JD sent out an e-mail to staff and coaches about "belt tightening", saying:
"Our (income) numbers have softened up from about Nov. 1st on and we're looking at ways we can achieve some savings." (HA)
About how he isn't considering cutting any of their 19 sports, any aid to athletes, or any coaches' positions, JD said:
"When it comes down to it, we're here for the student-athlete. Making cuts in those areas can have a detrimental impact for years to come." (HA)
However, JD added that in the current tough economy:
"we will be looking at a number of areas and we could possibly look at staff, but it is way to early to talk about that. We wouldn't make that kind of a determination until mid-to-late spring." (HA)
HA Note: "UH's $29.5 million budget is being affected by what is expected to be, when final returns are in, a 15-percent drop in football attendance and an 8-percent slide in women's volleyball crowds. Men's basketball, which had its poorest ticket revenue in more than five years last season, and women's basketball, which may be headed to its worst figures since moving to the Stan Sheriff Center in 1994, are also trending downward, officials acknowledged."
Expecting budget cuts, one UH coach said:
"I can't believe it will be too long before the (budget) cuts start coming." (HA)
HA Note: "Donovan inherited an accumulated deficit of more than $4.4 million upon replacing Herman Frazier in March. Donovan said the administration is allowing athletics to run a $1.8 million deficit in the current fiscal year, which means it must still generate approximately $27.7 million through ticket sales and other income. Right now, Donovan estimated, UH is projecting to come in at "$26.5 million to $27 million" in revenue."
JD said that the decline in ticket sales came:
"in the second half of the (football and women's volleyball seasons). The two rainy football games really hit us hard. I knew the economy was impacting us when we were playing the 13th-ranked team in the country (Cincinnati) on a sunny day, had just clinched a bowl berth and only (35,309) showed up." (HA)
HA Note:"In addition, stock-based endowments have taken "major hits" and contributions have slowed, Donovan said."
About how their staff isn't to blame, JD said:
"This has nothing to do with our workers. I couldn't be happier with the effort our staff has been making or with the coaches and student-athletes." (HA)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Dane Uperesa turns down the 49ers and retires from football
About how he decided to retire from football after spending the past 2 seasons on the Bengals' and Colts' practice rosters, Uperesa said:
"It was something I was thinking about for a while. Football was always a vehicle for me." (HA)
HA Note: "The San Francisco 49ers recently made former UH offensive lineman Dane Uperesa an offer he could refuse. The 49ers wanted to sign Uperesa to their practice squad with the hope of adding him to the full offseason roster. But Uperesa politely — everything he does is respectful — turned down that offer. He also had turned down other offers from NFL teams."
About how he tried the NFL but decided on doing something else, Uperesa said:
"I’d be happier trying to live life in the real world." (HA)
HA Note: "Uperesa’s fiancee is in dental school at Creighton University in Omaha. He has moved to Nebraska, and plans to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha."
About moving to Nebraska to earn a master's degree, Uperesa said:
"I wanted it to be a decision made completely by myself. Football was always a way to get things I wanted. I got a great education (at UH), and I had the best five years of my life (there). I met some great people. I had a ton of fun. Now it’s over. I’m ready to move on. I’m very happy." (HA)
"It was something I was thinking about for a while. Football was always a vehicle for me." (HA)
HA Note: "The San Francisco 49ers recently made former UH offensive lineman Dane Uperesa an offer he could refuse. The 49ers wanted to sign Uperesa to their practice squad with the hope of adding him to the full offseason roster. But Uperesa politely — everything he does is respectful — turned down that offer. He also had turned down other offers from NFL teams."
About how he tried the NFL but decided on doing something else, Uperesa said:
"I’d be happier trying to live life in the real world." (HA)
HA Note: "Uperesa’s fiancee is in dental school at Creighton University in Omaha. He has moved to Nebraska, and plans to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha."
About moving to Nebraska to earn a master's degree, Uperesa said:
"I wanted it to be a decision made completely by myself. Football was always a way to get things I wanted. I got a great education (at UH), and I had the best five years of my life (there). I met some great people. I had a ton of fun. Now it’s over. I’m ready to move on. I’m very happy." (HA)
The Hawaii Bowl had record TV ratings
About the huge TV rating for the Hawaii Bowl, the highest ever for the Hawaii Bowl and the highest of all ESPN Regional TV bowls, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin said:
"It was a super rating and to say we are really pleased is an understatement." (HA)
"We are thrilled with the record-breaking viewership of the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. One of the goals of our executive committee is to showcase Hawai'i as a world-class destination." (HA)
HA Note: "The game, thanks to the first appearance by storied Notre Dame, did a 3.03 rating live and, combined with the replay, a 3.70, equating to 2,974,000 households for the live showing and 3,636,000 households for the replay."
HA Note: "The amount of so-called "net reach" viewers — the number of viewers who watched the game whether for a minute or in its entirety — is expected to be nearly 13 million, when those figures are released. The previous highs for the Hawai'i Bowl were set in UH's 41-24 victory over Arizona State in 2006 when 2.3 million households tuned in."
HA Note: "Attendance for the game, 43,487, was the highest in the bowl's history. There were 45,718 tickets distributed for the game."
Thanking UH and Notre Dame, Matlin said:
"A special thanks to the University of Hawai'i Warriors and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for providing a compelling matchup that led to millions of potential Hawai'i visitors watching the game during prime time. It did not hurt that most of the country was experiencing sub-freezing temperatures, too. In addition, a big mahalo needs to go out to the local community for supporting the game and providing us with record breaking attendance that made for great television for both our domestic and international audience." (HA)
"It was a super rating and to say we are really pleased is an understatement." (HA)
"We are thrilled with the record-breaking viewership of the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. One of the goals of our executive committee is to showcase Hawai'i as a world-class destination." (HA)
HA Note: "The game, thanks to the first appearance by storied Notre Dame, did a 3.03 rating live and, combined with the replay, a 3.70, equating to 2,974,000 households for the live showing and 3,636,000 households for the replay."
HA Note: "The amount of so-called "net reach" viewers — the number of viewers who watched the game whether for a minute or in its entirety — is expected to be nearly 13 million, when those figures are released. The previous highs for the Hawai'i Bowl were set in UH's 41-24 victory over Arizona State in 2006 when 2.3 million households tuned in."
HA Note: "Attendance for the game, 43,487, was the highest in the bowl's history. There were 45,718 tickets distributed for the game."
Thanking UH and Notre Dame, Matlin said:
"A special thanks to the University of Hawai'i Warriors and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for providing a compelling matchup that led to millions of potential Hawai'i visitors watching the game during prime time. It did not hurt that most of the country was experiencing sub-freezing temperatures, too. In addition, a big mahalo needs to go out to the local community for supporting the game and providing us with record breaking attendance that made for great television for both our domestic and international audience." (HA)
Mac says that Hawaii losing the Pro Bowl hurts Warrior recruiting
About how the Pro Bowl leaving Hawaii hurts Warrior recruiting, as they give tours of the empty Aloha Stadium to recruits, Mac said:
"The Pro Bowl gave credibility to the stadium. This (news) is too bad." (HA)
About how Hawaii is the best place to hold the Pro Bowl, Mac said:
"It's a neutral site. There are no NFL teams in Hawai'i. In Miami, you have the Dolphins. I've lived in Miami, and Hawai'i is better. No comparison — with the weather and the people." (HA)
"The Pro Bowl gave credibility to the stadium. This (news) is too bad." (HA)
About how Hawaii is the best place to hold the Pro Bowl, Mac said:
"It's a neutral site. There are no NFL teams in Hawai'i. In Miami, you have the Dolphins. I've lived in Miami, and Hawai'i is better. No comparison — with the weather and the people." (HA)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
RB/OL Coach Alex Gerke leaves for Utah State
About Gerke joining his friend Gary Anderson, the new Utah State head coach, Mac said:
"I hope he is successful there. Gerke's done nothing but good things for us. He's been an outstanding coach." (HA)
Mac said that Gerke had the RB coach title but he also served as an:
"assistant offensive line coach." (HA)
About Gerke leaving for Utah State, Mac said:
"Gerke spent most of his career in Utah. The (Utah State) coach is a good friend of his. He's a Utah guy." (HA)
About how he will not hire Gerke's replacement until after NLI day on February 4, Mac said:
"I want to focus on recruiting. I don't want to take anything away from that. I want to get the right fit for our staff. I don't want to rush into anything." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin said Gerke's departure will not hinder recruiting. Gerke and Smith collaborated on recruiting offensive tackle Brent Leonard of Saddleback College. Last week, Leonard signed a scholarship agreement with the Warriors. Leonard will enroll at UH in January."
About how he expects the new hire to also work with the OL, Mac said that two OL coaches can work together:
"absolutely." (HA)
About taking his time replacing Gerke, Mac said:
"I'm going to be patient and not jump into anything. I don't like to make emotional decisions. I want to take my time. Besides, you can only have seven guys on the road (recruiting). It doesn't hurt us with recruiting." (HA)
"I hope he is successful there. Gerke's done nothing but good things for us. He's been an outstanding coach." (HA)
Mac said that Gerke had the RB coach title but he also served as an:
"assistant offensive line coach." (HA)
About Gerke leaving for Utah State, Mac said:
"Gerke spent most of his career in Utah. The (Utah State) coach is a good friend of his. He's a Utah guy." (HA)
About how he will not hire Gerke's replacement until after NLI day on February 4, Mac said:
"I want to focus on recruiting. I don't want to take anything away from that. I want to get the right fit for our staff. I don't want to rush into anything." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin said Gerke's departure will not hinder recruiting. Gerke and Smith collaborated on recruiting offensive tackle Brent Leonard of Saddleback College. Last week, Leonard signed a scholarship agreement with the Warriors. Leonard will enroll at UH in January."
About how he expects the new hire to also work with the OL, Mac said that two OL coaches can work together:
"absolutely." (HA)
About taking his time replacing Gerke, Mac said:
"I'm going to be patient and not jump into anything. I don't like to make emotional decisions. I want to take my time. Besides, you can only have seven guys on the road (recruiting). It doesn't hurt us with recruiting." (HA)
Mac talks about their 2008 season and plans for 2009
About how he's already started working on their 2009 season, Mac said:
"I'm already thinking about '09. I've already started working on it." (HSB)
About how he'll take some time off now (this is a dead period for recruiting) in Vegas, where he and his wife own a home, Mac said:
"I'm going to take about a week to evaluate the season and make some decisions and go from there." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Two days after the season-ending loss to Notre Dame in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, McMackin had already identified two areas of emphasis for next season -- sacks and penalties. Hawaii quarterbacks were dropped for losses an NCAA-record 59 times. The Warriors also tied a school record with 122 penalties and broke the UH mark with 1,097 yards in infractions."
About how recruiting is critical to avoid the big losses on offense and defense that they had over the past two seasons, Mac said:
"Recruiting is a real key because we can't go year from year and lose one or the other group. We've got to stabilize our recruiting." (HSB)
About how their QBs know the system already, unlike last year, Mac said:
"We won't have to teach the quarterbacks the package. Greg understands it, Brent understands it. We shouldn't ever be in that situation again." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Inoke Funaki started six games at quarterback and is expected to compete at running back next season."
Reflecting on their season, Mac said:
"The players were supportive and loyal and we were all in it together. We had some good things happen and things that weren't so good. This last game wasn't so good, so we have to learn from that, recruit some good players and go from there." (HSB)
"I'm already thinking about '09. I've already started working on it." (HSB)
About how he'll take some time off now (this is a dead period for recruiting) in Vegas, where he and his wife own a home, Mac said:
"I'm going to take about a week to evaluate the season and make some decisions and go from there." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Two days after the season-ending loss to Notre Dame in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, McMackin had already identified two areas of emphasis for next season -- sacks and penalties. Hawaii quarterbacks were dropped for losses an NCAA-record 59 times. The Warriors also tied a school record with 122 penalties and broke the UH mark with 1,097 yards in infractions."
About how recruiting is critical to avoid the big losses on offense and defense that they had over the past two seasons, Mac said:
"Recruiting is a real key because we can't go year from year and lose one or the other group. We've got to stabilize our recruiting." (HSB)
About how their QBs know the system already, unlike last year, Mac said:
"We won't have to teach the quarterbacks the package. Greg understands it, Brent understands it. We shouldn't ever be in that situation again." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Inoke Funaki started six games at quarterback and is expected to compete at running back next season."
Reflecting on their season, Mac said:
"The players were supportive and loyal and we were all in it together. We had some good things happen and things that weren't so good. This last game wasn't so good, so we have to learn from that, recruit some good players and go from there." (HSB)
Friday, December 26, 2008
The State of Hawaii was a winner in the Hawaii Bowl
About how they would have liked to have a close game, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin said:
"Obviously from the bowl's perspective you'd like to see a competitive game -- I mean it was just a few things here and there and it would've have been a much closer game." (KHON)
About how they set records for tickets sold and attendance, Matlin said:
"It was a very successful event. The record tickets issued -- record turnstile -- just great event." (KHON)
About how ESPN is happy with the projected high TV ratings, Matlin said:
"They're thrilled -- I mean they're thrilled about the partnership and the partnership with Hawaii -- the Hawaii tourism authority -- with the University of Hawaii." (KHON)
About the high ratings for the Hawaii Bowl, Keith Vieira from Starwood said:
"The Hawaii Bowl traditionally has a very strong TV rating because on Christmas Eve people back east either having dinner or watching TV late at night have a chance to look at Hawaii in afternoon sun so it's really perfect for us." (KHON)
KHON Note: "But is it perfect for the home team? The U-H athletic department receives 400-thousand dollars for its appearance in the Hawaii Bowl but after subtracting expenses including hotel, food, transportation costs and coaches incentives, the department may find itself barely breaking even."
About the Hawaii Bowl week of festivities, Matlin said:
"It was a great week, a great event and great weather and just a great experience for all." (KHON)
KHON Note: "Even with the loss UH Head Football Coach Greg McMackin will receive a 20-thousand dollar bonus for making it to a non-BCS bowl game and had Hawaii won Coach Mac would have pocketed another 10-grand. His staff will also receive bonuses."
About how the Hawaii Bowl helps their state, Matlin said:
"I think it just speaks a lot about the people of Hawaii and the aloha spirit is alive and well and I think that message goes back to the mainland and it just helps the whole state." (KHON)
"Obviously from the bowl's perspective you'd like to see a competitive game -- I mean it was just a few things here and there and it would've have been a much closer game." (KHON)
About how they set records for tickets sold and attendance, Matlin said:
"It was a very successful event. The record tickets issued -- record turnstile -- just great event." (KHON)
About how ESPN is happy with the projected high TV ratings, Matlin said:
"They're thrilled -- I mean they're thrilled about the partnership and the partnership with Hawaii -- the Hawaii tourism authority -- with the University of Hawaii." (KHON)
About the high ratings for the Hawaii Bowl, Keith Vieira from Starwood said:
"The Hawaii Bowl traditionally has a very strong TV rating because on Christmas Eve people back east either having dinner or watching TV late at night have a chance to look at Hawaii in afternoon sun so it's really perfect for us." (KHON)
KHON Note: "But is it perfect for the home team? The U-H athletic department receives 400-thousand dollars for its appearance in the Hawaii Bowl but after subtracting expenses including hotel, food, transportation costs and coaches incentives, the department may find itself barely breaking even."
About the Hawaii Bowl week of festivities, Matlin said:
"It was a great week, a great event and great weather and just a great experience for all." (KHON)
KHON Note: "Even with the loss UH Head Football Coach Greg McMackin will receive a 20-thousand dollar bonus for making it to a non-BCS bowl game and had Hawaii won Coach Mac would have pocketed another 10-grand. His staff will also receive bonuses."
About how the Hawaii Bowl helps their state, Matlin said:
"I think it just speaks a lot about the people of Hawaii and the aloha spirit is alive and well and I think that message goes back to the mainland and it just helps the whole state." (KHON)
JJ Quote in CNBC
About why they practice a limited set of plays over and over, JJ said:
"Champions execute the fundamentals with unconscious competence. That means they've practiced the moves so many times in the past that they can do them almost perfectly without thinking about it. When you can perform brilliantly without thinking, you can perform at a very high level." (CNBC)
"Champions execute the fundamentals with unconscious competence. That means they've practiced the moves so many times in the past that they can do them almost perfectly without thinking about it. When you can perform brilliantly without thinking, you can perform at a very high level." (CNBC)
The Warriors talk about the Hawaii Bowl and plans to improve for next season
About how they have to cut down on their sacks, Mac said:
"Right now, we've got a lot of work to do. We've got to eliminate sacks. We can't give up that many sacks." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors relinquished 59 sacks, more than any other NCAA Division I-A team has allowed in a season in the recorded history of the sport. They were sacked 18 times in the final three games."
Asked if they would reorganize to try to solve the problem, Mac said:
"I have to do some more thinking about that." (HA)
About how their top 3 CBs and top 3 safeties have completed their careers, Mac said:
"Last year, we lost our offense. This year, we're losing our defense, and quite a bit of our offensive line. This year we'll lose even more than we lost last year." (HA)
About how Alexander will enter the spring as their #1 QB, Mac said:
"He can throw the ball when he's not on his back. He's done some really good things for us." (HA)
HA Note: "Brent Rausch is expected to be No. 2. Shane Austin will be No. 3. McMackin said he expects Inoke Funaki, who started five games at quarterback, to move to running back."
HA Note: "Meanwhile, several seniors have made plans to train on the Mainland in preparation for the NFL draft. Linebacker Adam Leonard will train in Tampa. Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian also will train on the Mainland. Ingram, Mouton and defensive end David Veikune will rent a house in Carson, Calif., where they will train. UH's Pro Day is scheduled for early March in Carson."
About how UH will do well next season, Adam Leonard said:
"I have no doubt Hawai'i will be up around 10 wins and win the WAC next year." (HA)
About how they will learn from the Hawaii Bowl loss, Alexander said:
"We'll take a look at the film and see what we did (against Notre Dame), every game you play is a good learning experience. Saying that, our offensive output was just unacceptable. We're going to look at it and hopefully learn from it. It was just one of those games." (HSB)
About how he won't let the Hawaii Bowl loss ruin what he thinks of their season, Mac said:
"We reached some pretty neat things this year, so I'm not going to let that ruin the good things we've done. It's going to take me 48 hours to get over this thing and I'm probably not going to watch the film for a week." (HSB)
About how they need to work hard during the offseason, Kealoha Pilares said:
"Just have to train harder and come back strong next year. We have a lot of good people coming back, so we just have to build on this year and just get better." (HSB)
About how the team stayed together throughout the season despite their difficulties, Sol said:
"We stayed together as a team. We had Coach Mack's back and he had our back and I feel that's the best part of the season, just knowing there was a point where we could have quit and gone in a different direction, but we stayed together." (HSB)
About how their pass rush rattled Alexander, Notre Dame safety David Bruton said:
"The coaches gave the defensive ends the green light to go. They're all aware of the three-step drop, so they all put their hands up and batted down a lot of balls. That can easily rattle a quarterback." (HSB)
About how they only sacked Clausen once and hurried him twice, David Veikune said:
"Any team that max protects, you won't be able to get to him, and that's what they did most of the time. Secondly that was the best tackle (Notre Dame's Sam Young) I've faced this year - he's a challenge. We didn't put on as much pressure as we should have." (HSB)
About the TD pass for Notre Dame where he was complaining before the play was over, Jameel Dowling said:
"It was a push-off, and I didn't get the call, but you can't use that as an excuse." (HSB)
"Right now, we've got a lot of work to do. We've got to eliminate sacks. We can't give up that many sacks." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors relinquished 59 sacks, more than any other NCAA Division I-A team has allowed in a season in the recorded history of the sport. They were sacked 18 times in the final three games."
Asked if they would reorganize to try to solve the problem, Mac said:
"I have to do some more thinking about that." (HA)
About how their top 3 CBs and top 3 safeties have completed their careers, Mac said:
"Last year, we lost our offense. This year, we're losing our defense, and quite a bit of our offensive line. This year we'll lose even more than we lost last year." (HA)
About how Alexander will enter the spring as their #1 QB, Mac said:
"He can throw the ball when he's not on his back. He's done some really good things for us." (HA)
HA Note: "Brent Rausch is expected to be No. 2. Shane Austin will be No. 3. McMackin said he expects Inoke Funaki, who started five games at quarterback, to move to running back."
HA Note: "Meanwhile, several seniors have made plans to train on the Mainland in preparation for the NFL draft. Linebacker Adam Leonard will train in Tampa. Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian also will train on the Mainland. Ingram, Mouton and defensive end David Veikune will rent a house in Carson, Calif., where they will train. UH's Pro Day is scheduled for early March in Carson."
About how UH will do well next season, Adam Leonard said:
"I have no doubt Hawai'i will be up around 10 wins and win the WAC next year." (HA)
About how they will learn from the Hawaii Bowl loss, Alexander said:
"We'll take a look at the film and see what we did (against Notre Dame), every game you play is a good learning experience. Saying that, our offensive output was just unacceptable. We're going to look at it and hopefully learn from it. It was just one of those games." (HSB)
About how he won't let the Hawaii Bowl loss ruin what he thinks of their season, Mac said:
"We reached some pretty neat things this year, so I'm not going to let that ruin the good things we've done. It's going to take me 48 hours to get over this thing and I'm probably not going to watch the film for a week." (HSB)
About how they need to work hard during the offseason, Kealoha Pilares said:
"Just have to train harder and come back strong next year. We have a lot of good people coming back, so we just have to build on this year and just get better." (HSB)
About how the team stayed together throughout the season despite their difficulties, Sol said:
"We stayed together as a team. We had Coach Mack's back and he had our back and I feel that's the best part of the season, just knowing there was a point where we could have quit and gone in a different direction, but we stayed together." (HSB)
About how their pass rush rattled Alexander, Notre Dame safety David Bruton said:
"The coaches gave the defensive ends the green light to go. They're all aware of the three-step drop, so they all put their hands up and batted down a lot of balls. That can easily rattle a quarterback." (HSB)
About how they only sacked Clausen once and hurried him twice, David Veikune said:
"Any team that max protects, you won't be able to get to him, and that's what they did most of the time. Secondly that was the best tackle (Notre Dame's Sam Young) I've faced this year - he's a challenge. We didn't put on as much pressure as we should have." (HSB)
About the TD pass for Notre Dame where he was complaining before the play was over, Jameel Dowling said:
"It was a push-off, and I didn't get the call, but you can't use that as an excuse." (HSB)
Pac-10 unlikely to fill their spot in the Hawaii Bowl
About how they hope that the Pac-10 will be able to send a team to the Hawaii Bowl next year, Hawaii Bowl executive director David Matlin said that:
"it will be a challenge." (HA)
HA Note: "The Hawai'i Bowl is scheduled to get the seventh pick of bowl-eligible Pac-10 teams, if the conference qualifies that many for the postseason. This year the Pac-10 was contracted to send its sixth to Hawai'i and seventh to the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego but only managed to field five that were bowl-eligible."
About why the Pac-10 has less bowl-eligible teams lately, Matlin said:
"When they (the Pac-10) went to round-robin scheduling it made it harder to get teams (bowl eligible)." (HA)
HA Note: "When the NCAA approved a 12-game regular season schedule for 2007, the Pac-10 chose to add a league game and go to a nine-game conference schedule rather than have its members pick up an additional non-conference game. The nine other Football Bowl Subdivision conferences all play seven- or eight-game conference schedules."
Hoping that UH and a quality opponent will be in the Hawaii Bowl, ESPN Regional TV VP Pete Derzis said:
"Hopefully, we'll have a Hawai'i team again and I'm confident we'll have a quality opponent for them. But you never know what is going to happen in the business. We didn't get a Pac-10 team this year and it turned out to be a blessing because we were able to get Notre Dame. It (the Irish and UH) was the perfect recipe for success." (HA)
HA Note: "Had Matlin not been able to land the Fighting Irish, UH would have likely been matched against a team from the Mid-American Conference or Conference USA."
"it will be a challenge." (HA)
HA Note: "The Hawai'i Bowl is scheduled to get the seventh pick of bowl-eligible Pac-10 teams, if the conference qualifies that many for the postseason. This year the Pac-10 was contracted to send its sixth to Hawai'i and seventh to the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego but only managed to field five that were bowl-eligible."
About why the Pac-10 has less bowl-eligible teams lately, Matlin said:
"When they (the Pac-10) went to round-robin scheduling it made it harder to get teams (bowl eligible)." (HA)
HA Note: "When the NCAA approved a 12-game regular season schedule for 2007, the Pac-10 chose to add a league game and go to a nine-game conference schedule rather than have its members pick up an additional non-conference game. The nine other Football Bowl Subdivision conferences all play seven- or eight-game conference schedules."
Hoping that UH and a quality opponent will be in the Hawaii Bowl, ESPN Regional TV VP Pete Derzis said:
"Hopefully, we'll have a Hawai'i team again and I'm confident we'll have a quality opponent for them. But you never know what is going to happen in the business. We didn't get a Pac-10 team this year and it turned out to be a blessing because we were able to get Notre Dame. It (the Irish and UH) was the perfect recipe for success." (HA)
HA Note: "Had Matlin not been able to land the Fighting Irish, UH would have likely been matched against a team from the Mid-American Conference or Conference USA."
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Quotes from the Hawaii Bowl (UH vs. Notre Dame) 12/24/08
HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
UH = University of Hawaii Official Site
AP = Associated Press
-------------------
The Hawaii Bowl set attendance records yesterday--45,718 tickets issued and 43,487 people attended the game.
---------------- Quotes from the UH Coaches ------------------
.
About their season, UH head coach Greg McMackin (Mac) said:
"It’s been a hard fought season. We were 1-3 at one point and the team fought back to get into a bowl game." (UH)
Giving credit to Notre Dame, Mac said:
"They worked hard to play this bowl game and when it really comes down to it, Notre Dame made the plays and we didn’t. I give full credit to Charlie Weis and his staff. I thought that their athletes are outstanding. Getting no. 3 Michael Floyd back made them a top-notch offensive unit. You have Golden Tate on one side and you have Floyd on the other side and it really causes you a lot of trouble. And including (Jimmy) Clausen, I’ve taught in the pros and today he was as accurate as I’ve ever seen. I give him full credit - he was outstanding and his receivers were outstanding. I thought they did a good job. They made the plays and we couldn’t make the plays." (UH)
Proud of his players, Mac said:
"I’m proud of my guys because they fought their tail off. I had three goals this season - one is to graduate 100 percent of my players. Second, we came in a legit second in the league and that’s not good enough and is unaccepatble. And last, we wanted to go to a a bowl game and we did but we didn’t win." (UH)
Praising Notre Dame, Mac said:
"I really admire Notre Dame. They were down losing the last four of five games. I thought tonight’s game was going to come out different. But they jumped on us. We didn’t make some plays and they did. They finished. We talked at halftime, and we thought that if we could score, we could be back in the ball game. But they didn’t let us back in. I was pleased with a lot of things the offense did. I thought some of the receivers made some outstanding catches. Greg (Alexander) threw some great balls." (UH)
Praising Clausen, Mac said that he was:
"as accurate as I've ever seen. He was outstanding, his receivers were outstanding." (AP)
"Today, Jimmy Clausen was as accurate a passer as I've seen." (HSB)
"He gets the ball off quickly. He could've beat a lot of teams today. He's going to be a Heisman Trophy winner." (HA)
HA Note: "It was a far cry from his previous game, a 38-3 shellacking at Southern California on Nov. 29, when Clausen was 11-of-22 for 41 yards with two interceptions."
About how their D didn't get any big plays and Clausen led Notre Dame to TDs on 5 straight possessions, Mac said:
"Defensively we just didn't make any plays. We didn't get any interceptions, we didn't get any fumbles. ... (Clausen) had a great game. He could have beaten a lot of people today." (HSB)
About how they gave up 8 sacks in this game and an NCAA-record 59 sacks this season (Notre Dame set the record at 58 last season), Mac said:
"We had too many sacks. We're going to examine that and we're going to get that corrected for next season." (HSB)
About the game, Mac said:
"We had guys there, but (the Fighting Irish) made plays and we didn't make plays." (HA)
"They were consistent, and we weren't. They made plays, and we didn't make plays. ... Notre Dame just out-played us in all three phases." (HA)
Praising Aaron Bain's play in this game, Mac said:
"Aaron Bain played a great game and he made some great, spectacular diving catches. I thought he got better and better as the year went on, and today he was really consistent. He really competed." (HA)
After the game, as he walked to the locker room Mac told a group of Aloha Stadium workers:
"I'm sorry. I let you down this time." (HA)
Giving Jake Ingram a hug after the game, Mac said:
"I'll be your friend for life." (HA)
Asked which hurt more, losing the game or saying goodbye to their seniors, Mac said:
"Both. I love these guys, and I wanted them to go out with a win. It would have been really neat. But give credit to Notre Dame. They played a great game." (HA)
.
Despite the fumble that Bain lost, Ron Lee said that Bain played:
"a perfect game." (HA)
.
About how they expected Notre Dame's pressure, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"We expected them to pressure us. We worked on it all week. We had some breakdowns in execution — protection-wise, up front, all the way around — and it showed at times. We're definitely a little disappointed in the way we played up front." (HA)
.
------------------ Quotes from the UH Players -----------------------
.
About how Notre Dame's coverage contributed to their sacks, Alexander said:
"They did a great job defending our routes in the secondary and underneath coverage and that kind of factored into the pressure. They were bringing at least six every time. They had a good game plan." (HSB)
About their struggles on offense, Alexander said:
"They did a good job of taking away our short stuff. They had an excellent game plan coming in. They brought pressure. It was an accumulation of things." (HA)
"It was frustrating. But it was one of those things you have to keep pounding away until you find something that works. Today, we didn't find it." (HA)
.
About how "nothing is set in stone", but he's open to moving to another position in the spring, Inoke said:
"Whatever (the coaches) want to me to do. If they want me to fight it out (at quarterback) I'll do that. If they feel my athleticism can be utilized at another position, I'll do that. I'm open to suggestions come spring." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hawaii quarterback Inoke Funaki, making his first appearance in three games, went 5-for-5 and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Mike Washington for the Warriors' final score of the season."
About his TD pass to Washington, Inoke said:
"I was joking with the other quarterbacks that that was my last hurrah." (HSB)
.
About his 8 catches for 109 yards and 2 TDs, all personal bests, Aaron Bain said:
"I can look at it that I left everything I had on the field and I tried to do my best, but at the same time, I feel so disappointed because I feel like I should have made more plays and tried to do more to contribute and put points on the board." (HSB)
About beating his defender to score their first TD and make the score 14-7, Bain said:
"It was a great play. The defender was inside and (Alexander) called a play to bait the DB that was on Malcolm (Lane) to move him inside, which left the flats wide open. He led me to the outside and from there it was just one-on-one with the defender. I saw the pylon and I knew I'd have to do whatever I could do to get it in." (HA)
About his second TD reception, on the possession after he lost a fumble, Bain said:
"They kept dropping people in the middle. So we kept making plays for the middle. Like Coach says, when a play comes your way, you just have to make the play." (HA)
About how Notre Dame scored TDs right after each of their TDs to kill any momentum for UH, Bain said:
"Just trying to get the fans back in the game was such a tough one, because we strike and then they came right back and score. Just couldn't get the crowd into it." (HSB)
About the MVP Trophy he was awarded for UH, Bain said:
"I would sacrifice the trophy in a minute. I really wanted to win this game for the seniors and for the state of Hawaii." (HSB)
"I'd trade it in a second just to have another win on our belt. I'd sacrifice anything I could just for that win. I appreciate that award, but I really wanted to win this game for the seniors and for the state of Hawai'i." (HA)
About how this bowl was in front of their home crowd, Bain said:
"It's different than (the Sugar Bowl) last year. We had a lot of fan support there, but playing in the state of Hawai'i for our home crowd — I just really wanted to win this game and make everybody happy. If I could, I'd trade that MVP award any day." (HA)
About the loss, Bain said:
"To me, any loss for the University of Hawaii and Warrior football is tough. I don't care who we lose to or if it's a bowl game or not, it's a disappointment because I know this team could be a great team." (HSB)
About how his Warrior career ended with this game, Bain said:
"It's up to the young guys now." (HSB)
Reflecting on his Warrior career, Bain said:
"We talked about the ups and downs, about all the games we won and lost. I think this team is great because we don't give up. We fight through adversity. We came a long way and the thing I'm going to miss most is just chilling with the boys. We're brothers for life. We're like a family, and that's what really means a lot to me." (HA)
.
About how this loss hurts more than the Sugar Bowl loss, Solomon Elimimian (Sol) said:
"It hurts even more, I feel, because this was our last game and we felt this was a bowl game we should have played better in. To know we can't take that back, we can't say, 'OK there's next year.' That's the part that hurts the most." (HSB)
About how Notre Dame used screen passes effectively against their blitzes, Sol said:
"We're an aggressive defense, so maybe that figured in. But there were plays we should've made. We didn't execute." (HSB)
About how they didn't counter Notre Dame's speed, Sol said:
"They had some team speed, but more so we just didn't do what we had to do to counter that." (HSB)
.
About how this game showed by Jimmy Clausen was the #1 recruit in the country in 2006, Adam Leonard said:
"you could see why (Clausen was No. 1)." (HA)
.
About the 14-yard TD pass he gave up to make the score 14-0, Jameel Dowling said:
"It was a push-off, and I didn't get the call, but you can't use that as an excuse." (HSB)
.
About the 29-yard pass Notre Dame made when it was 4th-and-1, Keao Monteilh said:
"I was running with the tight end and I had pretty decent coverage. I turned and looked for the ball and he grabbed the back of my jersey. No call for me, I guess." (HSB)
.
About Notre Dame's success on offense, Calvin Roberts said:
"They had good speed. They knew what coverage we had. They were checking at the line. They made the plays. It wasn't our day. If we played them any other day, I think it would have been a different story. But this wasn't our day. Big ups to them. Give them all of the credit." (HA)
.
--------------- Quotes from the Notre Dame Coaches ----------------
.
Happy that they were able to avoid distractions in Hawaii, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis said:
"I think it will be a happy time for our players. It’s been a long time since we’ve won a bowl game. Our players came here knowing that coming to Hawaii can be a real distraction. It’s such a great venue, the people are nice and the weather is beautiful and the bowl people do such a great job with this bowl. It’s easy to see how people can roll in here on a Thursday and Friday during the regular season and very often come out here a loser. But I think that our players came here on a mission to mix business with pleasure and I think they did a heck of a job. They showed up today and was ready from the start of the game till the end of the game. I give kudos to the players and the coaches. I am also very happy for Notre Dame because this was a big step forward for us and leads us into 2009 with a good taste in our mouths. It also allows those seniors who are walking out the door to leave here with part of their legacy knowing that they were apart of a team that ended that long drought of bowl games." (UH)
"Our players came here knowing that coming to Hawai'i can be a real distraction. It's easy to see how people can roll in here on a Thursday and Friday during the regular season and very often come out here a loser. But I think that our players came here on a mission to mix business with pleasure and I think they did a heck of a job. They showed up today and were ready from the start of the game till the end of the game." (HA)
About calling their plays from the press box, Weis said:
"It was ten time easier. It was like night and day. Jimmy and I were talking about this earlier I haven’t been up in the box since Drew Bledsoe got hurt in 2001." (UH)
"It's 10 times easier. It's night and day easier. I haven't been up in the box since Drew Bledsoe got hurt. ... You don't want to do that long term, but calling a game from up there is pretty sweet. As a head coach, you want to be on the sideline." (AP)
"It's 10 times easier to call a game from up there than down on the field. As far as seeing the field, it's not even close." (HSB)
"It was just like the olden days. I haven't been up there (in the press box since Drew Bledsoe was the (starting) quarterback in New England." (HA)
About why he moved from the press box to the field when Tom Brady took over in New England, Weis said:
"It was the game Drew Bledsoe was hurt and Tom Brady took over. Tommy was an inexperienced quarterback then, and Bill (Belichick) and I thought we needed extra leadership on the field." (HSB)
Asked if he would stay in the press box next season, Weis said:
"I'm the head coach. I won't be staying up there. No, no...." (HA)
About how they respected UH's offense, Weis said:
"We came here knowing that Hawaii has good offensive fire power and the games they win they score in significant numbers." (UH)
About how he got his Christmas wish, Weis said:
"I told the team that's the only thing I wanted (for Christmas). I just wanted to win a bowl game. I heard it a hundred times in the locker room after the game and they wanted to know what I was giving them for Christmas. I told them: 'a flight home.' " (AP)
About how this win was important to them, Weis said:
"I'm very happy for Notre Dame. This was a great step forward for us. It leads us into 2009 with a good taste in our mouth." (AP)
"We showed up today. We were ready to play from the start to the end and it's going to leave a good taste in our mouths for 2009." (HSB)
"This was a big step forward for us and leads us into 2009 with a good taste in our mouths. It also allows the seniors who are walking out the door to leave here with part of their legacy knowing that they were a part of a team that ended that long drought of bowl games." (HSB)
About how they could go deep due to UH's aggressive D, Weis said:
"We knew (Hawaii) was going to come out aggressive on defense, so we thought we could be successful going over the top, going deep. It worked." (HSB)
"We figured they would be very aggressive on us. They come out in a cover two, which is what they like to play. They tried to come up on us and we thought we could get by and fortunately, we made some big plays." (HA)
HA Note: "Weis used 237-pound Robert Hughes at running back to force the Warriors to shift a second linebacker toward the middle. He sent tight end Kyle Rudolph on Z-shaped routes to draw a safety out of zone coverage. And he aligned freshman wideout Michael Floyd, who missed the past two games because of an injury, opposite Tate."
.
----------------- Quotes from the Notre Dame Players -----------------
.
About how their players were determined to win the game, QB Jimmy Clausen said:
"The guys came out here on a mission." (AP)
Happy they sent their seniors out with a win, Clausen said:
"It was good for us to send the seniors out on the right note, and to end the bowl streak." (HA)
About how they felt comfortable in Hawaii, Clausen said:
"We all felt good the day we stepped here in Hawai'i." (HA)
Crediting his OL for his success, Clausen said:
"I got hit maybe one time. We were clicking." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Clausen put up huge numbers, going 22-for-26 for 401 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions."
About his 18-yard TD pass to Golden Tate despite Calvin Roberts and Desmond Thomas defending him, Clausen said:
"Hey, I trusted in him that he could make a play, and I made a throw." (HA)
Clausen said that every time Tate faced single coverage he would think:
"I'm going there." (HA)
.
Praising Clausen, WR Golden Tate (who had 177 yards receiving) said:
"I don't know what Jimmy ate. He should have been 24-for-26 because we had two drops. He showed great leadership." (HSB)
About his 18-yard TD reception, Tate said:
"I don't know why he even threw it. Obviously, he had confidence in me. I did my best to get to it." (HA)
About how Clausen called an audible on his 69-yard TD reception (their longest play from scrimmage this season), Tate said:
"He just gave me the signal." (HA)
Note: That 69-yard play came 2 plays after UH scored a TD to close the deficit to 14-7.
About how his punt return TD was called back because of a roughing-the-kicker penalty, Tate said:
"What I heard afterwards was the punter was barely nicked on the play." (HSB)
About that punt return, where he broke at least 3 tackles, Tate said:
"After Armando Allen took one to the house, I was feeling good. If he could do it, I could do it. I looked back and didn't see my guys celebrate, so I figured something's gone wrong. But no big deal. We won." (HA)
HA Note: "Tate was referring to Allen's 96-yard kickoff return — the longest in Hawai'i Bowl history and the first kickoff returned for a score for Notre Dame since 2002 — that put the Fighting Irish up 49-14."
About his 3 TD receptions, Tate said:
"What sticks out in my mind is that one of my touchdowns was on something other than a fly route. We came into the game knowing they were going to be in a cover-2. That leaves the ends open and we took advantage of it." (HSB)
About setting Notre Dame bowl records with 177 receiving yards, 3 TD receptions, and a 69-yard TD catch, Tate said:
"It's great to be in the record books. I'll take it." (HA)
Happy for their seniors, sophomore Tate said:
"I'm happy for the seniors on the team. We sent them out happy and over .500 (7-6) and this is a boost for next year." (HA)
About how they are trying to get Notre Dame back to where they were, Tate said:
"We're working on bringing Notre Dame back to where it's supposed to be, and that's competing for national championships each year." (HA)
.
Praising their defense, RB Armando Allen said:
"Our defense is outstanding. They come out every week and play a hard game. We weren't surprised (at their performance) because we practice against these guys everyday. For them to perform the way they did was what we expected." (HA)
About how they ended their bowl losing streak that went all the way back to 1995, Allen said:
"That was real important," said Allen. "We've had that in mind since we found out that we were coming to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl." (HA)
About how their offense clicked in this game, Allen said:
"Offensively we have a lot of firepower, but sometimes we just haven't put it all together ... Today we were all on the same page." (HA)
HA Note: "Allen's 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the third quarter was the longest return in Hawai'i Bowl history and the first taken back for a score since 2002 for the Irish. He also made a one-handed touchdown catch earlier in the half."
.
About how their offensive coordinator left their team after this game to become the head coach at Miami (Ohio), RB Robert Hughes said:
"It's very emotional, we went out there and we tried to give our best, 110 percent. When you have the opportunity to step up to the next level and advance your career as a head coach, you've got to take the opportunity, so I'm proud for him and everyone supports him and his decision." (HA)
About how they avoided being distracted in Hawaii, Hughes said:
"When you come to Hawai'i, there's a lot of distractions. You know, whether it's the weather — everything — all the events they have lined up for you, but we came out here with one goal and the goal was to come out of here with a win." (HA)
.
About how their D gave them great field position, TE Kyle Rudolph said:
"The defense gave us a lot of great field position in the second half, gave us the short field and we were able to take advantage of that." (HA)
.
Praising their coaches, safety Kyle McCarthy (team-high 7 tackles, 6 solo tackles, with a fumble recovery and pass deflection) said:
"The coaches did a heck of a job putting the game plan together and the players, with all the time we had off, really took it to heart. After how the (regular) season ended, we really got in the film room and worked our tails off and I think it worked out today." (HA)
.
About how they were prepared for UH's offense, David Bruton (who had an INT when the game was 21-7) said:
"We were well prepared on defense. We did extra film work, even when the coaches weren't around, we did extra film work. We took the extra steps in preparation to make sure we'd come out strong." (HA)
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
UH = University of Hawaii Official Site
AP = Associated Press
-------------------
The Hawaii Bowl set attendance records yesterday--45,718 tickets issued and 43,487 people attended the game.
---------------- Quotes from the UH Coaches ------------------
.
About their season, UH head coach Greg McMackin (Mac) said:
"It’s been a hard fought season. We were 1-3 at one point and the team fought back to get into a bowl game." (UH)
Giving credit to Notre Dame, Mac said:
"They worked hard to play this bowl game and when it really comes down to it, Notre Dame made the plays and we didn’t. I give full credit to Charlie Weis and his staff. I thought that their athletes are outstanding. Getting no. 3 Michael Floyd back made them a top-notch offensive unit. You have Golden Tate on one side and you have Floyd on the other side and it really causes you a lot of trouble. And including (Jimmy) Clausen, I’ve taught in the pros and today he was as accurate as I’ve ever seen. I give him full credit - he was outstanding and his receivers were outstanding. I thought they did a good job. They made the plays and we couldn’t make the plays." (UH)
Proud of his players, Mac said:
"I’m proud of my guys because they fought their tail off. I had three goals this season - one is to graduate 100 percent of my players. Second, we came in a legit second in the league and that’s not good enough and is unaccepatble. And last, we wanted to go to a a bowl game and we did but we didn’t win." (UH)
Praising Notre Dame, Mac said:
"I really admire Notre Dame. They were down losing the last four of five games. I thought tonight’s game was going to come out different. But they jumped on us. We didn’t make some plays and they did. They finished. We talked at halftime, and we thought that if we could score, we could be back in the ball game. But they didn’t let us back in. I was pleased with a lot of things the offense did. I thought some of the receivers made some outstanding catches. Greg (Alexander) threw some great balls." (UH)
Praising Clausen, Mac said that he was:
"as accurate as I've ever seen. He was outstanding, his receivers were outstanding." (AP)
"Today, Jimmy Clausen was as accurate a passer as I've seen." (HSB)
"He gets the ball off quickly. He could've beat a lot of teams today. He's going to be a Heisman Trophy winner." (HA)
HA Note: "It was a far cry from his previous game, a 38-3 shellacking at Southern California on Nov. 29, when Clausen was 11-of-22 for 41 yards with two interceptions."
About how their D didn't get any big plays and Clausen led Notre Dame to TDs on 5 straight possessions, Mac said:
"Defensively we just didn't make any plays. We didn't get any interceptions, we didn't get any fumbles. ... (Clausen) had a great game. He could have beaten a lot of people today." (HSB)
About how they gave up 8 sacks in this game and an NCAA-record 59 sacks this season (Notre Dame set the record at 58 last season), Mac said:
"We had too many sacks. We're going to examine that and we're going to get that corrected for next season." (HSB)
About the game, Mac said:
"We had guys there, but (the Fighting Irish) made plays and we didn't make plays." (HA)
"They were consistent, and we weren't. They made plays, and we didn't make plays. ... Notre Dame just out-played us in all three phases." (HA)
Praising Aaron Bain's play in this game, Mac said:
"Aaron Bain played a great game and he made some great, spectacular diving catches. I thought he got better and better as the year went on, and today he was really consistent. He really competed." (HA)
After the game, as he walked to the locker room Mac told a group of Aloha Stadium workers:
"I'm sorry. I let you down this time." (HA)
Giving Jake Ingram a hug after the game, Mac said:
"I'll be your friend for life." (HA)
Asked which hurt more, losing the game or saying goodbye to their seniors, Mac said:
"Both. I love these guys, and I wanted them to go out with a win. It would have been really neat. But give credit to Notre Dame. They played a great game." (HA)
.
Despite the fumble that Bain lost, Ron Lee said that Bain played:
"a perfect game." (HA)
.
About how they expected Notre Dame's pressure, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"We expected them to pressure us. We worked on it all week. We had some breakdowns in execution — protection-wise, up front, all the way around — and it showed at times. We're definitely a little disappointed in the way we played up front." (HA)
.
------------------ Quotes from the UH Players -----------------------
.
About how Notre Dame's coverage contributed to their sacks, Alexander said:
"They did a great job defending our routes in the secondary and underneath coverage and that kind of factored into the pressure. They were bringing at least six every time. They had a good game plan." (HSB)
About their struggles on offense, Alexander said:
"They did a good job of taking away our short stuff. They had an excellent game plan coming in. They brought pressure. It was an accumulation of things." (HA)
"It was frustrating. But it was one of those things you have to keep pounding away until you find something that works. Today, we didn't find it." (HA)
.
About how "nothing is set in stone", but he's open to moving to another position in the spring, Inoke said:
"Whatever (the coaches) want to me to do. If they want me to fight it out (at quarterback) I'll do that. If they feel my athleticism can be utilized at another position, I'll do that. I'm open to suggestions come spring." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hawaii quarterback Inoke Funaki, making his first appearance in three games, went 5-for-5 and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Mike Washington for the Warriors' final score of the season."
About his TD pass to Washington, Inoke said:
"I was joking with the other quarterbacks that that was my last hurrah." (HSB)
.
About his 8 catches for 109 yards and 2 TDs, all personal bests, Aaron Bain said:
"I can look at it that I left everything I had on the field and I tried to do my best, but at the same time, I feel so disappointed because I feel like I should have made more plays and tried to do more to contribute and put points on the board." (HSB)
About beating his defender to score their first TD and make the score 14-7, Bain said:
"It was a great play. The defender was inside and (Alexander) called a play to bait the DB that was on Malcolm (Lane) to move him inside, which left the flats wide open. He led me to the outside and from there it was just one-on-one with the defender. I saw the pylon and I knew I'd have to do whatever I could do to get it in." (HA)
About his second TD reception, on the possession after he lost a fumble, Bain said:
"They kept dropping people in the middle. So we kept making plays for the middle. Like Coach says, when a play comes your way, you just have to make the play." (HA)
About how Notre Dame scored TDs right after each of their TDs to kill any momentum for UH, Bain said:
"Just trying to get the fans back in the game was such a tough one, because we strike and then they came right back and score. Just couldn't get the crowd into it." (HSB)
About the MVP Trophy he was awarded for UH, Bain said:
"I would sacrifice the trophy in a minute. I really wanted to win this game for the seniors and for the state of Hawaii." (HSB)
"I'd trade it in a second just to have another win on our belt. I'd sacrifice anything I could just for that win. I appreciate that award, but I really wanted to win this game for the seniors and for the state of Hawai'i." (HA)
About how this bowl was in front of their home crowd, Bain said:
"It's different than (the Sugar Bowl) last year. We had a lot of fan support there, but playing in the state of Hawai'i for our home crowd — I just really wanted to win this game and make everybody happy. If I could, I'd trade that MVP award any day." (HA)
About the loss, Bain said:
"To me, any loss for the University of Hawaii and Warrior football is tough. I don't care who we lose to or if it's a bowl game or not, it's a disappointment because I know this team could be a great team." (HSB)
About how his Warrior career ended with this game, Bain said:
"It's up to the young guys now." (HSB)
Reflecting on his Warrior career, Bain said:
"We talked about the ups and downs, about all the games we won and lost. I think this team is great because we don't give up. We fight through adversity. We came a long way and the thing I'm going to miss most is just chilling with the boys. We're brothers for life. We're like a family, and that's what really means a lot to me." (HA)
.
About how this loss hurts more than the Sugar Bowl loss, Solomon Elimimian (Sol) said:
"It hurts even more, I feel, because this was our last game and we felt this was a bowl game we should have played better in. To know we can't take that back, we can't say, 'OK there's next year.' That's the part that hurts the most." (HSB)
About how Notre Dame used screen passes effectively against their blitzes, Sol said:
"We're an aggressive defense, so maybe that figured in. But there were plays we should've made. We didn't execute." (HSB)
About how they didn't counter Notre Dame's speed, Sol said:
"They had some team speed, but more so we just didn't do what we had to do to counter that." (HSB)
.
About how this game showed by Jimmy Clausen was the #1 recruit in the country in 2006, Adam Leonard said:
"you could see why (Clausen was No. 1)." (HA)
.
About the 14-yard TD pass he gave up to make the score 14-0, Jameel Dowling said:
"It was a push-off, and I didn't get the call, but you can't use that as an excuse." (HSB)
.
About the 29-yard pass Notre Dame made when it was 4th-and-1, Keao Monteilh said:
"I was running with the tight end and I had pretty decent coverage. I turned and looked for the ball and he grabbed the back of my jersey. No call for me, I guess." (HSB)
.
About Notre Dame's success on offense, Calvin Roberts said:
"They had good speed. They knew what coverage we had. They were checking at the line. They made the plays. It wasn't our day. If we played them any other day, I think it would have been a different story. But this wasn't our day. Big ups to them. Give them all of the credit." (HA)
.
--------------- Quotes from the Notre Dame Coaches ----------------
.
Happy that they were able to avoid distractions in Hawaii, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis said:
"I think it will be a happy time for our players. It’s been a long time since we’ve won a bowl game. Our players came here knowing that coming to Hawaii can be a real distraction. It’s such a great venue, the people are nice and the weather is beautiful and the bowl people do such a great job with this bowl. It’s easy to see how people can roll in here on a Thursday and Friday during the regular season and very often come out here a loser. But I think that our players came here on a mission to mix business with pleasure and I think they did a heck of a job. They showed up today and was ready from the start of the game till the end of the game. I give kudos to the players and the coaches. I am also very happy for Notre Dame because this was a big step forward for us and leads us into 2009 with a good taste in our mouths. It also allows those seniors who are walking out the door to leave here with part of their legacy knowing that they were apart of a team that ended that long drought of bowl games." (UH)
"Our players came here knowing that coming to Hawai'i can be a real distraction. It's easy to see how people can roll in here on a Thursday and Friday during the regular season and very often come out here a loser. But I think that our players came here on a mission to mix business with pleasure and I think they did a heck of a job. They showed up today and were ready from the start of the game till the end of the game." (HA)
About calling their plays from the press box, Weis said:
"It was ten time easier. It was like night and day. Jimmy and I were talking about this earlier I haven’t been up in the box since Drew Bledsoe got hurt in 2001." (UH)
"It's 10 times easier. It's night and day easier. I haven't been up in the box since Drew Bledsoe got hurt. ... You don't want to do that long term, but calling a game from up there is pretty sweet. As a head coach, you want to be on the sideline." (AP)
"It's 10 times easier to call a game from up there than down on the field. As far as seeing the field, it's not even close." (HSB)
"It was just like the olden days. I haven't been up there (in the press box since Drew Bledsoe was the (starting) quarterback in New England." (HA)
About why he moved from the press box to the field when Tom Brady took over in New England, Weis said:
"It was the game Drew Bledsoe was hurt and Tom Brady took over. Tommy was an inexperienced quarterback then, and Bill (Belichick) and I thought we needed extra leadership on the field." (HSB)
Asked if he would stay in the press box next season, Weis said:
"I'm the head coach. I won't be staying up there. No, no...." (HA)
About how they respected UH's offense, Weis said:
"We came here knowing that Hawaii has good offensive fire power and the games they win they score in significant numbers." (UH)
About how he got his Christmas wish, Weis said:
"I told the team that's the only thing I wanted (for Christmas). I just wanted to win a bowl game. I heard it a hundred times in the locker room after the game and they wanted to know what I was giving them for Christmas. I told them: 'a flight home.' " (AP)
About how this win was important to them, Weis said:
"I'm very happy for Notre Dame. This was a great step forward for us. It leads us into 2009 with a good taste in our mouth." (AP)
"We showed up today. We were ready to play from the start to the end and it's going to leave a good taste in our mouths for 2009." (HSB)
"This was a big step forward for us and leads us into 2009 with a good taste in our mouths. It also allows the seniors who are walking out the door to leave here with part of their legacy knowing that they were a part of a team that ended that long drought of bowl games." (HSB)
About how they could go deep due to UH's aggressive D, Weis said:
"We knew (Hawaii) was going to come out aggressive on defense, so we thought we could be successful going over the top, going deep. It worked." (HSB)
"We figured they would be very aggressive on us. They come out in a cover two, which is what they like to play. They tried to come up on us and we thought we could get by and fortunately, we made some big plays." (HA)
HA Note: "Weis used 237-pound Robert Hughes at running back to force the Warriors to shift a second linebacker toward the middle. He sent tight end Kyle Rudolph on Z-shaped routes to draw a safety out of zone coverage. And he aligned freshman wideout Michael Floyd, who missed the past two games because of an injury, opposite Tate."
.
----------------- Quotes from the Notre Dame Players -----------------
.
About how their players were determined to win the game, QB Jimmy Clausen said:
"The guys came out here on a mission." (AP)
Happy they sent their seniors out with a win, Clausen said:
"It was good for us to send the seniors out on the right note, and to end the bowl streak." (HA)
About how they felt comfortable in Hawaii, Clausen said:
"We all felt good the day we stepped here in Hawai'i." (HA)
Crediting his OL for his success, Clausen said:
"I got hit maybe one time. We were clicking." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Clausen put up huge numbers, going 22-for-26 for 401 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions."
About his 18-yard TD pass to Golden Tate despite Calvin Roberts and Desmond Thomas defending him, Clausen said:
"Hey, I trusted in him that he could make a play, and I made a throw." (HA)
Clausen said that every time Tate faced single coverage he would think:
"I'm going there." (HA)
.
Praising Clausen, WR Golden Tate (who had 177 yards receiving) said:
"I don't know what Jimmy ate. He should have been 24-for-26 because we had two drops. He showed great leadership." (HSB)
About his 18-yard TD reception, Tate said:
"I don't know why he even threw it. Obviously, he had confidence in me. I did my best to get to it." (HA)
About how Clausen called an audible on his 69-yard TD reception (their longest play from scrimmage this season), Tate said:
"He just gave me the signal." (HA)
Note: That 69-yard play came 2 plays after UH scored a TD to close the deficit to 14-7.
About how his punt return TD was called back because of a roughing-the-kicker penalty, Tate said:
"What I heard afterwards was the punter was barely nicked on the play." (HSB)
About that punt return, where he broke at least 3 tackles, Tate said:
"After Armando Allen took one to the house, I was feeling good. If he could do it, I could do it. I looked back and didn't see my guys celebrate, so I figured something's gone wrong. But no big deal. We won." (HA)
HA Note: "Tate was referring to Allen's 96-yard kickoff return — the longest in Hawai'i Bowl history and the first kickoff returned for a score for Notre Dame since 2002 — that put the Fighting Irish up 49-14."
About his 3 TD receptions, Tate said:
"What sticks out in my mind is that one of my touchdowns was on something other than a fly route. We came into the game knowing they were going to be in a cover-2. That leaves the ends open and we took advantage of it." (HSB)
About setting Notre Dame bowl records with 177 receiving yards, 3 TD receptions, and a 69-yard TD catch, Tate said:
"It's great to be in the record books. I'll take it." (HA)
Happy for their seniors, sophomore Tate said:
"I'm happy for the seniors on the team. We sent them out happy and over .500 (7-6) and this is a boost for next year." (HA)
About how they are trying to get Notre Dame back to where they were, Tate said:
"We're working on bringing Notre Dame back to where it's supposed to be, and that's competing for national championships each year." (HA)
.
Praising their defense, RB Armando Allen said:
"Our defense is outstanding. They come out every week and play a hard game. We weren't surprised (at their performance) because we practice against these guys everyday. For them to perform the way they did was what we expected." (HA)
About how they ended their bowl losing streak that went all the way back to 1995, Allen said:
"That was real important," said Allen. "We've had that in mind since we found out that we were coming to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl." (HA)
About how their offense clicked in this game, Allen said:
"Offensively we have a lot of firepower, but sometimes we just haven't put it all together ... Today we were all on the same page." (HA)
HA Note: "Allen's 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the third quarter was the longest return in Hawai'i Bowl history and the first taken back for a score since 2002 for the Irish. He also made a one-handed touchdown catch earlier in the half."
.
About how their offensive coordinator left their team after this game to become the head coach at Miami (Ohio), RB Robert Hughes said:
"It's very emotional, we went out there and we tried to give our best, 110 percent. When you have the opportunity to step up to the next level and advance your career as a head coach, you've got to take the opportunity, so I'm proud for him and everyone supports him and his decision." (HA)
About how they avoided being distracted in Hawaii, Hughes said:
"When you come to Hawai'i, there's a lot of distractions. You know, whether it's the weather — everything — all the events they have lined up for you, but we came out here with one goal and the goal was to come out of here with a win." (HA)
.
About how their D gave them great field position, TE Kyle Rudolph said:
"The defense gave us a lot of great field position in the second half, gave us the short field and we were able to take advantage of that." (HA)
.
Praising their coaches, safety Kyle McCarthy (team-high 7 tackles, 6 solo tackles, with a fumble recovery and pass deflection) said:
"The coaches did a heck of a job putting the game plan together and the players, with all the time we had off, really took it to heart. After how the (regular) season ended, we really got in the film room and worked our tails off and I think it worked out today." (HA)
.
About how they were prepared for UH's offense, David Bruton (who had an INT when the game was 21-7) said:
"We were well prepared on defense. We did extra film work, even when the coaches weren't around, we did extra film work. We took the extra steps in preparation to make sure we'd come out strong." (HA)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Pregame quotes for the Hawaii Bowl (UH vs. Notre Dame)
About Notre Dame's fame, Dan Kelly said:
"The Fighting Irish are historic. Movies are made about them." (HA)
About how he cheered for Notre Dame growing up even though he was raised in Southern California, Lafu Tuioti-Mariner said:
"I looked up to that team since I was little. Now I've got a chance to go against them? It's going to be a fun game. Best wishes to them." (HA)
About how losing the Hawaii Bowl would spoil his Christmas, Charlie Weis said:
"When I'm sitting here on Christmas Eve after the game with my wife and kid, waiting for Santa and the sleigh to pull up, I want to have a smile on my face. And I won't be the happiest camper if it goes the other way." (HA)
About how Notre Dame is still important even after they have gone 9-17 over their last 26 games, Sol said that:
"they've got history. It's an honor to play them in the Hawai'i Bowl." (HA)
About their respect for Notre Dame, Jake Ingram said:
"They have good athletes. We've got a lot of respect for them. We know they're coming here to win. But we want to get this bowl win to give a present back to coach (Greg McMackin) for everything he's done for us. We want to give him that stamp on his first season as Hawai'i head coach." (HA)
About the importance of winning the game, Keala Watson said:
"there's a lot riding on the game. We can beat Notre Dame or we can go out saying we're a mediocre team that lost a bowl game." (HA)
About how he grew up with friends who are strong Notre Dame fans even though he was not a big fan, Alexander said with a laugh:
"At my going-away party, they played 'Rudy.' " (HA)
About how their offense started struggling after their eighth game, Weis said:
"Right about the two-thirds mark of the season, I think that Jimmy (Clausen), along with several players of the offense, seemed to get out of sync, so to speak." (HA)
HA Note: "Through the first eight games, they had 61 "big plays" (pass completions of 20 or more yards, rushes of at least 10 yards); in the next four, they had 15. Clausen's pass-efficiency rating fell from 134.95 in the first eight games to 96.56 in the next four (during which he had two touchdown passes and eight interceptions). While the Irish improved their pass protection this season — an NCAA-record 58 sacks allowed in 2007 to 20 this season — they were sacked eight times in the last four games. Clausen's interception ratio went from one every 25 pass plays in the first two-thirds of the season to one every 16.63 pass plays in the final third."
About how losing WR Floyd enabled defenses to play more cover-2 zones and prevent their long passes, Clausen said:
"I didn't have Michael Floyd, and it limited us in our passing game." (HA)
About the importance of Floyd's return in this game, Tate said:
"They can't double-team me. If they double-team me, it opens Michael Floyd up. He's a great part of this offense." (HA)
About how they have worked on the poor routes they had been having, Weis said:
"The last couple of days, when we watched offensive tape, I've sat in there with just the wide receivers. I haven't done that in a long, long time. But when they're running a route that's 14 yards, and they run it 12 yards, then all of a sudden the ball goes 2 yards over their head." (HA)
About lining up across from the guard (Lafu today) while a weakside LB moves up to the line of scrimmage, Kuntz said:
"It's a tough position. You've got to keep fighting, keep crawling, keep scratching." (HA)
About how Crum is the leader of their D, Weis said:
"There's always a player that the team looks to as the heart and soul of the football team, and that's what Mo Crum has been. He's been the heart and soul. There are three captains on the team, but there's really only one heart, and he's been it. He's a young man I'll admire and respect the rest of my life." (HA)
About his 4.27 time in the 40 yard dash, Allen (who said that Aloha Stadium's compacted FieldTurf is a "fast surface") said:
"It was great for me. I was coming off of ankle surgery. I had a lot of people telling me I wouldn't be able to run as fast. It was actually one of the fastest times I've ever run." (HA)
About how Aloha Stadium's turf helps kickers, (Notre Dame kicker) Walker said:
"Another analogy with golf is you can hit a 6-iron off the grass and go 170 (yards) or so. You can hit a 6-iron off the turf and you'll hit 200. It's better contact and being able to push through it." (HA)
About how UH plays faster in Aloha Stadium, Weis said:
"It's a FieldTurf, but it's a very low FieldTurf. It's a very fast track. I think it plays into their players." (HA)
HA Note: "There might be some substance to the argument. Lane is averaging 14.4 yards per catch in road games, 22.1 at home. Salas' averages are 12.2 on the road, 19.1 at home."
About his bloated left knee is better now, Alexander said:
"I had a bunch of fluid in there." (HA)
About how Ingram and Grasso have not had a bad snap-hold exchange on FGs this season, Tim Grasso said:
"Knock on wood for that. There have been crazy games when it's been wet, and you drop it while warming up on the sideline. But you go out there, and it's fine." (HA)
About how the video camera that records their practices caught him when he tried to sneak into a defensive drill, Jake Ingram said:
"It's the eye in the sky." (HA)
About how he's learned to ignore what their opponents say, Ingram said:
"Sometimes guys say stuff. It doesn't affect me. I'm used to it. The guys in practice talk smack. They say things that are probably not newspaper-appropriate." (HA)
HSB Note: "A bowl game that at one time thought the choices were Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan now features a program that has the most national titles (11) since the first Associated Press poll in 1936, the most Heisman winners (seven) of any school and its own television contract with a major network. Ticket sales surged once the Fighting Irish were deemed Hawaii's opponent, proving their worth as a marquee sales attraction."
About how their seniors would love to end their bowl losing streak, Weis said:
"For those guys that are walking out the door that have no eligibility left, I think they would like to walk out the door and say they were part of that team that put that bowl losing streak behind them." (HSB)
About their bowl losing streak, which includes losses from 2004 and 2006 by at least 2 TDs in all 3 bowl games, safety Kyle McCarthy said:
"It's getting pretty annoying. That's definitely part of our motivation. To get that monkey off our back would be great." (HSB)
About ending his Notre Dame career at the Hawaii Bowl, CB Terrail Lambert said:
"Any game, regardless of who you are playing, the last thing you remember is winning. If you do that, that's all the catalyst you need." (HSB)
About how winning out boost their offseason programs, McCarthy said:
"Without a doubt, just the taste in your mouth of winning, it's so much easier to come in and work out (in the offseason) when you have that taste in your mouth. It's a long way until the first game next year, but you don't really forget about your last game until the next one." (HSB)
About how he said that they would be in a bowl game after the SJSU loss, Mac said:
"I remember ... saying that I believe in my players, I believe in my coaches and we're going to end up being in a bowl game. I really believed that." (HSB)
About how they came together after the SJSU loss, Sol said:
"Even though we lost on the scoreboard we actually won in the sense of our commitment to each other and the sense of love we had for each other. Being 1-3 was tough, but that's what brought our team together that really solidified us as a team." (HSB)
About how the Fresno State win turned around their season, Mac said:
"The players made a stand, and the coaches, and I think that's when it turned." (HSB)
About how they worked together to make it to the Hawaii Bowl, Mac said:
"The team and the coaches kept this whole thing together so we could all be here with this great opportunity." (HSB)
About how they began the year by losing the Sugar Bowl and JJ leaving, Sol said:
"For a second, the team was in disarray." (HSB)
About how they came together as a team to make the Hawaii Bowl, Sol said:
"We had to come together closer than we ever have. Every game we won was because of the team." (HSB)
Wanting to win for their seniors, Alexander said:
"We want to send (the seniors) out right and get them a win for their last game here. Next year we can see what we can do to build on it, but right now nobody's really looking at that." (HSB)
"The Fighting Irish are historic. Movies are made about them." (HA)
About how he cheered for Notre Dame growing up even though he was raised in Southern California, Lafu Tuioti-Mariner said:
"I looked up to that team since I was little. Now I've got a chance to go against them? It's going to be a fun game. Best wishes to them." (HA)
About how losing the Hawaii Bowl would spoil his Christmas, Charlie Weis said:
"When I'm sitting here on Christmas Eve after the game with my wife and kid, waiting for Santa and the sleigh to pull up, I want to have a smile on my face. And I won't be the happiest camper if it goes the other way." (HA)
About how Notre Dame is still important even after they have gone 9-17 over their last 26 games, Sol said that:
"they've got history. It's an honor to play them in the Hawai'i Bowl." (HA)
About their respect for Notre Dame, Jake Ingram said:
"They have good athletes. We've got a lot of respect for them. We know they're coming here to win. But we want to get this bowl win to give a present back to coach (Greg McMackin) for everything he's done for us. We want to give him that stamp on his first season as Hawai'i head coach." (HA)
About the importance of winning the game, Keala Watson said:
"there's a lot riding on the game. We can beat Notre Dame or we can go out saying we're a mediocre team that lost a bowl game." (HA)
About how he grew up with friends who are strong Notre Dame fans even though he was not a big fan, Alexander said with a laugh:
"At my going-away party, they played 'Rudy.' " (HA)
About how their offense started struggling after their eighth game, Weis said:
"Right about the two-thirds mark of the season, I think that Jimmy (Clausen), along with several players of the offense, seemed to get out of sync, so to speak." (HA)
HA Note: "Through the first eight games, they had 61 "big plays" (pass completions of 20 or more yards, rushes of at least 10 yards); in the next four, they had 15. Clausen's pass-efficiency rating fell from 134.95 in the first eight games to 96.56 in the next four (during which he had two touchdown passes and eight interceptions). While the Irish improved their pass protection this season — an NCAA-record 58 sacks allowed in 2007 to 20 this season — they were sacked eight times in the last four games. Clausen's interception ratio went from one every 25 pass plays in the first two-thirds of the season to one every 16.63 pass plays in the final third."
About how losing WR Floyd enabled defenses to play more cover-2 zones and prevent their long passes, Clausen said:
"I didn't have Michael Floyd, and it limited us in our passing game." (HA)
About the importance of Floyd's return in this game, Tate said:
"They can't double-team me. If they double-team me, it opens Michael Floyd up. He's a great part of this offense." (HA)
About how they have worked on the poor routes they had been having, Weis said:
"The last couple of days, when we watched offensive tape, I've sat in there with just the wide receivers. I haven't done that in a long, long time. But when they're running a route that's 14 yards, and they run it 12 yards, then all of a sudden the ball goes 2 yards over their head." (HA)
About lining up across from the guard (Lafu today) while a weakside LB moves up to the line of scrimmage, Kuntz said:
"It's a tough position. You've got to keep fighting, keep crawling, keep scratching." (HA)
About how Crum is the leader of their D, Weis said:
"There's always a player that the team looks to as the heart and soul of the football team, and that's what Mo Crum has been. He's been the heart and soul. There are three captains on the team, but there's really only one heart, and he's been it. He's a young man I'll admire and respect the rest of my life." (HA)
About his 4.27 time in the 40 yard dash, Allen (who said that Aloha Stadium's compacted FieldTurf is a "fast surface") said:
"It was great for me. I was coming off of ankle surgery. I had a lot of people telling me I wouldn't be able to run as fast. It was actually one of the fastest times I've ever run." (HA)
About how Aloha Stadium's turf helps kickers, (Notre Dame kicker) Walker said:
"Another analogy with golf is you can hit a 6-iron off the grass and go 170 (yards) or so. You can hit a 6-iron off the turf and you'll hit 200. It's better contact and being able to push through it." (HA)
About how UH plays faster in Aloha Stadium, Weis said:
"It's a FieldTurf, but it's a very low FieldTurf. It's a very fast track. I think it plays into their players." (HA)
HA Note: "There might be some substance to the argument. Lane is averaging 14.4 yards per catch in road games, 22.1 at home. Salas' averages are 12.2 on the road, 19.1 at home."
About his bloated left knee is better now, Alexander said:
"I had a bunch of fluid in there." (HA)
About how Ingram and Grasso have not had a bad snap-hold exchange on FGs this season, Tim Grasso said:
"Knock on wood for that. There have been crazy games when it's been wet, and you drop it while warming up on the sideline. But you go out there, and it's fine." (HA)
About how the video camera that records their practices caught him when he tried to sneak into a defensive drill, Jake Ingram said:
"It's the eye in the sky." (HA)
About how he's learned to ignore what their opponents say, Ingram said:
"Sometimes guys say stuff. It doesn't affect me. I'm used to it. The guys in practice talk smack. They say things that are probably not newspaper-appropriate." (HA)
HSB Note: "A bowl game that at one time thought the choices were Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan now features a program that has the most national titles (11) since the first Associated Press poll in 1936, the most Heisman winners (seven) of any school and its own television contract with a major network. Ticket sales surged once the Fighting Irish were deemed Hawaii's opponent, proving their worth as a marquee sales attraction."
About how their seniors would love to end their bowl losing streak, Weis said:
"For those guys that are walking out the door that have no eligibility left, I think they would like to walk out the door and say they were part of that team that put that bowl losing streak behind them." (HSB)
About their bowl losing streak, which includes losses from 2004 and 2006 by at least 2 TDs in all 3 bowl games, safety Kyle McCarthy said:
"It's getting pretty annoying. That's definitely part of our motivation. To get that monkey off our back would be great." (HSB)
About ending his Notre Dame career at the Hawaii Bowl, CB Terrail Lambert said:
"Any game, regardless of who you are playing, the last thing you remember is winning. If you do that, that's all the catalyst you need." (HSB)
About how winning out boost their offseason programs, McCarthy said:
"Without a doubt, just the taste in your mouth of winning, it's so much easier to come in and work out (in the offseason) when you have that taste in your mouth. It's a long way until the first game next year, but you don't really forget about your last game until the next one." (HSB)
About how he said that they would be in a bowl game after the SJSU loss, Mac said:
"I remember ... saying that I believe in my players, I believe in my coaches and we're going to end up being in a bowl game. I really believed that." (HSB)
About how they came together after the SJSU loss, Sol said:
"Even though we lost on the scoreboard we actually won in the sense of our commitment to each other and the sense of love we had for each other. Being 1-3 was tough, but that's what brought our team together that really solidified us as a team." (HSB)
About how the Fresno State win turned around their season, Mac said:
"The players made a stand, and the coaches, and I think that's when it turned." (HSB)
About how they worked together to make it to the Hawaii Bowl, Mac said:
"The team and the coaches kept this whole thing together so we could all be here with this great opportunity." (HSB)
About how they began the year by losing the Sugar Bowl and JJ leaving, Sol said:
"For a second, the team was in disarray." (HSB)
About how they came together as a team to make the Hawaii Bowl, Sol said:
"We had to come together closer than we ever have. Every game we won was because of the team." (HSB)
Wanting to win for their seniors, Alexander said:
"We want to send (the seniors) out right and get them a win for their last game here. Next year we can see what we can do to build on it, but right now nobody's really looking at that." (HSB)
Quotes about how Notre Dame boosted the Hawaii Bowl financially
About how this Hawaii Bowl could generate more money for Hawaii's economy than the past two Hawaii Bowls, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin said:
"Within the first 24 hours (of announcing the game's matchup), we had tickets bought from 33 states, two provinces and the District of Columbia. Now we're over 40 states and that's a pretty neat thing. I attribute that, obviously, to Notre Dame coming to the game and the excitement." (HA)
HA Note: "The football game between the University of Hawai'i Warriors and tradition-rich Fighting Irish of Notre Dame should draw more than 44,000 through the Aloha Stadium turnstiles. Of that total, nearly 2,000 will be fans who bought tickets from the Indiana school. The 2007 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, which featured two Mainland teams, brought in just over $17 million, while the 2006 game between UH and Arizona State raised an estimated $11 million, according to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
About how Notre Dame brought a large traveling party (300) and has a large number of fans attending the game, Matlin said:
"We know we're not a BCS bowl-game payout, but we do believe that the ambience of Hawai'i is a big advantage that we have and we can provide a first-class experience for the student-athletes that they can take home and send the message of aloha back." (HA)
About how many Notre Dame fans couldn't go to the Hawaii Bowl due to the late notice and high cost of airfare, Jill Walsh of Anthony Travel (the official travel agency for Notre Dame who sent 75 people to the Hawaii Bowl, much less than a normal road game) said:
"This is down considerably. The interest level is there, it's just the airfare was a problem for a lot of people. And with the holidays, a lot of people don't want to travel on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. We're assuming the economy is not helping this year either." (HA)
About how she has run into a lot of Notre Dame fans since she got to Hawaii on Saturday and she expects a big turnout at the Hawaii Bowl for them, Walsh said:
"There are still a lot of Notre Dame fans over here, so it's good. They're still supporting them. They're from all over the place." (HA)
HA Note: "Although the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl could generate more than $11 million, it isn't the largest money-maker for the state. By comparison, the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl contributed about $28 million to the local economy and the 2005 game drew $39 million, according to HTA figures. The Honolulu Marathon continues to be the largest single revenue generator among Hawai'i's sporting events. The marathon has exceeded $100 million the past three years and although the number of entries was down this year, officials believe the economic impact could reach $100 million again because of the strength of the yen."
About having their blue skies and beaches shown across the country while winter is in full force on the mainland, HTA sports manager Mike Story said:
"The day before Christmas being telecast back to the Mainland, which especially this year is in freezer mode? It's a great way to promote the Islands. I think a lot of people are going to watch it. They're going to be in their homes because they don't want to go outside and they're really going to look forward to the good game and the great weather." (HA)
About how the ESPN broadcast is like a "three-hour informercial" for Hawaii, Matlin said:
"When someone's on the East Coast in 5-degree-below snow storms and they're watching a packed Aloha Stadium at 75 to 80 degrees, there's definitely an impact." (HA)
About how there were banners and memorabilia for Notre Dame throughout his grandfather John "Jack" Kelly's home, Dan Kelly said:
"My grandpa was a huge fan. I kind of grew up having the Fighting Irish thing in my face the whole time. Playing them is a nice way to end my career." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame's appearance in today's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl is a boost to the 7-year-old postseason game, which had faced the marketing-Grinch possibility of inviting the likes of Western Michigan as UH's opponent. Notre Dame, in contrast, is one of the most celebrated football programs in NCAA history."
About how Notre Dame has generated huge media attention and ticket sales for the Hawaii Bowl, Matlin said:
"Because of Notre Dame, the national attention Hawai'i has gotten through the media has been incredible. Case in point: In the first 24 hours after we announced that Notre Dame would be invited, we received Internet ticket orders from 33 different states, two provinces and the District of Columbia. That sends a pretty strong message why this is a great thing for Hawai'i as a world-class tourist destination." (HA)
HA Note: "When John Kelly's widow learned of the Notre Dame's participation, she decided to buy a ticket for Patrick Kelly — her son and Dan Kelly's father — to attend the game. Patrick Kelly said he convinced his mother, a die-hard Fighting Irish fan, to root for Hawai'i."
About how their season ended in 2001 after the 72-45 win over BYU, with no bowl game to follow, Rolo said:
"I don't think any bowl game would have outdone the BYU game. But I think the experience — the hotel, the different thing you do during a bowl week as a team — is something I would have really enjoyed with those guys." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The 2001 season marked the first year since 1982 that the state didn't host a bowl game. Rolovich, now the Warriors' quarterbacks coach, figures it was probably coincidence that the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl arose a year after the 9-3 Warriors were left without a postseason appearance."
About how it was not a coincidence that the Hawaii Bowl was created a year after Rolo's 9-3 Warriors had no bowl to go to, Matlin said:
"I would say that was a big reason." (HSB)
About how BSU chose the Hawaii Bowl last year and Notre Dame chose it this year, Matlin said:
"I think that's a strong statement when people choose to come here. I think we've matured. This is our seventh year and I think we've come a long way. We're not a BCS game and we know that, but the experiences ... I really believe are second to none." (HSB)
About how their contract with the Pac-10 expires after next year, Matlin said:
"We're thrilled with the Pac-10 right now, it's a good partnership and we think it makes sense. That said, the college football landscape is ever-changing, so to really make a call like that right now is hard to do. But there's no question we are very happy with the Pac-10 affiliation." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Rolovich is one of three members of the 2001 Hawaii team now on the Warriors coaching staff. While offensive line coach Brian Smith and Craig Stutzmann played in the 1999 Oahu Bowl, Rolovich is savoring his first bowl week and is enjoying watching the current Warriors take in the opportunity he never had."
Proud to be a part of this year's Hawaii Bowl, Rolo said:
"I'm very proud to be part of it. It's been an interesting year and I think this is a very nice gift for the players and how hard they worked and the things they worked through in many adverse situations. They're going to know this is a great experience now, because it's been such an enjoyable bowl for everyone. But years down the line they're going to look back and a lot of good friendships are going to be solidified." (HSB)
"Within the first 24 hours (of announcing the game's matchup), we had tickets bought from 33 states, two provinces and the District of Columbia. Now we're over 40 states and that's a pretty neat thing. I attribute that, obviously, to Notre Dame coming to the game and the excitement." (HA)
HA Note: "The football game between the University of Hawai'i Warriors and tradition-rich Fighting Irish of Notre Dame should draw more than 44,000 through the Aloha Stadium turnstiles. Of that total, nearly 2,000 will be fans who bought tickets from the Indiana school. The 2007 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, which featured two Mainland teams, brought in just over $17 million, while the 2006 game between UH and Arizona State raised an estimated $11 million, according to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
About how Notre Dame brought a large traveling party (300) and has a large number of fans attending the game, Matlin said:
"We know we're not a BCS bowl-game payout, but we do believe that the ambience of Hawai'i is a big advantage that we have and we can provide a first-class experience for the student-athletes that they can take home and send the message of aloha back." (HA)
About how many Notre Dame fans couldn't go to the Hawaii Bowl due to the late notice and high cost of airfare, Jill Walsh of Anthony Travel (the official travel agency for Notre Dame who sent 75 people to the Hawaii Bowl, much less than a normal road game) said:
"This is down considerably. The interest level is there, it's just the airfare was a problem for a lot of people. And with the holidays, a lot of people don't want to travel on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. We're assuming the economy is not helping this year either." (HA)
About how she has run into a lot of Notre Dame fans since she got to Hawaii on Saturday and she expects a big turnout at the Hawaii Bowl for them, Walsh said:
"There are still a lot of Notre Dame fans over here, so it's good. They're still supporting them. They're from all over the place." (HA)
HA Note: "Although the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl could generate more than $11 million, it isn't the largest money-maker for the state. By comparison, the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl contributed about $28 million to the local economy and the 2005 game drew $39 million, according to HTA figures. The Honolulu Marathon continues to be the largest single revenue generator among Hawai'i's sporting events. The marathon has exceeded $100 million the past three years and although the number of entries was down this year, officials believe the economic impact could reach $100 million again because of the strength of the yen."
About having their blue skies and beaches shown across the country while winter is in full force on the mainland, HTA sports manager Mike Story said:
"The day before Christmas being telecast back to the Mainland, which especially this year is in freezer mode? It's a great way to promote the Islands. I think a lot of people are going to watch it. They're going to be in their homes because they don't want to go outside and they're really going to look forward to the good game and the great weather." (HA)
About how the ESPN broadcast is like a "three-hour informercial" for Hawaii, Matlin said:
"When someone's on the East Coast in 5-degree-below snow storms and they're watching a packed Aloha Stadium at 75 to 80 degrees, there's definitely an impact." (HA)
About how there were banners and memorabilia for Notre Dame throughout his grandfather John "Jack" Kelly's home, Dan Kelly said:
"My grandpa was a huge fan. I kind of grew up having the Fighting Irish thing in my face the whole time. Playing them is a nice way to end my career." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame's appearance in today's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl is a boost to the 7-year-old postseason game, which had faced the marketing-Grinch possibility of inviting the likes of Western Michigan as UH's opponent. Notre Dame, in contrast, is one of the most celebrated football programs in NCAA history."
About how Notre Dame has generated huge media attention and ticket sales for the Hawaii Bowl, Matlin said:
"Because of Notre Dame, the national attention Hawai'i has gotten through the media has been incredible. Case in point: In the first 24 hours after we announced that Notre Dame would be invited, we received Internet ticket orders from 33 different states, two provinces and the District of Columbia. That sends a pretty strong message why this is a great thing for Hawai'i as a world-class tourist destination." (HA)
HA Note: "When John Kelly's widow learned of the Notre Dame's participation, she decided to buy a ticket for Patrick Kelly — her son and Dan Kelly's father — to attend the game. Patrick Kelly said he convinced his mother, a die-hard Fighting Irish fan, to root for Hawai'i."
About how their season ended in 2001 after the 72-45 win over BYU, with no bowl game to follow, Rolo said:
"I don't think any bowl game would have outdone the BYU game. But I think the experience — the hotel, the different thing you do during a bowl week as a team — is something I would have really enjoyed with those guys." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The 2001 season marked the first year since 1982 that the state didn't host a bowl game. Rolovich, now the Warriors' quarterbacks coach, figures it was probably coincidence that the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl arose a year after the 9-3 Warriors were left without a postseason appearance."
About how it was not a coincidence that the Hawaii Bowl was created a year after Rolo's 9-3 Warriors had no bowl to go to, Matlin said:
"I would say that was a big reason." (HSB)
About how BSU chose the Hawaii Bowl last year and Notre Dame chose it this year, Matlin said:
"I think that's a strong statement when people choose to come here. I think we've matured. This is our seventh year and I think we've come a long way. We're not a BCS game and we know that, but the experiences ... I really believe are second to none." (HSB)
About how their contract with the Pac-10 expires after next year, Matlin said:
"We're thrilled with the Pac-10 right now, it's a good partnership and we think it makes sense. That said, the college football landscape is ever-changing, so to really make a call like that right now is hard to do. But there's no question we are very happy with the Pac-10 affiliation." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Rolovich is one of three members of the 2001 Hawaii team now on the Warriors coaching staff. While offensive line coach Brian Smith and Craig Stutzmann played in the 1999 Oahu Bowl, Rolovich is savoring his first bowl week and is enjoying watching the current Warriors take in the opportunity he never had."
Proud to be a part of this year's Hawaii Bowl, Rolo said:
"I'm very proud to be part of it. It's been an interesting year and I think this is a very nice gift for the players and how hard they worked and the things they worked through in many adverse situations. They're going to know this is a great experience now, because it's been such an enjoyable bowl for everyone. But years down the line they're going to look back and a lot of good friendships are going to be solidified." (HSB)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Adam Leonard called Notre Dame's Clausen better than Tebow
SBT = South Bend Tribune
Calling Jimmy Clausen a better QB than Tim Tebow, Adam Leonard said:
"Tebow's a physical specimen. He's got a strong arm. He runs the ball well and he plays great in that system. But I would say as far as a pure quarterback — decision-making, looking off safeties and the arm strength — (Clausen) is unbelievable. He's the only quarterback we've seen on film who from the opposite hash he can throw all the way to the other sideline. It jumps off the film when he throws." (SBT)
SBT Note: "Notre Dame's Clausen looked like a star in the making early in the season before faltering late, throwing two touchdowns and eight interceptions in his team's final four games."
About his improvement during the second half of the season, Alexander said:
"We've cut down on turnovers. We're on the field longer, it keeps our defense off the field and we're able to keep some drives going." (SBT)
About how his early struggles were due to the difficulty in learning their offense, Alexander said:
"I got here in May, so I was trying to rush it and learn it. Really, it just takes time. After that Florida game, I just got to sit back and watch and see how things develop, see how things work. When I got back in, I had a much better understanding of it." (SBT)
About Clausen, Adam Leonard said:
"I know his stats haven't been there for him as far as his interception-touchdown ratio, but you can tell he just jumps off the film with his arm strength, his ability to look off safeties and reading the coverage. He's probably a little too confident sometimes when he tries to force things, but that's just how much talent he has and how much belief he has in his receivers." (SBT)
Calling Jimmy Clausen a better QB than Tim Tebow, Adam Leonard said:
"Tebow's a physical specimen. He's got a strong arm. He runs the ball well and he plays great in that system. But I would say as far as a pure quarterback — decision-making, looking off safeties and the arm strength — (Clausen) is unbelievable. He's the only quarterback we've seen on film who from the opposite hash he can throw all the way to the other sideline. It jumps off the film when he throws." (SBT)
SBT Note: "Notre Dame's Clausen looked like a star in the making early in the season before faltering late, throwing two touchdowns and eight interceptions in his team's final four games."
About his improvement during the second half of the season, Alexander said:
"We've cut down on turnovers. We're on the field longer, it keeps our defense off the field and we're able to keep some drives going." (SBT)
About how his early struggles were due to the difficulty in learning their offense, Alexander said:
"I got here in May, so I was trying to rush it and learn it. Really, it just takes time. After that Florida game, I just got to sit back and watch and see how things develop, see how things work. When I got back in, I had a much better understanding of it." (SBT)
About Clausen, Adam Leonard said:
"I know his stats haven't been there for him as far as his interception-touchdown ratio, but you can tell he just jumps off the film with his arm strength, his ability to look off safeties and reading the coverage. He's probably a little too confident sometimes when he tries to force things, but that's just how much talent he has and how much belief he has in his receivers." (SBT)
BSU's President once again openly talked about leaving the WAC
IS = Idaho Statesman
About how he's talked with several MWC Presidents that have expressed an interest in expanding or at least discussing expanding, BSU President Kustra said:
“One president told me a few months ago, we’re just very attractive to them because they feel like they’re knocking right on the BCS door and we might be able to join them and kick the door right down." (IS)
About how there would be no guarantee of joining the BCS even if BSU joined the MWC, TCU Coach Gary Patterson said:
“I don’t know if it would matter if we brought the Pittsburgh Steelers in. I’m not sure it’d allow us to get into a BCS league. I think you’ve got to understand that a lot of that comes down to money." (IS)
Patterson added that for the MWC, BSU:
"would be a great addition" (IS)
About how the MWC is much better for traveling than the WAC, which would help their students academically, Kustra said:
"What’s great about that conference is the reduced travel problems that we have now. Basketball wants a 10th team so they can matchup and partner. More importantly for me our student-athletes can travel the inter-mountain region without having to go far to the east and far to the west, which for basketball especially going into both semesters is a real drag on academics. I think we’d get improved academic quality out of this conference." (IS)
IS Note: "In the WAC, Boise State must make arduous trips to Louisiana and Hawaii for conference games. In the Mountain West, the toughest trip would be to Wyoming, which means a flight to Denver and a two-plus hour bus ride."
About how he hasn't heard about a timeline for the MWC to expand, Kustra said:
“Every now and then we’ll hear that they’re thinking about expanding or they’ve been looking at us but I don’t have anything immediately that I know of that gives me a sign that they’re ready to do something." (IS)
IS Note: "The league’s commissioner Craig Thompson said earlier this fall that expansion has become a topic of discussion for the first time in several years."
About how he's talked with several MWC Presidents that have expressed an interest in expanding or at least discussing expanding, BSU President Kustra said:
“One president told me a few months ago, we’re just very attractive to them because they feel like they’re knocking right on the BCS door and we might be able to join them and kick the door right down." (IS)
About how there would be no guarantee of joining the BCS even if BSU joined the MWC, TCU Coach Gary Patterson said:
“I don’t know if it would matter if we brought the Pittsburgh Steelers in. I’m not sure it’d allow us to get into a BCS league. I think you’ve got to understand that a lot of that comes down to money." (IS)
Patterson added that for the MWC, BSU:
"would be a great addition" (IS)
About how the MWC is much better for traveling than the WAC, which would help their students academically, Kustra said:
"What’s great about that conference is the reduced travel problems that we have now. Basketball wants a 10th team so they can matchup and partner. More importantly for me our student-athletes can travel the inter-mountain region without having to go far to the east and far to the west, which for basketball especially going into both semesters is a real drag on academics. I think we’d get improved academic quality out of this conference." (IS)
IS Note: "In the WAC, Boise State must make arduous trips to Louisiana and Hawaii for conference games. In the Mountain West, the toughest trip would be to Wyoming, which means a flight to Denver and a two-plus hour bus ride."
About how he hasn't heard about a timeline for the MWC to expand, Kustra said:
“Every now and then we’ll hear that they’re thinking about expanding or they’ve been looking at us but I don’t have anything immediately that I know of that gives me a sign that they’re ready to do something." (IS)
IS Note: "The league’s commissioner Craig Thompson said earlier this fall that expansion has become a topic of discussion for the first time in several years."
Quotes about UH and Notre Dame from the local papers
About the ha'a that the Warriors did during the Hawaii Bowl banquet, after Notre Dame chanted their fight song (Notre Dame Victory March), Mac said:
"That was the best one we ever did." (HA)
HA Note: "At one point, Watson, who co-authored the UH ha'a, knocked over two chairs and a serving cart. Some Warriors tossed kukui-nut lei into the air."
About Keala Watson doing that ha'a, Sol sad:
"Keala was a little intense." (HA)
About Keala doing that ha'a, Keao Monteilh said:
"It was a good thing there were no kids around. (Watson) might have thrown a table. ... It was good. We had 100-percent participation, which is rare. Even Malcolm did it." (HA)
About doing the ha'a, Malcolm Lane said:
"I wanted to do the Electric Slide. But I guess everybody voted for the ha'a." (HA)
Monteilh said that Lane:
"did a good job. He was easy to teach. All we had to do was get him a little focused." (HA)
About doing the ha'a at the banquet, Greg Alexander said:
"I got a little pumped up. But I wasn't like Keala. He went a little crazy. He was punching some tables. It was pretty cool. It was a fun deal." (HA)
HA Note: "Watson's wife, Leona, is expecting the couple's first child Feb. 11."
About doing the ha'a at the banquet, Keala said:
"Our team has a lot of pride. When people call us out, everybody steps up. ... It was a lot of fun. Coach Mack didn't say anything. He just looked at us and gave us the nod. That's how it started. Even the coaches were jumping in. It was hysterical. Everybody was showing Warrior spirit." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame safety David Bruton said the battle of chants was "in fun." Bruton added that it was good to stir the competition between the teams."
About how they didn't have full attendance at practice until Sunday because of finals and commencement, Mac said:
"The coaches and players handled everything well. We had to adjust to the tests. We had guys missing practices. But that's OK. Graduation and academics are the most important things we're doing." (HA)
About how they only used 10 of their 15 practices allowed for the bowl game, Charlie Weis said:
"I really had to put exams ahead of those extra football practices. I don't think it's right to have kids ... running between exams and going to football practice. ... I think that leads to grades suffering, and I won't do that." (HA)
HA Note: "Weis' commitment can be found in the report cards. This is the seventh consecutive semester — all under Weis —in which Notre Dame's team grade-point average will be 3.0 or higher."
About how they will be prepared, Weis said:
"We've had more than enough (practices) to get ready for this game." (HA)
About how they used the early practices for their redshirts and reserves before focusing on preparing for Notre Dame, Mac said:
"We're in game mode right now." (HA)
About his sprained right foot, Kealoha Pilares said:
"It's still sore. It's going to be. I'll play through it. It's Notre Dame. I have to play. I can rest after this game." (HA)
Weis said that WR Robby Parris is not at:
"full speed, but he's ready to go." (HA)
About how yesterday was the final practice for their 35 seniors, Watson said:
"this was it. This practice was emotional. Everybody knows what we're going to leave behind. The main thing is, we're leaving everything in good hands next year." (HA)
About how the seniors will pass down the leadership of the team to the younger players, Watson said:
"We have to pass down what was passed from guys before us, and guys before that. We want to continue that type of tradition." (HA)
About how he learned from Lui fuga, Matt Faga, Mel Purcell, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Michael Lafaele, Amani Purcell and Karl Noa, Watson said:
"All of those guys. They always call me up before game days. They tell me to go out there and represent them. They tell me we're not just playing for us, we're playing for everybody who's been through the program. I'm thinking of doing that in the future, calling up these guys and reminding them about the history of the program." (HA)
About their final practice of the season, Mac said:
"It's gone fast and it was sort of emotional for a lot of the seniors. We had a real good practice, real spirited and competitive." (HSB)
About the rivalry during the Hawaii Bowl banquet, Monteilh said:
"No bad intentions, just kind of hyping this game. Some guys were ready to play that night." (HSB)
About the emotions during the Hawaii Bowl banquet, Notre Dame WR David Grimes said:
"There was a lot of energy, and a little bit of hostility, but I think it was all in good fun. It's part of the game." (HSB)
Looking forward to the game, Monteilh said:
"The more you think about it the slower it comes." (HSB)
About how they are ready for the game, Mac said:
"It's been well organized, our guys have handled everything really well, so now it's right down to game time." (HSB)
About Alexander's scrambling ability, Notre Dame LB Maurice Crum said:
"He doesn't force a lot of balls. If it's not open he'll pull it down and get what he can get." (HSB)
About how Notre Dame will use 3 and 4 players on the DL, Ron Lee said:
"They give you a lot of different looks. hey've got some great athletes and they come after the quarterback." (HSB)
About how the Warriors will try to put pressure on their QB, Weis said:
"The thing they do best is rush the passer. That plays into the type of player (McMackin's) got, he's got a lot of fast guys and lets them run to the ball. ... It starts with the pressure up front." (HSB)
Warrior about Notre Dame returner WR Golden Tate, Ikaika Malloe said:
"The last time we saw a guy like (Tate) was at Florida and Brandon James. That's the type of talent we're dealing with. If he breaks free, he's gone. We have to be on point on our fundamentals." (HSB)
About Notre Dame tackle Sam Young, 6'8", 330-pounds, DL coach Dave Aranda said:
"He's a big man and moves his feet well. He has a great reach, a good punch and very athletic. David is very aware of what he's going against." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Young has started the last 37 games for the Irish, anchoring a line in which 6-foot-4, 302-pound center Dan Wenger is considered the small one."
About the size of Notre Dame's OL, Mac said:
"The Buffalo Bills I thought had the biggest line in the game, but I'm not so sure." (HSB)
About using his speed to counter Notre Dame's size on the OL, David Veikune said:
"You just have to use speed. They have great athletes, big boys ... and you have to use your technique." (HSB)
About how he wants a win for Christmas, Weis said:
"When I'm sitting here on Christmas Eve after the game with my wife and kid and waiting for Santa and the sleigh to pull up, I want to have a smile on my face." (HSB)
About the importance of winning their bowl game, Weis said:
"There's two things you're trying to do here. For the (Maurice) Crums and those guys walking out the door...they'd be proud to walk out the door saying 'hey, that's the last time we got to play football for Notre Dame, we didn't have to worry about the 900 teams that won a bowl game since Notre Dame last won a bowl game.' For everyone else who aspires for greater things down the road, they can't look at this as the last game of the past year, they have to look at it as the first game of next year." (HSB)
About the importance of winning his final game for Notre Dame, Crum said:
"This is my last opportunity to be a Notre Dame football player. This is my last time coming out with my guys. You always want to go out with that blaze of glory." (HSB)
About how UH has a more diversified offense now, Weis said:
"So much of there offense was just dependent on Colt (Brennan) in the past. What they have been able to do with their offense now is when you take the superstar quarterback out of the mix, I think that everyone on their offense has kind of picked up their slack." (HSB)
About how UH is 21-3 in their last 24 home games, Weis said:
"I can see why Hawaii during the regular season hardly ever loses a game here. You fly up to this venue in a short time frame, there are a lot of distractions here. I'm glad we don't do this on a regular basis." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Backup cornerback Gary Gray was left home for what Weis called "personal reasons." "
About how their injured players have healed, Weis said:
"Thankfully they're all back." (HSB)
"That was the best one we ever did." (HA)
HA Note: "At one point, Watson, who co-authored the UH ha'a, knocked over two chairs and a serving cart. Some Warriors tossed kukui-nut lei into the air."
About Keala Watson doing that ha'a, Sol sad:
"Keala was a little intense." (HA)
About Keala doing that ha'a, Keao Monteilh said:
"It was a good thing there were no kids around. (Watson) might have thrown a table. ... It was good. We had 100-percent participation, which is rare. Even Malcolm did it." (HA)
About doing the ha'a, Malcolm Lane said:
"I wanted to do the Electric Slide. But I guess everybody voted for the ha'a." (HA)
Monteilh said that Lane:
"did a good job. He was easy to teach. All we had to do was get him a little focused." (HA)
About doing the ha'a at the banquet, Greg Alexander said:
"I got a little pumped up. But I wasn't like Keala. He went a little crazy. He was punching some tables. It was pretty cool. It was a fun deal." (HA)
HA Note: "Watson's wife, Leona, is expecting the couple's first child Feb. 11."
About doing the ha'a at the banquet, Keala said:
"Our team has a lot of pride. When people call us out, everybody steps up. ... It was a lot of fun. Coach Mack didn't say anything. He just looked at us and gave us the nod. That's how it started. Even the coaches were jumping in. It was hysterical. Everybody was showing Warrior spirit." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame safety David Bruton said the battle of chants was "in fun." Bruton added that it was good to stir the competition between the teams."
About how they didn't have full attendance at practice until Sunday because of finals and commencement, Mac said:
"The coaches and players handled everything well. We had to adjust to the tests. We had guys missing practices. But that's OK. Graduation and academics are the most important things we're doing." (HA)
About how they only used 10 of their 15 practices allowed for the bowl game, Charlie Weis said:
"I really had to put exams ahead of those extra football practices. I don't think it's right to have kids ... running between exams and going to football practice. ... I think that leads to grades suffering, and I won't do that." (HA)
HA Note: "Weis' commitment can be found in the report cards. This is the seventh consecutive semester — all under Weis —in which Notre Dame's team grade-point average will be 3.0 or higher."
About how they will be prepared, Weis said:
"We've had more than enough (practices) to get ready for this game." (HA)
About how they used the early practices for their redshirts and reserves before focusing on preparing for Notre Dame, Mac said:
"We're in game mode right now." (HA)
About his sprained right foot, Kealoha Pilares said:
"It's still sore. It's going to be. I'll play through it. It's Notre Dame. I have to play. I can rest after this game." (HA)
Weis said that WR Robby Parris is not at:
"full speed, but he's ready to go." (HA)
About how yesterday was the final practice for their 35 seniors, Watson said:
"this was it. This practice was emotional. Everybody knows what we're going to leave behind. The main thing is, we're leaving everything in good hands next year." (HA)
About how the seniors will pass down the leadership of the team to the younger players, Watson said:
"We have to pass down what was passed from guys before us, and guys before that. We want to continue that type of tradition." (HA)
About how he learned from Lui fuga, Matt Faga, Mel Purcell, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Michael Lafaele, Amani Purcell and Karl Noa, Watson said:
"All of those guys. They always call me up before game days. They tell me to go out there and represent them. They tell me we're not just playing for us, we're playing for everybody who's been through the program. I'm thinking of doing that in the future, calling up these guys and reminding them about the history of the program." (HA)
About their final practice of the season, Mac said:
"It's gone fast and it was sort of emotional for a lot of the seniors. We had a real good practice, real spirited and competitive." (HSB)
About the rivalry during the Hawaii Bowl banquet, Monteilh said:
"No bad intentions, just kind of hyping this game. Some guys were ready to play that night." (HSB)
About the emotions during the Hawaii Bowl banquet, Notre Dame WR David Grimes said:
"There was a lot of energy, and a little bit of hostility, but I think it was all in good fun. It's part of the game." (HSB)
Looking forward to the game, Monteilh said:
"The more you think about it the slower it comes." (HSB)
About how they are ready for the game, Mac said:
"It's been well organized, our guys have handled everything really well, so now it's right down to game time." (HSB)
About Alexander's scrambling ability, Notre Dame LB Maurice Crum said:
"He doesn't force a lot of balls. If it's not open he'll pull it down and get what he can get." (HSB)
About how Notre Dame will use 3 and 4 players on the DL, Ron Lee said:
"They give you a lot of different looks. hey've got some great athletes and they come after the quarterback." (HSB)
About how the Warriors will try to put pressure on their QB, Weis said:
"The thing they do best is rush the passer. That plays into the type of player (McMackin's) got, he's got a lot of fast guys and lets them run to the ball. ... It starts with the pressure up front." (HSB)
Warrior about Notre Dame returner WR Golden Tate, Ikaika Malloe said:
"The last time we saw a guy like (Tate) was at Florida and Brandon James. That's the type of talent we're dealing with. If he breaks free, he's gone. We have to be on point on our fundamentals." (HSB)
About Notre Dame tackle Sam Young, 6'8", 330-pounds, DL coach Dave Aranda said:
"He's a big man and moves his feet well. He has a great reach, a good punch and very athletic. David is very aware of what he's going against." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Young has started the last 37 games for the Irish, anchoring a line in which 6-foot-4, 302-pound center Dan Wenger is considered the small one."
About the size of Notre Dame's OL, Mac said:
"The Buffalo Bills I thought had the biggest line in the game, but I'm not so sure." (HSB)
About using his speed to counter Notre Dame's size on the OL, David Veikune said:
"You just have to use speed. They have great athletes, big boys ... and you have to use your technique." (HSB)
About how he wants a win for Christmas, Weis said:
"When I'm sitting here on Christmas Eve after the game with my wife and kid and waiting for Santa and the sleigh to pull up, I want to have a smile on my face." (HSB)
About the importance of winning their bowl game, Weis said:
"There's two things you're trying to do here. For the (Maurice) Crums and those guys walking out the door...they'd be proud to walk out the door saying 'hey, that's the last time we got to play football for Notre Dame, we didn't have to worry about the 900 teams that won a bowl game since Notre Dame last won a bowl game.' For everyone else who aspires for greater things down the road, they can't look at this as the last game of the past year, they have to look at it as the first game of next year." (HSB)
About the importance of winning his final game for Notre Dame, Crum said:
"This is my last opportunity to be a Notre Dame football player. This is my last time coming out with my guys. You always want to go out with that blaze of glory." (HSB)
About how UH has a more diversified offense now, Weis said:
"So much of there offense was just dependent on Colt (Brennan) in the past. What they have been able to do with their offense now is when you take the superstar quarterback out of the mix, I think that everyone on their offense has kind of picked up their slack." (HSB)
About how UH is 21-3 in their last 24 home games, Weis said:
"I can see why Hawaii during the regular season hardly ever loses a game here. You fly up to this venue in a short time frame, there are a lot of distractions here. I'm glad we don't do this on a regular basis." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Backup cornerback Gary Gray was left home for what Weis called "personal reasons." "
About how their injured players have healed, Weis said:
"Thankfully they're all back." (HSB)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Other quotes from the local papers
About their 49 sacks allowed this season, including 10 in their last 2 games, Mac said:
"I'm not happy with the number of (relinquished) sacks we've had this year. In the offseason, that's going to be a deep project for us." (HA)
HA Note: "In the four-wide passing offense, the higher number of sacks might be proportionate to the greater number of pass attempts. But in the same number of games, the Warriors had 205 more pass plays last season, yet relinquished 14 fewer sacks. In 2007, the Warriors were sacked once every 19.9 pass plays. This season, they have been sacked once every 10.1 pass plays. What's more, in four games this year, the Warriors altered their offense to incorporate more rollout schemes designed to minimize the number of backfield tackles."
About how their tackles have gotten most of the criticism, Aaron Kia said:
"We're the easiest guys to pick on. We never get noticed unless we do something (wrong). That's why people pick on us. We're supposed to be the ones who (mess) up. When we do good, nobody says (anything). It's whatever." (HA)
About their critics, Keoni Steinhoff said:
"When things don't go well, who do they turn to? They turn to us. We put that in the back of our minds and keep playing. We can't worry about what other people are saying when we're on the field. We have to keep playing." (HA)
About their sack stats, OL coach Brian Smith said that:
"all stats offensively are collective. You win as a team, you lose as a team." (HA)
About how many others share in the blame for the sacks, Mac said:
"Sacks come from a lot of things: quarterbacks not getting the ball off, receivers running the wrong routes, trying to go deep when (the defense) is blitzing. It's not always on the offensive linemen. It can be one of 11 guys' problems. Everyone always puts it on the offensive line. I don't point fingers at anybody. It's the entire offense's problem. It will take them all to work together as a team." (HA)
About the problem due to the numerous shuffles of their OL, Steinhoff said:
"It's been a chemistry thing the whole year. We've had so many people start on the offensive line." (HA)
About other factors in their sacks allowed, Brian Smith said:
"There have been a lot of other factors: different quarterbacks, different running backs, different groups in the line. We haven't had a pretty cohesive offense the whole year." (HA)
About how they have use maximum protection schemes at times, with a slotback blocking along with Farmer, Rolo said:
"We're trying to do different things." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors find optimism from their bowl opponent. Last year, Notre Dame allowed the NCAA-record 58 sacks, or one every 7.7 pass plays. This year, by improving their perimeter block and throwing more quick outs, they have allowed 20 sacks in 12 games, or one sack every 21.5 pass plays."
About how they understand UH's problem with sacks this season, Pat Kuntz said:
"We were (like the Warriors') offense last year. We know what kind of situation they're in." (HA)
About how they are working to cut their sacks down in the Hawaii Bowl, Mac said:
"We're trying to eliminate (the problem) for this game. We're working hard at it. And I know Notre Dame will be coming at us. It's something that's definitely a concern, and something we're deeply working on." (HA)
Brian Smith said that the OL have:
"had a good week of practice. I'm expecting them to play well." (HA)
About the credit he's gotten from their not allowing a blocked punt this season, Jayson Rego said:
"I'm just doing my job." (HA)
About Rego's role as the personal protector of punter Tim Grasso, Ikaika Malloe said:
"He yells out the protection. He yells out if somebody is coming from the corner. He's basically our quarterback on the punt team." (HA)
HA Note: "Malloe said Rego has two key qualities: keen knowledge of punt-defense schemes and a strong voice."
About Rego's loud voice, Malloe said:
"He's very vocal." (HA)
About how Rego entered the season as the #2 punt protector, but earned the starting role late in a blowout loss early this season, Malloe said:
"He stayed in there and protected Tim from getting a blocked kick. Then he ran down the field, maybe 50 yards, and made a tackle down the sideline. I said, 'That's the guy I want.' He does a great job of studying the film. And he works hard. His effort is what makes him a good personal protector. He's always the last guy out (of the backfield), but he can be the first guy down the field. He plays with so much heart." (HA)
HA Note: "One of the regulars at practice has been offensive lineman Tuiatua Tuiasosopo, who is redshirting this season. Tuiasosopo has not practiced since October, when he suffered a staph-like infection near his right ribs. He said doctors had to remove an infected area."
About his health problem this season, Tui Tuiasosopo said:
"I lost 30 pounds. I didn't get it all back yet." (HA)
About the criticisms he's received this season, kicker Brandon Walker said:
"It started with Facebook, and I disabled that. But then they got my Notre Dame e-mail address." (HA)
Walker said that he was able to ignore the criticism but that it was:
"tough on my family. I think that's what really got me the most is that my family was being affected by how I performed." (HA)
HA Note: "In the first five games, Walker missed six of seven field-goal attempts. In studying videos of Walker, a coach noticed a "flaw" in his technique. Adjustments were made in the practices leading to the game against North Carolina. Walker converted both of his field-goal attempts in that game; he made 13 of 17 in the final seven games."
About how he expects that his struggles are behind him, Walker said:
"There's what they call straight confidence. I've been there before. I've seen what I've done in the past. I can always go back to that." (HA)
About how it is tough to beat UH at Aloha Stadium, Walker said:
"Hawaii is 20-3 the last three years here. We know what we're up against and we know a win would give us great momentum for next year." (HSB)
"I'm not happy with the number of (relinquished) sacks we've had this year. In the offseason, that's going to be a deep project for us." (HA)
HA Note: "In the four-wide passing offense, the higher number of sacks might be proportionate to the greater number of pass attempts. But in the same number of games, the Warriors had 205 more pass plays last season, yet relinquished 14 fewer sacks. In 2007, the Warriors were sacked once every 19.9 pass plays. This season, they have been sacked once every 10.1 pass plays. What's more, in four games this year, the Warriors altered their offense to incorporate more rollout schemes designed to minimize the number of backfield tackles."
About how their tackles have gotten most of the criticism, Aaron Kia said:
"We're the easiest guys to pick on. We never get noticed unless we do something (wrong). That's why people pick on us. We're supposed to be the ones who (mess) up. When we do good, nobody says (anything). It's whatever." (HA)
About their critics, Keoni Steinhoff said:
"When things don't go well, who do they turn to? They turn to us. We put that in the back of our minds and keep playing. We can't worry about what other people are saying when we're on the field. We have to keep playing." (HA)
About their sack stats, OL coach Brian Smith said that:
"all stats offensively are collective. You win as a team, you lose as a team." (HA)
About how many others share in the blame for the sacks, Mac said:
"Sacks come from a lot of things: quarterbacks not getting the ball off, receivers running the wrong routes, trying to go deep when (the defense) is blitzing. It's not always on the offensive linemen. It can be one of 11 guys' problems. Everyone always puts it on the offensive line. I don't point fingers at anybody. It's the entire offense's problem. It will take them all to work together as a team." (HA)
About the problem due to the numerous shuffles of their OL, Steinhoff said:
"It's been a chemistry thing the whole year. We've had so many people start on the offensive line." (HA)
About other factors in their sacks allowed, Brian Smith said:
"There have been a lot of other factors: different quarterbacks, different running backs, different groups in the line. We haven't had a pretty cohesive offense the whole year." (HA)
About how they have use maximum protection schemes at times, with a slotback blocking along with Farmer, Rolo said:
"We're trying to do different things." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors find optimism from their bowl opponent. Last year, Notre Dame allowed the NCAA-record 58 sacks, or one every 7.7 pass plays. This year, by improving their perimeter block and throwing more quick outs, they have allowed 20 sacks in 12 games, or one sack every 21.5 pass plays."
About how they understand UH's problem with sacks this season, Pat Kuntz said:
"We were (like the Warriors') offense last year. We know what kind of situation they're in." (HA)
About how they are working to cut their sacks down in the Hawaii Bowl, Mac said:
"We're trying to eliminate (the problem) for this game. We're working hard at it. And I know Notre Dame will be coming at us. It's something that's definitely a concern, and something we're deeply working on." (HA)
Brian Smith said that the OL have:
"had a good week of practice. I'm expecting them to play well." (HA)
About the credit he's gotten from their not allowing a blocked punt this season, Jayson Rego said:
"I'm just doing my job." (HA)
About Rego's role as the personal protector of punter Tim Grasso, Ikaika Malloe said:
"He yells out the protection. He yells out if somebody is coming from the corner. He's basically our quarterback on the punt team." (HA)
HA Note: "Malloe said Rego has two key qualities: keen knowledge of punt-defense schemes and a strong voice."
About Rego's loud voice, Malloe said:
"He's very vocal." (HA)
About how Rego entered the season as the #2 punt protector, but earned the starting role late in a blowout loss early this season, Malloe said:
"He stayed in there and protected Tim from getting a blocked kick. Then he ran down the field, maybe 50 yards, and made a tackle down the sideline. I said, 'That's the guy I want.' He does a great job of studying the film. And he works hard. His effort is what makes him a good personal protector. He's always the last guy out (of the backfield), but he can be the first guy down the field. He plays with so much heart." (HA)
HA Note: "One of the regulars at practice has been offensive lineman Tuiatua Tuiasosopo, who is redshirting this season. Tuiasosopo has not practiced since October, when he suffered a staph-like infection near his right ribs. He said doctors had to remove an infected area."
About his health problem this season, Tui Tuiasosopo said:
"I lost 30 pounds. I didn't get it all back yet." (HA)
About the criticisms he's received this season, kicker Brandon Walker said:
"It started with Facebook, and I disabled that. But then they got my Notre Dame e-mail address." (HA)
Walker said that he was able to ignore the criticism but that it was:
"tough on my family. I think that's what really got me the most is that my family was being affected by how I performed." (HA)
HA Note: "In the first five games, Walker missed six of seven field-goal attempts. In studying videos of Walker, a coach noticed a "flaw" in his technique. Adjustments were made in the practices leading to the game against North Carolina. Walker converted both of his field-goal attempts in that game; he made 13 of 17 in the final seven games."
About how he expects that his struggles are behind him, Walker said:
"There's what they call straight confidence. I've been there before. I've seen what I've done in the past. I can always go back to that." (HA)
About how it is tough to beat UH at Aloha Stadium, Walker said:
"Hawaii is 20-3 the last three years here. We know what we're up against and we know a win would give us great momentum for next year." (HSB)
Notre Dame plans to get after Alexander
About Notre Dame's pass rushers (18 sacks this season), John Estes said:
"They have good guys, they make plays. It's just a matter of us doing our techniques and it's time to mount up." (HSB)
About how they have to worry about UH's ability to run the ball, Notre Dame DE Pat Kuntz said:
"Everybody loves the sacks, but they run the football, too. We're focused on the pass, but we have to stop the run, too." (HSB)
Happy to be in Hawaii, Kuntz said:
"It's hot, the beautiful terrain, the trees and everything, a lot of plant life. Like a tropical island." (HSB)
Getting a big smile on his face when the 49 sacks that UH gave up this season was brought up, Kuntz said:
"They do give up a lot of sacks. I HAVE noticed that." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Notre Dame has struggled with its pass rush, with only 18 sacks in 12 games, but Kuntz's grin served as an indication of how the Irish plan to stop Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense."
Looking forward to rushing the passer in the Hawaii Bowl, Kuntz said:
"As a defensive lineman, it's a great game to be a part of. It's exciting to be able to go up against a team that passes the ball a lot." (HSB)
About how they faced two other teams that threw the ball a lot, safety Kyle McCarthy said:
"Our opening games (SDSU, Purdue) they throw it pretty heavily, pretty often. It's nothing new to us, but then again, Hawaii does it pretty good and probably better than anyone in the country at throwing the ball around." (HSB)
Aware that Alexander is effective running the ball, CB Terrail Lambert said:
"He'll stay in the pocket and throw, but if he has to, he has the athleticism to get out of the pocket and run. We'll be ready for that." (HSB)
About how he missed their last 3 games due to an ankle injury that he thought would have ended his career, Lambert said:
"As soon as I went down I was thinking 'I'm done.' For what happened, I honestly shouldn't be walking right now." (HSB)
About how he was one of their 9 members of their leadership committee that chose the Hawaii Bowl over their other options, Lambert said:
"It definitely was (the choice) in terms of weather and climate. It's negative 2 back at school and I'm not trying to be there at this point." (HSB)
About how they want to end their season well, Lambert said:
"We feel fortunate to be one of the teams worthy of being here. We welcome that opportunity and want to end the season on a good note and get things rolling for the guys next year." (HSB)
"They have good guys, they make plays. It's just a matter of us doing our techniques and it's time to mount up." (HSB)
About how they have to worry about UH's ability to run the ball, Notre Dame DE Pat Kuntz said:
"Everybody loves the sacks, but they run the football, too. We're focused on the pass, but we have to stop the run, too." (HSB)
Happy to be in Hawaii, Kuntz said:
"It's hot, the beautiful terrain, the trees and everything, a lot of plant life. Like a tropical island." (HSB)
Getting a big smile on his face when the 49 sacks that UH gave up this season was brought up, Kuntz said:
"They do give up a lot of sacks. I HAVE noticed that." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Notre Dame has struggled with its pass rush, with only 18 sacks in 12 games, but Kuntz's grin served as an indication of how the Irish plan to stop Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense."
Looking forward to rushing the passer in the Hawaii Bowl, Kuntz said:
"As a defensive lineman, it's a great game to be a part of. It's exciting to be able to go up against a team that passes the ball a lot." (HSB)
About how they faced two other teams that threw the ball a lot, safety Kyle McCarthy said:
"Our opening games (SDSU, Purdue) they throw it pretty heavily, pretty often. It's nothing new to us, but then again, Hawaii does it pretty good and probably better than anyone in the country at throwing the ball around." (HSB)
Aware that Alexander is effective running the ball, CB Terrail Lambert said:
"He'll stay in the pocket and throw, but if he has to, he has the athleticism to get out of the pocket and run. We'll be ready for that." (HSB)
About how he missed their last 3 games due to an ankle injury that he thought would have ended his career, Lambert said:
"As soon as I went down I was thinking 'I'm done.' For what happened, I honestly shouldn't be walking right now." (HSB)
About how he was one of their 9 members of their leadership committee that chose the Hawaii Bowl over their other options, Lambert said:
"It definitely was (the choice) in terms of weather and climate. It's negative 2 back at school and I'm not trying to be there at this point." (HSB)
About how they want to end their season well, Lambert said:
"We feel fortunate to be one of the teams worthy of being here. We welcome that opportunity and want to end the season on a good note and get things rolling for the guys next year." (HSB)
Feature on John Estes
About how their situation before this Hawaii Bowl reminds him on the 2006 Hawaii Bowl, John Estes said:
"It reminds me of 2006. We came off a tough loss (to Oregon State) and beat Arizona State and it kind of carried over into the next season." (HSB)
About their changes on the OL this season, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"We've had to make some changes and adjustments -- now that we're back to healthy we're back to where we started. It's part of the game and it's just something you have to deal with." (HSB)
About how they have to adjust to the changes on the OL, Estes said:
"We all have to know what each other's doing every play." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The breaks in continuity have contributed to a season in which the Warriors have given up 49 sacks, the most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, for an average of a sack every 10.1 pass attempts."
About how they gave up 49 sacks this season, after giving up 35 in 2007 and 28 in 2006, Estes said:
"I'm sick of seeing us give up sacks. When we give up sacks it's usually not the guys just beating us, it's us beating ourselves. We just have to eliminate the mental mistakes and if a guy makes a play, he makes a play. You just go on to the next play. You can't dwell on the past because you can't do anything about it." (HSB)
About how he and fellow starting G Latu Tuioti-Mariner will be ending their Warrior careers in the Hawaii Bowl, Keith AhSoon said:
"Every time we get together, we always tell each other we have to finish this right and make a statement before we all leave." (HSB)
About how he will return for his senior season after thinking about entering the draft early, John Estes said:
"I thought about it, but I'm not ready yet. There's a lot of good (centers in this year's draft class), so it's better for me to wait one more year and prepare for next year." (HSB)
"It reminds me of 2006. We came off a tough loss (to Oregon State) and beat Arizona State and it kind of carried over into the next season." (HSB)
About their changes on the OL this season, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"We've had to make some changes and adjustments -- now that we're back to healthy we're back to where we started. It's part of the game and it's just something you have to deal with." (HSB)
About how they have to adjust to the changes on the OL, Estes said:
"We all have to know what each other's doing every play." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The breaks in continuity have contributed to a season in which the Warriors have given up 49 sacks, the most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, for an average of a sack every 10.1 pass attempts."
About how they gave up 49 sacks this season, after giving up 35 in 2007 and 28 in 2006, Estes said:
"I'm sick of seeing us give up sacks. When we give up sacks it's usually not the guys just beating us, it's us beating ourselves. We just have to eliminate the mental mistakes and if a guy makes a play, he makes a play. You just go on to the next play. You can't dwell on the past because you can't do anything about it." (HSB)
About how he and fellow starting G Latu Tuioti-Mariner will be ending their Warrior careers in the Hawaii Bowl, Keith AhSoon said:
"Every time we get together, we always tell each other we have to finish this right and make a statement before we all leave." (HSB)
About how he will return for his senior season after thinking about entering the draft early, John Estes said:
"I thought about it, but I'm not ready yet. There's a lot of good (centers in this year's draft class), so it's better for me to wait one more year and prepare for next year." (HSB)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Quotes from UH
Teams participating in NCAA bowls are allowed to receive gifts valued at up to $300 from their schools and $500 from the bowl.
The Warriors will receive a bowl ring from UH.
About the gifts they are receiving from the Hawaii Bowl, including a blue beach chair, Oakley sunglasses, visor, custom backpack, silk tie, Aloha shirt, and dock for an iPod or iPhone ($349.99 value out of the $500 total allowed), Austin Hansen said:
"I have no complaints. The backpack looks like it's made with extreme high quality and fine workmanship." (HA)
HA Note: "While the swag bag drew a so-so rating from ESPN — "Aloha Means Goodbye" was the headline of an Internet story that tsk-tsk'd Notre Dame with "lose four out of your last five games and all this can be yours!" — the Warriors expressed polite gratitude."
About the silk tie, Hansen said:
"I wear a tie every time I get dressed up or go to church with my family. The tie looks nice." (HA)
Appreciating the sunglasses, Jett Jasper said:
"My car was just broken into. They took my glasses. So I got some new glasses. It worked out. It's the perfect Christmas present." (HA)
About how he's focused on the Hawaii Bowl, Adam Leonard said:
"I haven't been thinking about my future, just one day at a time. I just want to come out here and enjoy each day I have. When it's all said and done, I'll think about the last day when I leave. Right now it's just preparing for Notre Dame." (HSB)
Thankful for his injuries that led to him going to UH, Adam said:
"I'm so thankful for that. God is good and he blessed me with this opportunity." (HSB)
About the injuries he had this season, Adam said:
"Everything happens for a reason. I had to battle through injuries, but it's all for the best. I'm thankful for the season we had and I'm looking forward to finishing off strong." (HSB)
About how Adam played as a freshman despite not being at full strength, Cal Lee said:
"That shows the kind of player he was. His leg wasn't 100 percent, but he had such a great desire to play we had to use him." (HSB)
About his personal growth while at UH, Adam said:
"I became a man down here. It's definitely a different environment from Seattle. ... You're so used to that one environment. When you come out here it's a whole new environment and it's definitely been an eye-opener and helped me grow so much and mature and be more alert to different cultures and coming up with my own view on life." (HSB)
About Notre Dame, Adam said:
" 'Rudy' is one of my favorite movies and there's something about the whole mystique about the program. They're always among the top in recruiting classes. It's going to be exciting and I'm looking forward to competing against them." (HSB)
About participating in commencement, Mac said:
"The players have done the work to graduate, but the faculty has done all the work to teach them the things they need." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Graduating this semester were Keith AhSoon, C.J. Allen-Jones, Jameel Dowling, Inoke Funaki, Ryan Perry, Fale Laeli, Khevin Peoples, Desmond Thomas, David Veikune, Mike Washington, Guyton Galdeira, Alonzo Chopp, Dylan Linkner and Nathan McKay. Tyson Kafentzis also completed his course work but spent the morning at practice. Former players who graduated were Michael Lafaele, Brad Kalilimoku, Jacob Patek and Nathaniel Russell."
About how the UH players reacted to New Orleans, Sol said:
"When the team saw that place, it was, 'Oh, WOW!'" (HSB)
HSB Note: "Elimimian says there was too much partying prior to the Sugar Bowl, and that the Warriors are a "different team, more mature" now."
About how he and Adam Leonard are not going to be partying in Waikiki, Sol said:
"We're simple. We're not into being on the streets of Waikiki." (HSB)
About how they will relax in their hotel room at night, Sol said:
"A lot of TV. ESPN of course. 'Law & Order.' And I'm addicted to 'Heroes.' " (HSB)
About how he, Tua Mahaley, and Jameel Dowling have a Sunday ritual of Waikiki hydrotherapy, Sol said:
"The water's really good for the body the day after all those collisions. And you can do some fun people watching." (HSB)
The Warriors will receive a bowl ring from UH.
About the gifts they are receiving from the Hawaii Bowl, including a blue beach chair, Oakley sunglasses, visor, custom backpack, silk tie, Aloha shirt, and dock for an iPod or iPhone ($349.99 value out of the $500 total allowed), Austin Hansen said:
"I have no complaints. The backpack looks like it's made with extreme high quality and fine workmanship." (HA)
HA Note: "While the swag bag drew a so-so rating from ESPN — "Aloha Means Goodbye" was the headline of an Internet story that tsk-tsk'd Notre Dame with "lose four out of your last five games and all this can be yours!" — the Warriors expressed polite gratitude."
About the silk tie, Hansen said:
"I wear a tie every time I get dressed up or go to church with my family. The tie looks nice." (HA)
Appreciating the sunglasses, Jett Jasper said:
"My car was just broken into. They took my glasses. So I got some new glasses. It worked out. It's the perfect Christmas present." (HA)
About how he's focused on the Hawaii Bowl, Adam Leonard said:
"I haven't been thinking about my future, just one day at a time. I just want to come out here and enjoy each day I have. When it's all said and done, I'll think about the last day when I leave. Right now it's just preparing for Notre Dame." (HSB)
Thankful for his injuries that led to him going to UH, Adam said:
"I'm so thankful for that. God is good and he blessed me with this opportunity." (HSB)
About the injuries he had this season, Adam said:
"Everything happens for a reason. I had to battle through injuries, but it's all for the best. I'm thankful for the season we had and I'm looking forward to finishing off strong." (HSB)
About how Adam played as a freshman despite not being at full strength, Cal Lee said:
"That shows the kind of player he was. His leg wasn't 100 percent, but he had such a great desire to play we had to use him." (HSB)
About his personal growth while at UH, Adam said:
"I became a man down here. It's definitely a different environment from Seattle. ... You're so used to that one environment. When you come out here it's a whole new environment and it's definitely been an eye-opener and helped me grow so much and mature and be more alert to different cultures and coming up with my own view on life." (HSB)
About Notre Dame, Adam said:
" 'Rudy' is one of my favorite movies and there's something about the whole mystique about the program. They're always among the top in recruiting classes. It's going to be exciting and I'm looking forward to competing against them." (HSB)
About participating in commencement, Mac said:
"The players have done the work to graduate, but the faculty has done all the work to teach them the things they need." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Graduating this semester were Keith AhSoon, C.J. Allen-Jones, Jameel Dowling, Inoke Funaki, Ryan Perry, Fale Laeli, Khevin Peoples, Desmond Thomas, David Veikune, Mike Washington, Guyton Galdeira, Alonzo Chopp, Dylan Linkner and Nathan McKay. Tyson Kafentzis also completed his course work but spent the morning at practice. Former players who graduated were Michael Lafaele, Brad Kalilimoku, Jacob Patek and Nathaniel Russell."
About how the UH players reacted to New Orleans, Sol said:
"When the team saw that place, it was, 'Oh, WOW!'" (HSB)
HSB Note: "Elimimian says there was too much partying prior to the Sugar Bowl, and that the Warriors are a "different team, more mature" now."
About how he and Adam Leonard are not going to be partying in Waikiki, Sol said:
"We're simple. We're not into being on the streets of Waikiki." (HSB)
About how they will relax in their hotel room at night, Sol said:
"A lot of TV. ESPN of course. 'Law & Order.' And I'm addicted to 'Heroes.' " (HSB)
About how he, Tua Mahaley, and Jameel Dowling have a Sunday ritual of Waikiki hydrotherapy, Sol said:
"The water's really good for the body the day after all those collisions. And you can do some fun people watching." (HSB)
Quotes from Notre Dame
About the tattoo on his right shoulder of a firefighter with angels on his shoulder, Notre Dame player Eric Olsen (whose father is a NY City firefighter) said:
"My father survived, thank God, but he was in the mix at Ground Zero. He went through all of that. It was a trying time for me personally and my family." (HA)
Olsen (who was in the 8th gradeat the time) said that on 9/11 his father:
"got into lower Manhattan immediately after the second tower fell. He was lucky to not be inside or anything. But he lost a lot of good friends, a lot of people he worked with and knew really well. That was a really tough time for him." (HA)
About how his father did not return home for 30 hours, Olsen said:
"We didn't know if he made it inside when the towers fell or not. We were in a panic." (HA)
About how his mother had to report to work also, Olsen said:
"my mother's an emergency-room nurse. She was called in, also. I was with my grandma. Me and my little brother had no idea what was going on. We didn't know who was going to come home, or what was going to happen." (HA)
Olsen wanted to honor the firefighters:
"who gave their lives, the guys who were down there giving everything they had, endless hours. Those guys are definitely heroes. I'm personally thankful for all of the things they've done. I'm thankful for my dad being fortunate enough to survive. I have to remember the guys who didn't. I have to remember they paid the ultimate price for strangers, to save people." (HA)
About their long travel process, Olsen said:
"We watched a lot of movies on the plane. I listened to my iPod, and tried to sleep. I didn't sleep well." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame was scheduled to arrive at 10 p.m. Friday. But because of weather-related delays in South Bend, Ind., and a layover to refuel in Los Angeles, the Fighting Irish did not arrive in town until 1 a.m. yesterday. They checked into their hotel rooms at about 2 a.m., and their luggage did not arrive until 3."
About how they lost a lot of sleep and had a long flight, Jimmy Clausen said:
"It was a long, long flight. And we had to be up at 6:45 in the morning. I got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep." (HA)
"Guys are tired from the flight, and Coach (Charlie) Weis did his best to try to get our legs back even though it's a tough day out here, the first day in hot weather. But it's good for us." (HSB)
HA Note: "The Fighting Irish traveled on a charter flight. The travel party totaled more than 200, including 105 players. The 747 jet, configured in a 3-4-3-section alignment, allowed for an empty seat between players."
HSB Note: "Sleep was a precious commodity, as the team saw its flight departures delayed due to foul weather on the mainland. Notre Dame's targeted 10 p.m. arrival time on Friday became 1 a.m. yesterday, but the Irish were able to turn around and assemble on the stadium field 8 hours after first arriving at their hotel."
HSB Note: "The youth of the Irish offense is immediately noticeable. Nine of the top 12 scorers are sophomores or freshmen and all but six of 33 Notre Dame touchdowns this season were scored by underclassmen."
About how their young players have progressed this season, junior RT Sam Young (6'8", 330-pounds) said:
"As the season's progressed that's kind of been taking place. What's nice is over the course of the year we've got some young guys like (freshman tight end) Kyle Rudolph (6-6, 252) ... starting to step up to the plate and figure it all out. It's been progressing and now we got more guys taking the reins." (HSB)
About their practice yesterday, Tate said:
"(The legs) were definitely fatigued, but we just have to ... prepare ourselves and overcome it." (HSB)
About how his name matches the color of their helmets, Tate said:
"It worked out perfect. I love my name." (HSB)
Happy to be in nice weather, RB Armando Allen said:
"It was pretty rough (getting in when we did). When we come out it's 80 degrees, compared to South Bend it's negative 10. I'm just sitting here and trying to embrace the atmosphere right now." (HSB)
About how they are improving, Clausen said:
"Just getting more comfortable every game, each and every day during practice. Just progressing as an offense, as one unit. I think we're getting a lot better." (HSB)
About how they could end Notre Dame's 9-game bowl losing streak, Clausen said:
"It's huge (if we did). That's our goal, coming out here and ultimately win the game." (HSB)
"My father survived, thank God, but he was in the mix at Ground Zero. He went through all of that. It was a trying time for me personally and my family." (HA)
Olsen (who was in the 8th gradeat the time) said that on 9/11 his father:
"got into lower Manhattan immediately after the second tower fell. He was lucky to not be inside or anything. But he lost a lot of good friends, a lot of people he worked with and knew really well. That was a really tough time for him." (HA)
About how his father did not return home for 30 hours, Olsen said:
"We didn't know if he made it inside when the towers fell or not. We were in a panic." (HA)
About how his mother had to report to work also, Olsen said:
"my mother's an emergency-room nurse. She was called in, also. I was with my grandma. Me and my little brother had no idea what was going on. We didn't know who was going to come home, or what was going to happen." (HA)
Olsen wanted to honor the firefighters:
"who gave their lives, the guys who were down there giving everything they had, endless hours. Those guys are definitely heroes. I'm personally thankful for all of the things they've done. I'm thankful for my dad being fortunate enough to survive. I have to remember the guys who didn't. I have to remember they paid the ultimate price for strangers, to save people." (HA)
About their long travel process, Olsen said:
"We watched a lot of movies on the plane. I listened to my iPod, and tried to sleep. I didn't sleep well." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame was scheduled to arrive at 10 p.m. Friday. But because of weather-related delays in South Bend, Ind., and a layover to refuel in Los Angeles, the Fighting Irish did not arrive in town until 1 a.m. yesterday. They checked into their hotel rooms at about 2 a.m., and their luggage did not arrive until 3."
About how they lost a lot of sleep and had a long flight, Jimmy Clausen said:
"It was a long, long flight. And we had to be up at 6:45 in the morning. I got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep." (HA)
"Guys are tired from the flight, and Coach (Charlie) Weis did his best to try to get our legs back even though it's a tough day out here, the first day in hot weather. But it's good for us." (HSB)
HA Note: "The Fighting Irish traveled on a charter flight. The travel party totaled more than 200, including 105 players. The 747 jet, configured in a 3-4-3-section alignment, allowed for an empty seat between players."
HSB Note: "Sleep was a precious commodity, as the team saw its flight departures delayed due to foul weather on the mainland. Notre Dame's targeted 10 p.m. arrival time on Friday became 1 a.m. yesterday, but the Irish were able to turn around and assemble on the stadium field 8 hours after first arriving at their hotel."
HSB Note: "The youth of the Irish offense is immediately noticeable. Nine of the top 12 scorers are sophomores or freshmen and all but six of 33 Notre Dame touchdowns this season were scored by underclassmen."
About how their young players have progressed this season, junior RT Sam Young (6'8", 330-pounds) said:
"As the season's progressed that's kind of been taking place. What's nice is over the course of the year we've got some young guys like (freshman tight end) Kyle Rudolph (6-6, 252) ... starting to step up to the plate and figure it all out. It's been progressing and now we got more guys taking the reins." (HSB)
About their practice yesterday, Tate said:
"(The legs) were definitely fatigued, but we just have to ... prepare ourselves and overcome it." (HSB)
About how his name matches the color of their helmets, Tate said:
"It worked out perfect. I love my name." (HSB)
Happy to be in nice weather, RB Armando Allen said:
"It was pretty rough (getting in when we did). When we come out it's 80 degrees, compared to South Bend it's negative 10. I'm just sitting here and trying to embrace the atmosphere right now." (HSB)
About how they are improving, Clausen said:
"Just getting more comfortable every game, each and every day during practice. Just progressing as an offense, as one unit. I think we're getting a lot better." (HSB)
About how they could end Notre Dame's 9-game bowl losing streak, Clausen said:
"It's huge (if we did). That's our goal, coming out here and ultimately win the game." (HSB)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Updates on Bess and Samson
Asked about using Ted Ginn as punt returner, Miami head coach Tony Sparano said that Bess will keep his punt returner job because:
"Davone gives us the best chance in some of those situations." (Miami Herald)
MH Note: "Bess has made such an impression that Rams receiver Torry Holt approached him after their game and said, ''You're going to be something special.'' Even ex-Dolphins legend Mark Duper inquired about Bess at a function last weekend, predicting ``he's going to be a great one.''"
Bess said that he's so used to dodging CBs that:
"when I see someone walk by me in supermarkets, I'll walk the other way. People ask me why I do that." (MH)
MH Note: "Sparano suggested that Al Johnson -- who is five to 10 pounds heavier than Samson Satele -- will get more work at center, with Satele likely shifting to guard at times. Satele could be in the mix at guard next season."
"Davone gives us the best chance in some of those situations." (Miami Herald)
MH Note: "Bess has made such an impression that Rams receiver Torry Holt approached him after their game and said, ''You're going to be something special.'' Even ex-Dolphins legend Mark Duper inquired about Bess at a function last weekend, predicting ``he's going to be a great one.''"
Bess said that he's so used to dodging CBs that:
"when I see someone walk by me in supermarkets, I'll walk the other way. People ask me why I do that." (MH)
MH Note: "Sparano suggested that Al Johnson -- who is five to 10 pounds heavier than Samson Satele -- will get more work at center, with Satele likely shifting to guard at times. Satele could be in the mix at guard next season."
Quotes from the local papers
Mac said that he'll attend UH's graduation ceremony because he wants to:
"honor and show respect to our seniors. They've done all of the hard work of being student-athletes. I respect that, and I respect their families. It's a family project." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin was invited because of the academic success of his players. Fifteen Warriors and three former players have met the requirements to earn bachelor's degrees. All but one of the 18 will participate in the ceremony."
About how he appreciates the work by the UH faculty, Mac said:
"The faculty has put in all of the time and the effort to teach these guys, to give them the knowledge to get their degrees. It's sort of a two-fold reasoning." (HA)
HA Note: "Because of the festivities leading to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, the Warriors are locked into practicing this morning at Saint Louis School."
About how attending commencement is more important than being at practice, Mac said:
"Quite honestly, I thought it was more important than a bowl practice. School is very important to our program. Our No. 1 goal is to graduate all of our student-athletes." (HA)
About how his sprained right foot isn't fully healed, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I've only gone full speed a little bit. I'm trying to get back into the groove of things." (HA)
HA Note: "The injury is to the top part of his foot, and it involves "bones and the ligaments around the bones." There is a sharp pain when he places weight on his toes, which, essentially is whenever he runs."
About how rehab doesn't really help his injury, Pilares said:
"There's hardly any rehab you can do for it. You can strengthen the little muscles around your foot." (HA)
Pilares said that the only way to heal his injury is:
"to stay off of it." (HA)
"It's frustrating, but I'm working through it." (HA)
About how he's taken the place of Warriors that had to miss practice due to final exams, playing RB, WR, and being on the kickoff-coverage team, Steele Jantz said:
"I'm helping out because a lot of people left to take tests. This was an opportunity to play. It's been cool." (HA)
HA Note: "Jantz has been, well, steel-like. In a coverage drill, he floored linebacker Josh Rice. On another play, he ricocheted off would-be tackler Mana Lolotai. Yesterday, he made several graceful catches."
HA Note: "Jantz earned the nickname "Steele-Bow" when he portrayed Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in practices leading to the season opener. But the handle has stuck, and the players often call for "Steele-Bow" when the scouts run plays against the first-team defense."
About his tough play in kickoff coverage, Jantz said:
"I try to take on that role." (HA)
About donating the 12 inches of his hair that was cut off yesterday to Locks of Love, Keoni Steinhoff said:
"I didn't want to just throw away the hair." (HA)
About how his mother cut his hair but he was the one who decided on the haircut, Steinhoff said:
"Nobody pushed me." (HA)
Looking forward to facing Notre Dame, Sol said:
"I've been thinking about it every second. Besides finals, I'm thinking about Notre Dame and how great an opportunity it is to play them." (HSB)
Looking forward to their bowl game, Greg Alexander said:
"It's been a dream to play D-I and definitely play in a bowl game,. To be able to play a team like Notre Dame, that has such great tradition it should be a lot of fun." (HSB)
About facing Notre Dame, Alexander said:
"at the end of the day it's still another football team. Coach Mack says it all the time -- it's just guys in a different colored jersey. All the hype and all that, you still have to go out and play the game." (HSB)
About his philosophy of looking ahead and leaving the bad behind, Dan Kelly said:
"You learn from something, you leave the bad, and you take the good. I've always been like that when it came to sports. I've really made it something to live by." (HSB)
About his Warrior career, Kelly said:
"It's been a learning experience. With everything, whether good or bad, it's got to be a learning experience. I learned a lot, so I feel like it was a success." (HSB)
About how Kelly worked through his struggles this sason, Jake Ingram said:
"He definitely keeps his composure through everything. He doesn't get depressed or he doesn't get overly cocky if he's having a good stretch." (HSB)
About working through his struggles, Kelly said:
"Basically, any adjustment I have to make I have to watch film, identify it and change it. It's a tough task -- it's nothing I'm not used to. This year it just hit me harder than usual." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Kelly was more of a soccer enthusiast than a football fan growing up. But an ankle injury as a junior at Linfield Christian School in Temecula, Calif., made football the more viable option as he looked toward college."
About choosing football over soccer, Kelly said:
"Football was where I was supposed to be and where God put me. I accepted it, and I love kicking." (HSB)
About how he'll try to kick professionally, but he'll try to establish a soccer academy to help develop the game in the US, Kelly said:
"I'm going to take my shot at it and see where it takes me. But we have one more game and I'm focused in on that. I'm enjoying the idea of moving on with my life, whether it's more football in a different environment or it's a real job." (HSB)
About how they learned a lot from their Sugar Bowl experience last year, Sol said:
"Even though Coach is not giving us curfews at night, a lot of guys aren't going out because we know the game is first and we have to win it. I think that experience last year will help us get prepared and focused for the game. It's all about business and the fun part is actually winning." (HSB)
About how their seniors have kept their team in line, Mac said:
"We've got a real mature football team. We've had six road trips all over the country ... and we haven't had any problems at all. I want them to have fun, but they know what they have to do. I've treated them like pros and like men, and they've reacted that way." (HSB)
"honor and show respect to our seniors. They've done all of the hard work of being student-athletes. I respect that, and I respect their families. It's a family project." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin was invited because of the academic success of his players. Fifteen Warriors and three former players have met the requirements to earn bachelor's degrees. All but one of the 18 will participate in the ceremony."
About how he appreciates the work by the UH faculty, Mac said:
"The faculty has put in all of the time and the effort to teach these guys, to give them the knowledge to get their degrees. It's sort of a two-fold reasoning." (HA)
HA Note: "Because of the festivities leading to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, the Warriors are locked into practicing this morning at Saint Louis School."
About how attending commencement is more important than being at practice, Mac said:
"Quite honestly, I thought it was more important than a bowl practice. School is very important to our program. Our No. 1 goal is to graduate all of our student-athletes." (HA)
About how his sprained right foot isn't fully healed, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I've only gone full speed a little bit. I'm trying to get back into the groove of things." (HA)
HA Note: "The injury is to the top part of his foot, and it involves "bones and the ligaments around the bones." There is a sharp pain when he places weight on his toes, which, essentially is whenever he runs."
About how rehab doesn't really help his injury, Pilares said:
"There's hardly any rehab you can do for it. You can strengthen the little muscles around your foot." (HA)
Pilares said that the only way to heal his injury is:
"to stay off of it." (HA)
"It's frustrating, but I'm working through it." (HA)
About how he's taken the place of Warriors that had to miss practice due to final exams, playing RB, WR, and being on the kickoff-coverage team, Steele Jantz said:
"I'm helping out because a lot of people left to take tests. This was an opportunity to play. It's been cool." (HA)
HA Note: "Jantz has been, well, steel-like. In a coverage drill, he floored linebacker Josh Rice. On another play, he ricocheted off would-be tackler Mana Lolotai. Yesterday, he made several graceful catches."
HA Note: "Jantz earned the nickname "Steele-Bow" when he portrayed Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in practices leading to the season opener. But the handle has stuck, and the players often call for "Steele-Bow" when the scouts run plays against the first-team defense."
About his tough play in kickoff coverage, Jantz said:
"I try to take on that role." (HA)
About donating the 12 inches of his hair that was cut off yesterday to Locks of Love, Keoni Steinhoff said:
"I didn't want to just throw away the hair." (HA)
About how his mother cut his hair but he was the one who decided on the haircut, Steinhoff said:
"Nobody pushed me." (HA)
Looking forward to facing Notre Dame, Sol said:
"I've been thinking about it every second. Besides finals, I'm thinking about Notre Dame and how great an opportunity it is to play them." (HSB)
Looking forward to their bowl game, Greg Alexander said:
"It's been a dream to play D-I and definitely play in a bowl game,. To be able to play a team like Notre Dame, that has such great tradition it should be a lot of fun." (HSB)
About facing Notre Dame, Alexander said:
"at the end of the day it's still another football team. Coach Mack says it all the time -- it's just guys in a different colored jersey. All the hype and all that, you still have to go out and play the game." (HSB)
About his philosophy of looking ahead and leaving the bad behind, Dan Kelly said:
"You learn from something, you leave the bad, and you take the good. I've always been like that when it came to sports. I've really made it something to live by." (HSB)
About his Warrior career, Kelly said:
"It's been a learning experience. With everything, whether good or bad, it's got to be a learning experience. I learned a lot, so I feel like it was a success." (HSB)
About how Kelly worked through his struggles this sason, Jake Ingram said:
"He definitely keeps his composure through everything. He doesn't get depressed or he doesn't get overly cocky if he's having a good stretch." (HSB)
About working through his struggles, Kelly said:
"Basically, any adjustment I have to make I have to watch film, identify it and change it. It's a tough task -- it's nothing I'm not used to. This year it just hit me harder than usual." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Kelly was more of a soccer enthusiast than a football fan growing up. But an ankle injury as a junior at Linfield Christian School in Temecula, Calif., made football the more viable option as he looked toward college."
About choosing football over soccer, Kelly said:
"Football was where I was supposed to be and where God put me. I accepted it, and I love kicking." (HSB)
About how he'll try to kick professionally, but he'll try to establish a soccer academy to help develop the game in the US, Kelly said:
"I'm going to take my shot at it and see where it takes me. But we have one more game and I'm focused in on that. I'm enjoying the idea of moving on with my life, whether it's more football in a different environment or it's a real job." (HSB)
About how they learned a lot from their Sugar Bowl experience last year, Sol said:
"Even though Coach is not giving us curfews at night, a lot of guys aren't going out because we know the game is first and we have to win it. I think that experience last year will help us get prepared and focused for the game. It's all about business and the fun part is actually winning." (HSB)
About how their seniors have kept their team in line, Mac said:
"We've got a real mature football team. We've had six road trips all over the country ... and we haven't had any problems at all. I want them to have fun, but they know what they have to do. I've treated them like pros and like men, and they've reacted that way." (HSB)
Contract dispute between JJ and UH is settled
HA Note: "Under the agreement, which was announced in a joint statement released yesterday, the June Jones Foundation has donated $100,010 to Na Lei O'iwi Scholarship Fund in the name of the late Kanalu Young. What's more, an anonymous donor has contributed $100,000 to UH. That donation may "be used at the discretion of UH Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw," according to the release."
JJ's spokesman John De Fries said that the anonymous donor is a:
"part-time Hawai'i resident." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i Foundation, which processes gifts made to the school, received the donations totaling $200,010 Nov. 20, De Fries said."
HA Note: "De Fries said scheduling conflicts kept both sides from crafting a settlement announcement until yesterday."
HA Note: "De Fries, UH president David McClain and mediator Clyde Matsui worked out an arrangement in which a settlement would benefit a scholarship fund assisting students pursuing degrees in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language. Young, who was a professor in UH's Hawaiian Studies program, also served as an adviser to Jones."
About the donation honoring Dr. Young (who passed away a few months ago), JJ said:
"Our foundation's monetary gift in memory of Dr. Kanalu Young honors the life and legacy of a great Hawaiian man." (HA)
"Our foundation's monetary gift in memory of Dr. Kanalu Young honors the life and legacy of a great Hawaiian man. For me, Kanalu will always be remembered as the 'Warrior Elder of the Ha'a'; UH's pregame ritual that ignites and unifies the spirit of all UH Warriors, on the field and throughout the state of Hawaii. Hawaii is my home; therefore as I look beyond our past achievements in football, maintaining a healthy relationship with UH and sustaining productive contributions to our island communities will always be important to me. On Christmas Eve, Beat Notre Dame!" (HSB)
Glad that the issue has been settled, JD said:
"I'm glad this is behind us for everyone's sake. I personally wish nothing but the best for June at SMU." (HA)
About the settlement, mediator Clyde Matsui said:
"This was done based on mutual respect. It ends on a handshake. There will be no release (of liability), no settlement agreement. ... They trust each other." (HSB)
About future donations by JJ's Foundation, Matsui said:
"There are other nice components to come. I wish I could talk. ... I gotta clam up, but I'm so happy inside." (HSB)
About how JJ will continue to support UH, John De Fries said:
"Everyone thought that his (Jones') relationship with UH had ended. As it turned out, his relationship with UH was changing as opposed to ending. He should have an ongoing relationship with them." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The Star-Bulletin reported in August that an agreement had been reached to settle the contract dispute for $200,000. Matsui and De Fries said the final settlement was hung up, in part, over the details of where the money should go."
About how JJ wrote a letter to him on 9/22 asking that De Fries be allowed to negotiate for him without lawyers involved, Matsui said:
"John stepped in and started looking for a more pono way of settling the case, rather than just money." (HSB)
About how he spoke directly to UH President David McClain over several weeks, De Fries said:
"I understood what was meaningful to June, and as it turned out it was meaningful to the university as well." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another factor that led to the deal was the death in September of Kanalu Young, another friend who helped put together the Hawaiian ha'a ritual that UH players perform before games. Last month, the June Jones Foundation donated $100,010 to the Na Lei O'iwi Scholarship Fund in memory of Young. The fund supports students pursuing degrees in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language. An anonymous donor also contributed $100,000 to be used at the discretion of UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw."
About the settlement, McClain said:
"The university is pleased to be able to move forward with this matter resolved. June Jones has contributed much to the UH-Manoa football program and our community, and this resolution lays the foundation for our continuing relationship." (HSB)
JJ's spokesman John De Fries said that the anonymous donor is a:
"part-time Hawai'i resident." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i Foundation, which processes gifts made to the school, received the donations totaling $200,010 Nov. 20, De Fries said."
HA Note: "De Fries said scheduling conflicts kept both sides from crafting a settlement announcement until yesterday."
HA Note: "De Fries, UH president David McClain and mediator Clyde Matsui worked out an arrangement in which a settlement would benefit a scholarship fund assisting students pursuing degrees in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language. Young, who was a professor in UH's Hawaiian Studies program, also served as an adviser to Jones."
About the donation honoring Dr. Young (who passed away a few months ago), JJ said:
"Our foundation's monetary gift in memory of Dr. Kanalu Young honors the life and legacy of a great Hawaiian man." (HA)
"Our foundation's monetary gift in memory of Dr. Kanalu Young honors the life and legacy of a great Hawaiian man. For me, Kanalu will always be remembered as the 'Warrior Elder of the Ha'a'; UH's pregame ritual that ignites and unifies the spirit of all UH Warriors, on the field and throughout the state of Hawaii. Hawaii is my home; therefore as I look beyond our past achievements in football, maintaining a healthy relationship with UH and sustaining productive contributions to our island communities will always be important to me. On Christmas Eve, Beat Notre Dame!" (HSB)
Glad that the issue has been settled, JD said:
"I'm glad this is behind us for everyone's sake. I personally wish nothing but the best for June at SMU." (HA)
About the settlement, mediator Clyde Matsui said:
"This was done based on mutual respect. It ends on a handshake. There will be no release (of liability), no settlement agreement. ... They trust each other." (HSB)
About future donations by JJ's Foundation, Matsui said:
"There are other nice components to come. I wish I could talk. ... I gotta clam up, but I'm so happy inside." (HSB)
About how JJ will continue to support UH, John De Fries said:
"Everyone thought that his (Jones') relationship with UH had ended. As it turned out, his relationship with UH was changing as opposed to ending. He should have an ongoing relationship with them." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The Star-Bulletin reported in August that an agreement had been reached to settle the contract dispute for $200,000. Matsui and De Fries said the final settlement was hung up, in part, over the details of where the money should go."
About how JJ wrote a letter to him on 9/22 asking that De Fries be allowed to negotiate for him without lawyers involved, Matsui said:
"John stepped in and started looking for a more pono way of settling the case, rather than just money." (HSB)
About how he spoke directly to UH President David McClain over several weeks, De Fries said:
"I understood what was meaningful to June, and as it turned out it was meaningful to the university as well." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another factor that led to the deal was the death in September of Kanalu Young, another friend who helped put together the Hawaiian ha'a ritual that UH players perform before games. Last month, the June Jones Foundation donated $100,010 to the Na Lei O'iwi Scholarship Fund in memory of Young. The fund supports students pursuing degrees in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language. An anonymous donor also contributed $100,000 to be used at the discretion of UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw."
About the settlement, McClain said:
"The university is pleased to be able to move forward with this matter resolved. June Jones has contributed much to the UH-Manoa football program and our community, and this resolution lays the foundation for our continuing relationship." (HSB)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Quotes from the local papers
About choosing to practice tomorrow instead of participating in UH's graduation ceremony, Tyson Kafentzis said:
"It doesn't seem too appealing to me, standing in whatever they wear. I'd rather be at practice. I'll be out there with the boys. I'll forgo it; most definitely." (HA)
About how former UH RB Michael Brewster also chose not to walk in his graduation, Tyson said:
"That was pretty cool. He said he was glad he did that instead of going to graduation." (HA)
HA Note: "Associate head coach Rich Miano implored Kafentzis to participate in the ceremony. Miano and Mark Kafentzis, Tyson's father, were UH teammates. Miano has served as Tyson's godfather."
About how he he's known Tyson all of his life, Rich Miano said:
"When he was young, I carried him to the top of a mountain. It was like the Lion King." (HA)
Miano added:
"I accidentally dropped him." (HA)
About why he wants their senior to walk in the graduation ceremony, Miano said:
"The two most important things at the University of Hawai'i are the Senior Walk and walking at graduation. I suggest to all of the players that they do that. It's like your wife is going to have a baby and you have a game. Football's important. That's our livelihood. But nothing's more important than the birth of your child. Nothing is more important than graduating and remembering that moment, that picture of you getting your diploma from president David McClain. Nothing can replace that. But then again, I dropped him when he was young. He's making a bad decision." (HA)
About going against Miano's advice and practicing instead, Tyson said:
"It's a piece of paper, man. I'll have them mail it to me." (HA)
HA Note: "Instead, Kafentzis is looking forward to a more important ceremony. Kafentzis and Brea Bechtel will be married Jan. 3 in Washington state. Teammates Jake Ingram, Josh Rice, Dane Porlas, Dan Johnson and Guyton Galdeira will spend time at the Kafentzis' cabin in Naches, Wash."
About how his teammates will respond to being in Naches in the winter, Tyson said:
"They're going to trip out. The snow will be taller than Jake." (HA)
Asked what is more important, his wedding or graduation, Tyson said:
"It's definitely my wedding. My fiancee is the one. Obviously, you can do a lot of things with or without a degree. But a good woman by your side will take you a long way." (HA)
About how he and Bechtel were raised in the same Washington town, Tyson said:
"But I didn't even know her growing up. I knew of her. The church I go to, she's the preacher's daughter. I only saw her from a distance. She's an angel." (HA)
About how he returned to Washington to train after his freshman season at UH and saw Bechtel at her job at a fitness club, Tyson said:
"I said, 'Hey, what are you doing tonight?' It's pretty basic. But as they say, the rest is history." (HA)
About how he proposed to Bechtel (who is also graduating from UH tomorrow) on her birthday last year, getting a waiter to slip the diamond engagement ring into Bechtel's champagne glass, Tyson said:
"She was drinking it, and she didn't even know. It was hilarious. Everyone was looking at her. She had no idea. She finished her champagne, and (the ring) slid down and hit her mouth. She was completely surprised." (HA)
About how they moed into the Moana Surfrider Hotel yesterday, David Veikune said:
"It's nicer than the dorms." (HA)
Veikune said that the dorm rooms were like:
"a little prison cell." (HA)
About how they get a lot of rest during Hawaii Bowl week, Dan Kelly said:
"The best sleep we get is in the hotel. Those beds are amazing. They're super comfortable." (HA)
About how it is more fun to be in the Hawaii Bowl than the Sugar Bowl, Tyson (who is in his 3rd Hawaii Bowl and also went to the Sugar Bowl) said:
"I love the Hawai'i Bowl. I think you get better gifts. You stay in a better hotel. Obviously, the food is better. And we get to play Notre Dame." (HA)
About how they get to see more during Hawaii Bowl week, Sol said:
"In New Orleans, a lot of the events were about eating. We didn't see the city, the sights, and stuff." (HA)
About how the NCAA allows their wives to be part of their bowl party and they receive per diem and stay in the hotel, Desmond Thomas said:
"It'll be good to have our families with us. We're going to enjoy the experience. We know it's a business trip. When it's time to have fun, we'll have fun. When it's time to be serious, we'll be serious." (HA)
About the changes in his life during his Warrior career, Keala Watson (who got married in college and will become a father and graduate in the spring) said:
"A lot has happened in my life that last couple years." (HSB)
Praising Keala, DL coach Dave Aranda said:
"I think he's one of our strongest leaders. He's not a very expressive person, but when he does speak up everyone listens to him. ... He's got a good understanding of what the situation is, he's very mature and sees those things very clearly. Keala gets it." (HSB)
About where he grew up, Keala said:
"Our house was way up in the mountains, far away from everybody else. We could always just go make our own trails in the forest, see a lot of animals and plants. It was pretty fascinating." (HSB)
About being the first member of his family to graduate from college, Keala said:
"I feel like I'm not the only one graduating. I feel that everybody in my family is graduating." (HSB)
Thankful for his football career, Keala said as he pointed to the walkway leading to the entrance to the practice field:
"Every time I walk out here I do a prayer right there on that cement slab before I touch the grass. I'm thankful that I'm here and have an opportunity to play the game I love to play and go to school and better myself." (HSB)
About his rare condition that is similar to hemophilia, Keala said:
"They told me I couldn't play football and I didn't even know if I could finish up school because I didn't know if I'd lose my scholarship." (HSB)
About how Keala worked hard during his senior season, his younger brother Keahi Watson said:
"You can see he goes that much harder knowing that 'that's the last time I'm going to play Boise, the last time I'm going to play Idaho.' He really puts himself on the line and goes super hard." (HSB)
About following in his brother's footsteps, Keahi (a sophomore transfer from Saint Francis University) said:
"It was one of my dreams to play with my brother. I'm two years younger than him, so when he was playing varsity (at Nanakuli) I just started JV. He was such a great influence. ... He's been in good academic standing since he's been here, he trains really hard and he's just a really good example." (HSB)
About how he looked up to the older Warriors, Keala said:
"I've seen a lot of good guys come through the program and get their degrees. That's something I always wanted. Now that it's my turn I just want to finish it out and show everybody else it's possible to go to school, play football and get your degree." (HSB)
About his degree in environmental studies, Keala said:
"Growing up I've always been in the outdoors, just loving the natural beauty we have. I just wanted to do my part to save Hawaii's natural beauty." (HSB)
About how his family has been big fans of Notre Dame, Aaron Bain said:
"One of my uncles graduated from Notre Dame. He's probably going to come to the game with a Hawaii shirt and a Notre Dame hat." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Bain said his family regularly followed Notre Dame football, which rubbed off on him when he was a youngster. But his allegiance shifted to Hawaii as he grew, and he walked on with the Warriors after graduating from Saint Louis. Bain said many of those relatives, some of whom are flying in from the neighbor islands, will be in the Aloha Stadium stands when he closes out his college career against the Irish."
Happy to be able to play against Notre Dame, Bain said:
"I never imagined us playing Notre Dame." (HSB)
About facing Notre Dame in their bowl game, Bain said:
"This is going to mean a lot, not only to me, but to all the seniors and the rest of the team because it's going to put a stamp on what they've got next year." (HSB)
About how his brother Jonathan was a redshirt freshman WR with Fresno State when they played in the 1993 Aloha Bowl, Jake Santos said:
"He loved it. We watched it on TV and my parents are going to be able to do the same thing (on Christmas Eve)." (HSB)
"It doesn't seem too appealing to me, standing in whatever they wear. I'd rather be at practice. I'll be out there with the boys. I'll forgo it; most definitely." (HA)
About how former UH RB Michael Brewster also chose not to walk in his graduation, Tyson said:
"That was pretty cool. He said he was glad he did that instead of going to graduation." (HA)
HA Note: "Associate head coach Rich Miano implored Kafentzis to participate in the ceremony. Miano and Mark Kafentzis, Tyson's father, were UH teammates. Miano has served as Tyson's godfather."
About how he he's known Tyson all of his life, Rich Miano said:
"When he was young, I carried him to the top of a mountain. It was like the Lion King." (HA)
Miano added:
"I accidentally dropped him." (HA)
About why he wants their senior to walk in the graduation ceremony, Miano said:
"The two most important things at the University of Hawai'i are the Senior Walk and walking at graduation. I suggest to all of the players that they do that. It's like your wife is going to have a baby and you have a game. Football's important. That's our livelihood. But nothing's more important than the birth of your child. Nothing is more important than graduating and remembering that moment, that picture of you getting your diploma from president David McClain. Nothing can replace that. But then again, I dropped him when he was young. He's making a bad decision." (HA)
About going against Miano's advice and practicing instead, Tyson said:
"It's a piece of paper, man. I'll have them mail it to me." (HA)
HA Note: "Instead, Kafentzis is looking forward to a more important ceremony. Kafentzis and Brea Bechtel will be married Jan. 3 in Washington state. Teammates Jake Ingram, Josh Rice, Dane Porlas, Dan Johnson and Guyton Galdeira will spend time at the Kafentzis' cabin in Naches, Wash."
About how his teammates will respond to being in Naches in the winter, Tyson said:
"They're going to trip out. The snow will be taller than Jake." (HA)
Asked what is more important, his wedding or graduation, Tyson said:
"It's definitely my wedding. My fiancee is the one. Obviously, you can do a lot of things with or without a degree. But a good woman by your side will take you a long way." (HA)
About how he and Bechtel were raised in the same Washington town, Tyson said:
"But I didn't even know her growing up. I knew of her. The church I go to, she's the preacher's daughter. I only saw her from a distance. She's an angel." (HA)
About how he returned to Washington to train after his freshman season at UH and saw Bechtel at her job at a fitness club, Tyson said:
"I said, 'Hey, what are you doing tonight?' It's pretty basic. But as they say, the rest is history." (HA)
About how he proposed to Bechtel (who is also graduating from UH tomorrow) on her birthday last year, getting a waiter to slip the diamond engagement ring into Bechtel's champagne glass, Tyson said:
"She was drinking it, and she didn't even know. It was hilarious. Everyone was looking at her. She had no idea. She finished her champagne, and (the ring) slid down and hit her mouth. She was completely surprised." (HA)
About how they moed into the Moana Surfrider Hotel yesterday, David Veikune said:
"It's nicer than the dorms." (HA)
Veikune said that the dorm rooms were like:
"a little prison cell." (HA)
About how they get a lot of rest during Hawaii Bowl week, Dan Kelly said:
"The best sleep we get is in the hotel. Those beds are amazing. They're super comfortable." (HA)
About how it is more fun to be in the Hawaii Bowl than the Sugar Bowl, Tyson (who is in his 3rd Hawaii Bowl and also went to the Sugar Bowl) said:
"I love the Hawai'i Bowl. I think you get better gifts. You stay in a better hotel. Obviously, the food is better. And we get to play Notre Dame." (HA)
About how they get to see more during Hawaii Bowl week, Sol said:
"In New Orleans, a lot of the events were about eating. We didn't see the city, the sights, and stuff." (HA)
About how the NCAA allows their wives to be part of their bowl party and they receive per diem and stay in the hotel, Desmond Thomas said:
"It'll be good to have our families with us. We're going to enjoy the experience. We know it's a business trip. When it's time to have fun, we'll have fun. When it's time to be serious, we'll be serious." (HA)
About the changes in his life during his Warrior career, Keala Watson (who got married in college and will become a father and graduate in the spring) said:
"A lot has happened in my life that last couple years." (HSB)
Praising Keala, DL coach Dave Aranda said:
"I think he's one of our strongest leaders. He's not a very expressive person, but when he does speak up everyone listens to him. ... He's got a good understanding of what the situation is, he's very mature and sees those things very clearly. Keala gets it." (HSB)
About where he grew up, Keala said:
"Our house was way up in the mountains, far away from everybody else. We could always just go make our own trails in the forest, see a lot of animals and plants. It was pretty fascinating." (HSB)
About being the first member of his family to graduate from college, Keala said:
"I feel like I'm not the only one graduating. I feel that everybody in my family is graduating." (HSB)
Thankful for his football career, Keala said as he pointed to the walkway leading to the entrance to the practice field:
"Every time I walk out here I do a prayer right there on that cement slab before I touch the grass. I'm thankful that I'm here and have an opportunity to play the game I love to play and go to school and better myself." (HSB)
About his rare condition that is similar to hemophilia, Keala said:
"They told me I couldn't play football and I didn't even know if I could finish up school because I didn't know if I'd lose my scholarship." (HSB)
About how Keala worked hard during his senior season, his younger brother Keahi Watson said:
"You can see he goes that much harder knowing that 'that's the last time I'm going to play Boise, the last time I'm going to play Idaho.' He really puts himself on the line and goes super hard." (HSB)
About following in his brother's footsteps, Keahi (a sophomore transfer from Saint Francis University) said:
"It was one of my dreams to play with my brother. I'm two years younger than him, so when he was playing varsity (at Nanakuli) I just started JV. He was such a great influence. ... He's been in good academic standing since he's been here, he trains really hard and he's just a really good example." (HSB)
About how he looked up to the older Warriors, Keala said:
"I've seen a lot of good guys come through the program and get their degrees. That's something I always wanted. Now that it's my turn I just want to finish it out and show everybody else it's possible to go to school, play football and get your degree." (HSB)
About his degree in environmental studies, Keala said:
"Growing up I've always been in the outdoors, just loving the natural beauty we have. I just wanted to do my part to save Hawaii's natural beauty." (HSB)
About how his family has been big fans of Notre Dame, Aaron Bain said:
"One of my uncles graduated from Notre Dame. He's probably going to come to the game with a Hawaii shirt and a Notre Dame hat." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Bain said his family regularly followed Notre Dame football, which rubbed off on him when he was a youngster. But his allegiance shifted to Hawaii as he grew, and he walked on with the Warriors after graduating from Saint Louis. Bain said many of those relatives, some of whom are flying in from the neighbor islands, will be in the Aloha Stadium stands when he closes out his college career against the Irish."
Happy to be able to play against Notre Dame, Bain said:
"I never imagined us playing Notre Dame." (HSB)
About facing Notre Dame in their bowl game, Bain said:
"This is going to mean a lot, not only to me, but to all the seniors and the rest of the team because it's going to put a stamp on what they've got next year." (HSB)
About how his brother Jonathan was a redshirt freshman WR with Fresno State when they played in the 1993 Aloha Bowl, Jake Santos said:
"He loved it. We watched it on TV and my parents are going to be able to do the same thing (on Christmas Eve)." (HSB)
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