catch passes. I really would like to talk to the coaches about playing offense, too. Some receiver, I don't see why not?" (HA)

About how he's currently their top kick/punt returner, Mouton said:
"It's another opportunity to get the ball and make a play. I don't mind returning (punts) at all. I'd love to be on the field all game if the coaches let me." (HA)

HA Note: "Fans, though, will have to find Mouton with a new jersey number this season. He was 27 last season, but switched to No. 2 this season in tribute to a friend. Mouton said a former high school teammate named Matt Halton was killed during a stabbing incident in Texas in January. Halton wore No. 2 at Katy High."

About wearing #2 to honor his friend, Mouton said:
"Every day I come out here, I represent him." (HA)

About switching from #39 to #23, Calvin Roberts said:
"My good friend, Evan Roman, wore No. 23 at College of San Mateo, and he gave up football last year for some personal reasons. So I took it upon myself to wear his number and keep his spirits up." (HA)

About how he is between "75 and 85 percent" due to his ankle injury and will not fully recover until the summer, David Farmer talked about practicing despite the pain:
"I had to kind of grit my teeth all throughout practice, but no good player has never done that. That's how it goes -- it's football." (HSB)

About how he's struggling right now, Farmer said:
"I'm sure it's funny for (running backs coach Alex Gerke), when we do individuals, my footwork is all bad. Messing up, tripping. I'd rather be the laugher than the laughee. But I like playing football so I'll take it how it comes." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Receiver Malcolm Lane silenced the critics -- namely, the Warriors defense -- with a nice grab across the middle halfway through team drills yesterday. The reason the green shirts were on his case? Earlier in the drill, a wide-open Lane was hit dead center with a deep ball from Tyler Graunke, but Lane couldn't get a handle on the ball for a would-be touchdown. In unison, members of the defense came up with a derisive chant. But Lane redeemed himself with a nice catch against several defenders, earning some kudos from the same sideline."

About how they are getting nearly 3 INTs each day in practice in 7-on-7 and team drills, Monteilh said:
"We do ball drills maybe once a week. We got Coach (Rich) Miano throwing us the ball, and he ain't that great. Maybe it gives us a better look because he throws ducks and the quarterbacks throw better balls to catch." (HSB)

About how they do not pitch the balls after INTs like they did when Glanville was the defensive coordinator, Monteilh said:
"It's always fun to pitch the ball. But we don't want to pitch it and fumble." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Camron Carmona missed last Thursday's practice with a stiff back but has returned to practice. Fellow running backs Alonzo Chopp and Korey Reynolds were not in pads. ... Walk-on slotback Ben Noy is out for the spring and probably beyond with what is likely a torn ACL. ... Defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea said he "feels like a new man" after having the cast removed from his right foot. He still needs a few weeks for his fractured tibia to fully heal, though."

About how people have been surprised when he told them that he plays for UH, Greg Salas said:
"I don't look like a football player, especially if you see me in street clothes." (HA)

HA Note: 'So, when people would ask Salas what he did at UH and he'd say "receiver" the response was often along the lines of, " 'like you play?' I got that a lot." he said."

About how he needs to take advantage of his chances to stand out now, Salas said:
"I don't think anybody knows who I am right now. So I have to take advantage of opportunities to make a name for myself." (HA)

Expecting big things from Salas, Tyler said:
"He's known that as soon as Jason Rivers left he was going to be the guy (at left wideout). And, he's made himself a really good receiver. He's worked hard to make himself one. You'll see. He's worked on what he needs to — strength and speed — and doesn't make the same mistake twice." (HA)

About how Salas can make the spectacular plays, Ron Lee said:
"Best one-handed catches I've seen." (HA)

Ron Lee wants to see Salas doing it in game conditions:
"when the lights go on. That's where the big players make plays." (HA)

Looking forward to his chance to shine, Salas said:
"the last (two) years I had to wait ... and wait. Finally, I feel like it is my time." (HA)