Other quotes from the local papers

About AhSoon's unique squat, with his open hands chest high, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"That frog squat? "I didn't teach him that one. It shows his flexibility. That's always a good thing for an offensive lineman to have." (HA)

Asked where he learned that squat technique, AhSoon said:
"Yoga? Nah, kidding. I wanted to get lower than the (defensive lineman). Know when you just figure something out? This (stance) just happened. For me, it's comfortable. I guess I'm just blessed to be flexible." (HA)

About how AhSoon's move to starting LT is a temporary one, Smith said:
"Once Laupepa is healthy, Keith will move back (to left guard). I think our team is better with (AhSoon) at guard." (HA)

About moving between LG and LT, AhSoon said:
"I'll do whatever helps the team." (HA)

About how he's been working hard to be able to help the team in different roles, JoPierre (J.P.) Davis said:
"I'm trying to stay focused. I want to get better every day." (HA)

HA Note: "It was a little more than a year ago when Davis appeared to be lost in paradise. A heralded recruit from the Bay Area, Davis struggled to adjust to running back and cornerback. His playing time dipped below the Rudy Line. And then, Davis figured it out. Athleticism meant little without technique. He also found that special teams offered promise and was not a burial ground for football careers."

About the importance of special teams, Davis said:
"Special teams is big. I started noticing it. You can be a playmaker on special teams." (HA)

About how his role models for special teams were Timo Paepule and Keenan Jones, Davis said:
"I learned a lot from them. You have to be hungry. I'm not one of those guys who wants to go through the motions. I want to make plays." (HA)

HA Note: "Davis is on three of the six special-team units. He is the gunner on punts, a front-line player on punt returns and an outside sprinter on kickoffs. Ikaika Malloe, who coordinates special teams, selected Davis as captain of the punt and punt return units. Davis makes the blocking and directional calls on the field."

About naming Davis captain for two of their special teams units, Malloe said:
"Sometimes when you put a leadership role on a person, he tends to rise higher. (Davis has) taken it all on his shoulders. I think people will be excited to see J.P. Davis playing on the field, and the excitement he brings." (HA)

About Davis on punt coverage, Malloe said:
"he's the guy I wanted to put at the point of attack. He's the gunner. He can make a play." (HA)

About Davis' career at CB for UH, Rich Miano said:
"He'll play and be successful this year. But he's the future." (HA)

HA Note: "Miano said Davis has improved in bending his knees on his dropbacks and using controlled aggression in jamming receivers."

About how Davis has been learning the proper technique, Miano said:
"He's a different cat. He's so big and fast and strong. It's been a long, arduous process of getting him to do his technique, to work on his fundamentals, to discipline himself and not rely (only) on his athleticism. He's starting to pull it all together." (HA)

About how Davis has been working hard to improve, Mack said:
"He's doing an outstanding job. He's working hard. He's a guy who needed to continue to grow up. That's our job, to help them along, not only on the field but off the field. He's been coming along. Off the field, he's going in the right direction. He's making good progress." (HA)

Saddened about the death of Kanalu Young, professor for UH's Center for Hawaiian Studies, who also wrote the e'o na toa chant used by the Warriors, JJ said:
"He was a great person. This is really sad." (HA)

About how they have sold 27,200 season-ticket packages already, a big increase over the 22,900 sold last year, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"Given the substantial increase over last year, we're thrilled at this point. It's very encouraging and it's a credit to the football program and the leadership of Coach McMackin." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The count for the Weber State game was approximately 33,000 yesterday afternoon and with walk-up sales and the print-at-home option, McNamara said the turnout for the home opener could approach 40,000 by game time. McNamara said sales of Manoa Maniacs memberships to UH students has jumped to 927 so far, up from 527 last year."

About working at slotback and RB in practice, Pilares said:
"It puts more responsibility on me to go out there and work harder. It felt good being able to do both. I just try to make the best of whatever opportunities I have." (HSB)

About how they have to get the ball to Pilares (who had just 1 catch vs. Florida), Ron Lee said:
"We have to give him the ball. He's got to touch the ball 10, 12 times." (HSB)

About what he did when the team was in Florida, Dustin Blount said:
"I was in the weight room working hard, came out here (to the practice field) doing a little 7-on-7 trying to familiarize myself with the plays." (HSB)

About how Blount is still learning their offense but will get some playing time, Ron Lee said:
"He's still learning it, he's got a ways to go, but he'll see some action. He'll get better the more reps he gets. Definitely quick as a cat." (HSB)

HSB Note: "A rights fee increase means more money for every school in the conference. No official word on how much, but the grapevine says each school can expect to bring in $300,000-$600,000 per year; before the extension, each school got only around $50,000 a year. But before Hawaii fans get too excited about all this, they should remember one thing: Whenever the Warriors are on ESPN a lot, the athletic department could lose money. Because UH sports dominate this broadcast market, the Warriors, Rainbows and Wahine enjoy lucrative local media deals unlike any other in the WAC, and maybe beyond. Even in tough economic times, advertising for UH sports has been the closest thing there is to an easy sell in that tough business. Unless a football game must be moved to a different day to accommodate ESPN, there is no immediate financial dividend for being chosen to appear nationally. Language in UH's recently completed contract with KFVE includes a refund provision of rights fees to the local network if it loses too many opportunities to ESPN."