"It's great for the WAC to give that honor." (HA)
Asked if it was smart that they moved Salas to slot receiver, Mac said while smiling:
"For one game, anyway. He's a good player. He'll be good wherever he plays. He has great hands. He's quick. And he's strong. He's hard to bring down. There are a lot of missed tackles on him because he's such a powerful guy. (Defenders) aren't used to those kind of big guys (playing) inside (receiver). And he's as quick as any slotback." (HA)
About how he remained in Hawaii during UH's first summer session instead of returning to California like in past summers, Salas said:
"It paid off. It helped me get chemistry with the quarterbacks. I got to know their tendencies, and they got to know mine. We're comfortable with each other now." (HA)
About how he and Salas worked together all summer, QB Greg Alexander said:
"I probably threw to him every day over the summer. We've got a really good feel for each other. He makes a lot of good plays. He made a lot of big plays for us Friday night, and he's going to be doing that for us all year." (HA)
About how he benefited from watching film of Davone Bess and RGM, Salas said he focused on:
"how they got open, and what they did. I watched a lot of film. I tried to get into my playbook and really study it." (HA)
About how he got the safety's attention on the game-winning TD pass to Rodney Bradley said:, Greg Salas said:
"That's what you have to do, trying to be unselfish and just trying to make the play work. On that coverage, if I pull that guy in, there's going to be a big hole right there for the X (receiver)." (HSB)
About how Salas got the safety's attention to open things up for Bradley, Greg Alexander said:
"He has to get that safety. If the safety wants to go over, then (Salas will) get the ball. But his job was to eat that guy up and he did it." (HSB)
About his 66-yard reception on their game-winning drive, Salas said:
"It's what you dream about as a little kid. You want that situation and you want to be the guy who can come up with a big play." (HSB)
About using Salas at slot receiver when he is much bigger than the slots used under JJ, Mac said:
"He's just really tough inside because he's as quick as a slot but he's hard to bring down. Even the long play that he made right before the end of the game, a guy had him and fell off of him because he's so big and strong." (HSB)
About how Salas is much bigger than their normal slot receivers, Alexander said:
"He's almost like our version of a tight end, running up the seam in the slot. He's definitely a bigger body in there." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Salas led the Warriors with 831 yards on 57 receptions as a wideout last season and McMackin credited offensive coordinator Ron Lee with coming up with the idea of moving him into the slot during the spring."
About why he wanted Salas to move to slot receiver, Ron Lee said:
"You can't double him inside because he moves around. They can play him tighter, but it'll open up other guys. You never know on coverages who's going to be open. This time Salas was open and made it work." (HSB)
About how they were worried about starting Liko Satele in the UCA game due to his lack of experience, Mac said:
"We were concerned because he was inexperienced. He played fast and hard, and he's got excellent speed. He really showed some stuff." (HA)
HA Note: "As a freshman in 2007, Satele attended Lambuth University, an NAIA school in Jackson, Tenn. He redshirted last season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules."
About the 59 plays he had in the UCA game, Liko said:
"That was the most I've played — ever. I was a little busted up after the game." (HA)
About how he had been worried that he would get tired late in the game, Liko said:
"The excitement and adrenaline kept me going. I thought I would be tired late in the game. I think I get more tired in practice." (HA)
HA Note: "Fonoti did not practice yesterday. He said an MRI showed he suffered a hyperextension of his left kneecap."
About how Liko Satele earned a starting spot by the way he filled in for John Fonoti at DE, Mac said:
"One defensive end that really came out almost like Lou Gehrig did — we always say if you get your opportunity, make the most of it — was Liko Satele; he just played outstanding. He won a starting position on our defense with his play last weekend. He's a real talent and he might not have had that opportunity if John (Fonoti) didn't get hurt. So we're really excited about him." (HSB)
About how Fonoti will travel with the team but may not be able to play vs. Washington State, Mac said:
"He'll work out and I know he'll be ready for the next game (at UNLV), but we're hoping that he's going to be ready for this game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Elliott Purcell, the starter at left defensive end, sat out yesterday's practice with a bruised thigh. Backup Victor Clore is also nursing an injury, but McMackin expects both to be ready by kickoff. Satele and redshirt freshman Paipai Falemalu were the starting defensive ends yesterday. McMackin said the coaches are also planning to take senior Bo Montgomery and junior transfer Mike Maracle to add depth to the defensive end rotations."
About how his injured kneecap is getting better, Fonoti said:
"I'm getting better. Hopefully, I'll be practicing soon." (HA)
"Everything should be good. Hopefully, I'll play this week." (HA)
HA Note: "Because Purcell and Victor Clore were not available to practice yesterday, converted linebacker Paipai Falemalu worked as the No. 1 defensive left end. Falemalu redshirted last season because of torn ligaments in his right shoulder that eventually required surgery. He did not compete in contact drills in spring training. Falemalu moved to defensive end at the start of training camp. Because of injuries, he was pressed into duty against Central Arkansas. He made
two tackles in 20 downs — one was an assisted stop in the backfield — and earned a grade "just above 70 percent," assistant coach Dave Aranda said."
About how they graded Paipai's play in the UCA game, Dave Aranda said:
"That's good for a first time out. A lot of those (first-time Warriors) came to the sideline, and we asked, 'What did you see?' And they would say, 'I don't know.' He asked good questions. Starting from where he started and ending up where he ended up, he made a lot of progress." (HA)
About how he's more comfortable at DE, Paipai said:
"My teammates help me with my plays and my techniques,. The coaches are really doing a good job teaching me." (HA)
About how Paipai has good speed at DE but has just average speed at outside LB, Mac said:
"I've always liked to get speed on the field. Paipai is a average-speed linebacker, but he's a fast defensive end. Just like Aaron Brown. We moved (Brown) from safety, and he became a fast linebacker. That's part of my philosophy. Speed is very important." (HA)
About how Paipai made some mistakes in his first college game, Aranda said:
"The alignment and assignment mistakes can be easily corrected. He played hard. He was physical. He ran to the ball. His intensity and aggressiveness really played out well." (HA)
About how Paipai is learning how to play both DE positions, Aranda said:
"Our depth is such he needs to play." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin awarded game balls to Salas, outside linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, free safety Mana Silva and punt returner Ryan Henry. As part of the praise-away plan, they will not receive the balls until after they complete their UH eligibility."
About how the UCA game was the second UH game he played the whole game, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane said about his stamina:
"I feel good. I put in the time. It's not just conditioning. It's mental focus. We're getting used to (playing longer)." (HA)
HA Note: "Last year, Central Arkansas allowed a total of 25 punt-return yards. Friday night, Henry had five returns for 50 yards. In 2008, the Warriors amassed 62 punt-return yards in 14 games."
About his 50 punt return yards he got in the UCA game, Ryan Henry said:
"I'm happy I got the first game under my belt. I was happy I was able to contribute and help out." (HA)
Being a backup slotback, Henry said that returning punts:
"is my only opportunity, really, to get on the field. I'm trying to do something with it." (HA)
About how he fields about 15 of Alex Dunnachie's punts each practice, Henry said:
"Catching punts that high in the air really helps me out." (HA)
http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20090908_Wazzu_pulls_out_of_11_UH_game.html
http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20090908_Warriors_Salas_finds_a_home_in_slot.html
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