Quotes from the UH-Colorado 9/18/2010

UH = University of Hawaii Athletics web site
Col = University of Colorado Athletics web site
HSA = Honolulu Star-Advertiser
AP = Associated Press
DP = Denver Post
DC = Daily Camera
LTC = Longmont Times-Call

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

Evaluating the game and highlighting the 21 points they should have had to start the game, Mack said:
"We had some missed opportunities, and we have to be able to capitalize on those opportunities. It's a difference of one inch and three inches. That was a key point in the ball game. We should have had 21 points.  The defense was playing well; I don't believe they scored before the second half. It should have been 21-0 at halftime. We didn't get that much done. We got the turnovers and things were going good for us [in the first half]. The second half, we gave up that first drive. We knew we had to hold them the first drive and not give them any momentum. I give Colorado credit.  I thought we won the first half and they won the second half. I thought they did a great job and made some good adjustments [in the second half]. They made the plays in the second half and we didn't. We couldn't contain the quarterback. We knew we had to contain the quarterback all week and we didn't contain him and they threw the touchdown pass that put it out of reach.  It was a close game; I thought we could come back until that play." (Col, UH)

"We had some missed opportunities." (HSA)


Praising Colorado's adjustments at halftime (UH won the first half 10-0 and lost the second half 31-3), Mack said:
"I give Colorado great credit.  I think Coach Hawkins did a great job and made some fantastic adjustments at half time. He had his guys ready to play in the second half. As much as I feel we dominated in the first half, we didn't take our opportunities." (Col, UH, DP)

"I give Colorado great credi. I think Coach Hawkins did a great job and made some fantastic adjustments at halftime. He had his guys ready to play in the second half." (HSA)

"They made the plays in the second half, and we didn't." (HSA)


About their problems in the second half, Mack said:
"In the second half, we made a lot of mental mistakes. And when you make mental mistakes, like penalties, you're tired. You're mentally tired." (HSA)


About Colorado going to their no-huddle offense, Mack said:
"I thought they were really smart going to the no-huddle because our guys got really gassed. We wore down. We were out of gas." (HSA)


About their problems in the red zone, Mack said:
"We were going to run option. We went under center, and we don't go under center much, but we missed the snap. We had the option going in because their defensive line is physical. We ran against it and threw; but we were going to run the option and fumbled the snap on one of them. Give their defense credit, that's not much area. They did a good job." (Col, UH)


About being on the road, Mack said:
"We don't make any excuses. We just got outplayed in the second half. In the first half I thought we played as well as we ever have, without getting those two touchdowns.  I just didn't feel we finished very strongly. And it's not necessarily because of us; I think we got outplayed by Colorado in the second half." (Col, UH)


Praising Colorado's run game, Mack said:
"[Rodney Stewart] is a good runner, number one, and what you have to do is stop them at the line of scrimmage. If you let him out in the open field, he's very dangerous. In the first half it worked and in the second half it wasn't as good." (Col, UH)


About how they focused at halftime on stopping Colorado's opening drive of the second half, Mack said:
"We knew we had to hold them, not give them any momentum." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The implosion came after two plays. With CU facing a third and 4, the Warriors brought in two players, but exited only one. They could not get the 12th defender off the field in time, leading to 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down."


About how Colorado drove 80 yards for a TD to start the second half, Mack said:
"We needed a stop, and they go 80 yards."


About how missing coming up with nothing during their first two red zone possessions wore on them mentally when the score became close, offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich (Rolo) said:
"I don't think we can let opportunities get away. That's the fatigue: knowing we left 14 points right there. That starts to wear on you when things start to get close." (HSA)


About calling all running plays on their first drive when they were near the goal line, Rolo said:
"I feel we should be able to get half a yard." (HSA)


About Colorado's 73-yard TD pass when the score was 17-13 and Colorado had a 3rd-and-8, with UH blitzing from the left side and Colorado's QB was able to roll out to the other side, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said:
"We should have kept contain on that quarterback, but he got out of the pocket." (HSA)


About how Kealoha Pilares projects as a slot receiver in the NFL, Rich Miano said:
"I think NFL teams are going more to three wide receivers. Wes Welker. Davone Bess. Kealoha is that type of player. I think the (NFL) schemes fit what he does." (HSA)


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

About the two fumbles in the first half, Bryant Moniz said:
"The first one was just a miscommunication with me and the center, while I was trying to call the play. He ended up snapping the ball before I actually called for the snap. The second one I just took my eyes off the ball, trying to read the defense. We had to go with a silent count today. It was definitely a big game and the crowd here. So it was a little different trying to wait for the ball, while reading the defense." (Col, UH)


About Tiwanak snapping the ball on 4th down at the goal line when he was under center trying to call out a play, Moniz said:
"It was loud, and (Tiwanak) really couldn't hear me. When he thought I said 'hut,' I was calling a play." (HSA)


About how he mishandled the shotgun snap during their first drive of the second half when they had the ball on the 10-yard-line, resulting in a safety to make the game 10-9, Moniz said:
"It slipped through my hands. I was trying to read the defense. The defense was moving while the ball was snapped. It was a lack of concentration on my part." (HSA)


About leaving so many points on the board, Moniz said:
"It definitely was an issue. Two times, within five yards of the goal line, they stopped us, and that really hurt us. We put points on the board one of those times; it would have been a whole different ball game." (Col, UH)

"Two times within five yards of the goal line, they stopped us, and that really hurt us. We put points on the board one of those times, I think it would have been a whole different ball game." (DC)

"We were right there, inside the 5 twice, and came away with nothing. It's really embarrassing. Really. ... If we walk away with 14 points right there, it might be a whole different story." (HSA)


About Colorado's goal line defense on their first 2 drives, Moniz said:
"They really just out-toughed us on that. I was pretty much handing off the ball and just trying to get into the end zone. We were only two or three yards away. It didn't bother us, but we were discouraged that we didn't get any points. We just kept playing offense, but in the end it really hurt us." (Col, UH, DC)


About Colorado's defense, Moniz said:
"We were able to move the ball nicely. We put together some drives; throw the ball here and there. But in the end they could hold us. We would have long drives but we couldn't finish the drives. That's what cost us." (Col, UH)


Asked about effects of altitude and being away from home, Moniz said:
"I didn't really feel any effects from the altitude. I felt pretty comfortable out there, we just got in a hole because we didn't put up any points in the beginning of the game. We dug ourselves a big hole." (Col, UH)


About how Pilares trying to improve his speed will help his NFL chances, Moniz said:
"He's smooth, and he's fun to watch. But if he gets faster, that's going to help his stock a lot more." (HSA)


About how he didn't care about his individual stats (6 catches for 117 yards and a TD), Kealoha Pilares said:
"We have to (bleeping) win games now. We gave away too many opportunities. We're a better football team than that." (HSA)


Not thinking about a potential NFL career, Pilares said:
"It's a distraction. When the time comes, it comes. Right now, it's UH." (HSA)


About how he knew after his first practice at UH that he had to get stronger, Pilares said:
"Going up against Blaze (Soares) and David Veikune, I knew I had to get stronger. It was a totally different game for me. It shocked me. I realized I wasn't in high school anymore." (HSA)


HSA Note: "He spent more time in the weight room. In team testing the past spring, he power-cleaned 356 pounds, a team best."


About how he needs to be able to learn how to run faster, Pilares said:
"I think I still don't know how to run. I run just to run. There's a technique to running faster. It's more of a science than anything." (HSA)


About how Colorado's strategy was for their DL to dive toward UH's OL's shins when UH was trying to run the ball in from the 1-yard-line, Bronson Tiwanak said:
"There was no way we could get a push because they were diving into our legs." (HSA)


About the fumbled snap on 4th-and-goal from the 1, Tiwanak said:
"Put it on me. That shouldn't have happened." (HSA)


Asked about the difference in the second half, Paipai Falemalu said:
"They pretty much gave us the same game plan in the second half, our defense just came out flat. We need to capitalize on the plays when they come to us. Like our coaches tell us, 'when the plays come to us we need to take advantage.' We had some missed assignments, that was the difference in the second half." (Col, UH)


About Colorado's no huddle offense, Paipai said:
"It wasn't too bad. I think we just had issues getting lined up and getting the plays from the sideline. It wasn't that big of a deal for us." (Col, UH)


About shutting down Colorado's offense in the first half, Paipai said:
"It was a really good half. I don't know what happened to us in the second half. We need to finish." (Col, UH)


Asked if they were tired near the end of the game, Paipai said:
"We weren't really warn down. A lot of people think it's the elevation, but it's not. It feels the same to me as playing in Hawaii. The road trip didn't affect us that much either. Like our coaches say we just need to finish. That's the main thing for us." (Col, UH)


About how fatigue was not a factor in this game, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"That's not an excuse for us. We have to be disciplined. We have to read our keys and be men about it. We're out here to play hard and win, and we weren't able to do that. Any loss is a disappointment, but this was worse because we had 'em, and we let 'em get away." (HSA)


---------------------- Quotes from the Colorado coaches ------------------

Evaluating the game, Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins said:
"It was good for these guys to get a little confidence and get a little wind underneath their wings. The ball came off of Toney Clemons and you know Scotty (McKnight) got it and you know why not, we haven't had a whole lot of luck. So it was good for them to get a little of that. It was a tough start we turned the ball over, we had some penalties, that kind of stuff. I thought our defense was absolutely stellar; once again they made some tremendous stops. They got a missed field goal, a stop on the goal line and a safety. It was fun to see their hard work rewarded and it reinforced the stuff that I have been talking about." (Col, UH, DC)

"I thought our defense obviously was absolutely stellar once again." (DC)


About how their team got a little confidence from this win, Hawkins said:
"It was good for these guys to get a little confidence and get a little wind underneath their wings." (LTC)


About Colorado's offense, Hawkins said:
"I thought we established some offensive continuity, we missed some opportunities to be sure." (Col, UH)


Asked about their improved play after halftime, Hawkins said:
"We did a good job in doing the no-huddle. We felt it was definitely a key to it. We just got a little tempo going. We talked about hard work and passion and you have to have a little of it to get going. But you also have to have results to keep feeding that. It is hard to just stay passionate and you are not getting a lot of results. I thought that is just what happened, we came out and set the tone early on. The offense got a lot of confidence and got back into the full of it, and our defense made some big plays and got us back into the game. Once we got a little mojo going we were rolling and I think that has been a little bit of the key to us not being able to garnish some of it. It has been very hard for those guys, we talked about last week's game and how we just couldn't get any momentum going ever and it became tough, and on this day they definitely showed up, offensively in the second half and defensively the entire game." (Col, UH)

"People always talk about emotion and passion, and you have to have a little of that to get going, but you also have to have some results to keep feeding that. It's hard to just stay passionate when you're not getting a lot of results. ... Once they got a little mojo going, they were rolling." (DC)

"(Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau) did a good job of going no-huddle. We really felt like that was probably a key to it. But, we just got a little tempo going. People always talk about emotion and passion. You have to have a little of that to get going, but you also have to have some results to keep feeding that. We came out and set the tone early on. The offense got a lot of confidence and got back in the flow of it.  Once they got a little mojo going, they were rolling." (LTC)


About the adversity their team faced, Hawkins said:
"Lord knows we have had our share of adversity, again to their credit they have never bagged in and they have never quit. They have never doubted and they keep coming back. Those of you guys that are around them on a day-to-day basis, I'm surprised people say 'hey you guys are so fired up, you guys are so positive,' and they are a good group of guys that way. They had their backs up against the wall a little bit and to have that put on them and to have them answer, that is not only season changing but also life changing and it affects a lot of things. I told them earlier in the week that it is interesting of the teams that I have been on before that it seems like there is one play that really just tips off the whole deal and gets it going. Fortunately we had a couple such as the safety on defense and Toney Clemons with Tyler (Hansen) scrambling around a little bit and obviously the bounced pass. Like I said, you kind of need some of those breakthrough moments and we got them." (Col, UH, DP)

"To their credit, they`ve never bagged it and they`ve never quit. They have never doubted and they keep coming back. To have their backs up against the wall a little bit, and to have them answer, that is not only season changing but also life changing." (DC)

"To their credit, these guys have never bagged it. They've never quit." (LTC)


About Smith catching Pilares from behind to prevent a TD on UH's first possession, Hawkins said:
"For (Smith) not to quit, that was big. (Pilares is) not slow. That guy can roll." (HSA)


Praising Bryant Moniz, Hawkins said:
"That kid is not slow, that guy can roll. I thought our defense played extremely hard the whole game. They got a couple plays, but when you fling it around like them they are going to get some plays and we talked about that, not really getting hung up on 'alright they got a first down, they got you on a play, ok just keep coming back, you got to keep getting to the quarterback, you have to keep hitting the receivers when he throws one up at some point.' For him (the QB) not to quit, neither did Jalil (Brown), that was big we obviously kept them off the scoreboard." (Col, UH)


About how they were able to stop UH from running, Hawkins said:
"That was real big, that takes a lot of pressure off of the back end so they don't have to, people get things done up front and they can just focus on covering more and not having to do extra things with the guys in the back." (Col, UH)


Asked if they will use the no-huddle offense in the future, Hawkins said:
"We'll see, it was obviously a good tempo change for us today. It was great for our offensive staff to get that going, we talked about it a little during the week that this might be the time for us to get it going. But yeah we practice that every day. Part of the reason why we have been huddling up a little bit and even this year we have some newer guys on the perimeter. It is just to get all eleven guys in the huddle and on the same page to hear the same play and that kind of thing. They did a good job." (Col, UH)

"We did a good job in doing the no-huddle. We felt it was definitely a key to it. We just got a little tempo going. We talked about hard work and passion and you have to have a little of it to get going." (DP)

"We practice it every day. We thought we might break it out this week." (DP)


About having 2 players with at least 100 yards rushing, Hawkins said:
"Our O-line just dominated, our O-line was moving the line of scrimmage. I thought our offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau did a good job of being patient with it and staying in there and our O-line did a good job of answering. We were dominating the line of scrimmage." (Col, UH)


Asked about the similarity of schemes he used today compared to when he was at Boise State, Hawkins said:
"They were a little bit different because the guy is in the pistol, he is not in the gun any more so that kind of changes the stuff that you will do on defense. We are not exactly the same on defense as we were then but they are going to redirect everything they do based on what they see and that is always the same. They are always going to convert every route and make it the correct route based on coverage that you run." (Col, UH)


Asked if they ran the no-huddle offense because of the altitude, Hawkins said:
"We kind of felt that a little bit, even in the first half that they were breathing and our guys wanted to get going and throw a rock under the gas pedal and get moving." (Col, UH)


Asked why Colorado used so many short passes, Hawkins said:
"Just trying to get him (Hansen) into a rhythm and get comfortable back there. We are trying to regain his confidence so I thought it was a good idea." (Col, UH)


Asked why he had a nose injury, Hawkins said:
"We got a little hyped up before the game but I'm an old fullback so I'm used to playing with a broken nose. I told Miguel to keep an eye on me but I was ready." (Col, UH)

"We got a little hyped before the game. But I'm an old fullback. I'm used to playing with a bloody nose." (DC)

"We got a little hyped. I'm used to playing with a bloody nose." (HSA)


DC Note: "The Colorado football coach suffered a cut and bloodied nose in a raucous pregame locker room when he head-butted a player who was already wearing a helmet before the Buffs hosted Hawaii in the home opener."


Asked if a game like this will erase the criticism from the previous week, Hawkins said:
"No, got to keep moving forward." (Col, UH)

"No. No, gotta keep moving forward." (HSA)

"No. You've got to keep moving forward." (LTC)


Asked about Brian Lockridge, Hawkins said:
"Speedy is a good back but so is Brian. I thought Justin Torres came in and did a good job but Brian is fast and he is a guy that can get it up into the seam. He is not afraid to pour it up inside so it is great to see him get some opportunities. We are going to need all of those guys as the season goes on because it wears on you too much." (Col, UH)


Asked about how Lockridge runs downhill, Hawkins said:
"That is his deal, he kind of just bends over and smokes it. He is not afraid to pour it up in there. That is what makes him a good kick returner too, he is not afraid, he will just pour it through the smoke." (Col, UH)


Asked if getting Paul Richardson more involved was part of their plan, Hawkins said:
"Yeah we want to keep bringing him along. He obviously did a nice job on the two-point play. We kind of had a little bit of an issue because Toney Clemons was kind of hurt at that point so we had to sub out a little different then we practiced it and he did a good job in rallying it." (Col, UH)


About the bloody nose that Hawkins had before the game, RB coach Darian Hagan said:
"I heard about it and saw how bloody he was. I saw his nose all jacked up and I'm like, 'You OK,' and he said, '(Heck) yeah I'm OK. I didn't go down.'" (LTC)


--------------------- Quotes from the Colorado players ---------------------


Asked about their second half adjustments, OL Ryan Miller said:
"We wanted to really come out and run the ball and show we could run the ball. That's what we did; we came out and we ran the ball. So next weekend, I think we should come out and run the ball." (Col, UH, DC)


Asked about their running backs, Miller said:
"It feels awesome. Just to have B-Lock [Brian Lockridge] and Speedy [Rodney Stewart] and [J.T.] Torres, too, get in there, just pounded it up in the holes. It's an awesome feeling, and thanks a lot to those guys. The running backs, they followed the blocks and that's always a huge thing." (Col, UH)


Asked about their first half struggles, Miller said:
"We were killing ourselves. We weren't firing on all cylinders. We know we're a better team than that; we're better than the penalties and the turnovers. Then we came out and we proved that." (Col, UH)


Asked about their defense, Miller said:
"That's huge; our D has been playing awesome lately." (Col, UH)


About winning this game despite recent criticism, Miller said:
"I think we've taken a lot of criticism that we've earned, but then we came out and we ran the ball. So, I'm sorry, haters." (Col, DP, UH, DC, LTC)


Happy with how they stuck with the run in the game, Miller said:
"It`s always nice when you have a game plan to actually come out and follow the game plan." (DC)


Asked about their first half struggles, RB Rodney Stewart said:
"We were making little mistakes. Our team has a lot of confidence and I don't know what made us show it, but in the second half we were better than those guys. We knew we were better than those guys so we came out and executed and did the little things we needed to do. I was playing well which made everyone else play well." (Col, UH)

"We knew we were a better team. The big players stepped up and made big plays." (HSA)


Asked about bouncing back after his fumble, Stewart said:
"Stuff happens. We were playing well and then I think we were unlucky. It happens to a lot of teams. We needed a spark and that's what I wanted to do in the second half." (Col, UH)

"It is encouraging that we stuck with it. Good players, when you have a fumble or throw an interception, you just have to come back and pick it up and not get discouraged. That`s exactly what I did." (DC)


Asked about their OL, Stewart said:
"I think our offensive line is good. We might have a bad game, but a lot of teams might have a bad game. So I don't think we should talk about our offensive line being bad; they just had a bad game [against Cal], and today they had a good game. The more good games they have, the more successful we'll be." (Col, UH)


About how they knew that they could run against, Stewart said:
"Stats don`t lie and a lot of teams have run the ball well on them. We have good backs, so we knew we were going to come out and do the same thing." (DC)


About their running play called "push", Stewart said:
"What the linemen try to do is push everybody to one side. It's designed for me to cut back." (HSA)


About how they are much better at home than on the road, Stewart said:
"I think if we played Cal at home we would have won. We`ve just got to figure this road thing out and we`ll be all right." (DC)


About how they needed to win by a large margin to help their confidence, Stewart said:
"We needed it big. We needed a game that wasn't close so that we know we're good." (LTC)


Asked about stopping the deep passes, CB Jalil Brown said:
"We knew eventually that short yards wouldn't end up winning the game. So we were concentrating on stopping the deep pass first then coming up on the short routes and making plays." (Col, UH)


Asked about their goal line stand early in the game, Brown said:
"That was a big drive to show we're a good defense. To be down at the two- or three-yard line, for the defense to come through and hold them it shows them that the defense is ready to play." (Col, UH)


Asked about UH's team fatigue, Brown said:
"In the second half, we saw a lot of their guys bent over and grabbing their knees, breathing hard." (Col, UH)


Asked about how winning felt, Brown said:
"It's great, it's awesome. Especially coming off last week. It shows that we're still ready to play and we still have confidence." (Col, UH)


About how the early goal line stands gave their defense confidence and momentum the rest of the game, CB Jimmy Smith said:
"It gave us momentum throughout the whole game because it gave our D-line confidence that they could stop them. They had all the momentum at that point, and we stopped them so close." (DC)


About catching Kealoha Pilares from behind at the end of his 80-yard reception to prevent a TD even though he started 15 yards behind Pilares, Smith said:
"Those hustle plays are the plays the coaches are harping on in practice. In fact, you can`t even practice if you`re not running to the ball." (DC)


Feeling like they did a good job against UH's offense, Smith said:
"As much as they pass, which is a whole lot, I think we did a decent job. The loss to Cal last week was a debacle, but it didn`t prove we were a bad team. It was just everything went wrong for us. This week things went right in the second half." (DC)

"We knew it was our D versus their O. Our defense was up to the challenge and obviously came out on top today." (LTC)


About how they were desperate win this game, Smith said:
"It was a desperate win. This was a must win. Every game is a must win; this was a we have to win, no questions asked." (LTC)


Asked about bouncing back after the Cal loss, OL Nate Solder said:
"We had to. We had to come back from last week and responded in a positive way. That's what we did all week in practice. That was a lot of energy and a lot of hard work. I think the second half was just a reflection of what we've been told all week. It's going to come down to us as the O-line. We've got to step up and impose our will on the other team. It's something we hadn't done and I think it's something we did at times today." (Col, UH)

"We had to. We had to come back from last week and respond in a positive way." (LTC)


About having two 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2002, Solder said:
"I was extremely proud of that. We can do that every week because we have the guys that can do that because we have great players." (Col, UH)


Asked about their strong defensive play, ILB Michael Sipili said:
"We just stayed poised and were patient. We kind of knew something was coming and we did our job, knowing that everything should fall into place." (Col, UH)


About how he and BJ Beatty were playing against former friends, Sipili said:
"It's a special game because it's something we can talk about after college too, playing against your old teammates and also enemies from high school. It's a good win for the Colorado Buffaloes, but it's a lifetime win for us island guys." (Col, UH)


Asked about his game, TB Brian Lockridge said:
"It doesn't do much for my confidence.  I came in with high hopes of what we can do as a team, which you saw in the second half.  They gave me the opportunity to run the ball and that's what I did." (Col, UH)


Happy that the coaches stuck with the runs, Lockridge said:
"The run game is crucial. It helps out the pass game and everything else. Once we get the run game going, we`re good. I'm glad they stuck with it. That`s them just having faith in the players, and we came out and proved we could do it." (DC)


Asked about the first half, OLB, B.J. Beatty said:
"Defensively, we were holding up.  Our offense came on the second half and you saw what they did.  They were running up points and we said we have to do something on defense and we took it upon ourselves to stone them in the second half." (Col, UH)


Asked about their defense in the first quarter, Beatty said:
"They hit that long play, we huddled, we said 'We'll bend but not break, they're not going to get out to a huge lead like their other games, 21-0 at Army,' we took it upon ourselves to take that moment and make a statement.  The crowd was behind us, we looked at each other in confidence and we said 'This is where we'll win this game, they want to get in the goal line, we'll show them what we can do and make a statement.' " (Col, UH)


Asked about playing against UH, Beatty said:
"I was excited playing my good friends, old teammates. For me it's great because I can brag for the rest of my life on them.  Now I can say I beat them all in college.  It's exciting for my teammates, seeing how they came out and played.  I loved the atmosphere." (Col, UH)


About how Smith catching Pilares from behind fired up their defense when UH started at the 3-yard-line after the Smith tackle, Beatty said:
"They hit that big play and we huddled up and said we're going to bend, but not break. We took it upon ourselves to make a statement. This is where we're going to win the game." (HSA)


About Hawkins injuring his nose when head-butting players with helmets before the game, Beatty said:
"I think he wanted to play." (HSA)

"He was ready to go today. I think he wanted to play." (DC)


Asked about their first half, QB Tyler Hansen said:
"It was just one play here or there killing drives.  Speedy had a fumble, the snap went through my legs, a penalty here or there.  We had things that were working, just one play that would kill a drive." (Col, UH)

"We were doing everything we wanted to do; it was just one play here and there that was killing drives." (LTC)


About scoring TDs in 4 of their first 5 drives of the second half, Hansen said:
"It shows us we can be an explosive team, we can be a great team. Just go out there and play and have fun." (LTC)


Asked about Toney Clemons' TD, Hansen said:
"We practice scramble drill every week, he did whatever he was coached.  Scotty was about the same place, but I had Clemons behind him so I choose him to throw the ball to.  I think Scotty was kind of mad I didn't throw to him." (Col, UH)


Asked about their OL, Hansen said:
"This week they had a fire, a little something extra to them.  They played great all week, not just today.  Mike Iltis playing center, he has some fire and we need that.  They were embarrassed last week, they wanted to have a good showing and they did that." (Col, UH)


Asked about his confidence in the first half, Hansen said:
"It wasn't that bad, it was stuff we were doing.  We were executing, completing the ball, running the ball well, it was just one play here or there.  It wasn't that frustrating, I knew we could clean that up and we did.  It's just frustrating. We need to take this momentum into Georgia.  We have a bye week.  We need to use it, use this win, get people healthy, prepare for Georgia and get a win.  We need to use this, it shows we can be explosive, we need to keep it going." (Col, UH)


About how they need to take the momentum from this win to prepare for their next game against Georgia, Hansen said:
"We need to take this momentum into Georgia. We have a bye week. We need to use it, use this win, get people healthy, prepare for Georgia and get a win. We need to use this, it shows we can be explosive, we need to keep it going." (DP)

"We just have to keep this thing going and use this as momentum for Georgia. I think this bye week comes at a perfect time. Now we can use this win, get our guys healthy, prepare for Georgia and hopefully get a win against Georgia." (LTC)


Hansen said that they knew that UH was getting tired when the:
"oxygen tanks were brought on the field, we knew they were gassed." (DP)


Asked what happened at halftime, WR Scotty McKnight said:
"All of our position coaches got into us and then coach Kiesau got us together as an offense.  We knew what we were doing on offense was unacceptable.  The defense was playing great.  It was a lot like in the past.  We know we have a lot of potential, and you saw that in the second half with 31 points. If just gives us the confidence that if we put two halves together, that's 50 or 60 points. We know we have the ability to do that, so Coach Kiesau and our position coaches put a fire under us it transitioned onto the field and we played better." (Col, UH)

"We knew what we were doing on offense was unacceptable. The defense was playing great." (DC)


Asked about the altitude being an advantage, McKnight said:
"It was pretty noticeable, when after their first drive, they need oxygen carts brought on the field.  It's tough.  Coming from California, I know, it's tough.  That's what we can use to our advantage, we're all in great shape and have been running at altitude.  You'll see that more in the future, it was to our advantage today.  They got gassed and our offensive line was blowing them 6 or 7 yards off the ball.  Not taking anything from the backs, but they were opening up huge holes for them.  It's nothing against Hawai'i, you just can't train like that at home." (Col, UH)

"Those guys were gassed and our offensive line was blowing them 6 or 7 yards off the line." (HSA)


Asked about Toney Clemons' TD, McKnight said:
"At first, I saw the ball in the air 'What is Tyler doing?' and then I saw Tony and said 'OK, great decision, he's really fast, then Clem took it to the house and scored.  It's so refreshing to see somebody take it 70 plus to the house, that hasn't happened a lot. (Col, UH)

"I'm open. At first I see the ball ... 'What is he doing? Oh, good decision.'" (HSA)

"It`s so refreshing to see someone take it 70-plus to the house. That hasn`t happened a lot." (DC)

DC Note: "Hansen connected with Clemons on a 73-yard touchdown pass down the west sideline. It was the longest offensive play for the Buffs in the Hawkins era."


Asked about his TD, McKnight said:
"I understand why it happens. It's good karma.  I treat people so well, I'm such a nice guy, it just comes back to you at some point, lucky for me it's just happened on the field a few times.  On that play, I'm a decoy.  I'm not a read, the ball just popped up, I said 'thanks bud,' I caught it and scored.  I told everybody in the lockerrom why I thought it happened and they don't believe me either." (Col, UH)

"I'm a decoy on that play. I'm not even in the read. The ball was calling my name." (HSA)


About what they do on the field is more important than what they talk about in interviews, McKnight said:
"It's not about what you talk about, it's what you go out and do." (LTC)


Asked about the student support, McKnight said:
"We just have to keep winning.  Everybody will keep supporting us if we win.  It shows if we do what the coaches tell us to do, we can be explosive on offense and great on defense.  We have full confidence in this coaching staff.  We can be a great team.  If we keep winning, people will respect and understand that." (Col, UH)

"We've just got to keep winning. Everyone will keep supporting us if we keep winning." (LTC)


About how they gave up a lot of yards to UH but not many points, DE Nick Kasa said:
"They`re going to get yards, that`s all they do is get yards through the air. But we did a good job of stopping them from getting points." (DC)