Quotes from the local papers

About David Veikune's consistent excellence this season, Mac said:
"He plays outstanding — every week." (HA)

HA Note: "New Mexico State football coach Hal Mumme was on a press conference roll, talking about the University of Hawai'i defense, when he abruptly halted, looked at a reporter from Honolulu and asked, "How do you say No. 94's name?" Not for the first or — undoubtedly— last time this year has an opposing coach had to seek pronunciation assistance when it came to Warrior defensive end David Veikune."

About how he worked out harder this offseason even though he was All-WAC last year, Veikune said:
"I love to do weights, but I hate to run. I don't think anybody but marathoners like to run, but that's what I had to do more of, so I got together with Mel (deLaura, assistant strength coach) and the trainers and did it." (HA)

Praising Veikune, Cal Lee said:
"He is an outstanding guy who plays the game with passion and heart and goes about it the right way. You'd love to have 11 David Veikunes." (HA)

About the concern about his condition after he "tweaked" his injured right foot late in practice yesterday, Kealoha Pilares said:
"Hopefully, it'll be OK." (HA)

About how he talked with Pilares after his injury, Mac said:
"I asked him, 'Are you OK,' and he said, 'Yeah, I'm fine, coach.' " (HA)

About how they will give LWJ a chance in the NMSU game, Mac said:
"Leon will get a shot in there. We're gonna give him a chance to see what he can do and, hopefully, he'll take the ball and run with it." (HA)

HA Note: "Wright-Jackson, who has had a declining role, carried twice against Nevada and did not play against Utah State."

About how he greeted Josh Rice when he flew to El Paso to replace injured Mana Silva, Mac said:
"Hello, international traveler." (HA)

HA Note: McMackin said Rice was was the next man up on the depth chart and will see action primarily on special teams. He has appeared in two games this season."

About how Keao Monteilh and Desmond Thomas are competing for the starting free safety spot, Mac said:
"We're going to let them compete this week. We're going to play five DBs, so they'll all play." (HA)

About how the players have been following the election, Adam Leonard said:
"We've been talking about the issues and the candidates (for president) some. These are issues that are going to have an impact on us in the real world as we enter the work force." (HA)

About how he voted via absentee ballot from his home state of Pennsylvania, Michael Washington said:
"There's been talk about the election in the locker room but it is kind of like religion, we don't get into each other's (choices) too much." (HA)

HA Note: "A slight sampling suggested that less than half the players found time to vote, however. Several said they had planned to but with the hectic pace of school and back-to-back road trips were not able to cast ballots before leaving Oct. 30."

About how the Warriors kept updated with what happened with the election yesterday, Mac said:
"These guys are all sharp guys and they know what's going on. I want them to be well rounded." (HSB)