Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Marin Independent Journal feature on Rolo

MIJ = Marin Independent Journal

MIJ Note: "AT THE University of Hawaii, the starting quarterback is often seen as some sort of demigod. He is worshipped when things go right, which means passes find their intended target and the Warriors score more touchdowns than there are planes carrying tourists in Honolulu."

About how their team was booed by the home crowd during the SJSU game, Rolo said:
"I've been booed out of the stadium with my parents there. People (in Hawaii) love this team. They don't like being 1-3 and not playing great football. The spotlight is on you as the quarterback." (MIJ)

About how the fans are not happy now, Rolo said:
"I'm sure people aren't really happy. I'm sure there's some doubters. This hurts me as much as anyone. I didn't lose when I was here (as a quarterback) and winning is something I want to keep going." (MIJ)

About all of the different QBs that have been their #1 QB this season, Rolo said:
"It's been really crazy to be honest. It's not the standard way you pick a quarterback." (MIJ)

MIJ Note: "That's four quarterback changes in four games and none of them have had much success. Between them, they've been intercepted 11 times and thrown only four TD passes. Colt Brennan threw six TD passes in his first game last season."

MIJ Note: "Rolovich is rolling with the punches and the poi. He received advice from Jones, who sent him text messages from SMU where he now coaches, and McMackin keeps encouraging his QB coach. McMackin was the defensive coordinator at Hawaii in 1999 when he recruited Rolovich out of City College of San Francisco. But when Rolovich was flying to Hawaii to accept the scholarship, McMackin was on a plane to Texas Tech to become defensive coordinator there. Fortunately, Rolovich stayed in touch with McMackin, who coached the linebackers with the 49ers from 2003-05."

About how he kept in touch with Mack even after Mack left UH before he joined them, Rolo said:
"He made an impression on me. I knew he was with the 49ers and I'm a Niners guy." (MIJ)

About how he took the QB coach position after he figured that his playing days were over, Rolo said:
"I've always observed my coaches along the way and how much time they put into it. I had a lot of fun when I was playing. I've run the gamut." (MIJ)

MIJ Note: "Now Rolovich is settling down. His younger brother, Jack, a standout QB at San Marin High, joined him in Hawaii. He helped Nick coach at the Warriors summer football camp and now Jack is finishing his education at Hawaii-Pacific. And there's another Rolovich on the way. Nick's wife, Analea Donovan, is pregnant with their second child. With their son Daniel present, the couple were married this winter on a beach east of Diamond Head."

Fresno Bee feature on the Warriors

FB = Fresno Bee

Worried about UH's offense, Pat Hill said:
"They cause some real problems [for defenses] because they're not sure what they want to do yet. With [former coach June Jones] there, you pretty much knew what you were going to get every time you played against Hawaii. But with this team there are a lot of unknowns." (FB)

About how UH is running more this season, Hill said:
"I wouldn't say they're relying more on it. They are very efficient. They're running the power. They get those box setups where they have more blockers than you have defenders. They run some quick-hitting plays. It's not just the draw and the shovel pass anymore. You can't always dictate it by the alignment of the backs. I think their running game is going to give you more problems than it has in the past." (FB)

FB Note: "The Warriors are averaging 3.6 yards per rush. They averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season through four games."

About how they will get ready for Inoke's running threat by using freshman Ebahn Feathers (a running QB in high school) as their scout team QB, Hill said:
"He'll give us a workout." (FB)

AP article on the Warriors

AP Note: "The losses are mounting, fans are getting restless and chances of making it to the postseason are quickly vanishing. It's not the start first-year Hawaii coach Greg McMackin wanted, especially with the meat of the Western Athletic Conference schedule coming up starting with No. 22 Fresno State on the road Saturday."

Believing that they can turn their season around, Mack said:
"I believe in the players. I believe in the coaches. We just have to continue to get better." (AP)

About being last in the nation in turnover margin (-3.75 per game), Mack said:
“You can't win games when you have a bad turnover ratio. We all know that and that's something I've always believed in." (AP)

AP Note :"The Warriors' once high-flying offense has stalled and is ranked among the worst in the nation in several categories, including scoring, rushing and total offense."

About how they have had QB problems, Mack said:
“The run-and-shoot needs a quarterback and we've been scrambling in that position. It's not because we don't know who to play, it's just who's going to be able to play.” (AP)

About how they aren't getting turnovers when they are on defense, Mack said:
“We turned the ball over last year but we were getting turnovers also and the offense had high-powered guys that could score. We're not doing that at this point, so when we get a turnover, it really hurts us.” (AP)

About Inoke's INTs vs. SJSU, Mack said:
“He made a couple bad decisions with the interceptions. He needs to keep himself up the entire the ball game. He needs to be a leader. The players love him.” (AP)

About how Tyler is bothered by injury now, Mack said:
“He can't shake your hand right now. But he's a competitor and he wants to play, but we have to be smart about that.” (AP)

About their personal foul penalties against SJSU, Mack said:
“You can't play like that. We haven't had problems in the past but there were too many of them in this game and it cost us during crucial times and they're going to be dealt with severely.” (AP)

About how they have to be more disciplined when other teams try to bait them, Mack said:
“We're the defending champions. They all want to take a shot at us because we beat them all the last year and the last couple years. But we have to be smarter and tougher than that. Those were crucial penalties. They took away first downs. That's selfish.” (AP)

About players who want to fight, Mack said:
“Go do this fighting in the cage-type of thing, but no, that's not how you play footbal. 'm not going to allow it.” (AP)

Feature on how UH has to avoid the personal foul penalties

About how three players will be punished after practice for the personal foul penalties, Mack said:
"That's something that won't be allowed - you can't play like that. We haven't had problems with that in the past, but there were too many in this game and it cost us. They were at crucial times and they're going to be dealt with severely." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Hawaii was called for a season-high 11 penalties, with the personal fouls accounting for 70 of the 115 yards the Warriors were docked (one occurred with UH at its 20, resulting in a 10-yard penalty)."

About how his players talked a lot more during the game, Mack said:
"There was a lot of talking going on in the game. Games in the past, other coaches have told me how good our guys are, that they're not chattering out there. I think they got into some of that." (HSB)

About how SJSU baited them into several penalties, Mack said:
"We've got to be stronger than that, we've got to have discipline. This hasn't been a problem until this ballgame. ... If guys are baiting us into that, we've got to be tougher than that." (HSB)


HSB Note: "The Spartans apparently got under the Warriors' collective skin during warm-ups Saturday, when the visitors edged a little too close to the home team. Chirping galore before kickoff, leading to plenty of lips flapping during the game and scuffles after the whistle."

About how their personal foul penalties hurt their team, Mack said:
"Those are crucial penalties that took away first downs. That's selfish." (HSB)

HSB Note: "He said there would be plenty of extra running and maybe a shoulder roll or 10 for the offenders today. It's no coincidence that the Warriors' most contentious game so far this season was its first against a WAC foe. UH picked up an image with some in the league over the years as a band of showboating bullies, and payback is an itch every team in the conference wants to scratch - starting with Fresno State on Saturday."

About how the personal foul penalties upset him, Mack said:
"We have a disciplined team. I'm not going to allow guys jumping into the end zone and I'm not going to allow guys punching guys in the face." (HSB)

About how players who do that type of thing are playing the wrong sport, Mack said:
"Put those guys in a dang cage and let 'em fight." (HSB)

About how the Warriors waste psychological and physiological ammunition with the ha'a and should stop doing it, MMA trainer Joji Yoshida said:
"From our standpoint, if you get too pumped up you can't perform/ Maybe for football it's different. But in MMA, you want total calm before your fight." (HSB)

Note about the turnovers

About how they cannot call plays that get so many turnovers, Mack said:
"There might be a couple of plays we're not going to call anymore, because if we're getting a couple or three turnovers vs. a certain play then we've got to get away from that until we get our timing down." (HSB)

About getting zero turnovers against D-IA teams this season, Mack said:
"They come in bunches, but this is quite a dry spell. We teach the first guy makes the tackle, everybody else goes for the ball. We're playing teams that don't turn the ball over, but that doesn't matter, we've got to create turnovers." (HSB)

Fresno State is worried about the Warriors

About how teams will play hard against Fresno State since they are ranked (#22), Pat Hill said:
"People want to beat Fresno. People want to beat Top 25 teams. They want to come into our stadium and win." (HA)

Ignoring that they are a 22-point favorite, Hill is worried about the Warriors:
"This game against Hawai'i is going to be a tough game I promise you. I promise you right now Hawai'i will come in ready to play. Their backs are to the wall. They're in a must-win situation and they have a lot of pride. They are a tough, tough group of kids and they will play their heart out. It is gonna be a knock-down, drag-out football game." (HA)

When someone asks if they will empty their bench after getting far ahead of the Warriors, Hill said:
"We have to play up against Hawai'i. I'm not dreaming about grass skirts. I'm thinking about those green (clad linemen). They are physical. This game is going to be a battle, I promise you." (HA)

HA Note: "Hill mentions several times during his various media stops that the Warriors are the "defending WAC champs" and talks up their "senior laden defense" that his "young, work in progress" Bulldogs will have to go up against."

Asking their fans to help them against the Warriors, Hill said:
"We have a great opponent coming in, a team that has been very good against us. I expect to see a full house. So do our players. Our players expect to go down the ramp (at Bulldog Stadium) and see it all red there." (HA)

Injury update for the Warriors

About how he suffered his concussion after catching a pass, Malcolm Lane said:
"On the first play, a curl route, I had the ball. I tried to get a couple of more yards. They had me in a pile, and my head was down. I felt a big ol' boom. I guess somebody hit me on the top of my head. My neck went down, I felt like my head exploded. It was weird." (HA)

About how he sat out 2 plays and then returned, Lane said that he went to the sideline in a daze after Pilares' 34-yard TD run:
"I was out of it. I didn't feel like myself." (HA)

About the concussion he suffered after scoring his second TD, Pilares said:
"I got hit right on top of the head. I didn't know where I was. The trainers kept me out (of the game) for precaution." (HA)

Rocky said that he wasn't fully recovered from his triceps injury but was able to play extensively in his first game of the season (SJSU) until he extended his arms and:
"it popped on me. I wasn't 100 percent, but I was able to play. I was playing good and it was holding up on me and just that one motion just killed it for me. It felt so good to be back with the boys, feel the emotions, make plays, just be able to hit someone else other than your own people. But it's part of the game, injuries happen so I'm not going to hang my head." (HSB)

About how the injured Warriors except for Rocky should be able to play vs. Fresno State, Mack said:
“I think all of those guys are going to be back. Rocky we're going to have to look at." (AP)

Updates on the QBs

About the criticism he has been getting as the #1 QB, Inoke said:
"It comes with the territory." (HA)

About how some fans booed him during the SJSU game, Inoke said:
"I'm harsh on myself, too. I understand where they're coming from. There's nothing you can do about it. It's understandable. Fans will be fans. You can't be mad at them. They're fans. That's what they see. I can see it from their perspective, like, 'Dang, Inoke, you can't be doing that. You can't be turning the ball over. You have to be doing better.' I understand. You have to stay strong mentally, and try to do what you can." (HA)

HA Note: "Except for the turnovers — which were a combination of miscommunication, broken routes and, yes, poor throws — Funaki graded well during the game, especially in the first half. Funaki's improved play and Tyler Graunke's still-sore right hand led to the coaches' decision on the starting quarterback for Saturday's road game against 22nd-ranked Fresno State."

About how he has to limit bad decisions and turnovers, Inoke said:
"I have to minimize that stuff. Even if someone throws for 400 yards and four touchdowns, the four turnovers are going to kill (the positive plays). Obviously, I didn't throw for 400 yards and four touchdowns. I accounted for four turnovers. That will kill any offense." (HA)

About how he expected to get criticism, especially following Colt, Inoke said:
"There's always going to be negative vibes. Even Colt, who is one of the best to come out of this program, despite doing so well, there were people out there criticizing (him) and stuff. For me, someone who hasn't even won a game yet, of course I expect a lot of people to be jumping on me. I jump on myself a lot, too. You have to try and clear it. ... I try to do the best that my coaches tell me to do." (HA)

About how he's going to try to give Alexander and Rausch some practice reps now, Mack said:
"They're both pure run-and-shoot quarterbacks with strong arms. Just for our future, whether they play this year or not, we need to get them reps." (HSB)

"We have to make a decision on the two JC guys. Not because we're playing for next year, but we've got to get the guy some reps. They are both pure run-and-shoot quarterbacks with strong arms and just for our future, whether they play this year or not, we need to get them reps." (HSB)

About how he has gained 15 pounds (he now weighs 200 pounds), Rausch said that it came from:
"just lifting every day and these things." (HA)

About being named #1 QB during training camp and not getting much playing time during the season, Rausch said:
"You can't get mad about that. The better player has to play." (HA)

About not playing since the first game of the season, Alexander said:
"You have to go with it and see what happens." (HA)

Mack said that their staff felt that Tyler's throwing hand had healed enough to play against SJSU, but:
"it affects his velocity on the ball and he can't shake your hand right now. But he's a competitor and he wants to play, but I think we have to be smart about that." (HSB)

About how they changed their offense a little to take advantage of Inoke's strengths, Mack said:
"We did do different things with him. We sprinted him out, we ran option with him. He made a couple of bad decisions on the interceptions, which comes with experience. He needs to keep himself up the entire ballgame, he needs to be a leader. The players love him." (HSB)

George Daily-Lyles commits to the Warriors!

HA Note: "The best defensive player from one of the top high school football teams in California has accepted a scholarship from the University of Hawai'i."

About his commitment to the Warriors, MLB George Daily-Lyles said:
"Yes, I'm going to be a Warrior." (HA)

HA Note: "Daily-Lyles is 5 feet 11, 220 pounds and runs 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. He turned down an offer from Arizona. He also received interest from UCLA, Colorado State and New Mexico. Scouts liken Daily-Lyles to former Warrior linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, now with the St. Louis Rams."

Praising Daily-Lyles, Long Beach Poly head coach Raul Lara said:
"He's a tenacious football player. The way he takes control of the game — calling the signals and making plays — it's pretty neat to watch him." (HA)

HA Note: "During the day, Daily-Lyles can be found at one of three places: the football field, weight room or class room. He has a 3.2 grade-point average, and aspires for a career in sports medicine."

About how Daily-Lyles is a good student, Long Beach Poly's academic coach Monica Kim said:
"He's a great student, very diligent. He's a great kid all around. He's very affable, and has great character." (HA)

About how Daily-Lyles is popular, Lara said:
"Everybody likes him. He's the kind of person you would want to hang out with. He's trustworthy. And he takes care of business." (HA)

About football, which he started playing when he was 7, Daily-Lyles said:
"I never thought (football) would take me some place." (HA)

About how he was LB coach, then defensive coordinator before becoming their head coach, Lara said:
"I played linebacker at Poly, and that was the position I coached. We've had some great players, and George is in that group. It's really neat seeing him do things there." (HA)

HA Note: "The school also used to be a football pipeline to Manoa: quarterback Michael Carter, wideout Chris Roscoe, linebacker Mark Odom and safety Daniel Ho-Ching. It was Ho-Ching who called Daily-Lyles last year to tell him to watch UH football games. Lara, who is close friends with Carter, also spoke highly of the Warriors."

About his reaction to getting the offer from UH last wek, Daily-Lyles said:
"I decided to commit." (HA)

About how he surfs about once a month now, Daily-Lyles said:
"It's a good workout." (HA)

Monday, September 29, 2008

Other quotes from the local papers

About how they need to recruit deep threats at WR, Mack said:
"We don't have the guys to make a catch and score. We're going to have to recruit to that, get some guys who are really fast." (HSB)


About how they will go to a bowl game, Mack said:
"We're going to a bowl game over my dead body." (HSB)


About their 5 personal foul penalties during the SJSU game, Mack said:
"We've never had that all season. We've been a disciplined team. There are going to be some of those (calls) sent to the league office ... and a majority that we think should have been called." (HA)


About how Ryan Mouton played despite a rib injury and had 2 tackles for losses and broke up two passes against SJSU, Mack said:
"He really showed a lot of guts." (HSB)


About how SJSU got a 77-yard TD off a trick play and 160 yards on the rest of their plays, Mack said:
"You take away the trick play and our defense played very well. I'm proud of our players." (HSB)


About how they adjusted at halftime to shut down UH's offense, Dick Tomey said:
"We made a few adjustments (at halftime) to help us with the shovel pass because they gashed us with a couple things. Inoke's ability to run was real difficult. But we have a good defense; guys with the ability to make plays. We have some secondary guys with good instincts." (HSB)


About how they need to put the loss behind them and focus on Fresno State, Adam Leonard said:
"We can't sit and dwell on it and feel sorry for ourselves. We have to come in Monday morning and be ready to prepare for Fresno State. If we dwell on this and think about what could have happened, we're not going to be prepared for Fresno State." (HSB)

About how their offense tried to adjust to SJSU's changes on defense, Aaron Bain said:
"They were running schemes on defense that we were trying to adapt to. That's how our offense works, the defense does one thing and we always have to come back with something else. ... In the second half their defense was backing off and running a little bit of zone." (HSB)


After he led the team with 55 yards rushing, Daniel Libre said:
"I wouldn't even say individually I had a good game. We made mistakes you can't afford to make." (HSB)

QB status update

About how they need stability at the QB position, Mack said:
"We are not stable at quarterback. You've got to be stable at quarterback so you can start getting repetitions with somebody and move the football." (HSB)


About how they have been switching QBs this season, Mack said:
"We've been scrambling at quarterback ever since I got here. Everybody's thinking we can't make a decision. But there's always a problem." (HSB)


About how they have to cut down on their turnovers, Mack said:
"You can't turn the ball over six times and win a ball game. Obviously, that's our big project." (HA)

"I have to get that figured out. All I can do is keep working hard and keep the team together — and we are together — and go from there." (HA)

About how they have to cut down their INTs, Mack said:
"We're throwing way too many interceptions. We're going to get that eliminated." (HA)

About how Inoke will start vs. Fresno State, Mack said:
"We're going to go with Inoke and we'll have to figure out who our backup's going to be." (HSB)

HSB Note: "McMackin said Graunke's still-tender throwing hand factored into the decision and Funaki will get the first-team repetitions in practice this week. Graunke went 5-for-9 and also threw an interception, the last of UH's turnovers in the 20-17 loss to the Spartans."

Rocky might miss the rest of the season!

About the possibility he could miss the rest of the season, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"It's killing me." (HA)

About being on the field during the SJSU game (his first game this season), Rocky said it:
"felt so right in my life. I can't explain it in words. I was like a kid in a candy store. My eyes were so big." (HA)

HA Note: "Savaiigaea suffered the injury in the second half. By the way he described the pop he felt to the medical staff, he was told he likely suffered a tear to the same triceps."

About his injury, Rocky said:
"It's in God's hands." (HA)

About how he would not get frustrated or depressed about his injury like other injuries affected him in the past, Rocky said:
"I'm not going to drop my head. Things happen for a reason, and maybe it's not my time." (HA)

HA Note: "Savaiigaea has emerged as a key player in the rotation at defensive tackle. But he also is valued as being a good teammate. And he has been instrumental as a recruiter. None of the players he has hosted on recruiting trips turned down a UH scholarship offer."

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Quotes from the UH-SJSU game 9/27/08

HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press
UH = UH Athletics official site
SJMN = San Jose Mercury News
_______________________________________

.
-------------------- Quotes from the UH coaches --------------------------

About how turnovers cost them the game, Mack said:
"You can’t win when you turn the ball over six times. San Jose was an excellent football team and I really saw some improvement from our football team. I thought the defense played their tails off." (UH)

"You can't win a ballgame when you turn the ball over six times." (HSB)

"I thought every phase on our team improved, except we threw six turnovers. That's one that got away from us and I'm very disappointed in that." (HSB)

"Defensively we kept answering the challenge. The 13 points we gave up in the second half were all off turnovers. I thought we did a great job holding San Jose on quick-change possessions." (UH, HSB)

"We got beat. We sort of gave it away. We sort of beat ourselves. You can't win a ball game when you turn it over six times." (SJMN)

Praising their OL, Mack said:
"Our offensive line played very well against a San Jose defensive front that is one of the best in conference. I thought we did some things well on offense, but again, you can’t turn the ball over six times." (UH)

About how they won last season despite giving up 6 turnovers at Idaho and 5 turnovers at San Jose, Mack said:
"We did it last year, but we were getting turnovers, also. We're going to lead the world in turnovers -- that's what we have to improve on." (HSB)
.

About switching their offense to fit with Inoke's strengths, Ron Lee said:
"(Graunke) was still struggling (in practices), and Funaki had a couple of good weeks of practices." (HA)

HA Note: "The Warriors also went with quarterback Inoke Funaki, who is best when he is on the move. The past two weeks — UH had a bye last weekend — were spent honing a revised offense with Funaki in mind. The Warriors added bootlegs, rollouts and, when the defense cramped the tackle box, play-action passes."

.
-------------------- Quotes from the UH players --------------------------

About how they need to stick together, Sol and Adam Leonard told the team after the game:
"No pointing fingers. Unless you played a perfect game, don't dare look at anyone else's performance. We've all got to evaluate ourselves." (HSB)

About how they need to focus on Fresno State now, Adam said:
"We talked about not pointing a finger at anyone. Nobody played a perfect game, we all win together and lose together. We are going to learn from this game, we can’t sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. We have to get prepared for Fresno State." (UH)
.

About how they were excited at halftime with their 17-7 lead, Inoke said:
"(At halftime) we felt good. You know we were excited, we wanted to keep the intensity up and keep trying to move the ball. The second half I thought our offense did well. It's just me." (HSB)

About his INT on their first drive of the 2nd half, Inoke said:
"Yoda was there. I just underthrew it." (HA)

About his final INT, where he thought that Salas was supposed to run a fade-and-stop route but Salas ran by CB Coye Francies, Inoke said;
"It was a bad communication. He was going over the top, and I was thinking he would come back for it." (HA)

About how his turnovers put the defense into tough situations, Inoke said:
"For the defense it was bad, very, very bad situations. No matter who you play, you don't give them any rest and you give the other team good field position, you're not gonna win." (HSB)

Taking responsibility for the loss, Inoke said:
"I take responsibility for it. The ball slipped out of my hand (on the fumble). The picks, so many. It doesn't matter who you play, you turn the ball over that many times, and then you give your defense no rest ... it was a tough loss." (HA)

"I feel like a big part of it was me, all the turnovers. Our defense did all that, our defense came out firing. We turned the ball over, too many turnovers in that second half. ... You turn the ball over that many times ... you can't win." (HSB)
.

After the game, Tyler said:
"We lost as a team. It sucks." (HA)

About how they didn't take care of the ball, Tyler said:
"It's nobody's fault, it's just that we had the ball in our hands and it's up to us what we do with it. Gotta do the right thing and we haven't been. Tonight, we did the same thing, we lost, and we didn't take care of the ball, didn't score." (HSB)

About how he struggled in the game, Tyler said:
"I couldn't get it done. I got put in a situation to get it done, to win the game, and I didn't. My hand had nothing to do with it. I felt fine." (HA)

"I had a chance to win it, a chance to lead the team to victory but I blew it. Or, we blew it as a team. It just doesn't feel good, same feeling at Oregon, at Florida. Just doesn't feel good to lose." (HSB)

About his first drive, which ended in a missed 55-yard FG, Tyler said:
"I had to read every throw and made a couple bad ones, a couple good ones, but ... we were in field-goal range, then I took a sack, and that kind of messed us up. I'll take the fall for that because half the linemen heard the wrong call and that's my fault for not speaking up in the huddle." (HSB)
.

About how their 6 turnovers cost them the game, John Estes said:
"We can't turn the ball over six times. That's what it came down to. They didn't beat us. We beat ourselves." (HA)

About how their turnovers kept making things hard for their D, Estes said:
"We kept putting our defense in bad positions. Our defense played (its) ass off. They (the Spartans) had the ball at the 20-yard line, the 30-yard line, the 10-yard line." (HA)
.

About how they improved on offense this game, Aaron Bain (Yoda) said:
"They capitalized on some big plays and they made some defensive adjustments in the second half. I think tonight we continued to show improvements on offense and we came together as a team. Coach told us and we know we can’t win with that amount of turnovers." (UH)
.

About how he suffered what is thought to be a concussion while scoring his second TD, Pilares said:
"I got hit on the top of the head." (HA)
.

About how he suffered a concussion during their first drive of the game, Malcolm Lane said:
"I was just out of it, I was dizzy and out of it. I feel OK right now." (HSB)
.

About how their turnovers made it hard on their D, Sol said:
"We have no excuses. That's our motto. We love the challenge." (HA)

HA Note: "At one point the UH defense held the Spartans from scoring on nine consecutive series. But a Warrior offense that ranks 119th in turnover differential was unable to put much breathing room between it and the Spartans and it came back to haunt the Warriors."

About how their play on defense carried over from last year, Sol said:
"We played together, we played with emotion and we played with love for each other. That's what carried us all last year. In practice, we came together as brothers and took it on ourselves to understand that if they can't score, they can't win, no matter what kind of field position they have. Our defense has got to lead this team, and that's what we're going to do. Tonight, the team fed off of us. The crowd had our back the whole night. It's fun playing with love for each other. This team grew as a team tonight. We might not have won in the stats, but we earned a lot of victories in other areas tonight." (HA)

About how their defense played well in the game, Sol said:
"This is always sort of a rivalry game. The emotions were high throughout the game and games like this are always going to be tough. The emotions helped us tonight, I think that was one of our best defensive games." (UH)
.

About how he hates to lose, Adam Leonard said:
"I don't hate a lot of things in this life, but I hate losing. No matter how it comes, whether it's a blowout or a close loss." (HSB)
.

About how their defense played well, Keala Watson said:
"I think we finally woke up to the fact that we play a big role in this team's success. You play how you practice, and we've been practicing with a lot of emotion and intensity these last couple of weeks. That's what we brought out there on the field." (HA)

"That's what defined the defense tonight. We came out ready to play." (HA)
.

About how the plays they were making on defense got their defense even more excited, Keao Monteilh said:
"We were just trying to defend our (Western Athletic Conference) championship. They were coming into our house and trying to take it from us, so we had to do what we had to do. Every time somebody made a big play, we got pumped." (HA)
.

About how his left triceps was reinjured and he could possibly be lost for the season, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"They said I tore it again. I won't know anything until I get it looked at tomorrow, but I heard it pop." (HA)
.

About his miss on the 55-yard attempt, Kelly said:
"It was a 100 percent shank. It was just a bad kick on my part. I over-thought the kick. I came in too fast. As soon as I kicked it, I knew it wasn't going anywhere." (HA)

.
-------------------- Quotes from the SJSU coaches -----------------------

After the game, coach Dick Tomey said:
"The toughest thing, is to win in the fourth quarter on the road ... and against a team that has had a bye week." (HA)

HA Note: "So, for the first time in 10 games over three season, there was jubilation flowing in the visitors' locker room in Halawa. For the first time in 16 WAC games over three seasons, somebody other than UH had something to celebrate. And did."

About how this was a great win for their team, Tomey said:
"It was just a great win for us. We had lost two games in the fourth quarter on the road, and we were playing the defending champions – a team that has won 15-straight conference games. The team that won was going to be in first and the team that lost was going to be last. We just shut them out in the second half and made so many plays on defense. We didn’t have a take away and they had too many. I just credit our guys for battling in the fourth quarter on the road and getting the win." (UH)

"We have a really good kicker and he kicked two amazing field goals. It was just a great win for us. We had lost two games in the fourth quarter on the road and we're playing the defending champions who won 15 straight." (SJMN)

Happy with their play on special teams, Tomey said:
“I just thought we needed a touchdown; we had good field position. If we didn’t make it the ball was going to be down there. So I think that was a good chance. We had a good chance to complete the ball; we had someone open. We have a good kicker. His kick offs are unbelievable and he kicked two amazing field goals late in the game – long field goals – to win. He’s one of the best around. Everything he does really helps us. But just a great team effort overall. The offense did not turn over the ball. The kicking game was tremendous. Kick off coverage, punt coverage, field goals, that’s the best job we’ve done on the kicking game. Hawaii’s going to have a really good team. They’re going to win a lot of games. And I think San Jose State is going to have a really good team too." (UH)

About the pressure their DL was able to apply, Tomey said:
"We had a bunch of sacks. I don’t know how many, but we had a bunch. We had five? Six? We have some good ends. But they doubled (Carl) Ihenacho, who’s our best guy. It freed up some other guys. Guys that haven’t played much like Pablo Garcia, who came into play and did a great job. And Mo Marah came in. We had a lot of guys make plays that haven’t played before." (UH)

About their halftime adjustments, Tomey said:
"We made a few adjustments (at halftime) to help us with the shovel pass because they gashed us with a couple things. Inoke’s ability to run was real difficult. But we have a good defense; guys with the ability to make plays. We have some secondary guys with good instincts. We have a real disciplined team; we did not turn the ball over in a tough environment. When Kyle Reed was in, he had a lot of pressure on him. He was able to manage the game enough to be a winner. So I’m really thrilled about that." (UH)

Asked if he thought it would take 6 turnovers for SJSU to finally be UH after 7 losses, Tomey said:
"I don't give a bleep. We won a close game in the fourth quarter." (HA)

About the 6 turnovers, the most that SJSU has forced while he has been the head coach there, Tomey said:
"We have a good defense and we have some guys that can make plays. We have some secondary guys who have some good instincts and we have a real disciplined team." (HA)

About how they avoided turnovers while UH had too many, Tomey said (I think that Tomey said "giveaway" but the reporter wrote "takeaway'):
"We shut them out in the second half and just made so many plays on defense. We didn't have a takeaway, and they had too many." (SJMN)

About how UH didn't score in the second half, something that hadn't happened at Aloha Stadium since 1998 (before JJ came to UH), Tomey said:
"We shut them out in the second half and just made so many plays on defense. I credit our guys for battling in the fourth quarter and getting the win on the road." (HSB)

Praising Strubeck for the two long FGs, Tomey said:
"He's one of the best around. He said (tonight) wasn't nearly as hard as having all your teammates around you hitting you in the head. We gave him the game ball. He just rallied to the cause." (HSB)

AP Note: "Early in the third, Spartans coach Dick Tomey chose to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Warriors 16 instead of attempting a 33-yard field goal that could have trimmed the lead to a touchdown. They didn't make the first down."

About the 50-yard FG that Strubeck hit (his previous season-high was 41 yards and he had already missed a 47-yard FG in the game), Tomey said:
"If you stand back there and see how far that is, it's a damn long way. On the road, with the crowd and the fact that he missed some this year. That really was huge for us." (HSB)

"The [kick] previous to [the 50-yard] had plenty of leg. And at that time we thought we’d take a swing at it. But he has been a terrific kicker for us. And the way we practice is that we get the guys around the kicker and we throw things at him, and we have people jumping up and down. So that (50 yarder) is not nearly as hard as having your teammates throw things at you, hitting you in the head. We just gave him the game ball and he rallied to the cause. And if you stand back there at fifty yards, that’s a damn long one, on the road with the crowd. But he made two in a row." (UH)
.

About how he encouraged the defense even though UH was moving the ball in the first half, defensive coordinator Keith Burns said:
"I told (our team) to just keep playing. We've got a code that we play by defensively and just had to stick to it and play hard. It was a great team win, a great team effort." (HA)

"We just stuck to what we believe in. We played with a great deal of pride. We have this defensive motto called The Code and it showed up in the second half." (HSB)

About how they have struggled against UH's offense in the past, Burns said:
"You know, we've gotten lit up for five, six touchdowns in the past (against Hawai'i), but (our team) believed in themselves and that's the most special thing about this win." (HA)

.
-------------------- Quotes from the SJSU players ------------------------

About how they never gave up on Strubeck despite his struggles this season, QB Kyle Reed said:
"We never gave up on him. We knew he had it in him. He made big plays for us." (HA)
.

About how he hit FGs to tie and win the game, Jared Strubeck said:
"It felt great." (HA)

"I made it for the team. I had to do my part. I was happy to contribute." (HA)

Happy that Coach Tomey didn't lose faith in him despite how he had missed 5 of 8 FGs before this game, Strubeck said:
"It feels great knowing Coach still believes in me. It was such a dire situation and we needed a kick even though I've struggled." (HSB)

HA Note "Strubeck tied it at 17 with a career-long field goal of 50 yards with 9:32 to play. It also was the Spartans' farthest field goal in 13 years. He then won it with 1:49 remaining when his attempt from 47 yards was true."

About how his teammates prepared him in practice so that the crowd would not bother him, Strubeck said:
"The guys on our team know what to do to get to me. All the noise here is just white noise. The guys on my team -- they know exactly what to say." (HSB)

About how he was 3-for-9 on FGs before his two long FGs to tie and win the game, Strubeck said:
"Was I really that bad?" (HSB)
.

About how their scouting of UH led to his INT of UH's first offensive play of the second half, safety Kyle Flynn said:
"We went over that play this week and we knew that they would send one guy to the flat and the slotback to the corner. Our linebacker covered the flat, so I went to the corner and that's where he threw it." (HA)

Praising their front 7 on D, Flynn said:
"The front seven (on defense) played a whole new game — with a whole new attitude — in the second half, they really made the difference for us. They put pressure on them and (the secondary) was able to come up with some turnovers." (HA)
.

About how it is hard to beat UH at home, backup OL Steve Lightsy (who graduated from Kahuku) said:
"It's a tough game playing against Hawaii at home. Words can't even say what it's like to come here and win." (HSB)
.

------------------ Quotes from others -----------------------

About Colt's love for Hawaii, Terry Brennan said:
"He has a strong relationship with Hawai'i, and I think he wants to keep a part of himself here." (HA)

Betsy Brennan said that not having Colt play in the UH game made the experience of watching it:
"a little less stressful. I still screamed my head off." (HA)

HA Note: "The Brennans were happy to see so many of their son's jerseys being worn by UH fans. The Brennans met with UH coaches and players during the team's walk-through and had dinner with friends from the department."

About how Colt hasn't been playing much, Terry Brennan laughed and said:
"At least he's got a great seat to all the games." (HA)

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Maui News feature on Jayson Rego

MN = Maui News

Asked if he ever expected to be UH's leading rusher, Rego said:
''Not really, no - I don't think I would have believed anybody who told me I would be this team's leading rusher, but, I mean, I always had faith in myself. I have been waiting my turn. It took a lot of perseverance. It is hard to explain, but it took a lot of hard work to keep pushing and never really thinking negative. Somewhere someone else has to have it worse than me. It can't really be that bad when I am playing D-I football - a lot of people would die to do that - so I really have no complaints." (MN)

''No way, I would have never imagined that - it was like a dream of mine to come to UH and try to make a difference. When everything started falling into place I was sort of, like, happy.'' (MN)

MN Note: "Rego's numbers are far from eye-popping - 71 yards on 13 carries, just four more than starter Leon Wright-Jackson has in the same number of attempts - but he was the leading ground gainer in Hawaii's only win this season, with 56 yards in a 36-17 decision over Weber State."

About his good friend, Weber State WR Cody Nakamura (who had 3 TDs the week after they played UH), Rego said:
''We spoke after the game - Cody is one of my friends. I am glad to hear he is doing really well, too. He went to Iao Intermediate, just one of a lot of guys who did.'' (MN)

About how he never doubted his choice of walking on to UH, even though he could have gotten much more playing time elsewhere, Rego said:
''UH, yeah, I feel it is the right place for me. At least it is finally. Everything is finally kind of falling into the right place. When the new coaches came in, they decided to give everybody a fair shot. The new coaching staff is more fair - they said from the beginning that they wanted the best guys to play. I'm getting a lot more looks than I would have under coach Jones.'' (MN)

MN Note: "A lot of that exposure has come from Rego's dedication in the weight room. He can bench press 405 pounds and in fall camp he benched 225 pounds 27 times, a number that would be pretty good for an offensive lineman at the NFL combine. He also squats ''400 something'' pounds."

About how he worked hard during the offseason to get his chance to play, Rego said:
''Oh yes, I definitely thought about that - contributing this season. I definitely took the offseason real serious, did a lot of extra things on top of the normal things I had to do. Workout days would be like a double day for me, gym twice a day to get an extra lift in, extra cardio, stuff like that. I also ate right to make sure that the food I was putting in my body was good.'' (MN)

About how he gave up rice and fast foods as part of his dietary change, Rego said:
''I focused more on fruits, vegetables and lean protein. 'I missed rice a lot when I first gave it up - for, like, those first two months I missed it a lot.'' (MN)

About how he was impressed by Rego ever since he was hired in the spring, RB coach Alex Gerke said:
''He is an absolute tough nut and has done a great job at just being a cerebral player. I will tell you, he has put his time in. I always have high, high respect for young men that come to school, pay for their own school, and work hard in the classroom - that is what it is all about. When I got here in the spring, I told the other coaches I absolutely love the kid because he is an absolute tough nut. 'He is on damn near every special teams unit. He has just really done his job of earning his keep, so to say.'' (MN)

About going to Kamehameha Oahu even as the Kamehameha Maui campus was opening, Rego said:
''I think Kamehameha (Oahu) was the right place for me. I mean, we won a state title and I really enjoyed myself there. I did miss a lot of my friends on Maui. Ever since I was little I played with the Hewahewas, my cousin is Kaluka Maiava and guys like Trenson Himalaya and Bulla Tuzon. Those are all my really good buddies from intermediate.'' (MN)

About how he's been following how his friend Kaluka Maiava has been doing at USC, Rego said:
''I never doubted him. Kaluka has always been very athletic. I kind of knew he was going to do all the good things he is doing now.'' (MN)

About how he still doesn't have a scholarship and knows that puts pressure on his parents since he also has two siblings in college, Rego said:
''I think about a scholarship, but we don't talk about it as players, that is more the coaches' decision. My mom and dad come to every game, they are my biggest fans. A scholarship would mean everything to me - it would mean a lot to help them out financially.'' (MN)

Asked if Rego is a candidate for a scholarship in the future, Gerke said:
''You just never know. I mean, he has done some nice things, you can't deny that. The kid has done a huge, huge job. I absolutely love him.'' (MN)

About how they are running the ball more this season, Rego said:
''For sure, that is definitely a positive, running the ball more now. I feel like I am in the best shape since I have been here. When coach Gerke came in he trained us real well and he got us into top shape.'' (MN)

About the importance of the SJSU game, Rego said:
''Everybody just decided that we need to take it up a notch, play with a lot of emotion, play with a lot of heart, just step up our game. Basically give it all we've got every day, whether it is practice or games.'' (MN)

About working hard to get his civil engineering degree next year despite the demands of football, Rego said:
''I have got a lot on my plate. I usually try to get in bed by 11 at night, but there are some nights when I don't get in bed until 2 or 3 a.m. and wake up, like, two or three hours later. I just had one of those nights Monday when I had a midterm in engineering ecomomics.'' (MN)

Feature articles on RGM!

VS = Vancouver Sun
OC = Ottawa Citizen

VS Note: "Despite the fact that few Lions fans have heard of him, the 22-year-old receiver who was added to the team's expanded practice roster earlier this month is turning some heads in practice, most notably head coach Wally Buono, director of player personnel Roy Shivers and receivers coach Jacques Chapdelaine."

Praising RGM, BC head coach Wally Buono said:
"We like what we've seen so far. Obviously, we'd like to extend the process. A lot will depend on what happens after this game [Saturday night against Hamilton at BC Place]." (VS, OC)

Praising RGM, WR coach Jacques Chapdelaine said:
"He's a very skilled player. I hope at some point we get a chance to see him in a game." (VS)

About how their WRs have been dropping a lot of passes, Chapdelaine said:
"We had a spell of it earlier in the year. You don't know if the drops cause the sputtering on offence or the sputtering on offence causes the drops. The more rhythm you can get into the offence, the better everything is. The better the blocks are, the better the running game is, the better the catches will be. Almost every drop at this level has to do with a player taking his eyes off the ball. It's a lack of focus." (VS)

About RGM's great hands, player personnel director Roy Shivers said:
"I don't think I've seen him drop one ball since he's been here." (VS, OC)

VS Note: "That last attribute is especially appealing, since the Lions' receiving corps is suffering from bouts of double-vision, the shakes and flare-ups of Nicolson Disease. That's in reference to Adam Nicolson, the Lions' first-round pick last year who was cut in late August because he kept dropping the ball."

VS Note: "By Buono's count -- and he keeps track of these things -- the Lions have dropped 15 catchable balls over the past two games. Those botched attempts have stalled drives and limited touchdown opportunities. Not only can't they latch their fingers onto the football, but the finger of blame can't be pointed at any one individual."

About all of their dropped passes, WR Geroy Simon said:
"I think, what's happening now, when we have a little bit of inconsistency, guys are trying [too hard] to make plays. I know me, personally, when I drop the ball, I'm trying to do something else besides just catching the ball. I'm trying to catch the ball and run at the same time instead of just making sure I've got it." (VS)

UH-San Jose State Pregame Quotes

About how they want to repeat as WAC champions, Mack said:
"We're defending last year's team's championship. Our goal is to win the WAC championship." (HA)

About how he's changed from dividing their season into segments to focusing on:
"winning one game a week. If you start talking about the streaks and how many times we've beaten this team or that team and winning the rest of the games, it gets too mind-boggling. I've tried to simplify it for the players and the coaches. It's our focus to win one game a week. And then we need to accomplish that, and go to the next one, and win one game that week." (HA)

"All we're thinking about is doing everything we can as a team to beat San Jose State. All the rest of it doesn't matter. When you start thinking about all that stuff, it all gets bogged down. All we want to do is win one game a week." (HSB)


About how they want to repeat as WAC champions, Ryan Mouton said:
"It's very important. We have to come out and play like we're WAC champs. We'd better defend (the title) because everybody wants it." (HA)


About the struggles of their offense (last in the country in 3rd down conversion % and turnover ratio, 103rd nationally in scoring and total offense), offensive coordinator Ron Lee said:
"They just need to play together. Now we're starting to get some continuity and I see us getting better. The last two weeks were really good for us." (HSB)


About his blocking ability, David Farmer said:
"I think it's a tenacity thing. It's just getting in there and having the will to protect the quarterback. I'm worried about not letting down the other 10 guys on the field. My job is blocking that one guy so he doesn't get to (the quarterback)." (HA)


Excited about having Farmer back to be their power back, where he could run the ball as well as block, Mack said:
"He made a run the other day that made him look like Larry Csonka. I'm excited about Dave Farmer. He brings an addition to our package. We haven't had that big running back all season." (HA)


About their team goal to have the opponent start inside the 35 after a kickoff, Dan Kelly said:
"We need the better field position, period." (HA)

"I set our goal a little higher. Anything outside the 25 is considered a failure for me." (HA)

HA Note: "Of his 11 kickoffs this season, five have resulted in touchbacks. But the other six are landing, on average, at the 18."


About how losing Guyton Galdeira hurt their special teams this year, Jake Ingram said:
"We have a lot of the same guys, but losing Guyton hurt. He inspired people, and he hit people." (HSB)

HSB Note: "And he did it while listed at 5-feet-7 and 155 pounds. He may have been 155, but the 5-7 was Bill Gates generous."

Worried about what Coach Tomey will try on special teams, Ikaika Malloe said:
"We've got to be ready for anything. And we've got some crazy guys to do the job. The size of them might surprise some people, but they can do it." (HSB)

About the starters (Sol, Adam Leonard, Calvin Roberts) they will be using on special teams, Ikaika Malloe said:
"I think they'll boost energy, momentum, enthusiasm — all of those things you want before the defense goes on the field." (HA)

About the adjustments they made on kick coverage, Malloe said:
"We weren't doing well at all, so we moved some personnel around, changed schemes to make it a little simpler and we put a lot of time into it." (HSB)


About how Coach Tomey has changed from his old conservative offense to a more diversified offense, Rich Miano said:
"Dick Tomey has really diversified offensively." (HA)

"I never thought you'd see that from Dick Tomey. That's the college game. You've seen elements in the NFL. He has really diversified his attack. It's pretty scary. And they've got talented, skilled athletes at quarterback and running back." (HA)

HA Note: "The Spartans can align in a spread formation (with one back or an empty backfield), or a pro set (two backs, two receivers and a tight end), or a king formation (two tight ends). The quarterback can receive the snap from under center or in a shotgun. In the spread formation, the Spartans use the West Coast principles of short, ball-control passes. Against San Diego State, the Spartans rushed for 293 yards and five touchdowns. Against Stanford, they completed 23 of 26 passes with no interceptions."


About Yonus Davis, Mack said:
"He hits holes with power, and if he gets a crease on you he can take it to the house. He's a real offensive weapon." (HSB)


About SJSU's DL, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"They're fast, they're athletic, they've been playing with this group for the last two years and they added a transfer from USC (Schweiger), so they're better up front than they were last year." (HSB)

UH-BYU to face each other in 2012 and 2013!

HA Note: "The teams will meet on Sept. 8, 2012 in Provo, Utah, and again on Sept. 14, 2013 at Aloha Stadium."

About how he (a former UH OL) signed the deal with BYU AD Tom Holmoe (a former BYU DB), JD said:
"I had to block him on occasion, which wasn't fun. But we both came from a time period when it was a healthy rivalry and recognize the fans appreciated it." (HA)

About how their players and fans will be happy to face BYU, JD said:
"Playing BYU has always been a thrill for our fans as well as our coaches and players. I'm very pleased we were able to work out an agreement and continue this friendly rivalry." (HSB, Salt Lake Tribune)

About their home-and-home series, Holmoe said:
"It's great to rekindle the rivalry with Hawai'i. Over the years the tradition has included fantastic players, coaches, teams and games. Add in terrific fans and stadiums and you have the ingredients of an excellent matchup." (HA, Salt Lake Tribune)

JD praised associate AD Carl Clapp:
"for carrying the ball on this and seeing it (negotiations) through. Kudos to Carl." (HA)

HSB Note: "Hawaii is also close to finalizing an extension to its four-game series with UNLV, another MWC school, which runs from 2009 to 2012."

Friday, September 26, 2008

Lane to return kicks again

HA Note: "Last season, Malcolm Lane finished 10th nationally in kick returns, averaging 29.2 yards. He had two returns for touchdowns. But he was not used on kick returns in the first three games this season. Lane, now the starting right wideout, was being saved for offense."

About how they changed their blocking schemes with Lane now returning kickoffs, special teams coordinator Ikaika Malloe said:
"Malcolm is really a downhill runner. For the type of scheme we're doing, he's one of the better ones for it because he takes a little weave step and then he hits it down." (HA)

HA Note: "With the revolving situation at quarterback and on the offensive line this season, the Warriors' passing attack has been out of sync. Last week, Lane played every offensive snap but did not catch a pass. Seven were thrown in his direction, but only one was considered to be catchable. Head coach Greg McMackin said adding kick-return duties gives Lane a chance to use his play-making skills."

About Lane, Mack said:
"He's a very talented athlete. His attitude is great. We haven't been able to get him the football. He's got to be more of a focus of our program because he's one of our weapons. He's a big guy (6 feet 1) who can run." (HA)

About returning kicks, Lane said that he welcomes the opportunity:
"to be more involved." (HA)

Referring to his competition with Mouton last season on who could return the most kickoffs for TDs, Lane said:
"I can renew my competition - ha, ha - easily won by me." (HA)

Noting that he had the higher return average (29.57 yards per return, 5th nationally) last season, Mouton said:
"What competition?" (HA)

About how Mouton will also be returning kicks, Malloe said:
"We're really happy with Ryan, too. Ryan has a knack of knowing how to use his blockers. He's really good at that." (HA)

Note: I am very glad that they made this change, as Lane did well last season. Taylor showed a spark late in the Florida game, but I was at the Oregon State game and saw a HUGE dropoff between Mouton and Taylor in returning kicks. It got to the point where I wondered out loud why Oregon State would ever kick to Mouton because UH was getting much better field position with Mouton than with Taylor

Feature article on SJSU RB Yonus Davis

About repeating his senior season, Yonus Davis said:
"It's a blessing to be able to get this year back. Every practice, every film, everything I do right now is going out and attacking it the best way I know how." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Davis, who ran for 1,007 yards in 2006, was granted a sixth year of eligibility after an ankle injury ended his 2007 season after just three carries."

HSB Note: "Davis ran for 66 yards on 11 carries and scored a touchdown in a breakout performance against UH in 2005, though UH pulled out a 45-38 win in San Jose. He was then held to 29 yards the following year in Honolulu, a 54-17 Warriors rout, and the injury kept him out of last year's overtime thriller won by UH."

About Davis (who is averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season, 5th in the country), Adam Leonard said:
"They missed Yonus last year. He's a real good scatback who makes people miss, and if he gets a corner he can take it all the way to the house." (HSB)

About how they switched to a single-back spread formation this year, insted of using the 2-back West Coast system they had been using, Davis said:
"(The SJSU coaches) want to put people in space, match them up with linebackers and DBs and let them make plays." (HSB)

About Kyle Reed, who has completed 79.4% of his passes and rushed for 4 TDs, Dick Tomey said:
"His performance and his progress have been quite startling to everyone." (HSB)

About Reed, Davis said:
"I would say he puts the defensive coaches under pressure every week." (HSB)

About their inconsistent offense, Davis said:
"It's a game-by-game thing. You put it behind you and just keep improving." (HSB)

About his former high school teammate Bess, who he's kept in contact with even after Bess went to the Dolphins, Davis said:
"I've talked to him some; he's doing real well over there." (HSB)

Davis said that he and Bess hadn't talked for a little while, but:
"he'll probably call me some time this week. (HSB)

Injury update for Blaze, Sol, and Libre

Mack said that even if Blaze hadn't suffered his sprained ankle:
"he wouldn't have played in this game. We're not going to put him out too soon. I'm taking advice from the trainers and the doctors. We're not going to do anything to hurry or hurt Blaze." (HA)

HA Note: "Elimimian has been slowed because of soreness in his right quadriceps. But Elimimian is expected to start this week - at outside linebacker and the center on the kick-return unit."

About how they aren't thinking about redshirting Blaze, Mack said:
"I'm not even thinking about that." (HA)

"We want him (to play) when he's right. I'm not going to screw him up. He's got a future in this game. We have to get him ready." (HA)

About how he won't give Libre a vote on whether or not he plays, unlike his normal policy, Mack said:
"Daniel would play with his leg cut off. We have to play with the guys who are healthy, and let the other guys get good and healthy." (HA)

After Libre participated in practice yesterday, Ron Lee said:
"He looks like he's ready to go." (HSB)

About Sol's quad injury, Cal Lee said:
"It's a day-to-day thing." (HSB)

Brashton Satele and SJSU LG Isaac Leatiota are cousins

About how he follows Samson Satele with the Dolphins, another of his and Brashton's cousins, Leatiota said:
"I always watch his games when he's on TV." (HA)

Brashton said that he thinks Leatiota has a:
"little of the handsomeness of the Sateles." (HA)

Starting QB a "game-time decision"

About Tyler's status, Mack said after their final full practice before the game:
"Tyler's really coming along. He's had three practices throwing the ball and it's going to be a game-time decision. Inoke's practiced well and (Graunke) gets better every day. I'm going to wait to the last day." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Graunke, who suffered the injury against Oregon State, resumed practicing on Tuesday and received more repetitions as the week progressed. Funaki got most of the work during UH's bye week and has thrown the ball with greater authority in recent practices. He went 4-for-4 in a red-zone drill to close yesterday's workout. The Warriors have started three different quarterbacks in their first three games, with none lasting into the fourth quarter."

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Other quotes from the local papers

About his injury status, Tyler (who competed in 11-on-11 drills yesterday for the first time in 2 weeks) said that his sore throwing hand is:
"feeling good. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I will be there." (HA)

HA Note: "He said he receives treatment "three or four " times a day for the base of his right thumb and right wrist. His hand was bandaged yesterday. He said he will wear a bandage on his wrist against San Jose State Saturday."

About his slightly torn meniscus in his right knee, Jovonte Taylor said:
"It's nothing major. I'm good to go. I'm ready." (HA)

About how their RBs want to give the QBs extra time this week, Kealoha Pilares said:
"We know a lot of people are doubting our offense. So we as running backs take it upon ourselves to concentrate on what we have to do and give the quarterbacks a little more time out there so they can go through their progressions." (HSB)

About the importance of their RBs to be good blockers, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"The running backs are our sixth lineman -- that's the way our protection works. They've done a real good job so far, being smaller guys than we're used to. Especially Kealoha, moving back from receiver, he's been doing a heck of a job blocking." (HSB)

About how coach Gerke has instructed him to block, Pilares said:
"Always being square, getting low, especially for me being on the small side as a running back. He teaches me a lot about leverage, just using my size to explode into people." (HSB)

About protecting the QB, David Farmer said:
"First and foremost you've got to know who you have. Second, is just being tough. It's positioning and a lot of strategy and knowing where to make contact and hit the guy. Anyone can go out there and hit, but that'll only get you so far. A good defensive end will swim you or make moves. You've got to be smarter and adjust to it and use more technique rather than sheer force." (HSB)

About how Tyler's health is improving, Rolo said:
"Today was definitely better than yesterday. He's progressing and feeling better. Inoke had a great day. He's been throwing the ball real well." (HSB)

UH and UNLV are working to extend their contract

About how UH and UNLV want to extend their series, Carl Clapp said:
"We certainly do (want to extend the rivalry) and I think they do too. It's a great game for our student-athletes and it's a great game for the followings on both sides." (HSB)

HSB Note: "UH athletic director Jim Donovan said "it's not a done deal," but the schools are working on an extension of a contract that begins next year with a game in Las Vegas, adding four games to the series."

HSB Note: "Under the existing deal, Hawaii and UNLV are scheduled to play each year from 2009 through 2012. The date of the 2012 game has yet to be finalized. The schools met last year, with the Warriors winning 49-14 at Sam Boyd Stadium."

Feature on the Warriors' special teams players

About how Richard Torres will be a head-hunter on their special teams, Ikaika Malloe said:
"That's his job." (HA)

HA Note: "To energize the Warriors' kickoff, punt and kick return units, Malloe sought a few good — but crazed — men. The answers came from stars (linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian), starters (defensive backs Erik "E-Rob" Robinson and Calvin Roberts) and the fearless (defensive backs Spencer Smith, Dane Porlas and Torres). Smith and Torres are the bookends on the kickoff unit. They play the positions known as the head-hunters. Their primary role is to seek out the kick returner. Smith is 5 feet 11 and 200 pounds. Torres is 5-7 and 165. Both have to blast through man-made wedges of blockers."

About Spencer Smith and Richard Torres blasting through the wedge on kickoffs, Dan Kelly said: said:
"I don't know if they love what they do or if they're completely insane. I like to think they're insane. I've never seen people hit a wedge like they do." (HA)

About people who think he's crazy, Spencer Smith said:
"I don't think I'm crazy. I'll take 'hard-worker' over crazy. I try my hardest every time. That's why I get labeled 'crazy' by Dan." (HA)

About how he's trying to emulate Guyton Galdeira and Ryan Keomaka from last year's team, Torres said:
"Those guys are the crazy ones. All I do is try to run at full speed all of the time. When I see the wedge, I just react and go full speed. I figure if I slow down, I'll get run over." (HA)

HA Note: "After evaluating the first three games, the UH coaches felt changes were needed on some of the special-teams units. About 20 players were asked to audition. Torres seized the coaches' attention."

About Torres, Malloe said:
"I think people will be excited to see him play. His job will be the head-hunter. He'll find the ball. If you watch the wedge, you should see Richard Torres. He's what (long-time UH) fans remember seeing — guys running down there (on kickoffs), not caring about what's in front of them. He'll match up with guys twice his size. It doesn't bother him. He loves it. He'll run in there and knock himself out." (HA)

HA Note: "Wanting to lead by example, two of the team captains, Leonard and Elimimian, volunteered for special duty. Leonard will be on punt coverage. Elimimian is the center on the front line of the kick-return team."

About playing on special teams, Sol said:
"I'm a team player. I told (the coaches): 'If you need me, let me know.' They let me know." (HA)

About how he let the coaches know he would be available to help out on special teams, Adam Leonard said:
"I want to help out any way I can. 'm doing what I can." (HA)

About being on 5 special-teams units, Tyson Kafentzis (who once played despite a broken pelvic bone) said:
"I want to be on every (unit). I'm a senior. I don't want to graduate and second guess myself. That would be the worst thing. I would never want that. I want to go out with a bang. I don't want to leave anything hanging." (HA)

About how his father Mark played on special teams, Tyson said:
"I know the history. Special teams is huge here. Like coach said, some people come here just to watch kickoffs." (HA)

About the toll it takes being a wedge buster, Tyson said:
"Being a wedge breaker takes a few years off your life. From my special-team (involvement), I've probably lost 10 years out of my life." (HA)

Tyson added:
"It was definitely worth it."(HA)

Ching Field renovation cleared to proceed!

Pleased that the second of two protests was dismissed, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"I'm tremendously pleased that legal obstacles are now removed and that we (can) begin work on the project." (HA)

HA Note: "The contract of $862,381 was awarded by UH on Aug. 13 to RMY Construction, Inc., the lowest bidder, to install a new synthetic playing surface. A few days later CO-HA Builders Inc., and Ching's Nursery filed protests. Prior to the protests, construction was to begin in August and be completed by Oct. 31."

HSB Note: "Hearing officer Sheryl Nagata dismissed the protest Tuesday because Ching's Nursery, doing business as Service Contracting, did not submit its protest within five working days of the contract award."

About how they might appeal to the Circuit Court the dismissal of their protest, Gifford Chang, VP of Hoonai Subcontracting (which would assist Ching's Nursery with installing the turf), said:
"I think the university is still in violation of various contract laws, so we're looking into it to see if it's worth pursuing." (HSB)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Feature on UH's WRs

About how their WRs will run all the way to the end zone when they catch a pass on 7-on-7 drills, WR coach Craig Stutzmann said:
"We want the receivers to think about the yards after the catch." (HA)

HA Note: "This season, the Warriors have been suffering from post-catch blues. The yards-after-catch (YAC) averages have dropped significantly for three of the four starting receivers. Only Greg Salas, the left wideout, has improved, slightly - from a YAC average of 2.67 last year to 3.00 in the first three games this season. Salas' predecessor, wideout Jason Rivers, had a YAC average of 5.20 in 2007. Right wideout Malcolm Lane has incurred the most dramatic decline, with his YAC average falling from 9.14 last year to 4.33 this season. Starting slotbacks Michael Washington and Aaron Bain have YAC averages of 3.56 and 3.50, respectively. Last year's slotbacks, Ryan Grice-Mullins and Davone Bess, averaged 6.58 and 6.30, respectively."

About the reason for their limited YAC, Mike Washington said:
"From my standpoint, the balls we did catch (in the past game against Oregon State) were passes headed to the sideline, or quick out routes with the defender right there." (HA)

About how they can't worry about YAC now and have to concentrate on catching the passes first, Malcolm Lane said:
"We have to complete the pass before we start worrying, 'Oh, Hawai'i's not getting that many yards after the catch.' We need to worry about catching the ball first." (HA)

About how their starting WRs will break through soon, Bain said:
"It's a matter of time before everybody breaks loose." (HA)

HA Note: "Stutzmann agreed, saying the receivers need more time in a "game-like setting." Stutzmann said the more experience a receiver attains, the easier it will be to get a "feel" for the defense, and where the openings will be after catches."

About how their WRs need to get comfortable in the offense to maximize their YAC, Stutzmann said:
"It's a matter of getting comfortable with making plays, and not being (hesitant) to catch a ball and be creative with it. You can coach guys to catch the ball. You can coach guys to run routes. You can emphasize runs after the catch, but, really, that's where your athleticism takes over." (HA)

About taking their catches all the way to the end zone in practice, Washington said:
"They say you practice how you play. We're going to carry that to the game on Saturday." (HA)

Injury updates for the Warriors

About his injury status, Tyler said:
"I think I'm about 75, 80 percent right now." (HA)

Tyler said that there is still some pain, and on passes:
"I don't have all of the velocity I want." (HA)

About how the swelling has gone down in the injured area, Tyler said:
"I can move it a lot more." (HA)

HA Note: "He also said his "unstable" left knee is healthy."

Expecting to play on Saturday, Tyler said:
"I plan on doing nothing but playing this weekend, playing four quarters." (HA)

About the treatment for his fractured left index finger, Keoni Steinhoff said it involves:
"icing it, and wrapping it with a splint. That's all I can do." (HA)

About sitting out Sol from practice due to a thigh injury, Mack said:
"It's just a precaution. He's going to be fine, but we didn't want to take any chances with him." (HSB)

About practicing in a limited manner yesterday due to his sprained ankle, Fale Laeli said:
"Seeing how it felt. It's not bad, it's getting there. Being careful, I no like rush 'em and get hurt again. Tomorrow I'll be ready to go. Tomorrow I'll be 100 percent." (HSB)

About his injury situation, Tyler said:
"I'm rehabbing it a lot, in the trainers' room as much as I can, and I got faith in my O-line to protect me and not let me hit my hand on any helmets or reinjure it in any way. So, I'm real healthy coming into this game and I'm real confident that I'm gonna play. I'm going to be 100 percent healthy, and I got confidence in our training staff, our coaches to put me in the best position possible to succeed." (HSB)

Other quotes from the local papers

About how SJSU had to rescind his scholarship due to APR losses after he had turned down a UH offer, Calvin Roberts (who eventually got another offer from UH) said:
"There are no hard feelings. I ended up here. This is what the man upstairs wanted me to do." (HA)

About how UH went to the Sugar Bowl and won the WAC last year while SJSU was 5-7, Robert said:
"I've got the ring." (HA)

About his great respect for Coach Tomey, who was the head coach of his hometown Arizona Wildcats throughout his childhood, Tyler said:
"I've known Dick Tomey for half my life, ever since I was about 10 years old. And he's a really good friend of one of my best buddies' dad. He's a good family friend too, my grandma knows him. He's just a great guy, great coach. He's just like Coach (Greg McMackin), he cares about you as a person before he cares about you as a football player." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Graunke attended the same high school, Salpointe Catholic, as Tomey's children."

Happy to be able to try some long-distance kicks at the end of yesterday's practice, Dan Kelly said:
"I need the work, I need the reps, now more than ever. It's more than usual, but it's nothing we can't handle and it's actually kind of nice." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The senior, who has started 1-for-4 on field goals this season, went 5-for-7 at the Manoa grass practice field. He was 2-for-2 from 47 yards, 2-for-3 from 52, 1-for-1 from 57 and was short and to the right on his 62-yard final blast as teammates chanted his name."

About his miss on the 62-yard final kick, Kelly said it was:
"Into the wind." (HSB)

Feature on Brashton Satele

About how he looks forward to Sunday mornings now that he's playing again, Brashton said:
"It feels good, I like my body aching the next day. I missed that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "For the last three years, Satele had woken up fairly fresh the day after Hawaii's football games as a reserve linebacker who saw the field a few times per week on special teams. This season, he's playing a prominent role in a defense for the first time since leaving high school, stepping in at middle linebacker for the Warriors."

About going all out on each play, Brashton said:
"I waited three years and I'm not going to give a half-effort." (HSB)

About how Sol moved outside to get the bigger Brashton to play at MLB, Cal Lee said:
"You're talking about an all-conference middle linebacker moving to the outside. It's a sacrifice he made for the team." (HSB)

About how their two vet starting LBs have been helping him, Brashton said:
"(In UH's loss at Oregon State) I didn't make as many plays as I wanted to, but it's getting better, I'm getting more confidence with the plays. At first I was kind of like hesitating, but now I'm playing full speed. Solly and Adam (Leonard) help me out a lot. ... (Elimimian) telling me how to play the gaps, how to play the pass, I'm learning a lot from him. He's like a coach out there for me." (HSB)

About Brashton's development, Sol said:
"You have to go out there and be the leader and you have to get guys in position. He's a lot more vocal. He doesn't have a problem telling guys to get into the huddle or calling plays. He's taken a big step as far as leadership's concerned." (HSB)

Quotes from Mack

About Coach Tomey (who he worked with when he was with the 49ers), Mack (who was an assistant at SJSU from 1979 to 1983) said:
"I've been a longtime friend of his and I just know he'll have his team ready, so that's just a given. He's got some really good players on both sides of the ball and this will be a good game for him also, because he considers Hawaii very special." (HSB)

About closing practices, Mack said:
"I don't normally do this, but I think it's just a very important ballgame." (HSB)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Injury status updates

About how he should be able to play on Saturday after going through his first practice (he did the position workouts but sat out the 7-on-7 drills) since being out due to a partial tear in his right knee during training camp, David Farmer said:
"I should be ready to go." (HA)

About his conditioning, Farmer said:
"I could always be in better shape, but it felt good as far as everything else, cutting and running. It felt good just from a confidence standpoint to get out there and run around on it. I was out here running last week, but nothing's quite the same as getting in there and going through it." (HSB)

Hoping to be able to contribute against SJSU, Farmer said:
"But there's guys who have been out here and been working. So I have to go out there and prove myself." (HSB)

About being able to play just one play against Oregon State, LWJ said:
"It was frustrating. I felt I let the team down on that one. I'm going to make it up this week, and get ready for San Jose State." (HA)

About his sore foot, LWJ said:
"It's a minor setback, it's over." (HSB)

About suffering a sprain to the lower part of his right ankle against Oregon State (he sat out the Weber State game due to a high-ankle sprain suffered against Florida), Daniel Libre said:
"It was like a replay of what happened in (the season opener against) Florida." (HA)

Libre said that he thought he might be able to practice yesterday, but his ankle:
"told me otherwise." (HSB)

About how they cannot more Pilares back to slotback until Libre is healthy, Mack said:
"We would like to move Kealoha back to slot, but he's (one of) our leading runner(s) right now. The main thing is to get the ball in his hands because he's a playmaker." (HA)

About suffering a torn ACL during the Scout Bowl, which ends his season, Bryce Kalau'oka'a'ea said:
"It's an unfortunate injury. I was having fun being out there." (HA)

About how he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee when he was at Castle High, Bryce said:
"I have to overcome it again." (HA)

About how he doesn't want his torn triceps in his left arm to keep him out of anymore games, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"I'm ready for this game. I don't care what happens. I can't miss another home game. I can't miss another game, period." (HA)

About how it pained him to miss their first home game of the season, Rocky said:
"When we played Weber State, coming out of the tunnel, looking at all the boys putting their game faces on, seeing their excitement, it tore me apart. I told myself, 'I'm not going to go through this feeling again.' " (HSB)

About how he planned for the SJSU game to be the one where he returned, Rocky said:
"I was focusing on coming back this home game. I really wanted to make it to the Oregon State game, but I knew I definitely wasn't ready. ... I targeted (this week) and it ended up working out this way." (HSB)

About how he'll play after missing the Oregon State game with a "tweaked" right ankle and having problems with tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee, Fale Laeli said:
"Yes, I will play this week." (HA)

About how they have been shuffling players around on their OL again, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"Theme of the season. That would be nice, to have the same five for more than a week." (HSB)

About Laupepa Letuli's return to practice yesterday, Smith said:
"He looked OK considering he missed a couple of weeks ... now he has to clean some of the rust off and get his technique back going. (Today) will be a big day, we'll get him in some shoulder pads, we'll get some reps against the defense and we'll have a much better idea exactly where he is." (HSB)

About the injury problems he's had througout his Warrior career, starting (when he's healthy) LT Letuli said:
"I haven't gone one year without (an injury). Hopefully, this is it. I want to be healthy the rest of the season, and progress." (HA)

HA Note: "Yesterday, the first-team tackles were Aaron Kia on the left and Adrian Thomas on the right. The usual No. 1 right tackle, Keoni Steinhoff, has a broken finger. He will resume practicing today. Kia also practiced at right tackle when Letuli was at left tackle. Offensive line coach Brian Smith said Raphael Ieru and Brysen "Bulla" Ginlack will split time at left guard."

About how the bye week was good for his injured and worn out Warriors, Mack said:
"It's good for these guys because we had an intense camp and then we've probably traveled as much as anybody in the country will for the entire year. So now this starts a new season. I really liked the quickness. It looks like we've got our legs back." (HSB)

About starting 4 sophomores on their OL due to injuries to 3 vets on the OL, Tomey said:
"We're just in a day-to-day situation because they have back ailments that are really bothersome. We're just trying to manage all of that. We'd love to have them available all the time but for us that's not the real world." (HSB)

Feature on SJSU's QB Kyle Reed

About his QB's amazing 79.4% completion rate, Dick Tomey said:
"Kyle Reed is just ... I mean, I've never seen a guy ... he's completing almost 80 percent of his passes,. The thing you don't understand is that this guy didn't have spring practice. He broke his foot, he missed spring practice. He was getting third-team (repetitions) in the fall, which is practically nothing. And, he went into that first game and just lit it up." (HA)

HA Note: "Reed, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound transfer from California, came off the bench to rally San Jose State from a 10-0 deficit and spare the Spartans what would have been an ignominious season-opening defeat to lower-division UC Davis, 13-10. But it wasn't just UC Davis that Reed, who had been ranked the No. 7 quarterback in the country coming out of high school by Super Prep, has had his moments against. Reed has been exacting in his throws against Nebraska, Stanford and San Diego State. Last week he completed 23 of 26 passes against Stanford — including the first 15 in a row — and would have set a WAC record had another not been dropped."

Praising Reed, Tomey said:
"There's no way anybody could have expected him to be as effective. Basically, he had not played in a football game in three years and nine months since high school. He went to Cal and did not play a snap. He did not play a snap here last year (as a redshirt)." (HA)

Tyler sat out 7-on-7 drills

About how he'll play on Saturday even though he sat out 7-on-7 drills yesterday because of tenderness in his right (throwing) hand, Tyler said:
"Definitely." (HA)

HA Note: "He received medical clearance to practice last Friday. Yesterday, with his right hand wrapped in a thin layer of bandages, he threw passes during warmups. But just before the Warriors were to break off into 7-on-7 passing drills, Graunke went to the training area. He unwrapped the bandages. The trainers then applied a thick ice pack to Graunke's right hand."

Tyler pointed to the bottom side of his thumb and said that the pain is:
"mostly on the inside. If I move my thumb toward my fingers, it's fine. Away from it is when it hurts." (HA)

HA Note: "He also said there is pain in his right wrist."

About Rolo saying that he would receive "double treatment" on his right hand yesterday, Tyler said:
"I'll make it triple treatment." (HA)

Tyler said that after he had problems with his grip in warmups:
"I knew I needed an extra day of treatment and therapy." (HA)

"I thought I was going to go today, but it just didn't feel right gripping the ball." (HSB)

About how Tyler understands their system, Mack said:
"He's been in (the system) for four years. It'll come back faster for him. I think he's going to be fine." (HA)

HA Note: "Rolovich said Graunke needs the practice time to bond with the receivers. Because of academic issues and the injury, Graunke has participated in nine full practices since Aug. 4, the first day of training camp."

About how Tyler needs the practice time, Rolo said:
"The familiarity you get with your receivers in practice is what he needs." (HA)

Agreeing that he needs the practice time, Tyler said:
"I need to get out there and practice with the guys for the timing and camaraderie. We need to be on the same level, the same page ... like we were in the second half against Weber (State)." (HA)

About how he knows Tyler well, Tomey said:
"I know him very well. They have a skilled, tough quarterback who had a lot to do with the season they had last year." (HSB)

HSB Note: "UH quarterback Tyler Graunke is a graduate of Salpoint Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz., the same school Tomey's children attended when he coached at Arizona."

Feature articles on Coach Tomey facing the Warriors

Trying to minimize the importance of the game, Tomey said:
"I think it (playing at UH) has lost some of its special meaning over the years just because I have been there, now, a number of times." (HA, HSB)

HA Note: "Tomey was UH's head coach from 1977 to 1986 and his departure for Arizona came amid an uncharacteristically tearful press conference."

About how his first game in Hawaii after he left for Arizona was special, Tomey said:
"The first time I came back when I was at Arizona, it was very special." (HA)

Tomey said that now:
"we go every year. My family (and wife) Nanci (are) over there now. We're about to have a grand baby. Our daughter is over there having a baby. We have two daughters living there now." (HA)

About his feelings towards Hawaii, Tomey said:
"I love Hawaii and consider it home." (HSB)

"I love Hawai'i and I have so many good friends there, but going back there to play is just going back there to play a team that won the conference last year, that we have a lot of respect for. I love Mac (UH head coach Greg McMackin) he's a tremendous guy as I feel strongly about many of their coaches who I have a lot of connections (with). But we're just trying to win a football game 'cause we're coming off a loss that really hurt." (HA)

Asked about the special hold that Hawaii has on him, Tomey said:
"I just like the smell of the ... I like the flowers, I like the people. It has nothing to do with the university. I just love the people. I love the diversity of the population. The feel of things. It feels like home to me, it always has. I used to say that at Arizona (and) people would get mad at me. But, it does. It feels like home. I get off the plane, I feel like I'm at home. Nanci feels the same way and our kids feel the same way. And that doesn't mean I don't love San Jose, it just means, to me, it (Hawai'i) is a special place. It is more special, in my view, because of the people than anything else." (HA)

Before getting the UH job, Tomey said that he had been to Hawaii "three or four times" on vacation, and:
"I'd always said, '(gosh) how do you get this job? I mean, I'd love to work here.' " (HA)

About how nobody else wanted the UH job when he took it, Tomey said:
"when I took the job, nobody else wanted it because it was just ... it was a tough time in the middle of summer and all our players were quitting and they had lost to the alumni in the spring game. It was difficult." (HA)

About how Tomey has been looking forward to this game in Hawaii for a long time, Rich Miano (who played for Tomey) said:
"You know he's had this date circled for a long time." (HSB)

HSB Note: "If John McCain gets elected, he won't be the only septuagenarian president; next year Tomey is slated to move up from first VP of the American Football Coaches Association."

About Tomey, Miano said:
"He always had an aura, a presence. A great motivator, very inspirational." (HSB)

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Karl Benson talks about UH and the WAC

About how everyone associates UH and the WAC, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
"UH is the senior member of the WAC and over the last 30 years their programs have certainly brought national attention and limelight to the WAC, especially last year with their BCS appearance. While there may be confusion from time to time about who is in the WAC and who isn't, when you talk about Hawai'i you think of the WAC; and when you talk about the WAC you talk about Hawai'i." (HA)

HA Note: When UH joined the WAC, after 15 years of romancing and two previous rejections, the realization of Gov. John Burns' vision of a conference home for UH was heralded as "the most important happening in the athletic history of (UH).""

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Bess patterns himself after Wes Welker

About how NFL coaches and general managers were comparing him with Wes Welker as soon as he declared for the NFL draft, Bess said:
''They said I had ability in the open zone -- and that I caught the ball well. I was quick with cut routes, too.'' (MH)

MH Note: "Bess, realizing he is a similar type of slot receiver, has been watching highlights of Welker since his junior year of college. Those studies have only intensified since he joined the NFL."

About Wes Welker (who was undrafted and eventually cut by the Chargers before going to Miami and then New England), Bess said:
''I idolize him in a way. Almost every day now, I go into the film room and I'm watching him. I look at his highlights, and I watch how he runs routes and gets open. I'm trying to take as much from his game as possible and apply it to my game.'' (MH)

Friday, September 19, 2008

Mack wants the Warriors to support each other more

About how he wants his players to play with more emotion, Mack said:
"On defense we're going to do the same thing we've been doing, except we're going to do it with enthusiasm." (KHNL)

About how Mack wants them to support their teammates more, Sol said:
"Everything Coach Mack told us was true, we gotta play with emotion, we gotta support one another and we gotta come tight as a team." (KHNL)

About how he wants them to congratulate each other when they do well, Mack said:
"If somebody does something bad, believe me everybody knows about it and everybody will tell him about it, but if somebody does something good, let him know about it and that's what they were doing today." (KHNL)

Happy that the players are showing more emotion in practice, Ikaika Malloe said:
"We need the emotion, that's just something Hawaii brings from the players, even the fans, it's all based on emotion, most of these guys play with heart, that's the biggest thing that makes our team go." (KHNL)

About the importance of the SJSU game, Sol said:
"This game has the ability to turn our whole season around and it's something we look forward to and coach is going to have us ready for San Jose." (KHNL)

Reports from the Scout Bowl

About how the Warriors had fun at the Scout Bowl, Mack said:
"They should have a good time. Football is fun and it should be fun and I think we need to relax and play full speed and have fun. That's what it's all about. This week they've had fun and worked hard. They've worked as hard as we've ever worked. Now we can come back next week and do the same thing and play our style and be a bunch of tough mothers and do our job on both sides of the ball and have fun doing it." (HA)

"I thought the competition was really good and I thought the enthusiasm was outstanding. It was fun, football should be fun." (HSB)

About how a disputed call was responsible for one of the 2 TDs scored on his team, Adam Leonard said:
"They got two touchdowns on us, but one call was very disputable, and it caused all the chaos. It was an option pass and our guy with the forward arm motion released the ball and it went on the ground. They recovered it and they called it a touchdown. I wish we could go to review, but unfortunately we don't have that." (HA)

About the loss, Adam said:
"Nothing on the line except pride, and mine's broken right now." (HSB)

Planning on a LOT of trash talking towards Adam after his team won, Sol said:
"I'm going to let Adam hear about it all day." (HSB)

About the Scout Bowl (an annual scrimmage featuring redshirts and developing players), Sol said:
"It was the funnest practice I've had all year, just to take off from football a little and give a lot of these guys reps, because they are so important to our team. They give us looks at practice and work their butts off. It just feels good to see the joy on their faces." (HA)

About how the scout team gets to compete in this game, Sol said:
"The scout team, they're really important to this team and they help us out so much, they give us great looks. Sometimes they might get overlooked, and I think today was just a good day to show what they can do. A lot of those guys have pride in what they do and they're a big part of this team." (HSB)

About how he and Keala Watson wore collared shirts and headsets (John Estes and Sol wore their pads from practice), Adam said:
"If you want to do this job you need to do it to the best of your ability and we feel that do to the best of your ability you need to dress the part." (HA)

HA Note: "There were several highlights in the full-contact scrimmage. Cornerback Richard Torres recovered a fumble. Receiver Nate Nasca started one way then reversed his field, leaving a trail of defenders chasing after him. Slotback Jon Medeiros made several grabs."

About how his team lost 14-0, Keala Watson said:
"I don't think we got outcoached, as far as doing our job. We're just going to have to go back and watch the film and hopefully get our players fired up for our next Scout Bowl." (HA)

HA Note: "The game remained scoreless until linebacker Kaleo Wong pulled down running back Bryce Kalau'oka'a'ea after the Leonard-Watson squad started from its 2-yard line. The attempted pass by Kalau'oka'a'ea, a converted quarterback, was ruled a fumble and the Elimimian-Estes team recovered the ball in the end zone."

About the TD they gave up due to the fumble in the end zone, Adam/Keala QB Shane Austin said:
"First of all, I don't know why we're calling a play like that back in our own end zone. That was Adam's only call, so I let him take it, but I don't know, we were trying to throw the ball away if nothing was there, but I wasn't sure. I couldn't see from my angle if he was letting it out. I don't know what happened, so I'm going to stay neutral on that play. It was still a questionable call on the option pass on our 2-yard line. I love (Leonard), so it doesn't matter." (HA)

About catching a 6-yard TD pass (thrown by Jake Santos) on their last drive of the game, Royce Pollard said:
"It was really exciting. It's the play everyone wants to make ... big-time catches, especially to win the game like that. Coach (Mack) told us we had one more series to go down and make a score. I was just focusing and got the grab." (HA)

"It's exciting. It's a moment everybody looks for, a chance to make a big play." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Facing third and 15, Santos hit Miah Ostrowski over the middle for 16 yards. Pollard then shook loose to turn a short completion into a 34-yard gain down the sideline. On third and goal from the 6, Santos looked for Pollard again. The throw was to the outside, forcing Pollard to twist around and make the catch just before hitting the ground."

About the Scout Bowl, Pollard said:
"Everybody knew today was going to be a chance to get to play and have a good time and go live. Being a receiver, I like to hit. I don't have a problem with hitting." (HSB)

About his TD pass to Pollard, Jake Santos said:
"The pass really wasn't that great. The passes were kind of all over the place today, but it doesn't matter, as long as we got the W." (HSB)

Happy that they scored a 2nd TD to leave no doubt who won the game, Sol said:
"There was a dispute on the first touchdown, so rightfully so, we thought we would score another touchdown. So if they wanted to dispute (the first one) I guess it's 7-0 and we still win." (HA)

About how the backup players look forward to the Scout Bowl all year, Shane Austin said:
"That's something you look forward to pretty much all season if you're not getting reps. You go out there, show your stuff and get some live hitting. It was fun. I haven't been hit in a while." (HA)


About getting Austin to fumble after a scramble for a first down, Richard Torres said:
"It threw me off because he wasn't wearing orange. Someone grabbed him, so the coaches say the first one to get him, make the secure tackle, and the second guy strips the ball. So I just went for the ball." (HSB)

About the importance of the Scout Bowl to players like him who want to earn playing time, Torres said:
"In practice we don't get to go full speed, so these are like a game for us to show that we can play." (HSB)


About being careful about his return from injury, Blaze said:
"I'm just trying not to rush it." (HSB)