Pregame UH-Weber State quotes

About how the Weber State game is important to the Warriors, Mack said:
"This is an important game for us." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin has implored the Warriors to remain focused. Wednesday's practice was McMackin's most vocal."

About how they use a four-wide offense sometimes instead of just the power-I formation, McBride said:
"We're a little more spread out now. That's what college football is about. It's not a smash-mouth game now. You have to spread it out and find an easier way to get yourself into the end zone. It's not time of possession. You can have less time of possession and score a lot of points." (HA)

About QB Higgins, who is 5-3 as a starting QB, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven said:
"He had a few struggles, but he has an unbelievable desire to get better. He really worked hard in the offseason to get himself ready physically and mentally." (HA)

Praising "The Beast" Ryan Eastman, DL coach Chad Kauha'aha'a (a Baldwin grad) said:
"We're really impressed with him. He does a lot of good things. He's come on strong for a true freshman. That's why he's playing." (HA)

About how they didn't worry about Eastman's height, Kauha'aha'a said:
"If that were the case, we wouldn't look at him. We looked at his motor, his work ethic and his heart. We're happy to have him. He's going to do a lot of good things now and in the future." (HA)

About how he walks like an old man but can run so fast, LWJ said:
"My parents, my cousins, everybody in my family, said I walk like my grand-daddy. I like the way I walk. It's deceptive. It's like, 'Look, he's tired.' Then all of a sudden I run." (HA)

About how he's been working on running lower and strengthening his legs, LWJ said:
"I'm trying to get my legs stronger, toner. I want to get them conditioned." (HA)

About using Desmond Thomas instead of Erik Robinson at safety in most passing situations when they use 5 DBs, Rich Miano said:
"He's a veteran. He knows what to do." (HA)

About how he likes the 5-2-2-2 scheme for returning kickoffs, with DT Meatoga and DE Clore at the 15 yard line, special teams coordinator Ikaika Malloe said:
"I always like bigger guys on the wedge. Hopefully, we can get the size matchup with bigger guys blocking smaller guys." (HA)

About how Meatoga or Clore will have to return a kickoff, Malloe said:
"Those big guys catch kicks every day. If we have to catch (the short kicks), we'll catch them. They're big, but they're athletic guys. They could easily play tight end." (HA)

About how he could return a kickoff, 305-pound Meatoga said:
"That would be cool. I'll just cover up the ball and run." (HA)

About the Inoke vs. Higgins matchup, St. Louis grade Monteilh said:
"They've been talking about this being a Saint Louis and Kahuku battle. "This time I'm going to have to go with Kahuku. ... This is the only time." (HSB)

About how his players will be motivated to play against Weber State, Mack said:
"I know these players, I believe in these players and I believe they know what they're in for. I believe they'll be ready to play and we'll find out Saturday." (HSB)

Praising Weber State's offense, Mack said:
"They could play in the WAC on offense. They always have a good plan and they're a little bit different for every team they play." (HSB)

About how they use a base 4-3 defense but throw in lots of blitzes, Weber State DL coach Chad Kauhaahaa said:
"We try to get after it and especially going against the team speed Hawaii has and the size and the strength, there's no sense in us standing right in front of them. We have to move around to try to be successful against these guys." (HSB)

About how they want to keep Weber State returner Eteuati contained, Malloe said:
"We never want him to sit there and catch the ball and give him time to think." (HSB)

HSB Note: "McMackin served as defensive coordinator at Utah in 1990 and '91, McBride's first two seasons as the Utes' head coach. They'll pace opposite sidelines tonight and the adjustments they make could dictate the course of the game."

About the game, Weber State QB Cameron Higgins said:
"It's going to be kind of a chess match. I think what we have to do to win is just by scheme and concepts." (HSB)

About Warrior fans, Mack said:
"I think they're realistic. This isn't an easy schedule and Hawaii fans are more educated than anywhere I've been. I think they're smart. They knew we weren't going to go 14-0." (HSB)