Sunday, October 31, 2010

Quotes from the UH-Idaho game 10/30/10

UH = University of Hawaii Athletics website
HSA = Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Note: There were no game quotes on Idaho's website, ESPN, USA Today, or the AP articles I read.

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

About how this was a great team win, with Pilares a weapon bringing back punts, special teams doing well, and the defense creating so many turnovers, Mack said:
"This was really a great team win. I thought the special teams…with Kealoha (Pilares) returning punts took one on the one (yard line) and took it back 20 yards. But he's going to be a weapon. But I can't say enough about the defense…four turnovers and one went for a touchdown and on special teams the blocked kick and the fumble recovery and our defense had three fourth-down stops. We dropped more balls than we normally do…Mo(niz) started a little cold and was over-throwing some guys." (UH)


Praising Idaho, Mack said:
"That's an excellent football team…their quarterback is for real and they have really good receivers and they're well coached—Rob Akey is just outstanding—so I feel real good about the win and our program." (UH)


Happy to be going to the Hawaii Bowl this year, Mack said:
"I felt really bad that we missed (qualifying) for the bowl last season finishing one game short. And that was our main goal (this year). And now, winning this game opens a whole new set of goals. Now we can (focus) on the WAC Championship…obviously next week is a big game and we want to win the rest of our WAC games. I told this team way back in the spring that we had a chance to be something special. But our number one goal was to win seven games and get to the bowl game." (UH


Asked if they are playing at their peak heading into the Boise State game, Mack said:
"I don't think so…I think what we have to do is when we go to Boise we just have to play a little better than we did today. They're just another team with another set of jerseys. We have to be focused and we have to make the plays when they come to us. We missed a few plays today early, and we can get better…and if we get better we can play with anyone in the country." (UH)


Asked if their defense is expecting to cause more turnovers, Mack said:
"They have confidence now and are not afraid to go for the ball…they don't sit back and they're aggressive. I think Rich Miano and Chris Tormey have done a good job with the secondary. Our d-line, we didn't blitz very much because he was getting the ball out so fast and we were covering well enough that we didn't need to blitz much." (UH)


About how their offense made mistakes but played well enough to win, offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said:
"It was a little sloppy. We dropped some balls. We missed some protection. We missed some throws. We're going to need to clean that up going into next week's game. But the kids played well enough to win. They made some plays. And Mo had a great game. You don't expect him to go (1-for-7) to start the game, but I thought he made some big throws down the stretch. After the first (two) series, he was pretty lights out, I thought." (HSA)


About Salas getting 11 receptions for 168 yards and moving into 2nd place on UH's career receiving list with 3,692 yards, Rolo said:
"That's kind of what you expect from him. He's a special player in the history of UH football." (HSA)


About how this is a special time for UH football, Rolo said:
"Just the guys we have, it gets into trust, it gets into love, it gets into having each other's back. It's not Xs and Os any more. It's just a special time for UH football and I hope everyone's enjoying it." (HSA)


About Idaho getting their first TD with 2:18 left in the game, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said:
"I wish we were able to finish it. I feel for the people who were standing by me. I probably said some things I shouldn't have said." (HSA)


Praising his players, Aranda said:
"I give credit to the players. The players made plays when they needed to be made.They're very smart football players, they understand the game, the situation and I think they rise to the occasion." (HSA)


About how this may be their best all-around team in 12 years, Rich Miano said:
"This is probably the best we've been in all three phases in, maybe, 12 years." (HSA)


About how their defense went after idaho's QB and rattled him, DT coach Tony Tuioti said:
"Everybody was really relentless in getting to the quarterback," said Tony Tuioti, who coaches the UH defensive tackles. "Any time you can affect the quarterback, it makes a difference. He wasn't the same guy we saw on film." (HSA)


HSA Note: "For this game, the defensive motto was: Affect the quarterback. Enderle usually is accurate throwing to the flats off of a three-step drop. The Warriors countered with press coverage on the receivers, and the defensive ends raising their arms, Rush end Paipai Falemalu tipped two passes."


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

About scoring their last TD in the game, Bryant Moniz said:
"The late hit two plays before, that really pissed me off. I was really mad at that point. I wasn't going to let somebody stop me. I was on a roll. I was on fire." (HSA)


When a reporter pointed out that it appeared he broke free from DE Aaron Lavarias (who was penalized twice for roughing-the-passer) at the 1, Moniz said:
"Didn't notice. They're all wearing the same colored jersey." (HSA)


About his struggles to start the game, Moniz said:
"I was excited." (HSA)


About how they didn't let their mistakes and missed opportunities get them frustrated, Greg Salas said:
"Now we know what we can do. We have a real close chemistry and bond with each other, so we don't get frustrated thinking, 'We're not scoring.' We know when we get back on the field we're going to get the opportunity and make the most of it." (HSA)


About passing Bess to become #2 all-time in UH's career receiving list, Salas said:
"I'm not paying attention to that at all. I'll look back at the end of my career and see where I fall. But we don't go into a game thinking about what we have (statistically), we go into the game thinking, 'we need to win this.' " (HSA)


About how his drop early in the second quarter provided extra motivation for him to catch everything else, Salas said:
"I don't know what happened to me right there, I just got too excited. But after that I definitely focused up and it made me a little mad and I think it makes me play a little better when I play angry." (HSA)


About how he felt his hamstring tighten up during warm-ups after halftime and he had to sit out the second half, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I just made this sudden movement and I felt it. I'm just going to do everything in my power to get back, because this week's game (at Boise State) is super important." (HSA)


About their struggles on offense to start the game, Rodney Bradley said:
"We came out too anxious and got out of our game plan." (HSA)


Asked if they were focused on Idaho instead of looking ahead to Boise State, Bradley said:
"Definitely. Game in and game out you can never underestimate your opponent. The task at hand was Idaho." (HSA)


About being named a captain for the Idaho game after breaking his leg against Idaho last year, Bradley said:
"That was really big. I really thank Coach Mack (Greg McMackin) for that." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Bradley met Idaho safety Shiloh Keo — whose hit in last year's game resulted in Bradley's injury — at midfield for the coin toss, and Hawaii's first offensive play went Bradley's way for an 8-yard completion."


About how things are fine between Shiloh Keo and him, Bradley said:
"There's only good things between us." (HSA)


About visiting with Idaho's medical staff after the game, the staff that tended to him after his injury last year, Bradley said:
"Dr. (Steve) Pennington did my surgery and took good care of me. Their coaches came down and saw me and their players. I have a lot of love for those guys and appreciate what they did for me." (HSA)


About ignoring the injury that kept him out of practice all week and be able to rush for 74 yards and a TD, Alex Green said:
"I was focused. You can't worry about little injuries. You have to play." (HSA)


Wanting to cut short their 48-hour rule and start focusing on Boise State already, Austin Hansen said:
"We're excited for the state of Hawaii. We usually have the 48-hour rule (to enjoy victories), but we're cutting that short. We're over it. The 'W' is in the books. We're ready to move on." (HSA)


Praising Kainoa LaCount for doing a good job in place of Laupepa Letuli while playing with a broken right hand, Hansen said:
"Give all the credit to Kainoa. He played firm over there. He had a broken hand. He had to cast it up. He had to go against a guy we feel is the best defensive end in the WAC. The proof is in the pudding. Kainoa gave him a heck of a game." (HSA)


About playing with a broken right hand, Kainoa LaCount said:
"(The injury) didn't bother me that much." (HSA)


About how they have been driven to prove all of their detractors wrong, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"Everybody was down on us — radio guys, blogs. It was in our mind, mentally, that it was us against the world. I think that drove us. We wanted to prove everyone wrong. It feels good to be on this winning streak. But we have a lot more games left. It's not over." (HSA)


About being penalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit and asked about his INT, Mana Silva said:
"Yeah, it was a penalty," Silva admitted. "As for the return, I have no comment on that." (HSA)

HSA Note: "After a spin move, it appeared Silva was going to head in the wrong direction."


About how their defense is playing well, Silva said:
"We're playing at a high level now." (HSA)


About how they aren't satisfied with just a winning season and Hawaii Bowl spot, Silva said:
"Not finished. We're not finished. We still have goals out there to achieve." (HSA)


About how he knew that Richard Torres was going to score after Torres picked up the fumble he caused, John Hardy-Tuilau said:
"I knew he was gone. We gotta all contribute to the win. Whatever we can do to put the offense in the game." (HSA)


About returning his fumble recovery for a TD, Richard Torres said:
"I thought to myself: ball first. I made sure I bent my knees to pick it up. Once I picked it up, I took off to the end zone. It was a nice feeling. It's been a while." (HSA)


About how the defense stepped up and created turnovers while the offense struggled, Torres said:
"We just knew we had to start making plays and just do what we do and open it up for them (the offense) to score. As long as we do our job, we feel we can win any game." (HSA)


About blocking Idaho's FG attempt in the second quarter, Liko Satele said:
"We seemed to be getting close. So this week we just broke through. I figured it'd be lower because of the spot we were on the field. I figured if we get the push at that one spot, I could get it with my hand." (HSA)


---------------  Quotes from the Idaho coaches  ---------------

Praising UH and saying that they are comparable to the Sugar Bowl team, head coach Rob Akey said:
"I think (Hawai'i is) pretty good. They're pretty good like that team they took to the Sugar Bowl a few years ago... I've got a lot of respect for them. Coach McMackin and his crew have done a great job and the players have done a great job. They've got a lot of respect coming from us." (UH)


About how turnovers really hurt them in the game, Akey said:
"(Turnover's) hurt us a ton… led to touchdowns, there was a scoop and score that went for a touchdown... I think those turnovers happened there in the second quarter. They got a little fire going in here, and we didn't do anything to put some water on that fire. We didn't make any plays. Then in the second half we didn't do any better." (UH)


About how red zone and 4th down situations hurt them, Akey said:
"The turnovers hurt us, but we didn't do a good job finishing drives. We march all the way down there to start the game and settle for a field goal and then give up a touchdown to them on fourth down that we should have stopped." (HSA)


About how UH did a great job, Akey said:
"(Hawai'i) kept rolling, they did a great job. I'm very disappointed. I thought we were about ready to get off this rollercoaster...We win a game then we lose a game. We need to get a streak started." (UH)


About the blow out loss and how they cannot get a win streak together, Akey said:
"We got embarrassed out here unfortunately today. I thought we were ready to get off this roller coaster, but we didn't play and compete throughout the whole game." (HSA)

--------------  Quotes from the Idaho players  -----------------


About the loss, Robert Siavii (2008 Leilehua grad who had 6 tackles in the game) said:
"It was an honor to come home and be on the same field as a lot of my friends and have my family here." (HSA)


About how his Mom kept him updated on the Leilehua-Kahuku game after he arrived in Honolulu late Friday afternoon, Siavii said:
"My mom was texting me every 2 minutes with the score. Eventually she told me it was like 44-7 or something like that and I was like, 'OK mom, you don't need to tell me the rest.' " (HSA)


About having to watch this game from the sidelines due to suffering a career-ending injury last week, JoJo Dickson (Baldwin grad) said:
"I try to be a leader on and off the field, but it's a lot more difficult being on the sideline. They played their hearts out and that's all you can ask for." (HSA)

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Quotes before the UH-Idaho game 10/30/10

About being in first place in the WAC, Rodney Bradley said:
"Everything is coming together. We're only going toward that upper right-hand corner." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Several weeks ago, head coach Greg McMackin used the stock market chart to illustrate the Warriors' goal of progressing every week. In business terms, a left-to-right diagram of a rising stock is known as a fever chart, because the lines move diagonally upward, seemingly toward the top right corner."


About how they are winning because everybody has bought into their team, Mack said:
"We're playing better because we all believe in what we're doing. Everybody is on board." (HSA)


About how they weren't able to execute their strategy against Army of showing an alignment with the tackle box loaded and then hurry to the outside, letting Army run to the outside too often, Dave Aranda said:
"At that state of the year, we weren't able to do that, in my opinion. The guys have gotten better. We can do that now." (HSA)


About how they have gotten better are creating turnovers on defense and will be tested against Idaho, Aranda said:
"We're getting better, but this will be a big test. The quarterback (Nathan Enderle) is the best thrower we've seen this year. He reminds me of the USC guy (Matt Barkley). They're both very smart, and they have great touch. ... You can tell when you look at (Idaho's) offense, they have attitude and they have swagger. They have confidence, and they should." (HSA)


About how the threat of the deep pass to Rodney Bradley opens things up for everything underneath, Bryant Moniz said:
"It's always been our game plan to get Rodney the ball deep to open up the underneath (routes)." (HSA)


About how they were able to move the ball despite their struggles in the cold Utah weather last week, Moniz said:
"I guess there are no limits to this offense if we execute. We need to execute." (HSA)


About how Idaho's Enderle is rated one of the top 5 QBs in the NFL draft by some people, Rich Miano said:
"There are a lot of good quarterbacks in the league, but this guy is an NFL quarterback. His ability to make all of the throws is scary." (HSA)


About choosing which one of the 3 defenders rushing Moniz to block during a play in the Utah State game, Alex Green said:
"I had to pick one (to block), and I guessed right." (HSA)


About how Moniz was sacked a combined 4 times for just -9 yards against La Tech and Fresno State, Gordy Shaw said:
"Those were scrambles where our quarterback almost made it back to the line of scrimmage." (HSA)


About how he'd rather throw the ball and run with it, Moniz said:
"I'd rather throw the ball than run the ball.  I'm a quarterback.  I'm not a wildcat." (HSA)


About how he normally gets 4.5 seconds of hang time, which helps their punt coverage team, Alex Dunnachie talked about how sometimes he gets less-than-desired hang time:
"But the bad ball is a 3.9, and that's the one that's been killing us." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101030_Warriors_expect_rising_returns.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101030_Idaho_QB_Enderle_can_make_all_the_throw.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/ferdswords/20101030_UH_fans_have_little_time_left_to_appreciate_slotback_Salas.html

Friday, October 29, 2010

JD and Karl Benson discuss the WAC settlement with Fresno State and Nevada

About how the most important thing was to keep Fresno State and Nevada in the WAC next year, JD said:
"That was the primary concern of the six remaining schools. To clear up the scheduling issue as quickly as possible." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Fresno State and Nevada were also each subject to a $5 million penalty for leaving the conference because of a loyalty agreement, the WAC contended. The amount was lowered to $900,000 each "after several weeks of negotiation," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said."


About getting the $900k and avoiding a long, expensive court battle, JD said:
"It was the best settlement that could've been negotiated without going to court. I'm not a legal expert, but my guess is a few months to several years." (HSA)


About how they could not let Fresno and Nevada leave after this year, Karl Benson said:
"To allow Nevada and Fresno to leave (after this spring) would put the WAC at a tremendous disadvantage." (HA)


About how their expansion options have not changed, Benson said:
"We're in the same position we were 60 days ago. For 2012 we definitely need three football-playing schools." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101029_WAC_departing_schools_settle.html

Greg Salas was invited to the Senior Bowl!

About how the Senior Bowl is the most important event for draft prospects, Mouse Davis said:
"The Senior Bowl is probably the most-scouted event by the NFL." (HSA)

"They bring them in, they weigh them, they time them, they measure them." (HSA)


About the importance of the Senior Bowl, Mack said:
"That's the bowl where the top 100 guys in the country go to. It's the NFL's national convention. Every NFL coach and administrator and trainer will be there. It's a great opportunity for him." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The game is secondary to the preceding days of interviews and skills tests."


About how he was flattered to receive the Senior Bowl invitation Salas said:
"It's nice to know that hard work is paying off, and people are noticing me." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Salas leads the nation in receptions (70), and is second in receiving yards per game (133.50)."


About the importance to UH for Salas to be invited to the Senior Bowl, Miano said:
"Just getting Greg in (to the Senior Bowl) is big for our program. We're very excited about that." (HSA)


About how people don't realize how hard he works, Greg Salas said that many people:
"probably look at me and don't think I play football by the way I act. I'm friendly. I like to have fun and make jokes. I think they notice when I play football, I change. I'm not that same happy-go-lucky kid." (HSA)


About how he has remained in Hawaii the past 2 summers instead of training in Chino, CA, Salas said:
"I know that what I've done back home I can do here. Not only that, I can get the chemistry down with all of the receivers and the quarterbacks. I can be a leader and teach some of the younger players what I already know, and continue to get better myself." (HSA)


Rich Miano said that a Baltimore Ravens scout said that Rodney Bradley:
"can get behind (defensive backs) and has good hands." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Miano said the Ravens envision Pilares as a possession receiver similar to Wes Welker of the New England Patriots and Jordan Shipley of the Cincinnati Bengals."


About how Salas, Pilares, and Bradley will get NFL shots, Miano said:
"All three of those guys will have legitimate opportunities." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101029_Salas_gets_an_invitation_to_the_Senior_Bowl.html

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Warrior Quotes 10/28/10 (Heun practiced at RB, Parker Paredes injured, Ryan Henry's career over)

About how he was Mack's first recruit for UH, Jake Heun said:
"They might like to sweep that under the rug, but, yeah, I was the first one." (HSA)


About how he is practicing at RB this week, Heun said:
"It might be a one-week thing, but I got to hang out with the offensive guys." (HSA)


About how he served as a blocker for all 15 snaps he had at RB, Heun said that he is ready to run or catch the ball:
"I keep telling Rolo to give me the ball." (HSA)


Praising Heun, Rolo said:
"He's a vocal leader. He's intense and competitive, and he wants to win. That's how he was in junior college. People respect him here." (HSA)


About his 3-year career at UH, which ended when he suffered a torn ACL last week in the Utah State game, Ryan Henry said:
"I gave it my all. I wish I had more opportunities." (HSA)


About having one catch last season and one catch this season after redshirting in 2008, Henry said about his limited playing time at slotback:
"It wasn't what I expected." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Punter Alex Dunnachie gave high marks to slotbacks Kealoha Pilares and Dustin Blount, left wideout Rodney Bradley and safety Richard Torres. Left slotback Greg Salas, who has two punt returns this season, did not participate in that workout."


Praising the way that Richard Torres catches punts, Dunnachie said:
"He sees the ball really well off the (punter's) foot, and gets in position early." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Torres, a junior, said he has not fielded punts since his senior season at Kahuku."


Kealoha Pilares said that returning punts is:
"another opportunity to make a big play. It's so much easier to make moves when they're running right at you. ... It's about setting up blocks, too." (HSA)


About suffering a shoulder injury during yesterday's practice, Parker Paredes (a key member of 2 special teams) said:
"Somebody put their helmet on my shoulder, and I heard two pops." (HSA)


About how he is Parker's replacement on the kickoff and kick-return teams, Aaron Brown said:
"If the coach asks me to play, I'm not going to turn him down." (HSA)


About how their secondary has to improve before they face UH in their next game, Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said:
"Especially with Hawaii coming to town, we're going to have to tighten some things up." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/ferdswords/20101028_Warriors_emergence_should_make_Boise_State_think_twice.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101028_McMackins_first_recruit_gets_reps_as_running_back_Henrys_replacements_try_out.html

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Fresno/Nevada and the WAC are said to be close to a deal--both teams would play football in the WAC in 2011

HSA Note: "A proposed settlement detailing their exit date and financial penalties involved could be put before the WAC Board of Directors -- which is composed of member presidents and chancellors -- this morning, according to people with knowledge of the situation. But there is "no guarantee it will be decided (today) -- or in two weeks," said a person briefed on the talks. "With this many lawyers involved, anything could happen." "


Denying reports yesterday that the settlement deal was done, JD said:
"From my understanding, the WAC CEOs have a conference call (this) afternoon Hawaii time and a decision may be made at that time. Until the conference call is concluded, there is really nothing else to add." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Meanwhile, several proposals have reportedly been circulated about how much the departing schools would have to pay when they leave. Initially, the WAC had insisted on the $5 million per school that was part of the so-called solidarity pact agreed to in early August, but recent indications are the figure will be under $2 million and could involve some loss of shared WAC revenue."


Asked about the monetary terms of the settlement that are rumored, Karl Benson said:
"I can't respond to these questions (about possible terms)." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101027_WAC_said_to_be_near_breakup_agreement.html

Feature on Corey Paredes, WAC Defensive Player of the Week

About how it is great to have a Dad (Lloyd) who is a licensed chiropractor, Corey Paredes said:
"It's awesome growing up around him. I'm always asking him for an adjustment." (HSA)


About how he's used to playing with injuries, Paredes said:
"I always played with injuries at Castle." (HSA)


About being injured against Kapolei during his junior year at Castle, Paredes said:
"I was returning a punt, and a guy hit me with my head down." (HSA)


HSA Note: "He was diagnosed with having stretched muscles near his spine. He missed the next week's game, but has since suffered from periodic soreness near that area. These days, his father works mainly as an alternative-energy researcher at the University of Hawaii. But in his free time, he runs a chiropractor practice in Kailua."


About how his Dad has helped him be able to perform, Paredes said:
"He's really helped me." (HSA)


About how Paredes received a perfect grade from him when they reviewed the Utah State game tape, Dave Aranda said:
"That's difficult to do, with the operation of (Utah State's) offense, the (rainy) conditions, and the tempo." (HSA)


About how he'll play against Idaho despite the soreness in his right ankle and left shoulder, Paredes said:
"It's football. It's a physical sport. It definitely would hurt not to play. I want to be on the field with my boys." (HSA)


About the competition he is having to replace Ryan Henry (out for the season due to injury) as their punt returner, Chris Tormey said:
"If it's a windy day at Aloha Stadium, you want a guy who's reliable at catching it. We think those are the guys who can do the job. We're evaluating them." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101027_Paredes_knows_father_always_has_his_back.html

Feature on the bond between Letuli, Thomas, and Ginlack--three senior leaders of the OL

About how Brysen "Bula" Ginlack didn't talk to others much before, Adrian Thomas said:
"I remember Bula used to sit around with his headphones on and not talk to anyone." (HSA)


About how Ginlack has changed now, Laupepa Letuli said:
"Now, you can't shut him up." (HSA)


Ginlack responded before all 3 erupted with laughter:
"Shut up!" (HSA)


About how Ginlack, Letuli, and Thomas have been together for a long time, each of them 2005 high school graduates, Letuli said:
"We've had a lot of history." (HSA)


About how the 3 of them were assigned to (dormitory) Hale Anuenue, Ginlack said:
"It was like living in a big house. Our doors were always open. We'd walk into each other's room. We were like brothers over there." (HSA)


About how their dorm was centrally located on campus, Thomas said:
"We were close to everything. After practice, we could walk to our room. We could walk to (the convenience store)." (HSA)


About how they set up a barbecue grill behind their dorm on weekends, Ginlack said:
"We made ribs, kal bi. People made dessert. We had chicken, and oysters. We brought like four dozen oysters." (HSA)


About how Letuli sings well, Thomas said:
"The first time I met him, I thought he was kind of loud. But he could sing." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The three recalled how each was recruited by Mike Cavanaugh. When Letuli was mulling offers between UH and Oregon State, Cavanaugh gave his best sales pitch, even promising that Letuli could wear No. 50."


About how Cavanaugh left UH soon after Letuli verbally committed to UH (over Oregon State), Letuli said:
"Now he's at Oregon State." (HSA)


About having 5 different OL coaches (Suan in 2006, McKnight in 2007, Smith/Gerke in 2008, Shaw in 2009/2010), Thomas said:
"We had to adjust." (HSA)


HSA Note: "They said McKnight and Gerke were the same in WWE style. The most unique arrangement was when Smith coached the right side of the line and Gerke the left. One season, some of the line calls were made in Samoan."


About how they used Australian phrases one year, Thomas said:
"Instead of 'dog,' we would call out, 'dingo.' " (HSA)


About how their best memories are of 2006 and 2007, Letuli said:
"We were young and restless, and we still got to play a little bit." (HSA)


About the close bond the 3 OL have, Thomas said:
"We've been here for a while. We're real close. We go to movies. When we're on the road, we try to do stuff together. We've worked hard to stay together as a group. It's been working so far." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101027_Linemen_stick_together.html

Oceanic is asking ESPN to let them simulcast the ESPNU game on PPV

About trying to get ESPN to permit them to show the UH-BSU game on PPV, Oceanic VP of Operations Norman Santos said:
"We're trying to make ESPN aware of the situation here so that it (the game) can reach the most people possible. We're trying to make the best of the situation and live up to our commitments to the people who expected us to deliver the game." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Santos estimated that, with the rebates, the amount of the loss from ESPN picking up the game could be as much as $250,000. UH receives a $2.3 million annual guarantee for its rights and shares in additional revenue with its partners, Oceanic and KFVE."


Asked about the financial impact on UH for ESPN to take the BSU game away from PPV, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"it would be hard to quantify at this point." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The Boise State game will be UH's second and last ESPN appearance of the regular season but is important because it comes just before the start of the in-home recruiting process."


About wanting the exposure on ESPN but not wanting to lose money, McNamara said:
"It is a bit of a double-edged sword." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101027_Boise_State_game_could_be_simulcast.html

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Warrior Notes 10/26/10 (Ryan Henry lost for the season)

About how Ryan Henry was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, Mack said it:
"is really a shame." (HSA)


About how he was injured during a punt return in the second half of their 45-7 win at Utah State, Henry said:
"I made a cut, and (the knee) gave out a little bit." (HSA)


About the status of Brett Leonard, who either has a knee "strain" or "contusion", Gordy Shaw said:
"Either way, he was walking pretty good (Sunday)." (HSA)


About how he is expected to miss 2 games after his arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus, Geordon Hanohano said:
"I want to play (Nov. 6) against Boise. That would be real good. I have to see if it heals that fast." (HSA)


About how he is not seeking vengeance for his season-ending injury last year when Idaho's Shiloh Keo tripped him in the open field (which is legal under NCAA rules), Rodney Bradley said:
"I believe it was an accident. I don't deal with it any other way. It was within the rules of the game. I definitely don't have any animosity toward him or anyone else on that team. Dwelling on it will get me nowhere. I've moved on from that." (HSA)


About how he had suffered from inconsistency earlier this season, Bradley said:
"I'm starting to get back on track." (HSA)


About how he'll be practicing at QB, not safety, with Spencer Smith returning from injury, David Graves said:
"In the near future, it'll be the orange jersey. I might be getting more quarterback reps." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101026_Warriors_lose_punt_returner_Henry_for_season.html

Feature on WAC Offensive Player of the Week Alex Green

About how Alex Green forgot about their handshake celebration (imitating what Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys started) plan that Kealoha Pilares had suggested after every TD, Greg Salas said:
"In the excitement, he forgot the plan." (HSA)


After rushing for a TD in the first quarter, Green said:
"I was doing the old-school chest bump. I forgot the new style was the handshake thing." (HSA)


About how he forgot about the handshake celebration after his TD in the second quarter, Green said:
"I messed up." (HSA)


About how Green forgot to do their handshake celebration after his TD in the third quarter also, Salas said:
"A.G. was getting too hyped up when he scored his touchdowns. He kept forgetting to do it. He put the ball down to do his thing. He was already on the sideline by the time we tried to shake his hand." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Fortunately, Green found the end zone for a fourth time -- the most single-game rushing TDs by a UH player since 1995 -- to perfect the gesture."


Praising the play of Alex Green, Mack said:
"Big-time playing by Alex Green. He's just an outstanding running back." (HSA)


About being named WAC offensive player of the week (Corey Paredes was named the defensive player of the week), Green said:
"It was a team effort. It was nice to get (the award), but it feels better to get the win." (HSA)


About how the 2 games his mom has attended has resulted in his rushing for 268 yards and 7 TDs, Green said:
"She's my good-luck charm." (HSA)


About how his mother encouraged him to pursue football, Green said:
"She told me if I loved football, to take it as far as I could." (HSA)


Green said that his Mom attended all of his games through high school, but:
"she closed her eyes when I got tackled." (HSA)


About how his mother stressed not letting success go to his head, Green said:
"She always tells me to stay humble, don't get caught up in it. She said it can be taken away at any moment." (HSA)


About how the cold in Logan, Utah didn't bother him during the game, Green said:
"Sometimes I couldn't feel my toes or my fingers. But I couldn't not play. ... I didn't need the hand-warmers. I try to play football." (HSA)


Having one good reason to focus on something other than the handshake celebration after scoring TDs, Green said:
"When I scored, I pointed to my mother, in recognition." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101026_Green_scores_again.html

Monday, October 25, 2010

The negotiations between the WAC and Fresno/Nevada are progressing, payments significantly less than $5 million are expected

Asked if he expected Fresno State and Nevada to pay $5 million each today since today is the 60-day deadline, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
"no." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Benson did say negotiations that began Oct. 7 "are progressing" and a resolution on several areas, including payments and dates of departure, "might not be far off." He would not elaborate on the terms being discussed, but it is believed the two breakaway schools would pay significantly less than the $5 million the WAC is seeking."


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101025_departure_resolution_nears.html

UH merchandise has been selling well during the winning streak

About how the team has been winning and that builds excitement about the team, Rainbowtique Manager Adam Beyer said:
"Definitely excitement has been building as we've gone along first few games it was hit or miss sort of thing but these past few games we just keep winning and winning." (KHON)


About how sales has increased significantly during the win streak, Beyer said:
"We have a lot of good prices some t-shirts are only ten bucks so a lot of those have been selling out pretty quickly. They've definitely picked up quite a bit some days the numbers are doubled what they used to be from previous weeks." (KHON)


http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/UH-Warriors-winning-streak-results-in-increased/QrT05BJg00a-fWsTF4uX2g.cspx

Warrior Quotes 10/25/10 (play-calling autonomy key to UH's improvement)

Giving credit to his assistant coaches, Mack said:
"I give complete credit to Rolo and Dave and our other coaches. It's the job of the coaches to get the players in position to make plays, and our players are making plays." (HSA)


HSA Note: "While McMackin still leads coaches' meetings and is involved in crafting game plans, Rolovich and Aranda have been given play-calling autonomy."


About how he has learned to delegate responsibility to his coaches, Mack said:
"When you have good people, you want to use them. I learned I can do head coaching things, and let guys I really trust to run the offense and defense. My job is to do whatever I can to help them do their jobs better. I believe in them." (HSA)


About how their success lifts the spirits of the entire state, Mack said:
"We've tried to give the people of Hawaii something to be proud of. When Mufi (Hannemann) was mayor, he told me that every time we win, the negative calls are cut down. Nobody is complaining about potholes. That's something we talked about as a team: Putting a smile on the faces of our fans. We want to give them something positive in these tough times." (HSA)


About how Mouse Davis wants David Graves to move to slotback but he will give Graves a chance to compete at QB when Moniz graduates, Mack said:
"Mouse thinks he has the best pair of hands of the young guys. Defensive guys want him as the safety. He's a very good athlete." (HSA)


Appreciating how Graves does whatever the team asks him to do, Mack said:
"Right now, we appreciate his great attitude. He's willing to help the team. He's very unselfish." (HSA)


About how their team plays together, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"It is about playing together, everybody helping each other out." (HSA)


About how he missed the ohana spirit when he played for Arizona, Tuipulotu said:
"Here, with this team, we help each other. We've got each other's backs." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101025_play_calling_autonomy_key_to_uhs_success.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/ferdswords/20101025_revealing_moment_highlights_cohesiveness_of_team.html

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Quotes from the UH-Utah State game 10/23/10

HSA = Honolulu Star-Advertiser
SLT = Salt Lake Tribune
DN = Deseret News

Note: Neither the UH Athletics website nor the Utah State website had any postgame quotes.

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

About how they want to earn their bowl spot as early as possible since they weren't able to get the bowl bid last year, Mack said:
"We really want to get that seventh win (for bowl eligibility) as soon as possible. Last year we didn't get it and I felt so bad about that. So we want to get it as early as we can. That's one of our goals. And we want to win as many as we can." (HSA)


About David Graves scoring a TD on special teams to open the scoring in the 2nd half and give them a 21-7 lead, Mack said:
"I call him my utility guy." (HSA)


About holding Utah State to just 181 yards, Mack said:
"That was one of the best defensive efforts, if not the best, that I've been around for a long time." (HSA)


About using their "Belly" running play (inside run with zone blocking), Rolo said:
"Gordy (Shaw, UH's line coach) printed shirts that read: Play as a nickel, not five pennies. Belly is the best definition of that statement. It takes five (blockers) staying together and just zoning stuff off." (HSA)


Praising Alex Green, Rolo said:
"We know we have a great back in Alex. When he gets to that second level, there are big plays to be had." (HSA)


Praising Alex Green, RB coach Brian Smith said:
"He did a great job of turning it into another gear and finishing the run. We have a saying: Don't get hawked. That means, don't get caught from behind." (HSA)


About how Utah State's offense worried them since they use dozens of formations and had a bye last week, Dave Aranda said that they were:
"giving us ulcers with every play. We knew we were going to go crazy trying to match up with everything they would do." (HSA)


About how their defense didn't allow Borel to get to the outside, Tony Tuioti said:
"That's what we call our quarterback trap." (HSA)


About what their defense thought when they were up 14-7 at halftime, Rich Miano said:
"Hey, if we don't give up a score, they (the Aggies) can't win." (HSA)


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


About how winning is fun, Bryant Moniz said:
"There are two reasons you play football: To have fun and to win. If you're getting your butt kicked, it ain't fun. So you might as well win. We're winning, and with winning comes fun, and we're enjoying it." (HSA)


About not letting the defense "hawk" him (catch him from behind), Alex Green said:
"Coach Smith is always telling me that. I try not to get hawked. I try to avoid (defenders) going for my legs." (HSA)


Not having any problem running in the rain, Green said:
"I don't mind football weather. Whether it rains, snows or there's sunshine, you have to play the game." (HSA)


About taking off his visor when the rain started, Green said:
"With the rain hitting (the visor), I couldn't see that much. After that, I played football. I could see clearly." (HSA)


About how they aren't thinking about how they could get a winning season guaranteed with a win over Idaho, Greg Salas said:
"We're not thinking about anything else but Idaho right now. We haven't done anything yet. We're not going to stop until we get a WAC championship." (HSA)


About how his 1-handed TD reception in the 4th quarter wasn't one of his top 5 career catches, Greg Salas said that it:
"wasn't that far up there (among his best). I've done better in practice." (HSA)


Greg's brother Danny said about the catch:
"He did better in our living room." (HSA)


Agreeing with his brother, Greg said:
"Yeah, I used to do it at home with the football, break things and get in trouble." (HSA)


About dropping a pass in the 3rd quarter, Salas said:
"I thought I had it (in the third quarter), but it slipped right through my hands. I hope that (touchdown) made up for it. Coach Mack said it did, so, then, I guess it did." (HSA)


About causing the punter to fumble that led to Graves' TD, John Hardy-Tuilau said:
"I saw the ball fumbling around, and I wanted to knock it loose. I saw (Caldwell) didn't have possession of it, and I just hit him." (HSA)


Asked if he knew that his first points for UH would come on a fumble recovery on special teams, David Graves said:
"Not me. I really didn't think that's where my first touchdown would be." (HSA)


About playing special teams since he's a freshman and 4th-string at QB, Graves said:
"I just wanted to do whatever I could to help the team, and the coaches said they'd try me on special teams." (HSA)


About how the Utah State punter fumbled after being hit by John Hardy-Tuilau, letting him grab the fumble and run 6 yards for the TD, Graves said:
"We had a block on, we were rushing and when John Hardy tackled him it (the ball) popped right into my stomach. It was perfect. My only thought was: 'end zone!'" (HSA)

"The ball popped right to me. What else would I think but to take it to the house?" (HSA)

"I saw that play in my mind before it happened. I'm always visualizing things that could happen in the game. I was thinking about the best thing that could possibly happen, and that was the best thing that could have happened." (HSA)


About getting his first 2 INTs of the season, Corey Paredes said:
"Finally getting one, then two, was really satisfying." (HSA)


About how he almost got a 3rd INT with 12:26 left in the 4th quarter, Paredes said:
"I wish I could have gotten that one, too." (HSA)


Asked which INT was his favorite, Paredes said:
"My first one, because I've waited a while for it." (HSA)


About leaping for his second INT, Paredes said:
"I felt him (Lloyd) go behind me, and I knew he was a big guy. So, I knew I had to jump as high as I could to try to get it."  (HSA)

"The tight end was pretty big. I saw the ball, and I jumped as high as I could, and I made the catch." (HSA)


Paredes said that the funny thing about that INT:
"is I'm not exactly known for my hops." (HSA)


About injuring his ankle when he landed after making the INT, Paredes said:
"I landed wrong and it (the ankle) rolled up on me. It is pretty sore right now." (HSA)


Not letting his injury bring him down, Paredes said:
"I'll be OK." (HSA)


Hoping that people will give them respect now, Paredes said:
"Hopefully, people will start to give our defense a little more credit." (HSA)


About earning their Hawaii Bowl bid during homecoming, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"We have a chance to do it (get the bid) during our homecoming, which is a big opportunity." (HSA)


About how they took away Utah State's weapons, Tuipulotu said:
"We took away their weapons." (HSA)


About Nevada not giving them respect after last week's win, Tuipulotu said:
"We felt like we did it, not them. Maybe some people don't want to give us credit where credit is due. But we played hard tonight. Our coaches schemed them, and we came out swinging." (HSA)


--------------------  Quotes from the Utah State coaches ----------------------

About how the rain limited Diondre Borel, head coach Gary Andersen said:
"I thought (the rain) bothered Diondre tremendously. Hawaii must have reacted to it a lot better than we did." (DN)


DN Note: "Punter Peter Caldwell fumbled a snap early in the third quarter that was scooped up by Hawaii's David Graves and gave the Warriors a commanding 21-7 lead to start the second half."


About how their football program is having difficulty now, Andersen said:
"I know exactly where this program sits, I see it every day, I study it every day and I am with the kids every day. These crowds have been great each week. I know we had a big storm today, but I also know football. If you play at a high level they will be there until the last snap. They would probably still be out there right now, but it went a different way for us today. Once again, I know where this program is and one day they will be there the whole time. It is a cloudy time right now." (DN)


About how his young players give him reason for optimism for their future (*9* of their 11 players on defense at one point were freshmen), Andersen said:
"I love the competitiveness of those kids. Those are tough kids and they have that look in their eyes. They are good players." (SLT)


About how Borel is struggling because they lost their top 2 WRs and top 2 RBs, Andersen said:
"I've said all along that if Diondre has a supporting cast, he can be a great quarterback. If he doesn't he can struggle, and he struggled today." (SLT)


About how UH is the better team, Andersen said:
"Obviously, there isn't a whole lot to say. The better team won today." (SLT)


----------------------  Quotes from the Utah State players ----------------------

About how a lot of their fans let the stadium at halftime when they were down just 14-7 due to the rain and cold, TE Kellen Bartlett said:
"It felt dead in the stadium and that's demoralizing. We don't ever let the crowd get into our heads at all; either home or away the crowd is always a non-factor. They threw a big punch at us in the third quarter and we had a hard time getting back up from it. It kinda stunk not having the crowd out there." (DN)


About how the third quarter is crucial and UH won that quarter, Bartlett said:
"The third quarter is the most important quarter. That's the quarter you go out there and establish your dominance and decide who's going to win this game. We played a better team and they went out and established that." (DN)


About how they have to put this game behind them, Bartlett said:
"I don't think anyone expected this. It's going to be tough, but this is something that we're all going to have to put behind us. We have to bury it deep in our memories and try to forget it." (SLT)


About UH dominating them in the second half, Bobby Wagner said:
"I couldn't even explain it.In the second half their offense turned it up a notch. We didn't really come ready to play in the second half. It hurts." (DN)


About how UH is better than their team, Wagner said:
"We ran into a better opponent. We have to go back to the meeting rooms and rebuild. We have a big game against Nevada next week, and we have to give it our all for all four quarters. Today, we didn't do that." (SLT)


-----------------  Quotes from others  ---------------------

Looking forward to inviting UH if they beat Idaho next week, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin said:
"The Warriors are proving to be one of the most exciting teams in college football this season. Daryl Garvin (associate executive director) and myself plan to be at the UH-Idaho game in an official capacity representing the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. We look forward to watching Coach (Greg) McMackin and the Warriors compete for bowl eligibility."  (HSA)

\\

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Quotes before the UH-Utah State game 10/23/10

About being picked in the bottom third of the WAC in the preseason poll of reporters, Greg Salas said:
"Nobody likes to be called ... crappy, excuse my language. Nobody likes to be put down like that, especially this team. We have an attitude. If somebody says we can't do something, we're going to try to prove them wrong." (HSA)


About how this will not be a trap game for them before they had a trap game at Utah State 2 years ago, Mack said:
"We're not going into a 'trap' game, because we did that two years ago." (HSA)


About how he was so upset about the 2008 loss at Utah State that he cracked a back tooth during the game, Mack said:
"It was a bad experience then, but it's good for this year because, believe me, I have never forgotten it." (HSA)


About how QB Diondre Borel is a bigger threat than Nevada's Colin Kaepernick, Dave Aranda said:
"We haven't stopped him in two years. He's had his way with us." (HSA)


About Borel, Rich Miano said:
"He has the ability to go full speed and, literally, stop on a dime.  He can change directions laterally.  He'll set guys, give a little hokey-poke, and go.  On his highlight tape, there are a lot of defenders he has abused." (HSA)


About how they respect Utah State and want respect also, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"We respect them. We respect everyone we play. But we want a little respect, too. We're going to keep playing until we get that respect. And even when we get it, we'll keep playing hard." (HSA)


Asked if this could be a trap game for them, Salas said:
"No. They're picked ahead of us in the WAC by the coaches and media. It's definitely not a trap game for us. We have a chip on our shoulder. We're still trying to prove things." (HSA)


About how they have faced Utah State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin a number of times, Rich Miano said:
"We keep running into each other. I mean, he was at San Jose State, Michigan State, maybe even Tulsa and, now, here (Utah State)." (HSA)


About facing UH, Baldwin said:
"it seems like they are the team I most run into." (HSA)


About having a 4-3 against UH as a head coach (SJSU) and offensive coordinator (Michigan State and Utah State), Baldwin said:
"It has been a great series, a good rivalry." (HSA)


About how his teams have averages 42.4 points against UH, including 57-48 (win with SJSU) and 62-42 (SJSU) and 41-38 (Michigan State) losses, Baldwin said:
"That's the kind of a rivalry you enjoy being part of." (HSA)


About his 2004 loss with Michigan State when they had 598 yards total offense, Baldwin said:
"I've never seen one team get (16) penalties and the other only (five)." (HSA)


About how Baldwin's offenses creates problems for defenses, Miano said:
"He (Baldwin) is a smart offensive coordinator whose offense presents so many problems for a defense. What is amazing is that he's taken a little from every place he's been (offensively) and put it all together so well. He gives you so much to defend." (HSA)


About having a bye week before facing UH, TE Kellen Bartlett said:
"We got a great week of practice in preparing for Hawaii and it will only get better from here. We should be very well prepared to face this team." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Since June Jones brought the run-and-shoot offense to UH in 1999, the opponents who have had an open date prior to playing UH are just 9-14 against the Warriors."


About how it will be hard for them to sell out their 25,000 seat stadium even though it is homecoming, a Utah State spokesman said:
"It is the opening of deer-hunting season. We usually try to get that date as a road game, but it didn't work out this year." (HSA)


About how Utah State has such a diverse offense, Miano said:
"(The Aggies) might have more than 100 (plays on offense). What makes these guys so scary is the amount of shifting and motioning and, more importantly, the amount of formations they end up in." (HSA)


About how they started training camp with a 418-page playbook for defense, Mack said that with the maturation of the defense:
"actually, we put more things in there for them." (HSA)


About what is more important than schemes and formations, Corey Paredes said:
"It's all about making plays." (HSA)


About the move he makes to try to break free of his defender, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I've got dance moves.  It's all about setting up the defender.  I pause a little, just to make him relax, and then I time it up.  It's probably a basketball move." (HSA)


About Pilares' move, Rolo said:
"They teach that at Damien." (HSA)


About Pilares' move, Mouse Davis said:
"That can't be taught.  That came from his daddy and mama and God.  They gave him those things." (HSA)


About being burned by long kickoff and punt returns in the Nevada game, Chris Tormey said that earlier in the game:
"the same 11 guys did the job." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101023_Aggies_offensive_coordinator_Warriors_are_familiar_foes.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101023_Utah_State_presents_matchup_headaches.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101023_2008_visit_to_Logan_motivates_UH.html

Friday, October 22, 2010

Davone Bess is gaining recognition throughout the NFL as the best slot receiver

OS = Orlando Sentinel


OS Note: "That's the easiest way to explain Dolphins receiver Davone Bess' grassroots campaign to gain recognition as the NFL's best slot receiver. Two and a half seasons into his NFL career, everyone seems to be singing praises for Bess."


Praising Davone Bess, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said:
"Davone Bess is one of the better route runners underneath. The more room Bess has underneath, the more effective he will be. He's very close in my opinion to Wes Welker." (OS)


OS Note: "But most inside the NFL believe Bess — who finished second in the NFL last season in third-down receptions, and is presently tied for first in that category — is giving Welker a run for his money because of his short area quickness, sure hands and level of consistency."


Praising Bess, his teammate Brandon Marshall (who gave him the nickname "D-Best") said:
"He plays big." (OS)


About his satisfaction that his hard work is paying off, Bess said:
"I think I get satisfaction in knowing that I accomplished something. Obviously the money is good, and to have the security from a family standpoint is good. But knowing that all the hard work I put in, the sacrifices and dedication, the determination I put in; everything I wanted to do, everything I mapped out to do came through," Bess said, "I'm thankful. But nothing's going to change." (OS)


About how Bess knows how to get open, QB Chad Pennington said:
"He has a knack for understanding leverage on a defender." (OS)

"He has a knack for knowing when to take a little bit longer on a route, when to speed up a route, and 'Where do I need to be when the quarterback throws the ball?' Some guys just run routes the way it's on paper and if it's not perfect they don't get open. Davone has a knack to run a route and even though it's not run like it's on paper, he gets in that window and he finds a way to get open." (OS)


About how he noticed Bess' ability immediately when he was a rookie, Pennington asked coaches and teammates:
"Who is this guy?" (OS)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/dolphins/fl-dolphins-davone-bess-1023-20101022,0,3792817.story

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are worried about facing Chad Owens

About how they are worried about facing Chad Owens, Winnipeg Blue Bombe head coach Paul LaPolice said:
"I'll say he is one of the more explosive guys we have seen in the last couple of years. He is one of the more talented players in this league. We have to be very assignment-sound, and we have to make sure when we get an opportunity to tackle him, we do." (Toronto Sun)

Note: Chad led his team to a win over Winnipeg in September when he returned a punt for 80 yards for a TD against them, and in July he took a missed FG back 117 yards for a TD against them.

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/football/2010/10/22/15796101.html

The Warriors discuss the cold Utah weather

About the cheer that Robert Kekaula led the Warriors in at the end of their 2-hour practice, Bryant Moniz said:
"It was very inspiring. He should be in a movie. It was like Al Pacino in 'Any Given Sunday.'" (HSA)


About how the players responded well when Kakaula gave a 2-word pep talk last season at the end of a practice, Mack said:
"Robert is a very inspiring individual. He usually has something unique to say. Which he did. Which we can't quote." (HSA)


HSA Note: "McMackin said finding the appropriate speaker is "just as important as a coin flip. I'm very strategic about that." "


About being ready for the cold Utah weather, Moniz said:
"I'm not worried about the cold. I've got the A/C on 50 right now at the hotel. I'm ready for the cold." (HSA)


About how it won't hurt them if there is sleet during the game, Alex Green (raised in Portland) said:
"It'll feel like playing back home." (HSA)


About how he played in cold conditions in Fresno City College, Bronson Tiwanak said:
"The ball does feel a little more slippery when it's real cold. It shouldn't be a problem. I usually use gloves during the game." (HSA)


Looking forward to playing in colder weather, Jake Heun said:
"It sounds amazing. All it means is when you hit people, they feel it more." (HSA)


About growing up playing football in Alaska, Heun said:
"Our state championship is in October. In early October it's already 10, 15 degrees." (HSA)


About Alaska's late-autumn weather, Heun said:
"If you think about it, it's too cold to bury the dead." (HSA)


About how the weather during the game, Mack said:
"Some people think the weather is going to change. We just have to wait. We have gear if it changes. We've played in the rain. It's football. We have to see how the weather is when we get there. We have to play in the elements. We're fortunate in Hawaii; there's only one element." (HSA)


About how he was able to run on the side despite his injury, Laupepa Letuli said:
"I'm mentally strong." (HSA)


About how he was told that he did not have a concussion when he suffered from light-headedness during the Nevada game, Po'okela Ahmad said:
"After the game, I felt fine. I went to school on Monday, and I felt fine. I got cleared on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I tried to run, and I felt fine. I'm fine." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101022_Red-hot_Warriors_welcome_cold.html

Thursday, October 21, 2010

UH made a record $1.1 million in ticket sales from the USC game

HSA Note: "The Sept. 2 game, for which 44,204 tickets were distributed, produced $1,107,000 in net revenue, the athletic department said. The figure is based on the face value of the tickets and stadium expenses and does not include premium charges for season tickets, UH said."


HSA Note: "UH said it eclipsed the previous mark of $1,090,000 set by the 2007 sellout against Washington. That game completed UH's unbeaten regular season and clinched the trip to the Sugar Bowl."


Happy that they broke their revenue record, especially since it was a Thursday game available for free on ESPN, JD said:
"I was pleased, considering the game took place on a Thursday night and was shown on national TV. I know it was good for the university and the state, with 8,000 to 10,000 USC fans here for the game. It helped put people in the seats and the (hotel) beds." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101021_UH_cashes_in_on_USC_game.html

UH knows that they need to improve their special teams

About how they had 3 bad plays on special teams in the Nevada game, Mack said:
"We did a good job with the exception of three plays. A punt return, a kickoff return and the onside kick. The rest of the game was a good job." (HSA)


About giving up long punt and kick returns in the Nevada game, Chris Tormey said:
"Any time we give up a big return it puts the defense in a tough situation. Late in the game we've got to be at our best." (HSA)


Asked why they gave up a long return, David Graves (who is on the kickoff coverage team) said:
"I don't know. It's just a matter of everyone doing their jobs. We had two leaks. Other than that we stopped all the other returns." (HSA)


About preventing the big plays against them on special teams, Jordan Monico (who leads UH with 14 special teams tackles) said:
"We just have to tighten up on our assignments, keep our lanes. Make some minor adjustments. We try not to think about it too much. Look at it once and adjust." (HSA)


About how not every kickoff can be perfect, Tormey said:
"Kickers are not machines. Sometimes we have to cover a kick that's not perfect." (HSA)


About how Nevada got away with some holds on their returns, Tormey said:
"One of (the UH players) was flat tackled. Jordan got held. But you're going to get held. You have to separate from the block and get off against a great athlete. It's not easy." (HSA)


HSA Note: "McMackin said linebacker Aaron Brown, who is second on the team in tackles, will rejoin the kickoff-coverage team this week and reserve Parker Paredes will "get his chance." "


http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/furtherreview/20101021_Hawaii_knows_special_teams_needs_to_be_tightened_up.html

Other Warrior Quotes (Salas was the first Warrior receiver to earn a perfect score in a game this season)

About being the first UH receiver to earn a perfect score this season, catching all 11 passes where he was the primary receiver in the Nevada game, Greg Salas said:
"I have to give credit to Mo for putting it on the money and giving me the opportunity. The o-line, too, for giving me the time. They did a great job." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Salas entered that game having caught 72.5 percent of the passes when he was primary receiver -- a statistic that is impacted by deflections, tips, errant passes and drops."


About the screen play where he curls into the flat and follows Pilares' lead block, Salas said:
"I just have to read which way (Pilares) is blocking. I know he's going to do a good job kicking it out one way or another. I have to read that, make my move, and run. It's pretty easy." (HSA)


About how he their throws into the flat to be "long handoffs", Rolo said:
"As long as we're accurate on the throw, and he gets a block, we'll get a lot of yards." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Against Nevada, Salas' yards-after-catch average was 11.0."


About the big play in the 4th quarter where Moniz escape a Moch sack attempt and got him the ball downfield, Salas said:
"I saw when he was getting sacked, he was not going to look (toward the original route). I did my best to break away and get into his vision. I started waving my hand. There was a lot of open field out there. It worked out good." (HSA)


About escaping the sack attempt and getting the ball to Salas, Moniz said:
"It was one of those throws. You can't really practice that. You don't practice throwing off balance. You just throw. And Greg has a knack of getting open when the original play breaks down." (HSA)


About reserving 72 tickets for family and friends attending the Utah State game, Lewis Walker (who was raised in Salt Lake City, about 90 miles from Utah State) said:
"It's exciting to get back home and really play in front of my family and friends." (HSA)


About his family getting to see him play, Walker (UH's only player from the state of Utah) said:
"My family will be happy seeing me on the field. They're happy that I'm doing something I love to do at the next level. I'm happy to be at a university and playing football." (HSA)


About replacing Geordon Hanohano (injured knee) on their travel roster, David Hafoka said:
"Now it's my turn to help out the team." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Offensive tackle Clayton Laurel also was added to the travel roster as insurance. Right tackle Laupepa Letuli is day-to-day because of a sprained right ankle. If Letuli is limited, then Kainoa LaCount will open at right tackle."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101021_Salas_earns_perfect_mark.html

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Q&A with Sol Elimimian in the Vancouver Sun

VS = Vancouver Sun


Asked what happened in their loss on Saturday, Sol Elimimian said:
"It was a lack of communication. We've got to communicate better. That's all it was. Three or four of us were responsible for what happened, even the DBs [defensive backs]. They didn't beat us physically. It's all on us. We'll show up Friday [in Calgary] and do a better job." (VS)


Asked why he got the personal foul in the 4th quarter, Sol said:
"Ricky did a great job. I don't blame Ricky. He definitely took advantage of our miscues. But when he takes off with the ball, he's a running back. It's kind of frustrating to get penalized for hitting a player within the rules. Regardless, I'm going to continue to be physical." (VS)


Asked if he is familiar with Lawrence Taylor, since the team issued him LT's #56, Sol said:
"Of course. He was an animal, a beast, a monster. But I can't put my name anywhere close to the greats. They [Lions] just gave me this number. I didn't ask for it. I'm just trying to do the best I can do." (VS)


Asked if he considers himself a violent player with the way he hits people without concern for his own safety and knocked RB Cory Boyd out with a concussion, Sol said:
"I play hard. I go to the limit of my physical ability. But when I hit somebody, I feel it, too. It's not just them who absorbs the force. But this is what I chose to do, and there's a price to pay for it. On any given play, I could be knocked out, or my opponent could be knocked out. As soon as I heard Cory [Boyd] was injured, I wanted to contact him. I wanted to write a letter to him. I know he has a family, too. God forbid that something negative should happen, long-term. I don't want that on my conscience." (VS)


Asked why he considered it important to get his English degree from UH, Sol said:
"My family put a strong emphasis on education and finishing what you start. My father, Isaac, is a retired English and philosophy professor from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (Calif.)." (VS)


Asked if his Dad's field of study influenced his choice of major, Sol said:
"I like literature, poetry, reading. I think a lot of English deals with critical thinking. I like reading about people in former times and how the state of the world and society affected them." (VS)


Asked what book he is currently reading, Sol said:
"The Bible. That's about all I have time for during the football season." (VS)


Asked if he was different than the other kids growing up in South Central LA being the son of a University professor, Sol said:
"A lot of my friends came from broken homes, but I was blessed to have both of my parents at home. That's not too common. It affected me a lot and the values I grew up with. One of my closest friends, Ivan, just got out of prison after serving five years. Role models are important. I was lucky to have a couple of good ones in my parents [Isaac and Theresa]." (VS)


Asked what it was like playing football in Hawaii, Sol said:
"My older brother, Abraham, a cornerback, played there. He told me I would really like it. But it was a big cultural difference at first. It was tough, because I couldn't just get in a car and drive home to see my folks. I got very homesick

My first year. I'd save up my money and fly home on bye weeks just to visit for two or three days. But I grew to love Hawaii. After this season is over, I'm going back there to visit some of my closest friends." (VS)


Asked who is closest to him on the BC Lions, Sol said:
"Adam Leonard. He was my roommate for three years in Hawaii and now he's my teammate on the Lions. He's a very smart player and an intelligent person. He lives in Seattle, so we go down there to visit his family when we have time off. It's like having a second home." (VS)


http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Lions+with+Solomon+Elimimian/3702499/story.html#ixzz12xKoXADc

Davone Bess is thankful the Miami Dolphins believed in him and that his hard work has paid off

SFSS = South Florida Sun-Sentinel


About getting his new contract that includes a $3 million signing bonus, Davone Bess said:
"This is definitely exciting. I think people forget that it's been a long journey for me." (SFSS)


SFSS Note: "Hawaii was one of the few teams who recruited Bess because of legal troubles he had in high school. He rewarded them by helping Rainbow Warriors get to the Sugar Bowl.  The Dolphins were one of the few NFL teams that seriously pursued him after the draft despite his slow 40-yard dash time. He rewarded them by quickly blossoming into one of the league's elite slot receivers."


About the satisfaction he gets from knowing that his hard work, sacrifice, and dedication has paid off, Bess said:
"I think I get satisfaction in knowing that I accomplished something. Obviously the money is good, and to have the security from a family standpoint is good. But knowing that all the hard work I put in, the sacrifices and dedication, the determination I put in; everything I wanted to do, everything I mapped out to do came through.  I'm thankful. I like the group of guys I'm around. I like the potential of this organization and team. I'm a part of an offense. We have a bunch of young players here and the sky is the limit. They believed in me and that goes a long way." (SFSS)


SFSS Note: "Despite the new money, Bess said his approach won't change. He still plans to be the first player on the practice field, and one of the last off it."


http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2010/10/davone-bess-thanks-dolphins-for-believing-in-him.html

Warrior Quotes 10/20/10 (Mack says they didn't need to go for 2)

About his decision to not go for 2 in the Nevada game, Mack said:
"You've got 8 seconds to make up your mind. What my thinking was the defense was playing so good, I don't think they can score a touchdown on us. If we miss (the conversion), which two-point plays are tough to get in ... then now we have field goal problems." (HSA)


HSA Note: "He said he did not "count on" the Pack driving the field for a touchdown or claiming the on-side kick."


About how Nevada could have scored a TD and 2 FGs (in the last 5 minutes of the game?) if they missed the 2-pt conversion, Mack said:
"You can't imagine. But the point is, that was my logic: You can't move the ball against my defense. We're shutting them down. ... If we miss the two-point (conversion), now we have a problem where they can beat us with (a touchdown and) two field goals. That was my thinking." (HSA)


About playing 2 series each before the other center takes over (Lefiti or Tiwanak), Tiwanak said that allows each center to:
"get some rest. You also get a chance to watch from the sideline and see what the defense is doing. It works out pretty good." (HSA)


About traveling to play Utah State, Bryant Moniz said:
"It's tough when you have to travel over the water." (HSA)


About how Moniz ignores the recognition he has been getting by the media, his girlfriend Kiley Kealoha said:
"Everyone tries to show him all of the newspaper articles, but he doesn't read them." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The couple has a 2-year-daughter, Cali, and lives in Wahiawa."


About how success hasn't changed Moniz, Kealoha said:
"He's the same. He is grounded. He just enjoys what he does. It doesn't matter about the hype. He loves football. He'll do anything to play football." (HSA)


About how Moniz does what she asks around the house, Kealoha said:
"He takes out the trash can. He feeds the dogs every night. Well, his mom feeds them some nights. He washes dishes." (HSA)


About how he isn't sure if he can play against Utah State, Laupepa Letuli said:
"We'll see what happens." (HSA)


About how Kainoa LaCount will be able to take over if Letuli cannot play, Gordy Shaw said:
"He's always paying attention, he's always taking mental notes. He played very well in the second half of that game." (HSA)

"He's ready to play." (HSA)


About entering the game and immediately facing Dontay Moch, LaCount said:
"It was exciting, definitely a challenge. The first couple of plays are hard because you're coming off the side, and you're not really stretched. You're kind of cold, really. The first play is definitely a shocker. But after that, it's all downhill." (HSA)


About how he is a walkon, LaCount was asked who pays for his education and he said:
"My mama. I love her. Put that down and write it." (HSA)


About his sprained right ankle, George Daily-Lyles said:
"I still have the little limp. I call it the 'gangsta walk.' ... I'm good enough to play, mentally, anyway. The body does what the mind wants." (HSA)


About their options if Daily-Lyles cannot play, Dave Aranda said:
"If Po'okela is healthy, we can make some moves. If he's not, we can make other moves." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101020_Warriors_have_solid_backup_plan.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101020_Mack_With_our_D_we_didnt_need_2.html

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ryan Grice-Mullen is taking reps with the first-team offense for the first time since the start of the 2009 season

RLP = Regina Leader-Post


Asked about being elevated to starting WR after starting WR Rob Bagg suffered a season-ending knee injury, RGM said:
"I like to think that I'm one of the biggest team guys ever, so whatever the coaches ask of me, I'm willing to do. Whether they want me out there for a couple of snaps or for the whole game, or to just return punts or kicks, I'll do it." (RLP)


About how RGM has been learning their offense as quickly as possible since he joined them recently, WR coach Bob Dyce said:
"Ryan is a good route runner, and in the short time he has been here, he has a good understanding of the game. We'll look to get the balls into his hands quickly and in space to allow him to use his skills. He's elusive and he's quick and that makes it tough for a defender to get a jam on him." (RLP)

Grice-Mullen caught 20 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown in 15 regular-season games with the Lions in 2009. He also set the CFL record for longest playoff punt return when he returned a punt 106 yards for a touchdown in the East final against Montreal.


About how the same skills that he uses in the return game help him get YAC as a receiver, RGM said:
"What I bring to the offence is the same thing that I bring to the return game — that speed and that burst.  When I get the ball in my hands I'm always looking to score. I'm looking up the field for those YAC yards (yards after catch) because I'm not the kind of guy who is satisfied with just getting a catch. I want more." (RLP)


About having RGM step up as their new starter, Dyce said:
"It's a case of the next man goes in, and we expect the next guy to step in and fill Rob's role. It's uncanny the fact that we've lost a receiver at some point in the year the past few years. It's a shame, too, because Rob was having a great season." (RLP)


http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Ryan+Grice+Mullen+ready+help+Roughriders+Bagg+absence/3696666/story.html

Jake Ingram hates it when people want to talk football with him and don't even know what a long snapper is

PL = Patriot Ledger


About how people in Hawaii did not panic over the the tsunami warning in Hawaii in February, Jake Ingram said:
"Nobody was really panicking in Hawaii. I think that people who weren't in Hawaii were the ones panicking, calling (and asking), 'Are you guys all right? Is the tsunami coming?'  Most of us, actually a lot of people were up on the cliffs and high on the hills watching. You could see the water moving. I think the tsunami was supposed to hit at like 11:30 (a.m.). It didn't hit and as soon as the tsunami warning was done, me and four of my friends were out on a boat in the water." (PL)


About how people were calm during the tsunami warning, Ingram said:
"We're pretty laid back (in Hawaii).People were having tailgates and stuff. Thankfully, nothing bad happened. But it was kind of an excuse for everybody to go out and sit up on hills and hang out.  It wasn't a big deal. I just stayed at home, but when I was driving down to the north shore, when you go down this hill you can see the water and in this Haleiwa town (on Oahu) everybody was on the hill looking out watching for whatever was supposed to be coming." (PL)


About how he cannot surf much now that he's in the NFL, Ingram said:
"There's a fear. I'm careful with what I do and I kind of know my limits.  I've been around the water my whole life. When I'm home, I'm in and around the water every day. If I'm not surfing, I'm body surfing or diving or just swimming. Something's going on." (PL)


About how he hasn't seen sharks like so many others, Ingram said:
"I haven't seen sharks (while) surfing. I've seen a big monk seal next to me that scared me. I've seen things in the water that possibly could have been a shark, but I just kind of turned my shoulder to it. I've been surfing a few times where they closed the beach because people had seen sharks, but nothing crazy.  I've heard stories of guys on their paddleboards getting followed by sharks or a turtle getting eaten next to them while they're surfing, (but he's never experienced any of that). Out on a boat, I'll see sharks. There's a little buoy outside of Haleiwa and as soon as the boat shows up the sharks are there." (PL)


About how he's acclimated to his new environment, Ingram said:
"When I first came out here, it was June (of last year) and it rained like every day and I was like, 'Why do people live here?'  But since I've been here, I really enjoy the outdoor things.  I'm a saltwater fisherman, but I've learned how to freshwater (fish) and I love it. I like to hunt and you guys have all kinds of wildlife. It's really nice out here.   A lot of people ask me, 'Have you been to Boston? Honestly, I've probably been there like 10 times because I'm not a big-city guy, which is why I like this Foxboro area. It's more suburbs, more country. You can get away and not be around all the commotion." (PL)


About being able to handle the pressure of being a long snapper, Ingram said:
"There's pressure in every job." (PL)


About how some people want to talk football with him but don't know what a long snapper is, Ingram said:
"People will ask (what he does for a living). I tell them I'm a long snapper. Some of them don't even what it is. They're like, 'What?' I've had people call me a long kicker. I'm like, 'Read up on it a little, man. Don't talk to me about football if you're going to call me a long kicker.'  I try to avoid it a little bit. Just say I'm out from Hawaii for work. It's the exact truth." (PL)


http://www.patriotledger.com/sports/pros/x1809787888/Both-on-the-field-and-off-it-Patriots-Ingram-s-approach-is-a-snapLong-snapper-Jake-Ingram-says-that-he-and-the-majority-of-the-residents-back-home-in-Hawaii-were-unfazed-by-a-tsunami-warning-during-the-offseason-It-s-little-wonder-then-that-he-shrugs-off-pressure-when-pressed-into-action