"I was really proud of the players and the assistant coaches for creating such a great effort and beating a well-coached football team. Our guys played really hard.
The keys to the game, besides playing disciplined was the kickoff return before half time by Jovonte Taylor and the kickoff return team. It was a big boost. Our offense had 57 seconds left and took it down and scored right before halftime. It was really a big play...the shutout in the second half was a great effort by the defense. The first four series that Navy had the ball, they punted.
I thought that last week it was really good for us to win a game in a hard-fought, close, right down to the line kind of game. And this week it was good for us to fight hard and win against a team that's really been successful. So I think we're growing and peaking at the right time. Now we've got a big challenge this weekend with Wisconsin, but we're all in! This is the one we've been playing for, we're all in." (UH)
About rebounding from their 6-game losing streak with 4 straight wins, Mack said:
"Since the game against Nevada we've been improving. We had some guys injured and hurt and we played pretty good teams. I think we're maturing. I think that schemes are really important. But overall, it's the players that make the plays. The coaches' job is to get the players into position to make plays. But the players are getting better. They are getting more confident and aggressive. I think Blaze Soares is a perfect example of that. He played his best ball game, he was all over the place, he did his responsibility. It was really good to see him let go and play because he's really symbolic of this football team. The other thing that's held this team together has been the senior leadership within the program." (UH)
About their game plan vs. Navy, Mack said:
"We made plays. I handcuffed them a little bit because this week I told them that they need to control the football. So instead of going downfield a lot we were throwing quick stuff and running the ball. I thought the offense did a great job. It was great to have (Bryant) Moniz back. Kealoha Pilares and Greg Salas both had a great game, but our offensive line is our silver lining. Moniz had all kinds of time, they were sending five guys and six sometimes but he had all kinds of time to throw the football and I give credit to our offensive line." (UH)
About their team's discipline and character during their 4-game win streak, Mack said:
"It's more of a relief for a coach. I know everybody really worked hard, the coaches coached and the players learned. That shows you what a good staff I have and that the players are doing a good job of listening and learning, it's like a classroom situation." (UH)
About the play of their defense, Mack said:
"But what I'm so proud of is how well the players handled the cut-block, because that was my main concern. Richard Torres, I think they had 68 plays, didn't get cut one time. He was using his wrestling moves. Our theme on defense was to "stay alive." Don't get cut, or if you get cut, get back up because if you're not on your feet then you can't make plays. They did a great job of that. The front really played front and stout. Overall I'm really happy. Special teams, offense, defense, it was a team victory." (UH)
About their team's focus, Mack said:
"Just like at San Jose State we learned how to focus. We were really focused the entire game. We have to take that into this (week's) game because this is the most important game we will play." (UH)
http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2009/11/30/FB_1130095702.aspx?path=football
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