"I guess nobody wants to lose. It's game week. He's taking it like we're already in the game. As long as it dies down in the locker room, it's all good. And it died down. We have a lot of respect for each other. Coming here (last year) and seeing what he had already done, that was enough for me to give him respect right away." (HA)
About how Greg Alexander has improved from last year, Rolo said:
"He's more fluid with his throwing motion and his footwork. He also has a comfort level with the offense. He knows how to anticipate plays. He's doing well with the whole process." (HA)
About how the QBs worked hard to prepare for the season, Alexander said:
"We've had a good (preseason). We threw a ton of balls." (HA)
About how their D helped prepare their offense, Alexander said:
"Our defense brought a lot of blitzes at us. We were able to see a lot of things. That helped us. There are no concerns about the offensive line. We'll be all right." (HA)
About how the team is excited that the season is about to begin, Alexander said:
"I think everybody is excited about the opening game. It's going to be good to see some different faces out there on defense. We're sick of going against our own guys." (HA)
About their seasons opener, Mac said:
"This will be a good test. You never know until the lights go on. We'll find some guys who step it up when they get the juices going." (HA)
About watching game tape of UH in their 2008 games, Central Arkansas coach Clint Conque said that the Warriors' jersey:
"numbers are hard to see on that dang-gum film, with the green numbers." (HA)
HA Note: "What's more, if defensive end Fetaiagogo "John" Fonoti does not play tonight, the Warriors will have no returning defensive starters in their opening lineup."
About scouting UH without having film on the players that will be playing, Conque said:
"Here's the way we approached it: You can see the type of players they've had last year who graduated or moved on to the NFL. They've had several of them. You know the prototypical athlete they're looking for in those positions. We know their secondary is going to be pretty much new. We know the type of athletes they've played with in the past who they're trying to recruit. Maybe a different number and a different kid, but he's going to play similar to what they've played with the past couple of years." (HA)
About how he played and coached defense until he was moved to offense in 1989 when he was an assistant coach at McNeese State, Conque said:
"I thought my world was coming to an end. [Instead] it opened doors for me." (HA)
About being familiar with the spread offense and mixing power running with controlled passing, Conque said:
"Call it oranges one year, apples the next. We run the same concepts." (HA)
About their starting QB Robbie Park (who was their backup QB the previous 3 seasons), Conque said:
"Robbie Park has a good, strong arm. He knows our system. He understands our blitz control. He's a little more athletic than some give him credit for. You always tell him, 'When you're scared, you run faster.' He can kind of get out of his own way." (HA)
About how their defense is centered around DE Larry Hart , Conque said:
"It kind of starts with Larry Hart. He's a consensus (Division I-AA) All-American. He plays with a hot motor. He's a disruptive player at our level. He's become a complete player. He's getting better leverage against the run." (HA)
Looking forward to see which of their players respond well in game situations, Mac said:
"I think they're all really excited about playing somebody besides themselves. Certain guys play better when the lights are on and some guys don't. Game reps are the most important reps you can get. I'm anxious to see how we play when the lights are on. I really like how the players have worked and the coaches have worked. I have a good feeling about this football team." (HSB)
About how he's been waiting to play a D-IA football game, JC transfer Rodney Bradley said:
"I've been waiting since high school to be out in front of a big crowd, under the lights. I'm really excited about it, not really nervous. It'll be interesting to see how we play when it really counts." (HSB)
About how he's excited to finally get to play in a game again after missing so much time due to injury, Blaze Soares said:
"I finally get to fly around and hit somebody else other than my teammates. Being out for a year, I have a lot of steam built up ready to let loose. Every night I just get more excited. I'm having a hard time sleeping because I'm so excited to play against somebody else and hit somebody." (HSB)
About Central Arkansas being a good test for UH, Ron Lee said:
"They're very experienced, they play well as a unit and they run. I think that'll be a good test for us with their team speed, and they've had time to prepare." (HSB)
About how their D will be challenged by UH's offense, Conque said: "Make no mistake about it, our defense in our league is going to be really good and I expect them to play well tomorrow, but I think they're going to be severely challenged." (HSB)
About their inexperienced starters on D, Mac said:
"They've got to do their jobs. That's the biggest assignment on game day. Not to try to make every play, just do your job and believe in your teammates." (HSB)
About how he worries how his players will respond in their season opener, Conque said:
"It's hard to simulate the speed of the game and I think the biggest concern is the first quarter and not come out here and hyperventilate and let the crowd get in our head. But I think we have a pretty mature football team and hopefully we'll play that way." (HSB)
About getting advice from other coaches on playing a road game in Hawaii, Conque said:
"I took some advice from guys like Brian Kelly (Cincinnati) and Derek Dooley (Louisiana Tech) and Dick Tomey (San Jose State) throughout the spring and summer knowing we were playing this game." (HSB)
About some of the key advice he received, Conque said:
"Work them out right when you get off the plane, and make sure they stay hydrated." (HSB)
About his players yesterday, Conque said:
"They rested very well last night, obviously very tired, but I think everybody's re-energized today." (HSB)
About taking his team to Pearl Harbor before their walk-through yesterday, Conque said:
"I've got a son at the United States Military Academy and (the Pearl Harbor visit) really resonated with me. I'm really proud of our players, they really conducted themselves with a lot of class. I think it's important as educators, because that's what we are, that when you get an opportunity to go someplace new you expose them to the culture and I thought Pearl Harbor was something they could definitely learn about and relate to." (HSB)
About advice he's been getting from his brother Jake, Luke Ingram said:
"He tells me the basic things, stay focused, don't think about the crowd too much, do your job and get on the sideline and then you can let everything go. The thing about long snapping you have to be real calm. You have to do your job and stay calm and collected, but I'll definitely be excited." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Luke Ingram attended UH-West Oahu after graduating from Mililani and steps into a role Jake held down for the last three years before being drafted by the New England Patriots."
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