Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Warrior Quotes from the HSA 8/31/10 (Austin Hansen says that the OL will be ready)

About how the critics of their OL were saying the same things before the 2006 season, Austin Hansen said:
"Go in the archives. The same guys who think they're so clever writing about how we don't have any experience ... they were talking about the same thing in '06. Not that (those linemen) didn't have any experience, but the question mark was going to be the offensive line. You look back at those guys (who started) on the offensive line in '06, and all five of them are in the NFL or had stays in the NFL. So what does that tell you? There's nothing to write about in July, so why not talk about the offensive line?" (HSA)


Hansen said that LG Brysen "Bulla" Ginlack is:
"ready to play old-school football and hit you in the mouth all day." (HSA)


Hansen said that RG Adrian "Aussie" Thomas is a:
"big, physical man. I remember (former Warriors defensive end) David Veikune telling me the thing about Aussie once he has his hands on you, you're done. His upper-body is so powerful. He's so powerful with his forearms." (HSA)


Hansen said that RT Laupepa Letuli is:
"an athletic freak. He's more talented, more athletic than anybody on the line." (HSA)


About how center Bronson Tiwanak is a black belt in kenpo, Hansen said:
"He can come out and karate-chop you in the chest and give you something to think about." (HSA)


About their OL's overall skill, Hansen said:
"We'll find out on Thursday. And even if Thursday is a rough night for us, we'll go on to the next week. We're coming on Thursday to try and be physical and execute our offense to the best of our abilities and play as hard as we can. That's pretty much it. There's no back story." (HSA)


HSA Note: "It was limited flexibility that hindered Dunnachie when he first reported to UH in August 2009. With a background in Australian rules football, Dunnachie was used to compact kicks. Tutored by former UH punter Tim Grasso, Dunnachie improved his flexibility, allowing him to easily launch punts with a swing in which his right foot goes above his helmet."


About how he walks around during the nonkicking parts of practice, bouncing a football to work on his drops, Dunnachie said:
"I try to do as many reps as I can. Even when I'm watching TV, I'll drop the ball, with the laces up every time. I'm not thinking about it. It's muscle memory. The ball will drop the same way every time." (HSA)


About how he is front and center during their haka, Jake Heun said:
"I love being there." (HSA)


About how he knows all of the moves for the haka, Heun said:
"We've been doing this for three years. I'd better know it by now." (HSA)


About how C/G Abe Markowitz will miss the trip to Hawaii, Lane Kiffin said:
"Unfortunately, he is going to have to have surgery and will probably miss the trip. It just happened last night." (HSA)


Kiffin said that Abe:
"was playing backup guard and center and really doing a tremendous job for us. He's frustrated, but hopefully he's going to battle back. There's a good chance he can come back for the second half of the season." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100831_Hansen_says_O-line_will_be_just_fine.html#axzz0yBtmUq5f

Feature on George Daily-Lyles

About how his childhood goals included going to USC, George Daily-Lyles said:
"It was supposed to be Long Beach Poly, USC, NFL. We had to switch it up. It's Long Beach Poly, Hawaii Warriors and who knows where it goes from there." (HSA)


About how schools like USC were "looking at" him until they found out his real height, Daily-Lyles said:
"I went to a couple of camps, and then the phone calls stopped when they saw my real height. I was, like, 'OK.' It was a life lesson right there. It's all a business." (HSA)


About how UH didn't care about his 5' 10.75" height, Daily-Lyles said:
"Some teams saw my height, and were scared off. Hawaii believed in me." (HSA)


About starting at MLB against USC, Daily-Lyles said:
"I'm excited about that." (HSA)


About how his body type is not typical for a MLB, Daily-Lyles said:
"I'm lower-heavy instead of top-heavy. I've got built-in leverage. I've got a nice center of gravity." (HSA)


About how he likes playing LB, Daily-Lyles said:
"My coach in high school told me a linebacker only needs 10 yards up, 10 yards back, and 10 yards side to side. That's where you need to be good. I guess I fit that part. I feel good playing in the box. I like to think, 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall.' " (HSA)


About how he was immediately put on the OL when he started Pop Warner football, Daily-Lyles said with a smile:
"Let's put the fat kid on the line." (HSA)


About how he didn't like football at first, Daily-Lyles said:
"I was 7. I wanted to go home and play around in the yard instead of being out there with a helmet on." (HSA)


About how he loved football once the hitting started, Daily-Lyles said:
"I put somebody on his back, and that feeling was like euphoria. That first taste of blood. It's like a shark in the water. You sniff it out, and you get it." (HSA)


About being raised in Long Beach and playing for Poly, Daily-Lyles said:
"Long Beach Poly is in my blood. My brothers went there. My cousins went there. I guess from the womb it was destined for me to go there and play football." (HSA)


About how he became friends with Billy Ray Stutzmann and the Stutzmann family took him in as a hanai son, Daily-Lyles said:
"They took me in. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. They're like my second family. Without them, I would be a lost kid out here trying to find his way. Right now, I've got a family to fit in." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100831_Middle_hitter.html#axzz0yBuCT7PP

USC fans traveling to Hawaii have provided a nice boost to Hawaii's economy

About coming to Hawaii for the season opener with his wife Krista, USC graduate Campbell Coulter said:
"We are on the east coast so its hard for us to make it back to the USC games, so we figures we would take a vacation and check out Hawaii while were here. We are calling it like, our third honeymoon." (KITV)


About how an estimated 5,000 USC fans are expected to attend the game at Aloha Stadium, USC Director of Alumni Special Interests Danielle Harvey said:
"It's everyone, from students to current students, previous students, alumni, parents of students, our players and their families." (KITV)


KITV Note: "The majority of USC fans took advantage of package deals and are staying at hotels in Waikiki. The increase in visitors comes during a normally slower month for the state's tourism industry."


About how the USC fans have been great for Hawaii's economy, Jim Palank (director of sales and marketing of the Royal Hawaiian) said:
"Its a great thing for us and Hawaii in general. Usually, after summer things slow down a bit what we call, 'the shoulder season' so to have USC here this time is great for football, it's great for the economy." (KITV)


About how the Royal Hawaiian is sold out for Thursday's game, Palank said:
"They are here to spend money and they are from a great market for us, which is California. We got people coming from Asia Pacific that went to USC." (KITV)


About how Hawaii is an ideal location for a USC road game, USC fan Jame Krantz said:
"This is the best venue for an away game that you could pick. I'm very excited. We have had a great time so far and are looking forward to the game." (KITV)


http://www.kitv.com/r/24822315/detail.html

Monday, August 30, 2010

Quotes from the Star-Advertiser's 2010 Football Preview

About how Moniz has improved from last season, offensive coordinator and QB coach Nick Rolovich said:
"He's got not only zip, but he has better control. Some guys can throw it hard. You hear a lot in recruiting that 'this guy's got a cannon.' But it's kind of hard to catch cannonballs. You have to make the throw that's necessary on that play and I think he has a good range of abilities.  (Last year) he had enough to get it to the distances we asked him to get, but it's the control aspect. He doesn't have to just throw it as far as he can. He can throw it where he wants to." (HSA)


About how strengthening his right arm during the offseason has paid off for him, Moniz said:
"I feel I can make a lot of those throws I couldn't make last year just because I got stronger. A lot of those throws became a lot easier, and in smaller windows it's easier to squeeze it in." (HSA)


About trying to learn all he can from Rolo and Mouse Davis, Moniz said:
"I'm trying to pick Coach Rolo's brain, pick Coach Mouse (Davis') brain to the point where I can coach the offense. That's pretty much what I need to be, a coach on the field, be able to know everything and see everything." (HSA)


About how he changes UH's offense when he plays video games, Alex Green said:
"When I play, I change the offense to like a triple option. We run the ball all game." (HSA)


About how Alex Green and Chizzy Dimude understand their offense better this year, RB coach Brian Smith said:
"Now they have an idea what we're doing, so it allows them to be more confident in themselves. It helps them run a little more fluid and more decisive. They're looking like veterans." (HSA)


About how his increased understanding of the offense pays off for him on the field, Chizzy said:
"I feel I play a lot faster now because it's second nature to me now." (HSA)


About how Mouse Davis has been refining their technique, Greg Salas said:
"He's helping us get real specific, making sure we get to our landmarks and really getting on us for not doing things the right way. That's going to help us out a lot with the detail and how specific we have to be on our routes." (HSA)


About how their receivers are talented enough and just need to execute now, Mouse said:
"It's all a matter of execution. We have the talent to be good; now we have to go out and execute." (HSA)


About how the increased precision under Mouse could improve their offense, Salas said:
"(The offense) is the same, just cleaning it up. We got a little sloppy at times, that was our fault being new at the position and not really knowing what we're doing real well." (HSA)


About returning from his injury, Rodney Bradley said:
"It definitely made me more anxious, seeing where I left off and the kind of season I was having before the injury. I'm trying to get back to where I started and let that be my floor and continue to go up." (HSA)


About how their OL has to quickly make adjustments on each play, LT Austin Hansen said:
"We have to make sure we make ours real quick so they have time to do what they need to do." (HSA)


About how practicing against their complex defense helps them get better, Hansen said:
"The more repetition we have against our defense just helps us get better.  The defense has 150 blitzes we're running against.  They're giving us the best test we can have and we're trying to pass it." (HSA)


About how they need a lot of DL depth despite using just 4 DL in their base package, DT coach Tony Tuioti said that:
"we need to find eight guys that can play." (HSA)


About how the DTs role in the defense is to sacrifice themselves to enable their teammates to make plays, Haku Correa said:
"We might not make plays, but we're doing our job.  It's not about making plays, it's about helping our teammates make plays." (HSA)


About the importance of the LBs to any good defense, Corey Paredes said:
"The coaches were telling us how the greatest defensive teams in the NFL, the heart is the linebackers.  The good defenses have solid linebackers the team can trust.  We're in an important position to lead the defense." (HSA)


About the pride that their LBs have, defensive coordinator and LB coach Dave Aranda said:
"There's a lot of pride in that group.  A lot of good football players, guys who understand football." (HSA)


Praising Corey Paredes, Aranda said:
"Corey's earned the respect of the guys.  He's a good hitter and one of our more talented blitzers.  The guys look to him because everything he has he's earned." (HSA)


About Paipai Falemalu's height and reach give them more range at OLB, Aranda said:
"We didn't have any of those guys last year, so we really had to try to manufacture some stuff." (HSA)


About how their DBs support each other, Jeramy Bryant said:
"It's like having a big brother in a fight.  You know you're going to have somebody who is going to be there when they're supposed to be there.  It's a comfort level for me because we're on the same page." (HSA)

"It's just really good having friends back there.  Not just teammates, but friends." (HSA)


About how they return all of their DB starters and numerous other DBs with playing experience, CB coach Rich Miano said:
"This year there's eight to 10 guys who had extensive playing time last year, so I think we're taking the playbook a step further.  Obviously we're getting better at what we did last year, and we have a better understanding of what we're trying to do." (HSA)


About how their DBs understand each other better since they played together last season, Mana Silva said:
"We had chemistry last year, but we're taking it to another level.  It's critical in that we know each other's tendencies.  I feel real comfortable with those guys.  The game has slowed down for us a lot, so it's going to help us make more plays back there." (HSA)


About how working together all of last season will enable their DBs to be an effective unit, safeties coach Chris Tormey said:
"They can rely on each other to be where they need to be, which allows each individual player to focus on his responsibility." (HSA)


About the need for consistency, punter Alex Dunnachie said:
"One of the things coach told me is it's better to be consistently good than occasionally great." (HSA)


About the competition he faces from freshman Tyler Hadden, kicker Scott Enos said:
"I don't think it's going to come down to strength; it's going to come down to consistency." (HSA)


About how he needs to kick the ball quicker, Enos said:
"At this level, one of the main things is timing.  Because they've got some big buys out there getting up and blocking kicks and you have to get it off. ... Instead of waiting to make sure the hold's going to be there you just gotta trust those guys." (HSA)


About his trust in Luke Ingram, Dunnachie said:
"I feel so comfortable knowing that ball's coming in the same spot every time." (HSA)


About how Dunnachie is improved this season, special teams coordinator Chris Tormey said:
"We've worked hard with him on his mechanics and his drop and he's got a lot more confidence in it now.  Having been through it and understanding what it's like to kick under game conditions, he's going to be so much more comfortable when it comes to game time and let his ability take over." (HSA)


About how kickers need to focus on their job and not worry about anything else going on, Enos said:
"As a kicker you can't worry about what's going on around you.  Kicking is 90 percent mental at this level; you just have to zone them out and do your job." (HSA)


About his sudden growth spurt during the middle of high school, 6'2" Salas said:
"I was 5-5 going into my junior year.  I hit a growth spurt.  I grew like 7 inches one day.  I went to school and my friends were like, 'Did you get taller?'  I said, 'Dude, I think I did, literally overnight.'  I was looking in the mirror, and I said, 'I look taller this morning.'  I have no idea what happened." (HSA)


About the need to excellent peripheral vision, Salas said:
"You have to be able to see defenders come from all angles.  You have to know when the side defender is coming.  You don't want to get blasted." (HSA)


About how he was first able to dunk a ball as a high school senior, Salas said:
"I always tried to dunk in front of the (football) coaches.  I finally did it.  It was cool to dunk a basketball." (HSA)


Asked how comfortable he is about giving his 2 new coordinators greater responsibility, Mack said:
"Just like you try to get the players in the right position to make plays, I'm just trying to get our staff in the right positions to do their responsibilities and I feel real good about how things are going.  

Dave has been with me for five years, he knows the package as well as anybody.  I didn't bring Mouse (Davis) in to mentor.  Rolovich is in charge of the offense.  Mouse is here to coach the receivers.  Just like Dave can bounce something off me because I've done it a long time, Rolo can bounch something off Mouse. ... When things get tough they have guys who've been there.

They get all the paperwork done, they get all the game plans done through talking to the other coaches so they all contribute to it." (HSA)


Asked what role he will have in play-calling, Mack said:
"My name goes on the wins and losses so I can over rule anything, but I'm confident in those guys who are calling the plays.  Sometimes when you call a timeout, then there can be discussion on it because you have a little time.  But for every down and distance, field position, personnel grouping, they've already selected the calls they're going to make.  So I'm able to do more head coaching things, I'm able to run the game and I'm basically in all three rooms right now.

It's tough calling defense and being a head coach, I think offensive guys can do it more.  Defensive guys, you can't make a mistake or it's a touchdown.  I know this, I really believe in the guys who are teaching them." (HSA)


Asked how much more they can do with greater experience on both sides this year, after rebuilding on offense 2 years ago and the defense last year, Mack said:
"I feel really good about these guys.  One, their attitude and conditioning.  I also feel good because we have enough seniors that we have leadership, but a lot of the leadership is in the junior class.  This is a young team if you really look at it.  They're real competitive.  They're fast, we recruited to speed and we still have the big buys.  We have to look at the offensive line just because they haven't played together.  We're new at linebacker, but how linebackers are really good athletes.  The defensive line is really a strength of our team." (HSA)


Asked how he's changed or refined his approach after two seasons of being a head coach, Mack said:
"We're doing the same things.  We're running the run-and-shoot and we're running the (defensive) package I've always run.  I told Dave I want to run the same package, I just want it to look different.  Rolo's doing a great job with all of our skill guys and we know what we're doing.

We have to get better continuously.  Every game is important because we want to go to a bowl game and we wasted a game last year.  We can't waste any games.  It's pro style.  Every game is as important as any other game.  We'll have 48 hours to celebrate or get over the feeling of a loss and then we get right into the next game. ... We're looking for a great starting point and then get better from there." (HSA)


Asked how big a challenge will it be to prepare for the various offensive styles you'll face, especially early in the season (USC, Army and Colorado), Mack said:
"We've been working on all three of those.  We've got all three of those teams broken down.  Of course we'll get a couple extra on Colorado, but we've got them broken down from last year.  We've got Army broken down.  We've got our plans for them, we've worked on the option.  We'll be smart with it and just play our game." (HSA)


Asked why he kept playing in 1998 with a ruptured disk in his back as they continue losing, Tony Tuioti said:
"When you're 0-12, all you have is each other." (HSA)


About how he had back surgery in January 1999 and played for JJ and Mack during the 1999 season, Tuioti said:
"I missed all spring, fall practice.  I caught up on the fly during the season." (HSA)


About the respect that UH's players have for how Tuioti played through pain for UH, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"You have that respect for him, that he played in the trenches.  Someone who hasn't been there doesn't know the pain that comes when you take on the double-team.  He knows the strength it takes to do some of the things we do.  He once did it, and he did it well.  I saw some clips.  He was a ball of energy, unstoppable motor.  Coach Mack showed us clips.  He stood out." (HSA)


About how he learned a lot about Tuioti despite only being at UH for a year, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"I've heard the stories.  He played like an animal.  He wasn't always the biggest, but his heart was huge." (HSA)


Asked if he was frustrated with not being able to do any hand's-on coaching last year, Tuioti said:
"Coach Mack gave me a great opportunity." (HSA)


About how Tuioti prepared all of last year to be a coach, Meatoga said:
"Last year he was in the background, but he was real observant, taking notes, watching how we respond to things.  He looked real anxious, looked like he wanted to get in the action.  I'm glad he's our coach this year." (HSA)


Praising this DL group, Tuioti said:
"We've got some good guys that want to work hard.  They're eager to learn and get better.  They're taking ownership and believing in themselves and each other.  Every single day they've been focused.

On the D-line you've got to be selfless.  If that means taking on double-teams so the linebackers can run free and make plays, that's what we'll do.  I don't mind if we have no sacks, but if the quarterback is 1-for-20, I'll take that any day.  We can be effective in a lot of ways, like batting balls down.  Last year we have just three batted balls.  I thin, we had double-digits in the spring." (HSA)


About calling Meatoga "gold", Tuioti said:
"It was Lance (Samuseva), it was Mike (Lafaele).  right now it's Vaughn.  The torch is being passed." (HSA)


http://www.scribd.com/doc/36581745/Star-Advertiser-2010-Football-Preview

Feature article on Kealoha Pilares

About how Mouse Davis has been teaching their receivers the fundamentals of the offense, including stressing their stance at the line of scrimmage, Kealoha Pilares said:
"Stance is a big thing to him because it's a timing offense and if you have any false steps it throws everything off. He started off with that and still continues to stress it, and everything built up from there. This is his offense; he knows what to do." (HSA)


About the importance of a receiver's stance, Mouse Davis said:
"You can't underestimate the importance of that. The difference so often in a catch is 3 feet or 2 feet and ... with a bad stance that can make that much of a difference. Then the execution off what happens with the defense is obviously extremely important." (HSA)


About getting 6.8 catches per game as a slot receiver and then moving to outside receivers for their next 5 games and averaging 2.8 catches per game before getting 8 receptions (for 102 yards and 2 TDs) against Navy, Pilares said:
"It was all about the team. Rodney went down and they asked me to step up." (HSA)


About how he understands the role the wideouts have in stretching the defense, Pilares said:
"Royce (Pollard) and Rodney, I give them so much props for doing that. It's hard out there. Most of the time their work gets overlooked." (HSA)


About how Pilares has improved due to his hard work, Mouse said:
"He's really improved himself as a receiver. I say he's improved himself because he worked on it. He went to the Jugs machine and caught a lot of balls and he's catching the ball a lot better than last season." (HSA)


About how Pilares has bulked up to 205 pounds and led the team in offseason testing with a power clean of 356 pounds, strength coach Tommy Heffernan said:
"He has all the physical attributes to be a great player; now he just has to do it on the field. He's not a vocal guy; he just goes out and gets the job done. That's the kind of guys we need. I hope he has a great year, because he deserves it." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100830_Pilares_learns_finer_points_of_UHs_complex_offense.html#axzz0y5yfwHlU

USC's head coach worries about Bryant Moniz's scrambling ability

About how Moniz is hard to sack due to his mobility, Lane Kiffin said:
"It's hard to get to him. It's hard to get a lot of sacks on these guys for as much as they throw the ball. You get so spread out too that once a guy starts to move around there's a lot of space there. So we're going to have to do a phenomenal job of tackling in space." (LA Times)


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-usc-football-20100830,0,3273237.story

Sunday, August 29, 2010

LA Times feature on how the USC game is important to Mack

LAT = LA Times

About taking over at UH after UH's Sugar Bowl season, Mack said:
"Yeah, that's not an easy deal to follow. It's always a little easier when you go somewhere they've been losing a little bit." (LAT)


About the spotlight and pressure on Mack, Chris Hart (sports radio host in Honolulu) said:
"It's not him personally; people just want to win. A lot depends on how it starts this season." (LAT)


About JJ leaving UH, Hart said:
"I mean, people here were really in a panic. It was one of the darkest times in the program's history." (LAT_)


About being called by UH's President to ask if he'd be interested in taking the UH job, Mack said:
"He asked me if I'd be interested. I said yes, if it was sincere and it would be quick." (LAT)


LAT Note: "Hawaii gave McMackin more than a $1 million a year to stick around, a hefty sum for a small school and substantially more than Jones had been paid. The new coach quite suddenly became the state's highest-paid employee. And his salary became a point of contention on a campus, in a region, hurt badly by the economic downturn."


About the spotlight on Mack's salary, J.N. Musto (executive director of the faculty's union) said:
"Obviously, faculty are concerned about both the level of compensation for the head football coach and the deficits that the athletic programs are running up." (LAT)


LAT Note: "The next summer, McMackin attended a preseason media gathering for the Western Athletic Conference and used a slur toward gays to describe a chant by Notre Dame players before the bowl game. The university suspended him for 30 days without pay and required him to work with gay and lesbian students on campus. The coach had previously agreed to a voluntary 7% pay cut."


About the criticism he's received from some UH fans, Mack said:
"Anywhere you are, there are positives and negatives as far as fans go. You always have people who aren't happy that are on the blogs and the radio shows." (LAT)


About coaching with Mack in the early 1990s at Miami, current USC defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron said:
"He was fun to coach with. Kind of a low-key guy. I don't think he let a lot of things get to him." (LAT)


About how Mack's personality gets people to support him, Hart said:
"He's like your Uncle Harry or something. He makes a point to shake everyone's hand and smile. It's a small town and if you run into Greg McMackin, you feel like you've known him for 10 years." (LAT)


About how their offense will look like what UH ran under JJ, Mack said:
"We're doing it exactly by the book. It'll look very much like you've seen in the past." (LAT)


About how the Warriors are important to Hawaii fans, Mack said:
"We're the only show in town. They pray for you, they will you to win." (LAT)


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-hawaii-football-20100830,0,4852103,full.story

The Warriors have finalized their starting lineup

About elevating Kaniela Tuipulotu to their starting right tackle position, Mack said:
"He earned it. He really worked hard." (HSA)


About moving Tuipulotu in front of Haku Correa, Dave Aranda said:
"He really came into camp focused and determined. He's had a really good fall camp." (HSA)


About how he gained a lot of weight after his surgery, weighing 320 pounds at the start of training camp, Tuipulotu said:
"One of my main focuses was to get back into shape. I wanted to drop some weight so I could move better." (HSA)


About how he changed his eating habits at the training table, Tuipulotu said:
"I started eating fruits -- pineapple, watermelon, whatever they had. I tried to stay away from white rice." (HSA)


About weighing 290 pounds now and working his hardest to improve, Tuipulotu said:
"I'm trying out here every day. I wanted to show the coaches they didn't waste a scholarship on me." (HSA)


About how Allen Sampson had said that he wanted to make it difficult for the coaches to decide whether to use him this season, Mack said:
"He didn't make it hard; he made it easy for us. We're not going to redshirt him. He's a player. He is our quickest player. He's going to fit into our return game. He's also learned the (offensive) package. He's probably a second-unit slot right now." (HSA)


Mouse Davis said that Sampson has:
"good speed, and he cares. I like him. He wants to be a player. I think he'll be a very special player by the time he gets out of here." (HSA)


About how catching Alex Dunnachie's punts helped him as a returner, Sampson said:
"At first, it was hard catching Alex's punts, but I got used to it. He's the best punter. If I can catch his punts, I can catch anybody's punts." (HSA)


HSA Note: "McMackin said freshman cornerback John Hardy-Tuliau also will not redshirt. McMackin said wideout Darius Bright, defensive end Beau Yap and safety Bubba Poueu-Luna will be kept on the active roster, but used only if needed, preserving the possibility of redshirting."


About how Darius Bright is a key member of 4 special teams and is 3rd string at left wideout and will make the road trip to Army and Colorado, Mack said:
"If we need him, we'll use him. If we don't, then we'll make decisions." (HSA)


About whether or not he will redshirt, Bright said:
"It's still undecided. We want to see how the season goes. We'll see game by game. I'm fine with it. No rush." (HSA)


UH STARTERS
Offense
LWO: Rodney Bradley
LSB: Greg Salas
LT: Austin Hansen
LG: Brysen "Bulla" Ginlack
C: Bronson Tiwanak
RG: Adrian Thomas
RT: Laupepa Letuli
RSB: Kealoha Pilares
RWO: Royce Pollard
QB: Bryant Moniz
RB: Alex Green

Defense
LE: Liko Satele
LT: Vaughn Meatoga
RT: Kaniela Tuipulotu
RE: Kamalu Umu
SLB: Paipai Falemalu
MLB: George Daily-Lyles
WLB: Corey Paredes
LCB: Lametrius Davis
SS: Spencer Smith
FS: Mana Silva
RCB: Jeramy Bryant
NB: Richard Torres
DB: Lewis Walker
Specialists
PK: Scott Enos
H: Shane Austin
LS: Luke Ingram
P: Alex Dunnachie
KR: Royce Pollard
KR/PR: Allen Sampson
PR: Ryan Henry

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100829_Warriors_settle__on_starting_lineup.html#axzz0y0JXSlH2

The WAC had planned to trade UTEP for Louisiana Tech with the C-USA as part of its plan to get BYU

HSA Note: "UH was told on June 18 that as a result of Benson's "preliminary discussions with ESPN" the TV rights fees could rise by as much as "300 percent" over the nearly $500,000 per school that is being received now, according to a memo obtained by the Star-Advertiser."


About how he couldn't say anything about their plans during the WAC's Football Preview, Karl Benson said:
"I was biting my tongue. There was so much I wanted to say (because) I felt we were already on the tip of something big." (HSA)


About his reaction when Benson told him that BYU might leave the MWC to return to the WAC, UTEP athletic director Bob Stull said he initially thought it:
"was kinda out there, to tell the truth." (HSA)


Stull said that Benson hinted that not only BYU would be joining the WAC, but:
"'there might be some more changes.'" (HSA)


Stull said that no offer was made by the WAC and neither side promised anything:
"It (the conversation) was what it was." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Benson, according to documents, was laying the groundwork for what he hoped would be the return of the Miners to the WAC after a seven-year absence. According to e-mails, he planned to talk to UTEP officials and Conference USA about a "trade" of sorts to make it happen."


HSA Note: "Protocol dictated that Benson notify C-USA, which Benson did, calling commissioner Britton Banowsky and informing him of the conversation and possible changes. It was someone at C-USA, people involved surmise, who might have tipped Thompson about the rapidly accelerating moves afoot."


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100830_Fleeing_members_foiled_conferences_big_plans.html#axzz0y0IIq07Z

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Article about UH in the Record-Courier

RC = Record-Courier


About how they want to start this season like how they ended last season, Mack said:
"We won four of our last five games last year and that sets a good foundation. And we have most of the guys back that played in those games (last year)." (RC)


About how he expects Greg Salas (106 catches for 1,590 yards last season) to be even better this season, Mack said:
"I expect him to improve this year. We're expecting big things out of Greg." (RC)


About how Bryant Moniz (2,396 yards passing for 14 TDs) is better than last season, Mack said:
"He's gained 10-15 pounds and is throwing better than he's ever thrown. He's been first in everything we've done this off-season. He's set a great example." (RC)


About ending up 1 win short of making a bowl game last season, Mack said:
"We learned a great lesson. It was very disappointing. We put ourselves in position that last game (a loss to Wisconsin) but you can't put yourself in that position in your last game. We wasted some ballgames last year earlier in the year. Our big lesson is that we cannot waste any ballgames. We have to win the close ones." (RC)


http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20100827/SPORTS/100829863/1062&ParentProfile=1049

Mack says that UH is the only show in town and Hawaii fans pray for them to win

About how defenses are helpless if their offense is executing, Mack said:
"The defense can never be right if we're executing what we're doing as far as reading routes." (ESPN)


ESPN Note: "The biggest question for Hawaii going into this game isn't about routes -- quarterback Bryant Moniz, a former walk-on, returns as does leading receiver Greg Salas -- it's about buying time. Hawaii lost four of its five starting offensive linemen, including standout center John Estes. The Trojans are big and athletic in the front seven."


About how their fans pray for them to win and 80% are with them, more than in most places, Mack said:
"We're the only show in town. They pray for you to win. Eighty percent of the fans are with you. It's a lot different than most places. You always have people who aren't happy on blogs and radio shows. I won't name them." (ESPN)


http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angelesusc/post/_/id/2977/first-look-hawaii

Starting C Brett Leonard will miss the first 3 games, Meatoga, Salas, and Paredes elected team captains

HSA Note: "Brett Leonard, who was projected to start at center, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and miss the University of Hawaii's first three football games. Bronson Tiwanak, a senior walk-on from Damien Memorial School, will start in Thursday's season opener against Southern California."


HSA Note: "The Warriors have lost two centers to injuries in the past three months. In the final quarter of the Warrior Bowl, a scrimmage marking the end of spring training, junior Matagisila Lefiti suffered an injury to his right foot."


About why they were going to select Brett Leonard as their starting center instead of Bronson Tiwanak, Gordy Shaw said:
"Brett is larger (than Tiwanak) and is able to handle some of the opponents we're going to be seeing early in the season. That's why it was always a tight race." (HSA)


About how Tiwanak was Bryant Moniz's center when they both played at Fresno City College in 2007, Mack said:
"That's a positive thing." (HSA)


About being voted to be one of their captains, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"The last election I won was for May Day in the third grade. I was picked to represent Molokai, I think." (HSA)


HSA Note: "In voting by the players, Meatoga, slotback Greg Salas and linebacker Corey Paredes were selected as captains for the 2010 season. Salas is a senior, and Meatoga and Paredes are juniors. McMackin said 20 players received votes, and some of them will serve as the fourth captain during games this season."


About why Meatoga was a good selection to be one of their captains, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"Vaughn is a hard worker. He never complains. He leads by example. He's the first one out here and the last to leave. He's always working hard, and pushing others." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Salas has served a leadership role since the end of the 2009 season. He was one of the organizers of the Warriors' unsupervised workouts this summer."


About going from a walk-on to being one of their captains, Corey Paredes said:
"I'm living proof the walk-on program at UH is the best. If you want to play for UH, come out. The coaches will give you a chance." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100828_Center_Leonard_out_for_3_games_Tiwanak_to_start.html#axzz0xuV16Zhb

Friday, August 27, 2010

Article about the uncertainty with UH's OL

About how people who have watched their practices are doubtful that their OL is ready for the season, Mack said:
"That's a fair statement. But with the exception of center, the guys we've got out there have started, but at different times." (HSA)


HSA Note: "I agree with McMackin when he says left tackle Austin Hansen, left guard Brysen "Bulla" Ginlack, center Bronson Tiwanak, right guard Adrian Thomas and right tackle Laupepa Letuli are "athletic, and plenty big.""


About how their OL hasn't played in games together, with 3 other potential OL starters out with injury now, Mack said:
"They need to play some games together." (HSA)


About USC's tough DL, Mack said:
"We'll be facing probably the best defensive line since we played Georgia." (HSA)


About how their OL needs time to come together as a group, Bulla Ginlack said:
"We've got to get better each practice, each game. We're coming together real good and we've got a couple more practices before the first game." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100827_Too_bad_Warriors_O-line_wont_get_a_warm-up_game.html#axzz0xoqfvmxG

UH's offense had a good practice at Aloha Stadium yesterday

About how their offense had a good practice yesterday at Aloha Stadium, Bryant Moniz (27-34 against the scout team) said:
"We're like a butterfly floating, and our offense stings like a bee." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The 2-hour practice marked the return of right tackle Laupepa Letuli, running back Alex Green and linebacker Aaron Brown."


About how Aaron Brown participated in several individual workouts but was held out of full-speed individual drills due to the wet FieldTurf, Dave Aranda said:
"He looked good in the limited amount of work he had." (HSA)


Happy to be able to participate in practice, Brown said:
"It feels good to be out here where I belong. I'm happy to be out here with my teammates. I waited too long." (HSA)


About the decision to limit his reps in practice, Brown said:
"I wanted to test my ankle out first. I didn't want to jump into it. But it's exciting to get to play again."


HSA Note: "Because of the stadium renovations, the Warriors played their annual spring game on campus. This was their first appearance at Aloha Stadium since the season-ending loss to Wisconsin in December. There are about 30 first-year Warriors on the roster. As the buses descended the driveway leading to the field, "a lot of the guys said they were starting to get the butterflies," head coach Greg McMackin said."


About how their practice at Aloha Stadium was at the same time as next week's game, Mack said:
"We showed them the pregame routine, and where they needed to be for certain situations. We got a lot of things done." (HSA)


About going 7-9 in passing in their red-zone drills, with 3 TD passes of 18, 16, and 10 yards, Moniz said:
"I feel like a million bucks." (HSA)


About how the only negative was that he had to return to Manoa to drop off his equipment before returning home to Wahiawa, Moniz said:
"Other than that, it's fun to play in this stadium. You don't know how many more games you get to play here. Our offense is looking crisp. We're going to put up some numbers this year. It's going to be good." (HSA)


Looking forward to the start of the season, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I can't wait for the season to start. We've been looking forward to that day since spring ball. Every day we've been coming out and working hard. Everybody is hungry for that next Thursday." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100827_Warriors_offense_is_crisp_in_Aloha_Stadium_workout.html#axzz0xoqf9H9P

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Brett Leonard suffered a sprained left knee right before being named the starting center

About how Brett Leonard was injured during a limited-contact drill, Mack said:
"It was a safe deal. And he was wearing (knee) braces. It was one of those freak deals. You get them sometimes." (HSA)


About Leonard's injury, Shaw said that it makes his plan to rotate players:
"Now I look like a genius." (HSA)


About why he rotated 4 OL among the 3 interior positions on the OL, Shaw said:
"The thought all along was: the odd man out was the next guy in.  It didn't matter if it was the left guard or the right guard or the center. The next guy in was going to the spot he plays best, and everybody else will move over." (HSA)


About Tiwanak taking over as the starting center, Shaw said:
"We'll be OK with Bronson. I like Bronson a lot. He was the starting center coming into (training) camp." (HSA)


About how Leonard's injury "killed the mood of practice", Tiwanak said:
"You never want to see a teammate go down, especially a fellow offensive lineman." (HSA)


About how Tiwanak can handle the starting center position, injured #1 center Lefiti (who is expected to miss at least the first 3 games) said:
"He's a hard worker. He's never late. He's the last to leave. He's motivated. You can count on him." (HSA)


Lefiti says that Tiwanak is a walk-on who cannot eat the training-table meals and is:
"hungry. Literally, and all that. He wants it. He's going to be good." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100826_Leonard_hurt_center_job_still_open.html

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

UH hasn't decided who will start at center and left guard

About how they were going to name Brysen Ginlack the starting LG and Brett Leonard the starting C but then delayed their decision, OL coach Gordy Shaw said:
"But after watching the film (of practice) a second time, we left it the way it was for another day." (HSA)


HSA Note: "That means that Leonard and Bronson Tiwanak, a senior from Damien, will continue to compete for the center's job vacated when Matagisila Lefiti had foot surgery. Lefiti will miss the first three games. Shaw said left tackle Austin Hansen, right guard Adrian Thomas and right tackle Laupepa Letuli have secured starting jobs."


About how Leonard was competing with Ginlack for the starting LG spot, Shaw said after practice yesterday that Ginlack:
"is the starting left guard." (HSA)


About how Ginlack is motivated after sitting out last season to focus on academics, Shaw said:
"I think he's a very humbled young man because of what happened last year, (when) football was taken from him." (HSA)


Praising Ginlack's play, Shaw said:
"He gives us really solid physical play. He's a very strong, powerful individual. "Bulla" is a guy who's willing to do anything. Whenever we put him out there, he's done a very good job." (HSA)


Shaw praised the walk-on Tiwanak, saying that he:
"gives us a good solid player. For the most part, he's doing an outstanding job." (HSA)


About how Chauncy Winchester-Makainai struggled at center in training camp, Shaw said:
"He was really swimming with making the calls. It became evident after a couple of days that his physical play was really deterred by his mental play." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Winchester-Makainai was moved to right guard, where he is a more natural fit, Shaw said. He also can play tackle. Shaw said Winchester-Makainai is "absolutely" a candidate to return to center in the future. Leonard admittedly had concerns with the crash-course adjustment to center. But McMackin said Leonard has the skills to play that position."


About how Leonard might be best suited for center after being at tackle or guard earlier at UH, Mack said:
"He might be a better center than anything else. He really sticks on guys. He's worked hard on his snaps." (HSA)


About similarities between center and tackle, Shaw said:
"The center position is like playing tackle. You're put on an island sometimes. You have to be a little more athletic. Brett picked up the calls. Everything in our offense flows from the center position, and he picked up the offense." (HSA)


About how it is late to not have chosen a starting OL (just 8 days before their first game), Shaw said:
"That's book 101 on the offensive line." (HSA)


About how they have 7 players who only have practiced with the first team, with 5 members of the second team OL not taking snaps with the first team, Shaw said:
"If we were throwing a 2 in there to see what it's like, that would be different. We have seven guys we consider starters. It's a matter of which five we want to play." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100825_O-line_starters_nearly_complete.html

Feature story on Kaniela Tuipulotu, the only Warrior who has faced USC before

About how he faced USC twice before he transferred from Arizona to UH, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"I'm 0-2 versus USC, so hopefully we can pull out a victory. You always get pumped for a big team like that, but once you get out there it's another team. You go through your reads, play hard and play fast. ... When you play teams like that, you have to bring your 'A' game and nothing less because if you're not ready they're going to smash on you. You can't waste a day out here because they're working hard and they're going to be ready for a game." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Tuipulotu transferred to Hawaii last year and spent a season on the periphery due to NCAA transfer rules, a period that coincided with his recovery from shoulder surgery. He's now back to full health and full verve after he "lost my fire for football" during his stay in Arizona."


HSA Note: "After an all-state senior season at Kahuku, Tuipulotu was among the state's most coveted recruits and signed with the Wildcats. He broke into the defensive line as a true freshman, seeing action in seven games. He continued to see significant playing time as a sophomore, but hit a point where football became "a chore." Injuries didn't help matters and when it became apparent his shoulders would require surgery and a year away from the field, he obtained his release from Arizona to initiate the transfer process and enrolled at UH last fall."


About how he got his passion for football back after sitting out a season after transferring to UH, Tuipulotu said:
"Now I'm back, I'm having fun again and I'm enjoying every moment I'm out here with my teammates. I can't wait to get back out there and do whatever I can to help the team, help with the run, rushing the passer, anything to be out there." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said Tuipulotu hovered around 320 pounds when he joined the program. He was down to 310 for spring ball and enters the season in the 290 range. His improved conditioning is allowing him to better endure the grind in the middle of the line of scrimmage."


About how Tuipulotu went from 320 when he transferred to UH to 310 for spring practice to the 290s now, DL coach Tony Tuioti said:
"You really need to play all those guys, it's not like any other position. You're asking them to do a lot of things ... and they have to be in shape and be able to run. Kani's done a great job getting himself into shape and putting in the hard work needed. I'm excited to see him play on Sept. 2. He's got a lot of experience and played at a high level and we're going to need to draw from that as we get into the season. ... He brings a physical presence inside and we need that, especially facing a lot of the running teams we're going to see." (HSA)


About the rush he gets when running onto the field for a game, Tuipulotu said:
"It's something you don't really feel anywhere else. You feel alive when you come out of the tunnel. And I'll probably feel 10 times more alive coming out at Aloha Stadium." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100825_Lone_Warrior.html

Fresno State and Nevada will only be able to leave in 2011

About how they plan to be in the MWC after this school year, Jane Tors (special assistant to Nevada's President Milton Glick) said:
"We plan to be in the Mountain West Conference for the 2011-12 (academic) year." (HSA)


About how Fresno State and Nevada will not be able to leave the WAC until 2 more years are completed, Karl Benson said:
"They are bound to the WAC until June 30, 2012." (HSA)


Benson said that Fresno State and Nevada will only leave after one more year via a negotiated settlement:
"if it is in the WAC's best interests." (HSA)


About Fresno State and Nevada leaving early, Benson said:
"At this point there have been no discussions." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100825_Tug_of_war_looms_over_defectors_departures.html

UH has increasingly been in contact with the WCC and the Big West Conferences

HSA Note: "Contacts between the University of Hawaii and two non-football-playing leagues, the West Coast Conference and Big West Conference, about possible membership have gained frequency in the past few days, people familiar with the situations said."


Asked if he has spoken to Big West and West Coast Conference officials since Fresno State and Nevada chose to leave the WAC on August 18, JD said:
"No comment." (HSA)


Asked about their contact with UH, Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell said:
"At this point, I'd rather not comment on any contact (with UH)." (HSA)


About UH, back in June Farrel said:
"Hawaii certainly does have a great history with the Big West with their women's programs and we have a great affinity for their program and people over the years." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The Rainbow Wahine were members of the Big West and its forerunner, the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, from 1985 to '95 with Farrell as commissioner. The Rainbow Wahine joined the WAC in 1996."


About how UH is considering all of their options, JD said:
"We're exploring all of our options and that includes whether we might, possibly, go to another conference, go independent in everything but football or go independent with most of our sports." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The nine-school Big West, which is composed of California schools, has a moratorium on expansion until year's end. The eight-member West Coast Conference, stretching from San Diego to Spokane, Wash., is made up of small, Christian institutions."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100825_UH_making_contacts_with_WCC_Big_West.html

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Elliott Purcell

About suffering a badly sprained left ankle when running up a hill when he lost his footing a week before spring training, Elliott Purcell said:
"It was slippery." (HSA)



About how his skin was purple from his shin to his toes after the injury, Purcell said:
"It was really bad. I couldn't walk (without a medical boot) for two months." (HSA)


HSA Note: "He missed all of spring practice, as well as an opportunity to compete as the No. 1 left end. When training camp started, Liko Satele was the starter and his distant cousin, Purcell, was in limbo. Purcell said his left ankle is at "90 percent," but he remains fully committed to earning playing time. In practices, he has been part of the rotation."


About how he is trying to play despite his injured ankle, Purcell said:
"I'm working hard. I don't want to use (the injury) as an excuse." (HSA)


About how he finished his work for his bachelor's degree last week and is considering applying for a master's program, Purcell said:
"I made it a point to graduate quickly so I can work on what I need to work on. It's been hard, having a family and playing football and going to school full-time. Hard work pays off. Hopefully, it will pay off when I try to get a job." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100824_UHs_Purcell_fights_through_ankle_injury.html

Feature on scout team QB Cayman Shutter

About why Cayman Shutter serves as their scout team QB, Rich Miano said:
"Cayman is, by far, the best guy to come over and run the scout team's offense. He understands formations. He understands being a leader. The voice inflection, the count -- his whole approach is a serious approach." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Bryant Moniz, who is the Warriors' No. 1 quarterback, and Brent Rausch, the top backup, take most of the snaps when UH's offense practices against the scout defense. Shane Austin, the No. 3 quarterback, and David Graves are on the side, taking what is termed "mental reps." Shutter, a second-year freshman, embraced the request to run the scout offense against the Warriors' No. 1 defense."


About how he gets reps as scout team QB instead of just taking "mental reps" like the other backups, Shutter said:
"It's good work for me. Only one or two quarterbacks get reps (with the UH offense) every day. If you're not the starter or the backup, and you're a younger guy, there's no better way to improve and work on your own individual skills than to play on the scout team. I get to deal with a rush in my face and an aggressive defense, and having to throw to all different routes against all kinds of blitzes and coverages. I look forward to playing on the scout team and making the defense better, and also making myself better." (HSA)


About how he tries to use some of UH's offense (cadences, protection calls) into USC's plays, Shutter said:
"That will definitely give the defense the best look. If we try to go out and run something that we've never seen before, never practiced before, we're not going to be able to give the defense the best look we can." (HSA)


About how Shutter does a good job with as their scout team QB, Miano said:
"He goes out there and tries to complete passes. He's physically good enough to give us a good look. He really takes control." (HSA)


About how he sometimes attends the defensive meetings run by defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Shutter said:
"Some of the looks (Aranda) gives you are brain-scrambling. I've learned a lot from the way he sets up formations and blitzes." (HSA)


About the importance of their scout team players, Miano said:
"Our scouts work very hard. We can't win if we don't have a great scout team. We can't win if those guys don't take their job seriously. The receivers are fast, athletic and run good routes. The offensive linemen are firing off the ball. And the quarterback is in command. We notice those things." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100824_Shutter_the_thought.html

Former UH President Kenneth Mortiner feels that the WAC should have sued the schools that formed the MWC in 1998

HSA Note: 'Mortimer, as chair of the WAC Board of Directors in 1998, pushed for the conference to take the so-called "breakaway eight" (Air Force, Brigham Young, Colorado State, Nevada-Las Vegas, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah and Wyoming) to court for the manner in which they jumped ship and the damage that resulted. The WAC, then as now, is more than a league; it is also a corporation registered in Colorado in which members are parties in a partnership and bound by laws."


About how he felt that the WAC should have sued the 8 schools that formed the MWC in 1998, Kenneth Mortimer said:
In 1998, "I believed that we had sufficient documentation that they were in violation of the law and I think it was a felony. The argument would have been that (they) conspired to do harm to the other institutions and that conspiracy is a violation of federal statutes." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Believing that the deserting members illegally went about their departure and formation of the Mountain West, in the process damaging the WAC, the WAC hired a law firm to pursue legal action. But in the 11th hour, because not enough of the remaining schools had the stomach for a suit, in part due to political and cost considerations, nothing was filed."


About how the rest of the WAC did not agree about the lawsuit, Mortimer said:
"I always thought that we should have (gone ahead). (But) my colleagues did not agree." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The WAC eventually saw the errors -- and resulting costs -- of that decision when the TV contract it had negotiated with ESPN went to the upstart MWC instead. The WAC has yet to make up the millions it lost in that one. Now, with the departure of Fresno State and Nevada on top of Boise State, the WAC might be lucky to salvage more than a quarter of the current $4.5 million annual ESPN deal. Had the WAC persisted in its suit -- and prevailed -- in the last go-around you wonder if this latest mutiny would have gone down as it did."


About his advice to the remaining WAC teams, Mortimer said:
"All I know about (the current breakaway) is what I read in the papers. But my advice to them now would be: consult your lawyers and back your commissioner." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/ferdswords/20100824_WAC_needs_to_hold_defectors_accountable_for_their_treason.html

Sunday, August 22, 2010

UH's special teams should be much better this season

HSA Note: "But returning kicker Scott Enos "is a different guy" than the one who missed seven of 19 field goals last year, McMackin said. And if he falters, touted freshman Tyler Hadden is right there. Sophomore punter Alex Dunnachie's confidence and technique are catching up to his big-time talent.

As for covering kicks, McMackin said Parker Paredes is "a hitter who flies down the field." Special teams coordinator Chris Tormey said Bubba Poueu-Luna, Siaki Cravens and John Hardy-Tuliau are among the players expected to shine."


About their returners should be better this season, Mack said:
"We've got the (return) guys from last year, plus there's this Allen Sampson. He's quick and fast, moves lateral and up the field. I see him on our travel squad. He's picking up the offense (as a slot receiver) really well." (HSA)


About how Allen Sampson was overlooked in high school, St. Petersburg Times reporter Keith Niebuhr said:
"Last year, he played with James Wilder, arguably the country's top recruit in the class of 2011. The year before that, his quarterback was Aaron Murray, now the starter at Georgia. Because there were bigger names in the huddle with him, he never got the credit he probably deserved. But if Plant ever needed a big play, it always seemed like he was the kid who made it, whether with a catch, run or kick return. You could argue he was the Panthers' most valuable player." (HSA)


About how schools didn't take a close look at him because he is 5'7" and 145 pounds, Sampson said:
"I don't blame them for overlooking me. They only have so much time to look at players." (HSA)


Asked if he knew about what Chad Owens did at UH, Sampson said:
"Yes, sir. He's a baller." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100822_warriors_should_have_better_special_teams.html

Warrior updates after training camp is over

Rolo said that 4th-string QB David Graves will still practice with the top group of QBs because he is the best scrambler and thus:
"gives us a different aspect at quarterback." (HSA)


About how Royce Pollard won the starting right wideout spot (and a kick returner spot), Rolo said:
"Royce is having the best camp of all of the outside guys." (HSA)


About Darius Bright, their backup at left wideout, Rolo said that he is:
"in the mix." (HSA)


HSA Note: "If the season were to begin today, the starters would be left tackle Austin Hansen, left guard Brett Leonard, center Bronson Tiwanak, right guard Adrian Thomas and right tackle Laupepa Letuli. "Maybe by Monday, it could change," line coach Gordy Shaw said."


About how they decided upon their starting lineup but are still trying different OL combinations, Gordy Shaw said:
"We want to lock down the starting lineup, but continue to give guys reps (with the first unit)." (HSA)


About how they have 4 new DBs (CBs Dee Maggitt and John Hardy-Tuliau, and safeties Darryl McBride and Bubba Poueu-Luna) have done well in camp and will be in the mix for playing time, Dave Aranda said:
"The group that came is really strong. The talent is there. We're set for the next couple of years." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100822_warriors_finish_camp_turn_focus_to_usc.html

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Walk-on DE Kamalu Umu was awarded a scholarship

About how he gave up a scholarship at Charleston Southern to walk on to UH and now has been awarded a scholarship to UH, Kamalu Umu said:
"It's a blessing for me and my family. The man upstairs blessed us." (HSA)


About how teh scholarship will help his wife and their 2-year-old child, Umu said:
"This will give me extra money to provide for my family." (HSA)


About how Umu was awarded the scholarship made available when freshman DE Veni Manu quit the team this week, Mack said:
"He deserved one. He worked hard. He earned it." (HSA)


About how their starting DEs (Liko Satele and Umu) entered training camp as walk-ons and have now gotten scholarships, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"I'm happy for both of them. Everybody is happy for them." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Born in Honolulu, he lived on Kauai through the eighth grade, then moved back to Oahu to attend Saint Louis School. He was set to attend San Jose State, but there were complications, and he ended up attending Arizona Western (junior) College. After two years there, he sent videos to UH, San Jose State and San Diego State. Then he received a surprise offer from Charleston Southern, a I-AA school.  Umu would receive a full ride, which included a family unit in the dormitories. Rain could attend classes on a work-study program while Tewai attended an on-campus day-care center."


About the scholarship from Charleston Southern, Umu said:
"They gave me an offer I couldn't turn down." (HSA)


About how he and his wife (who graduated from Saint Francis) missed their families and decided to move to Hawaii in the summer of 2009, Umu said about walking on to UH:
"No guarantees. I knew I had to work my hardest, and trust something good would happen." (HSA)


HSA Note: "In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Umu was not eligible to play in any games in 2009. He said financial aid and help from family members covered school and living expenses. This summer, during a physical examination, tests showed that Umu had an injury to the rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Surgery was not required, but Umu was instructed to undergo physical-therapy treatments three times a week."


About rehabbing his shoulder all summer, Umu said:
"I had to keep working on it. I wanted to play this season." (HSA)


HSA Note: "During spring training, Umu was capable of bench-pressing 225 pounds 30 times. He recently resumed weight training, and now can do 22 reps of 225 pounds."


About how Umu was mainly a pass-rusher during spring practice but now is playing stronger against the run, Mack said:
"He's playing strong. Now he's very good against the run." (HSA)


About moving from left DE to right DE, Umu said:
"Being a defensive lineman, you have to be all-around. You have to be able to pass-rush and stop the run." (HSA)


About how Umu had to take six 3-credit classes this summer to be eligible to play, Meatoga said:
"That's the kind of guy he is. You ask him to do something, and it gets done. He took care of business. That's one of the things Coach respects about him." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100822_scenic_route_lands_walk-on_a_full_ride_with_warriors.html

Friday, August 20, 2010

Samson Satele talked about how Colt Brennan is a gamer

SFC = San Francisco Chronicle


About how Colt is still learning their offense but he will make a lot of plays in games, Samson Satele said:
"He's a gunslinger. He's got to learn how to go underneath the center. He's still learning. He's got a long ways to go in this offseason. West Coast offense is different terminology. He'll get there.  We just have to put him in a game, see what he's got. ... He's a gamer, man. He makes a lot of plays." (SFC)


SFC Note: "If Boller and Brennan play well, it could make things uncomfortable for Gradkowski, who has no equity built up with Jackson - and a Boller-Brennan No. 2-3 combo would be $1.4 million cheaper than a Gradkowski-Boller No. 2-3 combo."


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/20/SPG01F0U3U.DTL

Feature on UH LBs Corey and Parker Paredes

About his brother teaching him hot to hit, Corey Paredes said:
"The first time I put on pads he wanted to show me how to hit, and unluckily for me he took me off my feet. Ever since then I committed myself to taking him off his feet." (HSA)


HSA Note: "In his fourth year in the program, Corey is the likely starter at weakside linebacker. Parker transferred from Southern Oregon and joined the team in the spring with one season of eligibility remaining. Parker gave up a scholarship, a year of eligibility and a starting spot for a shot at playing Division I ball and, finally, holding a spot on the same roster as Corey."


About how watching Corey convinced him to take a shot at joining UH, Parker Paredes said:
"Watching my little brother run around on defense was kind of big and I wanted to be a part of that. I got to start and play for two years (at Southern Oregon) and that was great. But I think taking the next step up to the next level was necessary. ... Now I have to pay for school, but it's all worth it." (HSA)


About how his brother taught him so much about football, Corey said:
"He taught me about commitment and discipline and just to love the game. He always loved football, and it's good to have an older brother lead by example so you can follow his ways." (HSA)


About being added to the training camp roster when Alema Tachibana was hurt, Parker said:
"I only have one more year and I wanted to know what camp was like, a D-I camp. The first day I came out with pads, but they told me I had to come out with (just) a helmet." (HSA)


About how Corey understands UH's defense, Dave Aranda said:
"(Corey's) got a real good feel for what the defense is. He's got a better understanding of taking on blocks and playing the run. Last year he was a situational guy and this year he's going to be more of an every-down guy." (HSA)


About Corey and Parker, Aranda said:
"They both love to hit. I can only imagine those guys as little kids tearing it up." (HSA)


Asked what growing up was like with 4 brothers, Parker said with a laugh:
"It was always crazy. One guy was always crying, one guy was always screaming, always hitting each other." (HSA)


About how his 9-year-old brother Hunter is in his first season of Pop Warner football, Corey sad:
"He's loving it. We're going to try to make him the best." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100820_Brothers_in_harm.html

Feature on Ashley Lelie serving as a student manager and working to get his degree from UH

About going from the NFL to taking classes at UH, Ashley Lelie said:
"I have a full load of classes, and I'm walking around with a backpack. OK, it feels a little weird." (HSA)


About how Lelie cannot do any on-field coaching as a student manager since he's not a coach, Mack said:
"He can talk to kids personally off the field." (HSA)


About how Lelie is being a mentor to the WRs, Darius Bright said:
"He played (wideout). He knows a lot about the outside (position). He's been giving us a lot of knowledge on a lot of stuff that worked for him. It's great to listen to him." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Lelie missed the first 11 days of training camp while finishing business on the mainland. He said he recently sold his house in San Jose, Calif."


Lelie said that moving back to Hawaii is:
"a little adjustment. Coming from the mainland, everything is a little faster, everybody is a little more aggressive. Here I get to relax a little bit. There's not as much stress. It's a good thing. I needed to slow down a little bit, and get my head straight, and see what I want to do." (HSA)


About how he will take 5 classes this fall and is 40 credits short of his degree, Lelie said:
"Getting adjusted to (school) is going to be the tough part. But I'm a history major. It's just telling stories." (HSA)


Happy that Lelie will be getting his degree, Mack said:
"My biggest thing is I want him to get his degree. That's really why I do this. If he can help us, that's fine with me. But the goal is for him to complete his education." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100820_Lelie_serves_as_manager.html

The WAC still hopes for BYU to join and UH is working on a 10-year scheduling deal with BYU

About the 10-year home-and-home football series with BYU and UH that is being discussed, JD said:
"That could still be on the table." (HSA)


About the difficulty with UH going independent for football, JD said:
"The other sports could be problematic (as an independent)." (HSA)


About how they might have been able to entice some MWC teams to the WAC if they had stayed solid with the conference, JD said:
"If we had solidarity and BYU made the move, some other Mountain West schools might have joined the WAC.  It wasn't expected that anybody would break ranks." (HSA)


About why he thinks that Fresno and Nevada were invited to the MWC, Karl Benson said:
"My opinion, it was very clear to me and to the WAC membership that the Fresno and Nevada invitation was direct result of BYU's interest of going independent and joining the WAC." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Donovan said he "always knew it was a possibility" that Fresno State and Nevada might leave the WAC for the Mountain West."


About the MWC inviting Fresno and Nevada, JD said:
"It was good business on behalf of the Mountain West to make a counteroffer to one, two or three WAC schools," he said. "The reality is we need to be prepared for anything." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100820_BYU_still_in_the_picture.html

Thursday, August 19, 2010

UH tries to figure out its future after Fresno State and Nevada leave the WAC

After Fresno State and Nevada decided to leave the WAC, Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji said:
"What do we do now?" (HSA)


HSA Note: "The loss, coupled with the announced departure of Boise State in June, could leave the WAC with six members -- two below the minimum to qualify for NCAA Division I automatic playoff berths in all sports except football -- in 2012 unless additional teams are added. Boise is scheduled to join the MWC in 2011 and it was uncertain if Fresno and Nevada will go in 2011 or '12."


About the loss of Fresno State and Nevada, JD said:
"It is devastating. There's no positive spin I can put on this in the short term. We're going to look at our options and move forward." (HSA)


HSA Note: "But Donovan acknowledged there are "no ongoing" talks with any other conferences. He said inquiries to the Pac-10 have brought no interest. MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said yesterday, "Hawaii has been part of the conversation in the past" but suggested there may be no need to add an additional team to reach 12."


About how the day started with the prospect of the WAC getting BYU for non-football sports and ended with the loss of Fresno State and Nevada, JD said:
"It was a 180-degree turn. It was like you're going in for a touchdown and throw an interception at the goal line and the other team returns it for a touchdown." (HSA)


Seeming to back away from its flirtation with the WAC, a BYU spokesman said:
"We are aware of the many media reports and questions circulating about BYU's conference alignment. As Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe explained recently, BYU has been reviewing, and will continue to explore, every option to advance its athletic program. At this point, BYU has no further comment." (HSA)


HSA Note: "When Boise State grew closer to the MWC in June, sources say Benson went back to several former WAC members, reportedly including Texas-El Paso, San Diego State and Nevada-Las Vegas inquiring about their interest in rejoining the WAC. And when the Pac-10 took BYU's rival, Utah, instead of the Cougars and the Big 12 passed as well, Benson reportedly took an "action plan" to the WAC Board of Directors built around BYU and discussions with ESPN. Utah State President Stan Albrecht is said to have been the go-between. When BYU came back to the WAC and asked for guarantees in terms of a minimum number of games for its football team and other considerations, the WAC readily agreed. BYU is said to have sought annual games with UH and Utah State to help fill out its football schedule. Based upon BYU's interest, Benson went back to the WAC Board of Directors this month and sought a "solidarity pact" with members pledging to remain in the conference despite expected MWC overtures. A $5 million per school price was established as a "penalty" and at least six of the eight schools (Boise State was not included) signed on per WAC policy."


About how the MWC will help Fresno State and Nevada with their buyout clauses, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said:
"We're not gonna bankrupt [the incoming teams]." (HSA)


JD said that there is a possibility that the WAC might sue Fresno State and Nevada:
"because there may be legal ramifications ... there are issues out there." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Donovan suggested UH, which has been running an annual deficit of approximately $2 million and an accumulated net deficit of $10 million, could take an additional financial beating from the latest changes. He said securing teams to fill out football and basketball pukas left by the departures could involve costly guarantees."


About how this will make their financial situation difficult, JD said:
"This is fiscal year 2011 and I thought we could be breaking even in fiscal year 2012 before this happened, so this is a huge curveball in terms of the financial expenses we might face. There's nothing we can do about our geography; we're not going to get any closer to the (continent)." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100819_UH_considers_its_future_as_2_more_teams_bolt_for_Mountain_West.html

Training Camp update from the Star-Advertiser (Warriors moved out of the dance studios)

HSA Note: 'As punishment for violating a team rule, such as being tardy for practice or a meeting, a player is required to roll the length of the grass practice field several times. During the two weeks of training camp, there was one instance that required post-practice rolls."


Happy with how his players have been following their rules in camp, Mack said:
"That's what I like about this team. These guys have worked hard and they've been smart. You don't have to tell them to do things. They do what they're supposed to do." (HSA)


Happy with how they were allowed to move out of the dance studios yesterday and sleep in the dorms or off-campus housing, Greg Salas said:
"It's my last camp, but it's over, and I'm glad to be able to sleep in my own bed." (HSA)

HSA Note: "During training camp, the players slept on cots. The newcomers and seniors were in one studio, the rest were in the other."


About how hazing would result in punishment by rolls, Mack said:
"I don't believe in hazing. Everybody has been a new guy, and you know how you feel as a new guy. That's another thing about leadership. It's important to look out for others." (HSA)


About how their seniors welcomed the freshmen to the camp, freshman David Lefotu said:
"The first day (of camp), we introduced ourselves to the team. The seniors knew this was a new experience for us. They helped us bond with the team. It was a long road during camp, but we got to earn the team's respect." (HSA)


About how they discouraged hazing, senior Spencer Smith said:
"My motto for this camp was: 'Praise, don't haze.' Hazing was not allowed. It worked out good. Nobody left because they felt uncomfortable. We had a lot of fun." (HSA)


About teaching the haka to the team that Paipai, Kamalani Alo, and he learned as Kahuku High players, Richard Torres said:
"We wanted to help the young guys. We explained the culture and background behind the haka. We didn't want to disrespect anybody." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Meanwhile, Dave Aranda, who was promoted to defensive coordinator in February, implemented his extensive defensive schemes. Aranda said some plays come with five pages of options. Aranda said a scout-team offense was formed after the first week of training camp to give the defense on-field experience in different situations."


About how they introduced their entire defensive package in camp but only certain parts will be used each game, Dave Aranda said:
"We want them to say, 'I remember that call,' or 'I remember this adjustment.'  That's what you want. What you don't want is for them to see that call for the first time on a Tuesday when you play on a Saturday. We want to give them the best chance to be ready."


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100819_Warriors_leave_studios_but_practices_go_on.html

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Feature on the 2 open starting spots on the OL

HSA Note: "Left tackle Austin Hansen, right guard Adrian Thomas and right tackle Laupepa Letuli appear to be set as starters. But offensive line coach Gordy Shaw said Brett Leonard, Brysen "Bulla" Ginlack and Bronson Tiwanak are the central players in the competition at left guard and center."


About trying Brett Leonard at center yesterday and having Ginlack move into the first team at LG, Gordy Shaw said:
"The starting five is not all set. We're still looking at different combinations in there." (HSA)


About how Leonard could be their starting center, Shaw said:
"That's a possibility." (HSA)


About Leonard learning the center position, Shaw said he
"is pretty close right now." (HSA)


About the 2 short-hopped shotgun snaps Leonard had yesterday, Shaw said:
"He has to develop the confidence to take the same snap swing every time, like how a golfer has the same swing." (HSA)


Asked about playing center, Leonard said:
"Mentally is one thing. Technique is a whole different story. The other guys have played center a long time. I'm trying to learn the whole thing in two weeks. Everything comes with reps." (HSA)


At the LG position, Shaw said that Leonard is ahead of Ginlack:
"by a whisker." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Shaw said Leonard has a better grasp of the offense, and Ginlack, a fifth-year senior who also redshirted last year, is "fundamentally better."  Ginlack also might contribute at right guard. Letuli, a sixth-year senior, did not practice yesterday because of back spasms. Kainoa LaCount, the backup left tackle, practiced in Letuli's place as the No. 1 right tackle."


HSA Note: "Ginlack's guard skills have increased value since the Warriors changed blocking schemes. Last season, the linemen aligned in a stand-up position at the snap, except in obvious short-yardage situations. This year, the guards will be in three-point stances in every situation, with the tackles remaining in two-point stances."


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100818_Still_2_pukas_to_fill_on_offensive_line.html