Feature on Inoke, now UH's starting QB

About his reaction when he was told on Sunday afternoon that he would be the starter, Inoke said:
"I was definitely surprised." (HA)

About how he reacted positively when he was previously told he was the #3 QB, Inoke said:
"I was raised by my parents to be positive, to be supportive, even if you're not the guy. I learned from my parents that you can still help the team, even if you're not on the field. This is our team. The enemy should be the other team. It can be self-destructive if you're fighting a war amongst your own team. You don't want that. Whoever has the job is going to be the representative for the rest of the team. Attitude determines altitude." (HA)

About the criticism of Inoke's arm strength, Mack said:
"That's the knock on him, that he doesn't have a great arm, that he can't throw the out (pass)." (HA)

About how Alexander and Rausch are taller and have stronger arms, Inoke said:
"That's true. I try to do what I can do." (HA)

HA Note: " But in football parlance, Funaki is a "gamer." That was evident in the spring game, when he threw two scoring passes to lead the Green to a 24-20 victory, and against Florida. Funaki has never been clocked running better than 4.7 over 40 yards. But against Florida, he eluded what is regarded as one of the nation's fastest defenses."

About Inoke's pass to Taylor when he was being chased by a group of Florida players, Mack said:
"He made a super throw." (HA)

About why he plays with more intensity during games than in practices, Inoke said:
"A lot of times, because I have the orange (practice) jersey on, I know no one can hit me. I don't feel the urgency to get the ball off (quickly) or take off running. I notice, a lot of times in the game, they are going to whack me if I don't get the ball off. I feel that urgency, that whole adrenaline. Sometimes the adrenaline really kicks in and helps you, and you throw the ball farther than you normally do. That's definitely motivation when you have big guys chasing you. It's like when a dog is chasing you down the street. All of a sudden, you're booking it. All of a sudden, there's more of a sense of urgency." (HA)

HA Note: "Dan Morrison, the former UH quarterbacks coach, used to implore Funaki to practice with "more urgency." "

About learning from Vince Passas (offensive coordinator at St. Louis) this spring, who also teaches Jeremy Higgins (St. Louis' starting QB and the yonger brother of Weber State's QB), Inoke talked about watching Jeremy's footwork:
"There's always something you can learn, although I felt kind of awkward being the only college guy over there. I'm already the oldest guy on the college campus." (HA)

About how he is 25 years old and his car radio is set to adult-contemporary music, Inoke said:
"I grew up with older sisters. That's my station. They play all of the oldies but goodies." (HA)