HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press
_________________________________
Quotes about Colt's concussion
Colt issued a statement through UH spokesman Derek Inouchi:
"I'm doing fine. I'd like to thank everyone for the support they gave out there. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field for next week's game against Nevada." (HA, AP, HSB)
About how Colt was doing, Colt's father Terry Brennan said:
"He was in good spirits. He wanted to know how the team was doing." (HA)
Expecting Colt to play in the Nevada game, Terry said:
"He's ready to play another four quarters." (HSB)
JJ said about Colt's condition:
"If you play football you're going to have concussions. I just talked to him. He's ready to play right now." (AP, HA)
"(Colt) is fine. He'll be ready for the next game." (HSB)
About the hit, JJ said:
"I've seen a lot of hard hits, but I think he was out before he hit the ground." (HSB)
About how concern over Colt outweighed everything else after the game, Rich Miano said:
"A lot of things go through your mind when you see a guy like that go down. The fact that we won this football game is huge because that (Fresno State) is a good football team but obviously people are subdued because of what happened to Colt. You worry about the health of a guy who turned down a lot of money to help build a dream season we're having. That's first and foremost." (HA)
About Colt, center John Estes said:
"We just wanted him to get up. We think about him as a person. You never want to see that in football, ever." (HA)
HA Note: "The offensive line felt responsible. Brennan was sacked twice, both times by linebacker Mike Cheese. To a man, the linemen could not enjoy the victory, as sweet was it is supposed to be to beat Fresno State."
Upset about Colt's injury, Keith AhSoon said:
"It's not even a win. I'm so ------ off. Putting him in a position like that ... A win's a win, but it's not a win for me. I should've done better. I just hope he's ready for the next game." (HA)
About how Fresno State stopped stunting on their rushes in the 4th quarter, AhSoon said:
"Fourth quarter came around, it was just a four-man rush, one-one. It just kind of got us off-guard because we were expecting a lot of stunts." (HA)
Blaming himself for Colt's injury, AhSoon said:
"But for Colt, man, it's all on me. It wasn't supposed to happen, but it happened. I pray for him." (HA)
"It was my fault. If I didn't miss that block ... I blame it all on me." (HA)
Hercules then put his arm around AhSoon and said:
"It's not your fault. It's football. That's how it is. Things happen. Injuries happen. You have to get over it. We got the win. That's all we were worried about." (HA)
About Colt, Solomon Elimimian said:
"Colt is a big part of this team. It's not just on offense. Without Colt, we wouldn't be where we are today. Colt is one of our leaders. We all love Colt." (HA)
About why they did not do their postgame ha'a, Michael Lafaele said:
"It is hard to celebrate when he went out of there like that." (HA)
After Colt's injury, Timo Paepule thought "Uh-oh" and also:
"I wanted to get them back." (HA)
About Fresno State's reaction to Colt's injury, Siave Seti said:
"They were celebrating while he was lying there. They looked at us like, 'That's it for you.' " (HA)
HA Note: "On the ensuing punt, Jones got a bead on Fresno State punt returner Clifton Smith. Jones bore down at full stride on Smith as he caught the ball and promptly leveled him with a clean but make-no-mistake-what-I-mean tackle."
About Keenan Jones' hit on the punt return after Colt's injury, Seti said:
"That was the turning point. Thank God he made that hit." (HA)
About how the team was focused on Colt after the game, RGM said:
"Guys said prayers, hoping he'd be alright. Seeing a teammate go down like that is hard." (HA)
"We're definitely happy to win. But around the locker room it was kind of dead knowing that one of our leaders, our brothers, went down." (AP)
About Colt getting up and being helped off the field, RGM said:
"He showed a lot of heart by getting to his feet because we all knew he was out of it." (AP)
About how he thought about Colt during the game, RGM said:
"I'm not going to lie. I'm not the only one that had Colt on my mind the next snap." (AP)
"I knew as soon as the dude hit him and Colt went down it wasn't good. It's not just (about) football. Anyone seeing a family member go down like that you forget about everything else. I never wish that on anyone, both sides of the ball. I was glad both teams' trainers (assisted), Fresno showed real class. (Brennan) showed real heart getting back on his feet. I hope the island continues to pray for him." (HSB, AP)
About losing Colt, RGM said:
"When you lose one guy, as big as Colt, that's a loss. We're not going to lie and say, 'We're going to be A-OK.' The starting quarterback, our leader, a Heisman candidate -- that's a big loss." (AP)
About why he visited with Colt after the game, Pat Hill said:
"I just wanted to see how he was. He's a heck of a player. ... I wished him luck. That was a heck of a hit he took." (HA)
About the range of emotions he felt after the play where Colt was hurt, Marcus Riley said:
"It's tough, because I started to celebrate, and when he (Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan) was still down it kind of changed my whole attitude about the situation." (HSB)
About how he was hoping that Colt wasn't seriously hurt, Riley said:
"I was kind of nervous. I kind of relaxed after I knew he was alright, when he got up, started moving around. I didn't really know what to think. I was hoping it wasn't anything major and nothing serious. I didn't want anybody to get hurt, but injuries are a part of the game. I'm just glad he's alright." (HSB)
About how he went to UH's locker room to check on Colt after the game, Riley said:
"Oh, he'll be fine. He recognized me." (HSB)
About his INT in the end zone, Riley said:
"They had me beat on one where they scored a TD and I was a little bit late. I knew if they ran that play again I'd be right there on it. What a great quarterback to get it on, a Heisman hopeful who's set so many NCAA records ... my first interception on somebody of his caliber." (HSB)
HA Note: "Outside the south entrance to the stadium, fans who normally come for autographs also sought the latest news on the fallen quarterback. "What's happening with Colt?" they asked. "How's Colt?" they wondered."
Quotes from the UH coaches
About how they have to keep winning, JJ said:
"It's NFL playoff time. You lose, you're out." (AP)
About how he expected this to be a tough game, JJ said:
"It was a dogfight and I knew it was going to be." (AP)
About how Fresno State's comeback was not surprising, JJ said:
"We knew they weren't going to quit." (HA)
About their early 67-yard TD and the early lead they took, JJ said:
"We took them out of their game plan early." (HSB)
About their 9-0 start, JJ said:
"I'm not thinking about it. I'm glad we won, and we get to go to the next one." (HA)
About taking Hawthrone out of the game due to his tight hamstring, JJ said:
"You never know with fast guys. I didn't want him to stay in and pull it." (HSB)
About how they ran the ball a lot more against Fresno State than they did earlier this season, JJ said:
"I knew the last four games we would have to run the ball. Daniel Libre has some quickness, happy to see Leon do well." (HSB)
"I knew the last four games we will have to run the football. And I knew they could pass rush. They have good pass rushers. Daniel had a little something about him. I'm happy with him and Leon and David (Farmer)." (HSB)
Relieved about the win, GM said:
"Win one game a week. That's our goal. You have to make it exciting for ESPN. ... It was a chess game of making adjustments. I'm proud of our kids. They fought under some adversity, and came out with a win." (HA)
“The most we can do is win one game a week.” (HSB)
Pleased with how his defense played, GM said:
“The guys played the system and were consistent.” (HSB)
About how they need to adjust quicker on defense, GM said:
“We have to get better on the sudden change. They made some adjustments and we made adjustments. It was sort of a chess match.” (HSB)
Quotes from the UH players
About being ready to start if Colt cannot play vs. Nevada, Tyler said:
"That's my job. If he goes down I'm in there." (HSB)
Wishing that he had been more warmed up before going into the game, Tyler said:
"I was ready to go in, and when I saw that I popped my helmet on to get ready to go. But I wish I would have been stretching my legs or getting my hands ready and taking some snaps or something." (HSB)
About their confidence in Tyler if he has to start, Bess said:
"We have a tremendous amount of confidence and we're just going to lift him up and let him know he's our buddy and we're here for him. He definitely can get the job done." (HSB)
About how he wanted to have a big game vs. Fresno State because his injury last year vs. Boise State kept him out of the Fresno State and Nevada games, RGM (who had 9 catches for 128 yards) said:
"I definitely wanted to come out this week and have a big game and help my team." (HSB)
About the play in which he caught a 67-yard TD pass for the first score of the game, Jason Rivers said:
"Everybody run deep. That was the call." (HA)
About being shaken up on the onside kick, Rivers said:
"I got banged. I don't know who hit me, but he hit me hard. I saw (the football) in the air, and I tried to go for it, and I got hit." (HA)
About recovering the onside kick, Desmond Thomas said:
"I was asking the Lord for strength to let me keep holding onto the ball. I wasn't going to let it go. I was going to show these fans I had the ball." (HA)
About splitting time in the first half and playing all of the 2nd half despite not being fully over his injury, Blaze said:
"It was game-time decision, but hey, everybody is playing hurt over here, so I have got to sacrifice my body for the team." (HSB)
About the game, Ryan Mouton said:
“At the end of the day as long as we get the W that’s all that counts.” (HSB)
About the adjustments that Fresno State made in the 2nd half, Mouton said:
“They started shifting and blocking us differently (in the second half).” (HSB)
About how their defense stepped up their game after Colt was hurt, Mouton said:
“We knew we had to go out there and make some stops. We knew our quarterback was down and the game was put on us to go out there and get some stops at the end of the game.” (HSB)
About his 33-yard TD on a draw play, LWJ said:
"It was a new idea coach (June Jones) had. There was a big giant hole where Herc (Satele) was. I followed where Herc led." (HA)
About lining up in the pistol position instead of next to the QB in the shotgun, LWJ said:
"I guess they noticed that I'm a downhill runner, so (the pistol) probably helped me," Wright-Jackson said. "Instead of going side to side, just go straight and hit the hole as fast as I could.
"We wanted to wrinkle with it and see what happens and it worked. We don't know if we're going to keep it, but you never know. Coach Jones is a brilliant man when it comes to this offense. I'm just waiting to see what else he's got." (HSB)
Praising Daniel Libre, LWJ said:
"He's a great athlete, he works hard in practice and he deserves to be here. He did a great job tonight, and I knew he would." (HA)
About his friendship with Libre, his roommate on the road, LWJ said:
"Me and (Libre) had a game plan together. We were going to forget the rivalry and just play the game 110 percent, just like in practice. It's a new relationship between us and we've become really close." (HA)
"Me and Libre had a game plan of coming out here and let's just work hard and play our game. Let's not worry about all the fans and all the hype with the rivalry. Let's just go play the game." (HSB)
About how Fresno State had to adjust to their running game, LWJ said:
"When Kealoha is here, me and him are 1 and 2, with David Farmer in there, too. With him out, Libre had to step up and he did. I think (Fresno State) figured we weren't going to run much, but when (Libre) and I did, they were forced to adjust." (HA)
About how he and LWJ complimented each other in this game, Daniel Libre said:
"We complemented each other a lot, we have different styles. I guess they really weren't ready for it, because I came out of nowhere." (HSB)
Happy to get a chance to play in the Fresno State game, Libre said:
"It was great to be a part of such a big game. I'm happy that we won and that I was able to contribute to that win in some way." (HA)
"I just wanted to make sure I did my job. It was my first opportunity and I didn't want it to be my last." (HSB)
About how the practice time he got this past week with the first team made prepared him to play, Libre said:
"The first day they put me in (in practice) I was so nervous. I was probably more nervous that day than I was today. But it helped me a lot" (HSB)
About how Fresno State's DL had to watch out for him instead of just pass rush, Libre said:
"After a while, they weren't coming off the blocks at all. They really started to key up on me." (HA)
About how LWJ constantly helped him, Libre said:
"Whenever I came out, he'd tell me what to look for and how to react. He's always been encouraging to me and (sharing downs) with him makes it easier because all the pressure is not on me." (HA)
About how they expected Fresno State to throw the ball when they were down by so much in the 4th quarter but they kept running instead, Sol Elimimian said:
"We were waiting for them to start throwing the ball, but they just kept running. It caused us a lot of problems." (HSB)
About how their defense did against Fresno State, Adam Leonard said:
"I feel our defense did a good job, especially in the first half, but Fresno did a few things in their running game we didn't see on film." (HSB)
“Late in the second quarter they found something that worked for them that we hadn’t seen on film and they stuck with it.” (HSB)
About the game, Karl Noa said:
“We knew they had revenge on their minds from last year and they came out really wanting to win. It was the same thing as a lot of the WAC games this year. We had some adversity at the end and had to overcome it.” (HSB)
About the horrible pass interference called on him, Gerard Lewis said:
"That was a horrible call. I think I got robbed." (HA)
Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino has offered a scholarship from JJ the day he was drafted and said:
"I would've love to play in this offense." (HA)
About the stereotype of Pat Hill, Sol Elimimian said:
"His stigma is that he's a really nasty guy." (HSB)
After the game, JJ entered the locker room and told his team:
"Everyone up." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In a sight rarely seen in college football, Hill walked into the opposing team's locker room moments after a grueling game."
Hill told the Warriors:
"You've got a good football team here. We knew it was going to be a fight and it was fun. I like playing teams that are strong. I like this conference." (HSB)
HSB Note: "It was a sight that left a lot of Warriors shaking their heads. Soares, Noa and Elimimian admitted to never seeing an opposing coach walk into the postgame locker room."
About Hill coming to their locker room to talk with them, Sol said:
"He showed a lot of respect by coming in here and congratulating our team. That's something you don't forget." (HSB)
About how Fresno State played them tough, Karl Noa said:
"They play like their mascot. Bulldogs. You can tell they play up for their coach. He's a great leader." (HSB)
Quotes from Fresno State
About how his team never gave up, head coach Pat Hill said:
"We just didn't get it done, but our guys are fighters. Most teams would have folded. We grew some tonight. I just wish we could have started faster. Bottom line, we came out one touchdown short." (AP)
"I don't like the outcome. We don't go any place to lose. But I thought we grew some tonight." (HA)
"Most teams would've folded down 24-7 in the first quarter. We don't go anyplace to lose." (HSB)
About how they didn't play well enough to win, Hill said:
"We had three dropped balls, a fumble and a late hit. We just didn't get it done." (HSB)
Praising the Warriors and BSU, Hill said:
"I'm very competitive, but I'm real proud of what Hawaii's doing and Boise's doing. I think they're doing a great job in our conference. We're just a little bit young." (HSB)
About how they kept running the ball even when they were behind, QB Tom Brandstater said:
"That's how we play. That's what we believe in." (HA)
About how they thought they would come back, Smith said:
"We always thought we could come back. You always have to believe in miracles." (HA)
Other stuff
About all of the Colt T-shirts that are not being licensed from UH (and so UH gets none of the money), assistant AD of compliance and eligibility Bill Bryant said:
"Everybody does their own thing ... because everyone wants to be involved. Everyone wants to be like Colt." (HSB)
HSB Note: "So far this year, UH's corporate sponsorships are tracking last year's numbers with about $2.1 million in cash and $500,000 in trade, according to McNamara.
None of the revenue generated from UH football merchandise sales goes to the athletics department. Instead, it goes to the UH bookstore to support the educational program.
Souvenir sales at the Rainbowtique, a part of the UH bookstore, are up "moderately" over last year at this time, according to Didot Soewondopranoto, a manager for the apparel and souvenir shops at Ward Centre, the Stan Sheriff Center, the UH bookstore and on game days at the stadium."
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Pregame quotes for the UH-FSU game
About the rivalry between UH and Fresno State, Colt said:
"They're just like us. They've had this game circled on their calendar for a while." (HA)
About the importance of this game, FSU QB Tom Brandstater said:
"It's a big game for us. We've got a shot (at the WAC title)."
About how both teams play hard against each other, JJ said:
"It doesn't take much to get up for Fresno. They get up for us." (HA)
About their 68-37 win last year, JJ said:
"We had some good fortune last time and hopefully we'll have some more this week." (HSB)
About their rivalry with Fresno State, Timo Paepule said:
"That's our rival, man. It's just like how it was at Saint Louis, when Kamehameha was our rival. Here, every game with Fresno has been a battle." (HA)
About how they have watched past UH-Fresno State games this week, Hercules Satele said:
"We've seen the clips of Hawai'i-Fresno when Ashley Lelie made that catch. There were a lot of close games. It's a good game every time we play them. It'll be a big game for us." (HA)
About how their goals have been raised with their undefeated record so far, Solomon Elimimian said:
"We know what we have to do. We have to take care of business. Anytime you're undefeated past the halfway point of the season, your goals are higher. We want it so bad. We also know we have to work so hard for it. It would be a shame not to end up where we want to be at the end of the season." (HA)
Feeling that their final 4 games are their real season, Colt said:
"I honestly feel, my first game is coming up. This is our season." (HA)
Excited to have these four tough games to play, Colt said:
"We have great tests coming up and it's a great opportunity. I see a tone of excitement and realization now is the time to step up and show what we can do. This week Coach came out and hit us with real hard practices. Watching the team respond has been pretty awesome. We've had great tempo, flying around. I know Coach Mack (defensive coordinator Greg McMackin) has been tough on the defense, too." (HSB)
About playing Fresno State, Paepule said:
"What I like is they always give you their best. They like to come after you. This is going to be the best team we've played so far. They'll be ready, and we'll be ready." (HA)
About looking forward to the challenge that Fresno State poses, Dennis McKnight said:
"As a player, I know a lot of times people say, 'Oh, I hope Lawrence Taylor doesn't line up on me.' Hey, you want to see where you are. You want to see where you rate. And right now, Fresno State is going to be a great challenge for us. They've got a great coaching staff, and great players." (HA)
About how Fresno State will be up for this game, Colt said:
"They're playing for a lot right now. They are definitely going to come in here with a chip on their shoulder, looking to knock us off. They're looking for their SportsCenter 10 minutes of fame." (HA)
About how Francis Maka will miss this game due to injury, GM said:
"Some others will have to pull the rope a little bit harder." (HSB)
About how Fresno State has blocked 74 kicks or punts during Pat Hill's 11 seasons there, including blocking UH's Dan Kelly 4 times in the past 2 years, Rich Miano said:
"They've got good athletes, and they put them on special teams. They've always been athletically better than anyone in our conference. They really work hard, and stress fundamentals and special teams and the importance of special teams." (HA)
HA Note: "Against Western Athletic opponents, the Bulldogs' average drive starts at their 42 following a kickoff. When they get the ball on punts, their average first snap is at their 32. Only once in 44 punt returns have the started a drive inside their 10."
About how Fresno State tries to win the field position battle on special teams, Miano said:
"They preach field position. They're trying to put you in a hole." (HA)
About their special teams success, Fresno State special teams coach John Baxter said:
"Everybody has a formula, and special teams is a special part of who we are. It's not a third of the game like people who don't know what they're talking about say. But it's an important 20 percent." (HSB)
Current WAC Player of the Week (for a kickoff return for a TD vs. Utah State) A.J. Jefferson says that UH's kickoff coverage is like Fresno State's:
"Hawaii's kickoff coverage team is very similar to ours. They come down the field very hard. There's no second level, so if you get past the first guys, you have a chance to go all the way." (HSB)
About Fresno State's running game, Michael Lafaele said:
"Now they're not so much downhill. They've added some wrinkles. They're kind of like LaTech the way they run the ball -- draws and stuff. I know they'll come down and try to pound the ball down our throat. But I think if we stop them in the beginning they'll try all kinds of stuff." (HSB)
About how Fresno State's offense uses a variety of personnel groups and formations, GM said:
"They go regular and kings, one tight end, two backs, two tight ends. They do a lot of things, but basically, they still run the ball. They try to keep that physical game going. So you have to control the line." (HSB)
About stopping Fresno State's running game, which averages nearly 200 yards per game, Fale Laeli said:
"You have to be a junkyard dog. You gotta be a dog out there, you gotta be a beast. You have to come off the ball and attack. Don't let them hit you -- hit them first. Let them feel our wrath, what we're made of." (HSB)
About how the coverage determinnes who he throws the ball to, colt said:
"You stick to the read. That's what's great when you have so many talented receivers. You don't have to worry about focusing on one guy. Basically, because they're all so talented, I can go through my reads and whoever's open gets the ball. I'm not really thinking this guy will get the ball more than the other guy. They're all on the same level to me." (HA)
HA Note: "In the past two games, Grice-Mullins has surpassed Rivers and Bess as the go-to receiver. During that span, Grice-Mullins caught 27 of the 37 passes thrown his way. His two-game YAC was 7.52. Conversely, Hawthorne's attempts dropped from an average of 7.3 for the first eight games to 5.0 in the past two."
About how he's improved significantly as a blocker, LWJ said:
"I felt I wasn't aggressive enough in my blocking. Our linebackers come at us at full speed. They usually blow us up. I felt it was time to get more aggressive." (HA)
About how they rotate 4 DEs, 6 DTs, 5 LBs, and 3 CBs, GM said:
"We consider them all to be No. 1 players." (HA)
HA Note: "The rotations keep defenders fresh, and makes it easier to replace an injured player. Thomas, who was considered the third safety, should have little difficulty filling in for free safety Keao Monteilh, who is out for the rest of the regular season because of a fractured shoulder blade."
About how he's been getting tips from fellow Farrington and UH graduates Al Noga and Ta'ase Faumui, John Fonoti said:
"Al Noga gave me some tips on rushing the passer. He told me a lot of things about technique." (HA)
Praising Fonoti, GM said:
"I love Fonoti. He's the kind of football player you love to coach. He's so physically strong in his upper body. He has a great intensity for getting to the ballcarrier or the quarterback." (HA)
About how he's recovered from his injuries, and hopes to kickoff further now (only 5 touchbacks in 68 kickoffs), Dan Kelly said:
"I'm starting to get that pop back." (HA)
HA Note: "Two of the kick-cover players — Maka and linebacker Rustin Saole — are out with injuries. UH has activated Kenny Estes, who was scheduled to redshirt, and added Erik Pedersen to the kickoff team. Pedersen is so aggressive he was asked to lessen the ferocity of his hits during practices."
"They're just like us. They've had this game circled on their calendar for a while." (HA)
About the importance of this game, FSU QB Tom Brandstater said:
"It's a big game for us. We've got a shot (at the WAC title)."
About how both teams play hard against each other, JJ said:
"It doesn't take much to get up for Fresno. They get up for us." (HA)
About their 68-37 win last year, JJ said:
"We had some good fortune last time and hopefully we'll have some more this week." (HSB)
About their rivalry with Fresno State, Timo Paepule said:
"That's our rival, man. It's just like how it was at Saint Louis, when Kamehameha was our rival. Here, every game with Fresno has been a battle." (HA)
About how they have watched past UH-Fresno State games this week, Hercules Satele said:
"We've seen the clips of Hawai'i-Fresno when Ashley Lelie made that catch. There were a lot of close games. It's a good game every time we play them. It'll be a big game for us." (HA)
About how their goals have been raised with their undefeated record so far, Solomon Elimimian said:
"We know what we have to do. We have to take care of business. Anytime you're undefeated past the halfway point of the season, your goals are higher. We want it so bad. We also know we have to work so hard for it. It would be a shame not to end up where we want to be at the end of the season." (HA)
Feeling that their final 4 games are their real season, Colt said:
"I honestly feel, my first game is coming up. This is our season." (HA)
Excited to have these four tough games to play, Colt said:
"We have great tests coming up and it's a great opportunity. I see a tone of excitement and realization now is the time to step up and show what we can do. This week Coach came out and hit us with real hard practices. Watching the team respond has been pretty awesome. We've had great tempo, flying around. I know Coach Mack (defensive coordinator Greg McMackin) has been tough on the defense, too." (HSB)
About playing Fresno State, Paepule said:
"What I like is they always give you their best. They like to come after you. This is going to be the best team we've played so far. They'll be ready, and we'll be ready." (HA)
About looking forward to the challenge that Fresno State poses, Dennis McKnight said:
"As a player, I know a lot of times people say, 'Oh, I hope Lawrence Taylor doesn't line up on me.' Hey, you want to see where you are. You want to see where you rate. And right now, Fresno State is going to be a great challenge for us. They've got a great coaching staff, and great players." (HA)
About how Fresno State will be up for this game, Colt said:
"They're playing for a lot right now. They are definitely going to come in here with a chip on their shoulder, looking to knock us off. They're looking for their SportsCenter 10 minutes of fame." (HA)
About how Francis Maka will miss this game due to injury, GM said:
"Some others will have to pull the rope a little bit harder." (HSB)
About how Fresno State has blocked 74 kicks or punts during Pat Hill's 11 seasons there, including blocking UH's Dan Kelly 4 times in the past 2 years, Rich Miano said:
"They've got good athletes, and they put them on special teams. They've always been athletically better than anyone in our conference. They really work hard, and stress fundamentals and special teams and the importance of special teams." (HA)
HA Note: "Against Western Athletic opponents, the Bulldogs' average drive starts at their 42 following a kickoff. When they get the ball on punts, their average first snap is at their 32. Only once in 44 punt returns have the started a drive inside their 10."
About how Fresno State tries to win the field position battle on special teams, Miano said:
"They preach field position. They're trying to put you in a hole." (HA)
About their special teams success, Fresno State special teams coach John Baxter said:
"Everybody has a formula, and special teams is a special part of who we are. It's not a third of the game like people who don't know what they're talking about say. But it's an important 20 percent." (HSB)
Current WAC Player of the Week (for a kickoff return for a TD vs. Utah State) A.J. Jefferson says that UH's kickoff coverage is like Fresno State's:
"Hawaii's kickoff coverage team is very similar to ours. They come down the field very hard. There's no second level, so if you get past the first guys, you have a chance to go all the way." (HSB)
About Fresno State's running game, Michael Lafaele said:
"Now they're not so much downhill. They've added some wrinkles. They're kind of like LaTech the way they run the ball -- draws and stuff. I know they'll come down and try to pound the ball down our throat. But I think if we stop them in the beginning they'll try all kinds of stuff." (HSB)
About how Fresno State's offense uses a variety of personnel groups and formations, GM said:
"They go regular and kings, one tight end, two backs, two tight ends. They do a lot of things, but basically, they still run the ball. They try to keep that physical game going. So you have to control the line." (HSB)
About stopping Fresno State's running game, which averages nearly 200 yards per game, Fale Laeli said:
"You have to be a junkyard dog. You gotta be a dog out there, you gotta be a beast. You have to come off the ball and attack. Don't let them hit you -- hit them first. Let them feel our wrath, what we're made of." (HSB)
About how the coverage determinnes who he throws the ball to, colt said:
"You stick to the read. That's what's great when you have so many talented receivers. You don't have to worry about focusing on one guy. Basically, because they're all so talented, I can go through my reads and whoever's open gets the ball. I'm not really thinking this guy will get the ball more than the other guy. They're all on the same level to me." (HA)
HA Note: "In the past two games, Grice-Mullins has surpassed Rivers and Bess as the go-to receiver. During that span, Grice-Mullins caught 27 of the 37 passes thrown his way. His two-game YAC was 7.52. Conversely, Hawthorne's attempts dropped from an average of 7.3 for the first eight games to 5.0 in the past two."
About how he's improved significantly as a blocker, LWJ said:
"I felt I wasn't aggressive enough in my blocking. Our linebackers come at us at full speed. They usually blow us up. I felt it was time to get more aggressive." (HA)
About how they rotate 4 DEs, 6 DTs, 5 LBs, and 3 CBs, GM said:
"We consider them all to be No. 1 players." (HA)
HA Note: "The rotations keep defenders fresh, and makes it easier to replace an injured player. Thomas, who was considered the third safety, should have little difficulty filling in for free safety Keao Monteilh, who is out for the rest of the regular season because of a fractured shoulder blade."
About how he's been getting tips from fellow Farrington and UH graduates Al Noga and Ta'ase Faumui, John Fonoti said:
"Al Noga gave me some tips on rushing the passer. He told me a lot of things about technique." (HA)
Praising Fonoti, GM said:
"I love Fonoti. He's the kind of football player you love to coach. He's so physically strong in his upper body. He has a great intensity for getting to the ballcarrier or the quarterback." (HA)
About how he's recovered from his injuries, and hopes to kickoff further now (only 5 touchbacks in 68 kickoffs), Dan Kelly said:
"I'm starting to get that pop back." (HA)
HA Note: "Two of the kick-cover players — Maka and linebacker Rustin Saole — are out with injuries. UH has activated Kenny Estes, who was scheduled to redshirt, and added Erik Pedersen to the kickoff team. Pedersen is so aggressive he was asked to lessen the ferocity of his hits during practices."
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article about UH
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=684632
Worrying about Fresno State, not the BCS computers, JJ said:
"We don't really have any concerns about anything but what we're doing at moment and that is we're getting ready for Fresno State. We can't control things we have no control over." (MJS)
About how they will do well if they get a chance to play in a BCS game, JJ said:
"We've had our chances against those types of teams and we've held our own. Arizona State is ranked what right now? Well we beat them last year in the last game of the year pretty good. We've beaten Alabama and we've beaten some pretty good teams over the years. When and if that happens, we'll promise that we can play with them." (MJS)
Worrying about Fresno State, not the BCS computers, JJ said:
"We don't really have any concerns about anything but what we're doing at moment and that is we're getting ready for Fresno State. We can't control things we have no control over." (MJS)
About how they will do well if they get a chance to play in a BCS game, JJ said:
"We've had our chances against those types of teams and we've held our own. Arizona State is ranked what right now? Well we beat them last year in the last game of the year pretty good. We've beaten Alabama and we've beaten some pretty good teams over the years. When and if that happens, we'll promise that we can play with them." (MJS)
Friday, November 9, 2007
Quotes from an AP Preview of the UH-FSU game
About how he hasn't forgotten their 68-37 loss to UH last year, TE Bear Pascoe (2 TDs including a career-long 75-yard YD last year) said:
“You never forget butt whippings. No doubt, that loss stung for a long time.” (AP)
About how he'd love to end UH's BCS chances, Pascoe said:
“Personally, I would love to knock them out of the BCS standings." (AP)
AP Note: "The Warriors are trying to start 9-0 for the first time since 1925, when they were a club team and beat up teams from nearby military bases. Hawaii finished 10-0 that year with two victories coming on the same day. "
About how winning makes the games fun for them, Colt said:
“Winning is fun. I learned that a long time ago. As long as we keep winning, we'll keep having fun.” (AP)
About how Fresno State will try to run the ball on them no matter how many of their RBs are hurt, JJ said:
“They're going to come in and try to do what they do – run it. They're great downhill slashers. They're all fast.” (AP)
AP Note: "The Warriors and Bulldogs aren't shy about sharing their feelings about each other. Brennan called it a “bitter old rivalry,” and Pascoe said it ends at a mutual respect."
About the rivalry with UH, Pascoe said:
“You respect the players for the talent and the way they play, but you hate the team.” (AP)
About the rivalry with Fresno State, Timo Paepule said:
“They come like they want to fight. I love playing teams like that.” (AP)
About how they expect the Fresno State game to be a tough one, Bess said:
“It's going to be a dogfight to the end." (AP)
“You never forget butt whippings. No doubt, that loss stung for a long time.” (AP)
About how he'd love to end UH's BCS chances, Pascoe said:
“Personally, I would love to knock them out of the BCS standings." (AP)
AP Note: "The Warriors are trying to start 9-0 for the first time since 1925, when they were a club team and beat up teams from nearby military bases. Hawaii finished 10-0 that year with two victories coming on the same day. "
About how winning makes the games fun for them, Colt said:
“Winning is fun. I learned that a long time ago. As long as we keep winning, we'll keep having fun.” (AP)
About how Fresno State will try to run the ball on them no matter how many of their RBs are hurt, JJ said:
“They're going to come in and try to do what they do – run it. They're great downhill slashers. They're all fast.” (AP)
AP Note: "The Warriors and Bulldogs aren't shy about sharing their feelings about each other. Brennan called it a “bitter old rivalry,” and Pascoe said it ends at a mutual respect."
About the rivalry with UH, Pascoe said:
“You respect the players for the talent and the way they play, but you hate the team.” (AP)
About the rivalry with Fresno State, Timo Paepule said:
“They come like they want to fight. I love playing teams like that.” (AP)
About how they expect the Fresno State game to be a tough one, Bess said:
“It's going to be a dogfight to the end." (AP)
Quotes from the local papers
About the matchup of special teams in this game, Dennis McKnight said:
“Well obviously they’re the best we’ve played so far. It’s going to be a matchup, I told our guys to look forward to playing against the best. That’s how you judge how good you are and where you are in your life and your career. So, I think we’re ready for the challenge, and I think we’re pretty damn good ourselves. It’ll be a good matchup.” (HSB)
Asked if things have to change for their OL against Fresno State, McKnight said:
“No. Nothing. I mean, they’re the best defensive front six we’ve faced; I don’t really watch secondary that much. But they’re the best pass-rushers, best coordinated stunt team right now. Like I tell our guys, I don’t try to ever take an opponent lightly or make light of an opponent. I just worry about what we do. Do our techniques solid, sound, stay with the play longer than the opponent. Fight your ass off, looks like a street fight, get your hands on your guy now, it’s a fight. It’s the will to win, who wants it more than the other guy. So, there’s nothing going to have to change for us for that.” (HSB)
About their final stretch of games, Colt said:
"It feels like we have a four-game schedule this year, and that's the four teams coming up. We've got to win all four. That's what we're focusing on right now. One week at a time, four weeks to go, starting with Fresno this Saturday." (HA)
About how they are not playing any finesse teams anymore, GM said:
"These are all four tough games. They're going to be physical mothers. It's time to strap it up, baby." (HA)
About Blaze's status with his injured shoulder, JJ said:
"He'll play." (HA)
Asked about not practicing yesterday, Blaze joked:
"I'm on vacation." (HSB)
About how he has tried everything (rest, hydrotherapy, massage) but still reaggravated his hamstring injury and has a shoulder stinger that causes a lot of pain, Blaze said:
"I don't know what else to do." (HSB)
About Blaze's status, GM said:
"He's day-to-day." (HSB)
About their injured list, which grew during their bye week, JJ said:
"We'll be all right. We'll play who we play." (HA)
About how he threw 37 passes to RGM in their past 2 games, more than any other WR, Colt said:
"I like him because he has such unbelievable speed. He's such a weapon to get the ball to quick and fast. He's a guy, if you get the ball to him in the open and he has a chance to turn up, he's going to make a big play." (HA)
HA Note: "Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins produced one of the best back-to-back games in Jones' nine seasons as UH head coach. Against San Jose State and New Mexico State, Grice-Mullins amassed 27 catches for 370 yards and four touchdowns. In those two games, his post-catch average was 7.52 yards, raising his yards-after-catch (YAC) average to 6.9, best among the UH receivers."
HA Note: "Jones said Grice-Mullins' quick-cut ability makes it difficult to defend him with single coverages. Grice-Mullins jokingly credits his dance skills, noting he would be a willing contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." But Grice-Mullins' agility, in fact, comes from hours training in box-jumping and ladder drills. The workouts could be set up with a trip to the hardware store. To strengthen his legs, Grice-Mullins will jump on and off a wooden box. The "ladder" is ropes formed into squares, and the participant navigates as if it were a hopscotch path."
About how he always tries to move forward ("north-south") after he catches the ball, RGM said:
"Even when I play around in practice, I might juke, but I'm always moving upfield. I figure you get more yardage that way." (HA)
About Mouton taking over their nickleback role from Monteilh, GM said:
"Mouton is a football player. I've got all kinds of confidence in him. He has great instincts. He has great vision. He can do it all. He can do any type of coverage we want." (HA)
About how Mouton is a good tackler, Rich Miano said:
"He's a good technician. He bends his knees. He has a good base. He wraps up. He understands angles and getting to the hitting point. He's a good fundamental football player." (HA)
About why he ranks UH lower than others voting in the polls, Chris Fowler of ESPN's College GameDay said:
"I think the perception is hurt by the fact that they had to come to the Mainland to win a couple of games in overtime. I've seen a lot of their games (and) I'm not ranking them as high as a lot of people are. I've got them at (No.) 16 this week because I saw them struggle with San Jose State and Louisiana Tech and get real lucky to win those games. Had they taken care of business week in and week out, they'd have been higher in my poll." (HA)
About how he wishes the ESPN's GameDay would have been in Hawaii this week, host Chris Fowler said:
"Oh, man, we had a chance this week, I would like to be able to witness Colt (Brennan) breaking the (NCAA career touchdown) record), as I think he will (tomorrow)." (HA)
"We'd love to go out there and I think it would be a blast ... if you promise me that fans will show up at 5 in the morning." (HA)
About why they have never brought GameDay to Hawaii, Fowler said:
"The problem is it costs a lot, facilities are very limited and it would take huge logistical planning. Believe me, it is not a lack of enthusiasm on our part to go to Honolulu." (HA)
About how he's been lobbying to bring GameDay to Hawaii, analyst Kirk Herbstreit said:
"I keep telling Chris and Lee we need to get out there for GameDays." (HA)
About how it is too expensive to bring GameDay to Hawaii, analyst Lee Corso said:
"It is cost prohibitive; I'd never go out there if I was running ESPN." (HA)
About how JJ's contract won't be done until January or February, JJ's agent Leigh Steinberg said:
"There's really no hurry." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Steinberg said he does not want to interfere with the "magical nature" of UH's season. The Warriors are 8-0 and ranked 16th in the BCS standings. He may come to watch -- if not tomorrow, then Nov. 23 for the Boise State game -- but not to talk business with Jones and negotiate with athletic director Herman Frazier."
About how JJ needs to focus on the season right now, Steinberg said:
"It makes a lot more sense for June's focus to stay on the field. This is shaping up to be the most amazing season in the history of Hawaii football. So, frankly, June's focus is entirely in trying to play it out. Herman hasn't pressed the issue. We certainly know each other well enough where we can deal with it when the time comes." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Also, it doesn't make sense to make a pact now, before Jones' market value can be accurately gauged. If UH goes 12-0 and gets into a multi-million-dollar BCS bowl game, Jones will have a better bargaining position. Jones' current five-year, $4-million deal (of which half comes from private sources) ends in July. Potential bonuses include $50,000 for getting into a BCS bowl game, $20,000 for other bowl games and $20,000 for winning a Western Athletic Conference championship. Last summer Frazier secured a base-salary range increase to $935,544 from the Board of Regents."
Asked about JJ's contract, HF said:
"I'm not saying anything, which means I'm probably working on it." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Senior defensive end Karl Noa was selected to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Football Academic All-District VIII second team, as voted on by the College of Sports Information Directors of America. The Kamehameha graduate from Waianae has compiled a 3.22 grade-point average while majoring in family resources. The senior has started all eight games in 2007 and is fifth on the team with 34 tackles with 8 1/2 for loss and 4 1/2 quarterback sacks."
Confident that Desmond Thomas can fill Keao Monteilh's starting role at FS, GM said:
"He's had a great week of practice, really risen to the occasion. I'm confident in him because he's already played eight ballgames." (HSB)
When Daniel Libre (who is now in the RB rotation) tried to get reps on kickoff coverage on Wednesday, JJ yelled at him to:
"get out of there." (HSB)
“Well obviously they’re the best we’ve played so far. It’s going to be a matchup, I told our guys to look forward to playing against the best. That’s how you judge how good you are and where you are in your life and your career. So, I think we’re ready for the challenge, and I think we’re pretty damn good ourselves. It’ll be a good matchup.” (HSB)
Asked if things have to change for their OL against Fresno State, McKnight said:
“No. Nothing. I mean, they’re the best defensive front six we’ve faced; I don’t really watch secondary that much. But they’re the best pass-rushers, best coordinated stunt team right now. Like I tell our guys, I don’t try to ever take an opponent lightly or make light of an opponent. I just worry about what we do. Do our techniques solid, sound, stay with the play longer than the opponent. Fight your ass off, looks like a street fight, get your hands on your guy now, it’s a fight. It’s the will to win, who wants it more than the other guy. So, there’s nothing going to have to change for us for that.” (HSB)
About their final stretch of games, Colt said:
"It feels like we have a four-game schedule this year, and that's the four teams coming up. We've got to win all four. That's what we're focusing on right now. One week at a time, four weeks to go, starting with Fresno this Saturday." (HA)
About how they are not playing any finesse teams anymore, GM said:
"These are all four tough games. They're going to be physical mothers. It's time to strap it up, baby." (HA)
About Blaze's status with his injured shoulder, JJ said:
"He'll play." (HA)
Asked about not practicing yesterday, Blaze joked:
"I'm on vacation." (HSB)
About how he has tried everything (rest, hydrotherapy, massage) but still reaggravated his hamstring injury and has a shoulder stinger that causes a lot of pain, Blaze said:
"I don't know what else to do." (HSB)
About Blaze's status, GM said:
"He's day-to-day." (HSB)
About their injured list, which grew during their bye week, JJ said:
"We'll be all right. We'll play who we play." (HA)
About how he threw 37 passes to RGM in their past 2 games, more than any other WR, Colt said:
"I like him because he has such unbelievable speed. He's such a weapon to get the ball to quick and fast. He's a guy, if you get the ball to him in the open and he has a chance to turn up, he's going to make a big play." (HA)
HA Note: "Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins produced one of the best back-to-back games in Jones' nine seasons as UH head coach. Against San Jose State and New Mexico State, Grice-Mullins amassed 27 catches for 370 yards and four touchdowns. In those two games, his post-catch average was 7.52 yards, raising his yards-after-catch (YAC) average to 6.9, best among the UH receivers."
HA Note: "Jones said Grice-Mullins' quick-cut ability makes it difficult to defend him with single coverages. Grice-Mullins jokingly credits his dance skills, noting he would be a willing contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." But Grice-Mullins' agility, in fact, comes from hours training in box-jumping and ladder drills. The workouts could be set up with a trip to the hardware store. To strengthen his legs, Grice-Mullins will jump on and off a wooden box. The "ladder" is ropes formed into squares, and the participant navigates as if it were a hopscotch path."
About how he always tries to move forward ("north-south") after he catches the ball, RGM said:
"Even when I play around in practice, I might juke, but I'm always moving upfield. I figure you get more yardage that way." (HA)
About Mouton taking over their nickleback role from Monteilh, GM said:
"Mouton is a football player. I've got all kinds of confidence in him. He has great instincts. He has great vision. He can do it all. He can do any type of coverage we want." (HA)
About how Mouton is a good tackler, Rich Miano said:
"He's a good technician. He bends his knees. He has a good base. He wraps up. He understands angles and getting to the hitting point. He's a good fundamental football player." (HA)
About why he ranks UH lower than others voting in the polls, Chris Fowler of ESPN's College GameDay said:
"I think the perception is hurt by the fact that they had to come to the Mainland to win a couple of games in overtime. I've seen a lot of their games (and) I'm not ranking them as high as a lot of people are. I've got them at (No.) 16 this week because I saw them struggle with San Jose State and Louisiana Tech and get real lucky to win those games. Had they taken care of business week in and week out, they'd have been higher in my poll." (HA)
About how he wishes the ESPN's GameDay would have been in Hawaii this week, host Chris Fowler said:
"Oh, man, we had a chance this week, I would like to be able to witness Colt (Brennan) breaking the (NCAA career touchdown) record), as I think he will (tomorrow)." (HA)
"We'd love to go out there and I think it would be a blast ... if you promise me that fans will show up at 5 in the morning." (HA)
About why they have never brought GameDay to Hawaii, Fowler said:
"The problem is it costs a lot, facilities are very limited and it would take huge logistical planning. Believe me, it is not a lack of enthusiasm on our part to go to Honolulu." (HA)
About how he's been lobbying to bring GameDay to Hawaii, analyst Kirk Herbstreit said:
"I keep telling Chris and Lee we need to get out there for GameDays." (HA)
About how it is too expensive to bring GameDay to Hawaii, analyst Lee Corso said:
"It is cost prohibitive; I'd never go out there if I was running ESPN." (HA)
About how JJ's contract won't be done until January or February, JJ's agent Leigh Steinberg said:
"There's really no hurry." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Steinberg said he does not want to interfere with the "magical nature" of UH's season. The Warriors are 8-0 and ranked 16th in the BCS standings. He may come to watch -- if not tomorrow, then Nov. 23 for the Boise State game -- but not to talk business with Jones and negotiate with athletic director Herman Frazier."
About how JJ needs to focus on the season right now, Steinberg said:
"It makes a lot more sense for June's focus to stay on the field. This is shaping up to be the most amazing season in the history of Hawaii football. So, frankly, June's focus is entirely in trying to play it out. Herman hasn't pressed the issue. We certainly know each other well enough where we can deal with it when the time comes." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Also, it doesn't make sense to make a pact now, before Jones' market value can be accurately gauged. If UH goes 12-0 and gets into a multi-million-dollar BCS bowl game, Jones will have a better bargaining position. Jones' current five-year, $4-million deal (of which half comes from private sources) ends in July. Potential bonuses include $50,000 for getting into a BCS bowl game, $20,000 for other bowl games and $20,000 for winning a Western Athletic Conference championship. Last summer Frazier secured a base-salary range increase to $935,544 from the Board of Regents."
Asked about JJ's contract, HF said:
"I'm not saying anything, which means I'm probably working on it." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Senior defensive end Karl Noa was selected to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Football Academic All-District VIII second team, as voted on by the College of Sports Information Directors of America. The Kamehameha graduate from Waianae has compiled a 3.22 grade-point average while majoring in family resources. The senior has started all eight games in 2007 and is fifth on the team with 34 tackles with 8 1/2 for loss and 4 1/2 quarterback sacks."
Confident that Desmond Thomas can fill Keao Monteilh's starting role at FS, GM said:
"He's had a great week of practice, really risen to the occasion. I'm confident in him because he's already played eight ballgames." (HSB)
When Daniel Libre (who is now in the RB rotation) tried to get reps on kickoff coverage on Wednesday, JJ yelled at him to:
"get out of there." (HSB)
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Quotes from the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard
Note: This reporter is a Harris voter and has UH at #6!
About how UH should make it to a BCS bowl if they go undefeated, Karl Benson said:
"I agree (that it's tough to go undefeated). Right now three out of 119 teams are still undefeated. History shows that an undefeated team from a non-BCS conference will get to the top 12." (LVN)
LVN Note: "Karl Benson, WAC commissioner, said he wasn't surprised. He still blames the lack of computer love for the Warriors on what has been a soft schedule. Benson said the Warriors' six Division 1-A opponents are collectively ranked 103rd."
About how UH and Fresno State are a rivalry, Fresno State associate head coach John Baxter said:
"Hawaii and Fresno State games are one of the great rivalry games. It's obvious June Jones has done a tremendous job with that program. We get our biggest crowds when Hawaii comes here. The fans are really into it." (LVN)
LVN Note: "A reporter from a New Orleans newspaper asked what had to be the strangest question of the season. Essentially, the reporter asked Baxter if he was worried about the fact that so much money for the conference was riding on Hawaii making it to a BCS game, and did he have concerns about calls going Hawaii's way. Baxter answered the question without hesitation."
Responding to the reporter's conspiracy theory, Baxter said:
"Not at all. We have conference officials. They are as good as any in the country." (LVN)
About the reporter's conspiracy theory, Benson said:
"I'm taken aback by the question. They (the officials) are not looking at the names on the jerseys or records of the teams." (LVN)
About how UH should make it to a BCS bowl if they go undefeated, Karl Benson said:
"I agree (that it's tough to go undefeated). Right now three out of 119 teams are still undefeated. History shows that an undefeated team from a non-BCS conference will get to the top 12." (LVN)
LVN Note: "Karl Benson, WAC commissioner, said he wasn't surprised. He still blames the lack of computer love for the Warriors on what has been a soft schedule. Benson said the Warriors' six Division 1-A opponents are collectively ranked 103rd."
About how UH and Fresno State are a rivalry, Fresno State associate head coach John Baxter said:
"Hawaii and Fresno State games are one of the great rivalry games. It's obvious June Jones has done a tremendous job with that program. We get our biggest crowds when Hawaii comes here. The fans are really into it." (LVN)
LVN Note: "A reporter from a New Orleans newspaper asked what had to be the strangest question of the season. Essentially, the reporter asked Baxter if he was worried about the fact that so much money for the conference was riding on Hawaii making it to a BCS game, and did he have concerns about calls going Hawaii's way. Baxter answered the question without hesitation."
Responding to the reporter's conspiracy theory, Baxter said:
"Not at all. We have conference officials. They are as good as any in the country." (LVN)
About the reporter's conspiracy theory, Benson said:
"I'm taken aback by the question. They (the officials) are not looking at the names on the jerseys or records of the teams." (LVN)
Dallas Morning News Feature on UH
Comparing UH this season to BSU last year, Karl Benson said:
"It is reminiscent of last year. People last year at this time were somewhat questioning Boise State's strength of schedule and whether they were going to make it to the top 12. We are getting a lot of the same questions that we did a year ago." (Dallas Morning News)
DMN Note: "Now the pitch suggests that Hawaii is this year's Boise State. The problem is the schedule. Hawaii has played Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern in a non-conference slate that went beyond cupcake and straight to the entire dessert cart."
About how teams did not want to play UH, Benson said:
"They got stuck with that non-conference schedule. That's probably the only way you can defend it." (DMN)
About how no team will want to play UH in a BCS bowl, Benson said:
"I'll tell you that on Selection Sunday. ... Nobody is going to want to play Hawaii because of the firepower they have." (DMN)
"It is reminiscent of last year. People last year at this time were somewhat questioning Boise State's strength of schedule and whether they were going to make it to the top 12. We are getting a lot of the same questions that we did a year ago." (Dallas Morning News)
DMN Note: "Now the pitch suggests that Hawaii is this year's Boise State. The problem is the schedule. Hawaii has played Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern in a non-conference slate that went beyond cupcake and straight to the entire dessert cart."
About how teams did not want to play UH, Benson said:
"They got stuck with that non-conference schedule. That's probably the only way you can defend it." (DMN)
About how no team will want to play UH in a BCS bowl, Benson said:
"I'll tell you that on Selection Sunday. ... Nobody is going to want to play Hawaii because of the firepower they have." (DMN)
Fresno Bee article about UH's schedule
About their schedule earlier this year, JJ said:
"Around the country, maybe we're not getting credit. But I think that'll change if we don't look ahead and ... keep winning." (Fresno Bee)
Confident that UH will make it into the BCS if they go undefeated, Karl Benson said:
"History shows a team outside the guaranteed BCS conferences [that] goes undefeated will get in the top 12. And I am convinced that despite Hawaii's strength of schedule component, they will get to 12." (FB)
About their critics, Colt said:
"There are just so many naysayers and doubters out there." (FB)
About their final stretch of games, Colt said:
"These are the four best teams we'll play all year. It's going to be a grind. It's not going to be easy. And we understand that. We realize if we can be perfect for four weeks, we will have done something that no one ever imagined could be done at Hawaii." (FB)
About how their run is important for all non-BCS conference teams, Colt said:
"If we continue to have these mid-majors rise up, it maybe evens the playing field as far as how teams get ranked. That's why it's important, not just to the WAC and us, but to all the mid-majors and all the small schools out there who deserve to be ranked higher. It'd be great if we had that opportunity and have a chance to prove a lot of people wrong." (FB)
"Around the country, maybe we're not getting credit. But I think that'll change if we don't look ahead and ... keep winning." (Fresno Bee)
Confident that UH will make it into the BCS if they go undefeated, Karl Benson said:
"History shows a team outside the guaranteed BCS conferences [that] goes undefeated will get in the top 12. And I am convinced that despite Hawaii's strength of schedule component, they will get to 12." (FB)
About their critics, Colt said:
"There are just so many naysayers and doubters out there." (FB)
About their final stretch of games, Colt said:
"These are the four best teams we'll play all year. It's going to be a grind. It's not going to be easy. And we understand that. We realize if we can be perfect for four weeks, we will have done something that no one ever imagined could be done at Hawaii." (FB)
About how their run is important for all non-BCS conference teams, Colt said:
"If we continue to have these mid-majors rise up, it maybe evens the playing field as far as how teams get ranked. That's why it's important, not just to the WAC and us, but to all the mid-majors and all the small schools out there who deserve to be ranked higher. It'd be great if we had that opportunity and have a chance to prove a lot of people wrong." (FB)
Quotes from USA Today about the Warriors' BCS Chances
Abou how they try to ignore the talk about their BCS chances, RGM said:
"I would be lying to you if I said it wasn't talked about or mentioned, but we've done a good job all year of just concentrating on our team and blocking out the outside stuff." (USA)
USA Note: "Still many don't rate the Warriors among the top teams. The Maxwell Award, which honors a top coach and player, put out its 15 semifinalists this week. Neither Jones nor Brennan made the list."
Jerry Palm (he analyzes the BCS standings at collegebcs.com) said that UH is:
"lucky nobody (voters) is paying attention to their schedule yet" (USA)
Palm said that if UH makes a BCS game, it will signal schools that:
"they can play the worst schedule ever and still get there." (USA)
About how all they can do is win the games on their schedule and hope that is enough, Adam Leonard said:
"We can't control how the voters vote. We win the games we are supposed to win. At the end of the season, we'll look and see if a BCS game is there for us, and that will give us the opportunity to show the country that we are one of the best teams in the nation this year. We just want the opportunity and not have them shut the door on us." (USA)
About how their big games on TV to end the season will give them a chance to show how good they are, Colt said:
"I think these nationally televised games will really give us a chance to show how good our defense is and the talent around me, my receivers and linemen." (USA)
Feeling that his players aren't getting the respect they deserve, JJ said:
"These kids are not being given the credit they deserve." (USA)
Note: JJ pointed out their 18 victories in the last 19 games include wins against Purdue and Arizona State last season.
About how he was President of the Fiesta Bowl, sho crowned the first BCS champion, HF said:
"So I've seen what the BCS does for schools and conferences. For the University of Hawai'i to be at this point of where we are is a tribute to the student-athletes and June Jones and his coaching staff. What (a major bowl) would mean for our state and our people, you can't imagine." (USA)
About how their success this season, coupled with BSU's success last year, could help to change college football, Colt said:
"If you continue to have these mid-majors rise up and win these football games, maybe you even the playing field as to how teams get ranked and how we go in and look at who the best teams in college are." (USA)
About how it would be nice to prove their detractors wrong, Colt said:
"There are just so many naysayers and doubters out there. It would be great to have that chance and the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong." (USA)
"I would be lying to you if I said it wasn't talked about or mentioned, but we've done a good job all year of just concentrating on our team and blocking out the outside stuff." (USA)
USA Note: "Still many don't rate the Warriors among the top teams. The Maxwell Award, which honors a top coach and player, put out its 15 semifinalists this week. Neither Jones nor Brennan made the list."
Jerry Palm (he analyzes the BCS standings at collegebcs.com) said that UH is:
"lucky nobody (voters) is paying attention to their schedule yet" (USA)
Palm said that if UH makes a BCS game, it will signal schools that:
"they can play the worst schedule ever and still get there." (USA)
About how all they can do is win the games on their schedule and hope that is enough, Adam Leonard said:
"We can't control how the voters vote. We win the games we are supposed to win. At the end of the season, we'll look and see if a BCS game is there for us, and that will give us the opportunity to show the country that we are one of the best teams in the nation this year. We just want the opportunity and not have them shut the door on us." (USA)
About how their big games on TV to end the season will give them a chance to show how good they are, Colt said:
"I think these nationally televised games will really give us a chance to show how good our defense is and the talent around me, my receivers and linemen." (USA)
Feeling that his players aren't getting the respect they deserve, JJ said:
"These kids are not being given the credit they deserve." (USA)
Note: JJ pointed out their 18 victories in the last 19 games include wins against Purdue and Arizona State last season.
About how he was President of the Fiesta Bowl, sho crowned the first BCS champion, HF said:
"So I've seen what the BCS does for schools and conferences. For the University of Hawai'i to be at this point of where we are is a tribute to the student-athletes and June Jones and his coaching staff. What (a major bowl) would mean for our state and our people, you can't imagine." (USA)
About how their success this season, coupled with BSU's success last year, could help to change college football, Colt said:
"If you continue to have these mid-majors rise up and win these football games, maybe you even the playing field as to how teams get ranked and how we go in and look at who the best teams in college are." (USA)
About how it would be nice to prove their detractors wrong, Colt said:
"There are just so many naysayers and doubters out there. It would be great to have that chance and the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong." (USA)
Quotes from the local papers
About how Fresno State emphasizes special teams, Dennis McKnight said:
"They understand the importance of special teams. They emphasize it. They don't give it lip service. When they practice it, they practice it at full speed. They attack all the way. Like I tell our guys: 'You will play Saturday night the way you practice Monday through Thursday.' You can tell watching them on film they practice hard Monday through Thursday." (HA)
HA Note: "The Bulldogs have four blocks this season, and 74 in Pat Hill's 11 years as FSU head coach."
HA Note: "To prepare for an all-out rush, the perimeter defenders were aligned a step inside the offense's side during UH's punt and kick drills yesterday."
About how the punt block team has been lining up closer (or past) the line of scrimmage this week to emulate Fresno State, long-snapper Jake Ingram said:
"The coaches are making it harder on us. The scout team is bringing it. They line up offsides. They come to us faster than if we were in a game." (HA)
HA Note: "Most teams set a snap-to-punt goal of under 2 seconds. The Warriors have been able to perform the snap-catch-punt sequence in as quick as 1.6 seconds."
About how they have been speeding up their speed they get kicks away, punter Tim Grasso said:
"The faster you go, the farther they're away from you, and it's less likely to get blocked." (HA)
HA Note: "Most punt defenses have to pick a poison: go for the block or set up a return. The Bulldogs have found the formula to fuse both. They are ninth nationally in punt returns with an average of 16.2 yards.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are ranked 118th (out of 119 Division I-A teams) in punt defense, relinquishing an average of 19.5 yards per return. They are 116th in net punting, averaging 29.9 yards per punt play."
About how they have to execute on special teams against Fresno State, kicker Dan Kelly said:
"We have to do our job." (HA)
HA Note: "When Kelly was a freshman in 2005, the Bulldogs blocked a field-goal attempt and a point-after kick. In last year's game, the Bulldogs blocked two of Kelly's PATs."
About how Fresno State has had success in blocking his kicks, Kelly said:
"We've shot ourselves in the foot — whether it's me kicking a low kick, not covering the ball right, not doing our jobs. They have, yes, great special teams. They capitalize on mistakes. That's what great special teams do. We've given them many mistakes to capitalize on over the last two years. We have to not make mistakes in our kicking game. If we don't make any mistakes, that takes out their weapon, and their weapon is their special teams." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors spent extra time on team kicking drills yesterday. The two wings who serve as perimeter blockers received extensive work against full-speed rushes."
Cameron Allen-Jones is the left wing blocker and said:
"I just have to go out there and submit the block." (HA)
Timo Paepule is the right wing blocker on placekicks and said:
"The main thing is to knock (rushers off course). We don't worry about Jake (Ingram) or Tim (Grasso). Jake's snaps and Tim's holds are always perfect." (HA)
HA Note: "Kelly also said his leg strength has improved. Even with the tee moved back 5 yards, to the 30, Kelly was booting kickoffs into the end zone during preseason workouts. But during the season, his average kickoff is reaching the 6. He has induced five touchbacks in 68 kickoffs."
About how his kickoffs have not been reaching the end zone like they were in preseason, Kelly said:
"It was me going through a little slump. I'm getting a little better. The break sure helped. Now it's getting back into the swing of things." (HA)
About having a chance to play against Fresno State with Pilares hurt, Jason Laumoli said:
"The coaches are giving me a chance to showcase. I can't ask for more than that." (HA)
About his limited playing time so far, LWJ said:
"I think the coaches are taking their time with me, making sure I get my stuff down. I'm not in a rush to get on the field. They're not going to put me out there if I don't know what I'm doing. I've just been patient. ... I might be getting the ball more and getting more playing time. It's a good chance for me to step up and show Coach I do know what I'm doing." (HSB)
About how Fresno State never recruited him even though he wanted to go there, Bess said:
"I wouldn't say they recruited me. I got a letter showing interest, but they never pulled the trigger. That's pretty much it. My school has a history of sending players to Fresno State. I wasn't fortunate enough. I wasn't as gifted as those guys. It definitely motivates me. I'm going to go into this with a chip on my shoulder, Ready to play, ready to fight, not literally fight, just compete." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In 2005, Bess caught a school-record 14 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown in UH's 27-13 loss. Last year at Fresno, he grabbed eight passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, part of the carnage as the Warriors strutted out of Bulldogs Stadium after a 68-37 romp. Bess said the home loss two years ago is a rallying point. But the nastiest memory to erase comes from 2004, when he wasn't even officially a Warrior yet."
About how they are motivated by past losses to Fresno State, Bess said:
"We definitely want to take (the 2005 loss) into consideration. But we also want to look at what they did to us three years ago in 2004 when we were in Fresno." (HSB)
About how he watched Fresno State beat UH 70-14 in 2004, Bess said:
"It was a pretty bad show that day. It was ugly. I was this close to de-committing." (HSB)
HSB Note: "This time, the smile means he is joking."
Making clear that he was joking about do-committing, Bess said:
"I'm just playing. I was already part of the Warrior family." (HSB)
About speculation that he will turn pro after this season, Bess said:
"I've been getting a lot of calls from people, but I'm trying to just think about this season for now." (HSB)
About moving up from the scout team to get significant reps after Monteilh's injury, Spencer Smith said:
"It feels good. I wasn't getting too many reps from the start of camp and last spring. It's been a long season, but I just tried to keep working hard. Hard work pays off." (HSB)
About how he never thought of transferring after Glanville (who recruited him) left, Smith said:
"I didn't have any thoughts of leaving. I made such good friends out here and I respect all the other coaches too." (HSB)
"They understand the importance of special teams. They emphasize it. They don't give it lip service. When they practice it, they practice it at full speed. They attack all the way. Like I tell our guys: 'You will play Saturday night the way you practice Monday through Thursday.' You can tell watching them on film they practice hard Monday through Thursday." (HA)
HA Note: "The Bulldogs have four blocks this season, and 74 in Pat Hill's 11 years as FSU head coach."
HA Note: "To prepare for an all-out rush, the perimeter defenders were aligned a step inside the offense's side during UH's punt and kick drills yesterday."
About how the punt block team has been lining up closer (or past) the line of scrimmage this week to emulate Fresno State, long-snapper Jake Ingram said:
"The coaches are making it harder on us. The scout team is bringing it. They line up offsides. They come to us faster than if we were in a game." (HA)
HA Note: "Most teams set a snap-to-punt goal of under 2 seconds. The Warriors have been able to perform the snap-catch-punt sequence in as quick as 1.6 seconds."
About how they have been speeding up their speed they get kicks away, punter Tim Grasso said:
"The faster you go, the farther they're away from you, and it's less likely to get blocked." (HA)
HA Note: "Most punt defenses have to pick a poison: go for the block or set up a return. The Bulldogs have found the formula to fuse both. They are ninth nationally in punt returns with an average of 16.2 yards.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are ranked 118th (out of 119 Division I-A teams) in punt defense, relinquishing an average of 19.5 yards per return. They are 116th in net punting, averaging 29.9 yards per punt play."
About how they have to execute on special teams against Fresno State, kicker Dan Kelly said:
"We have to do our job." (HA)
HA Note: "When Kelly was a freshman in 2005, the Bulldogs blocked a field-goal attempt and a point-after kick. In last year's game, the Bulldogs blocked two of Kelly's PATs."
About how Fresno State has had success in blocking his kicks, Kelly said:
"We've shot ourselves in the foot — whether it's me kicking a low kick, not covering the ball right, not doing our jobs. They have, yes, great special teams. They capitalize on mistakes. That's what great special teams do. We've given them many mistakes to capitalize on over the last two years. We have to not make mistakes in our kicking game. If we don't make any mistakes, that takes out their weapon, and their weapon is their special teams." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors spent extra time on team kicking drills yesterday. The two wings who serve as perimeter blockers received extensive work against full-speed rushes."
Cameron Allen-Jones is the left wing blocker and said:
"I just have to go out there and submit the block." (HA)
Timo Paepule is the right wing blocker on placekicks and said:
"The main thing is to knock (rushers off course). We don't worry about Jake (Ingram) or Tim (Grasso). Jake's snaps and Tim's holds are always perfect." (HA)
HA Note: "Kelly also said his leg strength has improved. Even with the tee moved back 5 yards, to the 30, Kelly was booting kickoffs into the end zone during preseason workouts. But during the season, his average kickoff is reaching the 6. He has induced five touchbacks in 68 kickoffs."
About how his kickoffs have not been reaching the end zone like they were in preseason, Kelly said:
"It was me going through a little slump. I'm getting a little better. The break sure helped. Now it's getting back into the swing of things." (HA)
About having a chance to play against Fresno State with Pilares hurt, Jason Laumoli said:
"The coaches are giving me a chance to showcase. I can't ask for more than that." (HA)
About his limited playing time so far, LWJ said:
"I think the coaches are taking their time with me, making sure I get my stuff down. I'm not in a rush to get on the field. They're not going to put me out there if I don't know what I'm doing. I've just been patient. ... I might be getting the ball more and getting more playing time. It's a good chance for me to step up and show Coach I do know what I'm doing." (HSB)
About how Fresno State never recruited him even though he wanted to go there, Bess said:
"I wouldn't say they recruited me. I got a letter showing interest, but they never pulled the trigger. That's pretty much it. My school has a history of sending players to Fresno State. I wasn't fortunate enough. I wasn't as gifted as those guys. It definitely motivates me. I'm going to go into this with a chip on my shoulder, Ready to play, ready to fight, not literally fight, just compete." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In 2005, Bess caught a school-record 14 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown in UH's 27-13 loss. Last year at Fresno, he grabbed eight passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, part of the carnage as the Warriors strutted out of Bulldogs Stadium after a 68-37 romp. Bess said the home loss two years ago is a rallying point. But the nastiest memory to erase comes from 2004, when he wasn't even officially a Warrior yet."
About how they are motivated by past losses to Fresno State, Bess said:
"We definitely want to take (the 2005 loss) into consideration. But we also want to look at what they did to us three years ago in 2004 when we were in Fresno." (HSB)
About how he watched Fresno State beat UH 70-14 in 2004, Bess said:
"It was a pretty bad show that day. It was ugly. I was this close to de-committing." (HSB)
HSB Note: "This time, the smile means he is joking."
Making clear that he was joking about do-committing, Bess said:
"I'm just playing. I was already part of the Warrior family." (HSB)
About speculation that he will turn pro after this season, Bess said:
"I've been getting a lot of calls from people, but I'm trying to just think about this season for now." (HSB)
About moving up from the scout team to get significant reps after Monteilh's injury, Spencer Smith said:
"It feels good. I wasn't getting too many reps from the start of camp and last spring. It's been a long season, but I just tried to keep working hard. Hard work pays off." (HSB)
About how he never thought of transferring after Glanville (who recruited him) left, Smith said:
"I didn't have any thoughts of leaving. I made such good friends out here and I respect all the other coaches too." (HSB)
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Quotes from the local papers and the Associated Press
About facing Fresno State, JJ said:
"(It doesn't matter if we're 8-0 or 0-8) it's Fresno. They will play their (butts) off when they come here, I assure you of that. In 2004, they put 70 on us and then came here the following year and won. I think it has more to do with them being Fresno. Since the 1999 game, I think this game has been more emotional with more hype." (AP)
After they beat Utah State last week, Pat Hill said:
"I am very satisfied with the win. With all the depth problems we have, we are a tired football team right now. I need to do something in practice to make sure this team stays fresh. I thought our effort was good. I liked the way we played in getting the win. We are 5-1 heading to Hawaii and we have the opportunity to do something really special against a very good football team." (AP)
Asked if he would play vs. Fresno State, Pilares said:
"Not this week. I'm not practicing. I'm not just going to jump in." (HA)
"Since I'm not practicing, it kind of signals that I'm not going to play. I'm not going to just jump in there and play without taking reps." (HSB)
About how Pilares probably will have to miss the game, JJ said:
"I don't think he'll be ready to play, but we'll see how he is on game day." (HA)
"Kealoha might not play, but he might. We'll see how it is game day. Leon said he's ready to go (after some nagging injuries). Leon and Dave, we'll be fine." (HSB)
About how Daniel Libre has been added to their 3 RB rotation, JJ said:
"(Libre) is doing good. Leon's doing good. Farm Dog is Farm Dog. We're OK back there." (HA)
HA Note: "Libre, a junior from the Big Island, transferred from Menlo College last year. He opened the season as a slotback before becoming the running back for the scout-team offense. Libre's work against the first-team defense caught Jones' attention."
About how his hard work got him noticed by the coaches, Libre said:
"Work hard, do what you're told and hopefully it pays off. The coaches are always watching" (HA)
About getting to play during their huge ending stretch, Libre said:
"I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a lot of pressure, but it's what I wanted since I got here." (HSB)
About how JJ compares him to former UH RB Michael Brewster, Libre said:
"That's a pretty big compliment. (Brewster) did a lot of good things over here. I used to watch him (on television) when I lived on the Big Island. It's an honor." (HA)
Praising Libre, whose speed on special teams against NMSU was noticed by the coaches, RB coach Wes Suan said:
"He has some good versatile talent." (HSB)
About how he was injured on the next-to-last play of Monday's team drills, Maka said:
"Somebody got thrown into my leg, took me out." (HA)
Maka said that his fracture would keep him out a:
"maximum of four weeks. Hopefully, it's sooner than that. It depends on my pain level. It's not a complete break. It's a little fracture." (HA)
HA Note: "Maka was a rush end in the nickel (4-2-5) and Oky (3-3-5) defensive schemes."
Unhappy with the loss of Maka, DL coach Jeff Reinbold said:
"He's a guy who each week has made bigger and bigger contributions. It's a step back." (HA)
About how the loss of Maka makes a difference, Michael Lafaele said:
"You can tell our defensive ends are not the same as far as rotation and resting time. Especially the way (Maka) plays. He makes plays. To not have him out there is heartbreaking." (HA)
About how Maka mentored him, John Fonoti (also rotating at rush end) said:
"Whenever I didn't know something, he told me what to do. I'm sad to see him out." (HA)
About how Victor Clore will replace Maka in the rotation, Reinbold said:
"Victor Clore is in a position where he sees the light at the end of the tunnel." (HA)
"That would be the natural progression of things. We're deep and we have some flexibility in the Okie and nickel packages, where Francis made a lot of his contributions. We're still four-deep that we feel really good about at end." (HSB)
About Maka's injury, Reinbold said:
"That's life in the food chain. These are the kinds of things that happen. It's unfortunate, but it's part of the game, so you can't cry about it. Guys have to rise up. We'll be OK." (HA)
About how their rotation at DL helps to cushion the impact of losing a player to injury, GM said:
"It's a tough loss, but we play 10 guys on the defensive line regularly." (HSB)
About getting his chance to play, Clore (who gained 20 pounds in the past year and now weighs 250) said:
"All of the senior guys helped me get ready. I'm good to go. We're going to miss (Maka). He was fast off the edge, a good pass rusher. I'll do what I can." (HA)
HA Note: "Maka is the third key special teams player to suffer a serious injury. Safety Keao Monteilh has a fractured left scapula and linebacker Rustin Saole has a partially torn MCL in his left knee. Jones said safety Kenny Estes will replace Saole on the kickoff team. Estes, a freshman who enrolled at UH in January, had not played in a game this season in anticipation of redshirting. But Jones said Estes has played well enough in practices the past month to join the active roster. Jones said Estes will play on all of the special teams."
About Kenny Estes giving up a redshirt chance, JJ said:
"It doesn't concern me. What concerns me is getting the best guys out there to win." (HA)
Unsure at first if he wanted to give up his redshirt year, Kenny Estes said:
"I was kind of like, 'There's only four or five more games and I missed out on more than half of the season.' " (HSB)
HSB Note: "Then, Estes said, he realized that it's an honor that the coaches would want him to contribute to what is so far an undefeated season."
Not worried about giving up his redshirt year, Kenny Estes said:
"I figure if there's any year to play, this is the year." (HA)
"This is the year to play. This is the year obviously that (UH is) going so far." (HSB)
About Kenny Estes on special teams, Dennis McKnight said:
"I like him. He's fast. He's competitive. He's like a junkyard dog." (HA)
About how Kenny Estes will get more reps with the DBs now, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"He'll get more reps now that he's part of our travel crew and our game crew. He's going to get some experience in the back end. When you have passion like he does and skill and athleticism, it's just a matter of time before he gets in the mix." (HSB)
Praising Kenny Estes, Miano said:
"He's fast, he's tough. Every time we look out here on scout team, our guys can't block him (on kickoffs). Every game means so much. Let's get our best athletes on the field. We still have four games, then a bowl game. You never know when your number's going to get called. He's going to get the opportunity in all these big games." (HSB)
About how the coaches evaluated their whole roster to improve their special teams for this final stretch, Miano said:
"We sat down as a staff, and (decided) if that means using some starters, a guy we were going to redshirt, so be it." (HSB)
Special teams player Guyton Galdeira said Estes earned his shot.
About how Kenny Estes earned his spot, Special teams player Guyton Galdeira said:
"He's been busting his butt and giving us a good look on scout team. That pretty much sums it up." (HSB)
About how his chance to move up the depth chart was lost due to his hyperextended knee injury he suffered in the NMSU game, Pau said:
"I blew my chance." (HSB)
"(It doesn't matter if we're 8-0 or 0-8) it's Fresno. They will play their (butts) off when they come here, I assure you of that. In 2004, they put 70 on us and then came here the following year and won. I think it has more to do with them being Fresno. Since the 1999 game, I think this game has been more emotional with more hype." (AP)
After they beat Utah State last week, Pat Hill said:
"I am very satisfied with the win. With all the depth problems we have, we are a tired football team right now. I need to do something in practice to make sure this team stays fresh. I thought our effort was good. I liked the way we played in getting the win. We are 5-1 heading to Hawaii and we have the opportunity to do something really special against a very good football team." (AP)
Asked if he would play vs. Fresno State, Pilares said:
"Not this week. I'm not practicing. I'm not just going to jump in." (HA)
"Since I'm not practicing, it kind of signals that I'm not going to play. I'm not going to just jump in there and play without taking reps." (HSB)
About how Pilares probably will have to miss the game, JJ said:
"I don't think he'll be ready to play, but we'll see how he is on game day." (HA)
"Kealoha might not play, but he might. We'll see how it is game day. Leon said he's ready to go (after some nagging injuries). Leon and Dave, we'll be fine." (HSB)
About how Daniel Libre has been added to their 3 RB rotation, JJ said:
"(Libre) is doing good. Leon's doing good. Farm Dog is Farm Dog. We're OK back there." (HA)
HA Note: "Libre, a junior from the Big Island, transferred from Menlo College last year. He opened the season as a slotback before becoming the running back for the scout-team offense. Libre's work against the first-team defense caught Jones' attention."
About how his hard work got him noticed by the coaches, Libre said:
"Work hard, do what you're told and hopefully it pays off. The coaches are always watching" (HA)
About getting to play during their huge ending stretch, Libre said:
"I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a lot of pressure, but it's what I wanted since I got here." (HSB)
About how JJ compares him to former UH RB Michael Brewster, Libre said:
"That's a pretty big compliment. (Brewster) did a lot of good things over here. I used to watch him (on television) when I lived on the Big Island. It's an honor." (HA)
Praising Libre, whose speed on special teams against NMSU was noticed by the coaches, RB coach Wes Suan said:
"He has some good versatile talent." (HSB)
About how he was injured on the next-to-last play of Monday's team drills, Maka said:
"Somebody got thrown into my leg, took me out." (HA)
Maka said that his fracture would keep him out a:
"maximum of four weeks. Hopefully, it's sooner than that. It depends on my pain level. It's not a complete break. It's a little fracture." (HA)
HA Note: "Maka was a rush end in the nickel (4-2-5) and Oky (3-3-5) defensive schemes."
Unhappy with the loss of Maka, DL coach Jeff Reinbold said:
"He's a guy who each week has made bigger and bigger contributions. It's a step back." (HA)
About how the loss of Maka makes a difference, Michael Lafaele said:
"You can tell our defensive ends are not the same as far as rotation and resting time. Especially the way (Maka) plays. He makes plays. To not have him out there is heartbreaking." (HA)
About how Maka mentored him, John Fonoti (also rotating at rush end) said:
"Whenever I didn't know something, he told me what to do. I'm sad to see him out." (HA)
About how Victor Clore will replace Maka in the rotation, Reinbold said:
"Victor Clore is in a position where he sees the light at the end of the tunnel." (HA)
"That would be the natural progression of things. We're deep and we have some flexibility in the Okie and nickel packages, where Francis made a lot of his contributions. We're still four-deep that we feel really good about at end." (HSB)
About Maka's injury, Reinbold said:
"That's life in the food chain. These are the kinds of things that happen. It's unfortunate, but it's part of the game, so you can't cry about it. Guys have to rise up. We'll be OK." (HA)
About how their rotation at DL helps to cushion the impact of losing a player to injury, GM said:
"It's a tough loss, but we play 10 guys on the defensive line regularly." (HSB)
About getting his chance to play, Clore (who gained 20 pounds in the past year and now weighs 250) said:
"All of the senior guys helped me get ready. I'm good to go. We're going to miss (Maka). He was fast off the edge, a good pass rusher. I'll do what I can." (HA)
HA Note: "Maka is the third key special teams player to suffer a serious injury. Safety Keao Monteilh has a fractured left scapula and linebacker Rustin Saole has a partially torn MCL in his left knee. Jones said safety Kenny Estes will replace Saole on the kickoff team. Estes, a freshman who enrolled at UH in January, had not played in a game this season in anticipation of redshirting. But Jones said Estes has played well enough in practices the past month to join the active roster. Jones said Estes will play on all of the special teams."
About Kenny Estes giving up a redshirt chance, JJ said:
"It doesn't concern me. What concerns me is getting the best guys out there to win." (HA)
Unsure at first if he wanted to give up his redshirt year, Kenny Estes said:
"I was kind of like, 'There's only four or five more games and I missed out on more than half of the season.' " (HSB)
HSB Note: "Then, Estes said, he realized that it's an honor that the coaches would want him to contribute to what is so far an undefeated season."
Not worried about giving up his redshirt year, Kenny Estes said:
"I figure if there's any year to play, this is the year." (HA)
"This is the year to play. This is the year obviously that (UH is) going so far." (HSB)
About Kenny Estes on special teams, Dennis McKnight said:
"I like him. He's fast. He's competitive. He's like a junkyard dog." (HA)
About how Kenny Estes will get more reps with the DBs now, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"He'll get more reps now that he's part of our travel crew and our game crew. He's going to get some experience in the back end. When you have passion like he does and skill and athleticism, it's just a matter of time before he gets in the mix." (HSB)
Praising Kenny Estes, Miano said:
"He's fast, he's tough. Every time we look out here on scout team, our guys can't block him (on kickoffs). Every game means so much. Let's get our best athletes on the field. We still have four games, then a bowl game. You never know when your number's going to get called. He's going to get the opportunity in all these big games." (HSB)
About how the coaches evaluated their whole roster to improve their special teams for this final stretch, Miano said:
"We sat down as a staff, and (decided) if that means using some starters, a guy we were going to redshirt, so be it." (HSB)
Special teams player Guyton Galdeira said Estes earned his shot.
About how Kenny Estes earned his spot, Special teams player Guyton Galdeira said:
"He's been busting his butt and giving us a good look on scout team. That pretty much sums it up." (HSB)
About how his chance to move up the depth chart was lost due to his hyperextended knee injury he suffered in the NMSU game, Pau said:
"I blew my chance." (HSB)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Feature article on Colt's Heisman Chances
http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/bulldogs/story/184945.html
About how he doesn't think that Colt will be a finalist for the Heisman, St. Louise Post-Dispatch beat writer Graham Watson (a Heisman voter) said:
"Short of the people in front of him really tanking ... it's really hard to envision him in the top three." (Fresno Bee)
About how he has a chance if they go undefeated and his numbers are good, Colt said:
"I've just got to keep winning. If I lose one game everything's over with. ... We only win when I put up good numbers. So if we are 12-0, I'd assume my numbers would be really good by the end of the year and I'd assume by then that I may have something to say to argue myself to New York." (FB)
FB Note: "Kirk Bohls, a columnist for the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman and Heisman voter for more than 25 years, said Brennan's chances are slim. Several factors explain why voters lack confidence in him: limited television exposure as he plays home games too late at night for Eastern and Central time zone voters, lackluster performances, and a pass-happy offense. What could hurt the most, though, is the Warriors' schedule. "
About how UH's weak schedule hurts him in the Heisman race, SI senior writer (and Heisman voter) Stewart Mandel said:
"What's hurt him and the team [in the polls] the most is the schedule. There's a tremendous backlash against that team. Whereas people rooted for Boise State to get to a BCS game last season, there's a universal resentment [against Hawaii] because of their ridiculously weak schedule ... that feeling rubs off on Colt Brennan as well." (FB)
FB Note: "Mandel said he takes into consideration the Warriors attempts to play better competition than the two Division I-AA opponents, but said Brennan and the team have to be judged on who they play, not who they tried to play."
Admitting that he's at a disadvantage in the Heisman race due to their schedule as compared to Oregon's Dennis Dixon or Florida's Tim Tebow, Colt said:
"What they do, they do against some of the best football teams in America. Unfortunately, I don't have that opportunity." (FB)
FB Note: "Voters interviewed questioned the number of interceptions Brennan's thrown (11) compared to that of Dixon (3) and Tebow (4). Brennan threw five interceptions against Idaho and four against San Jose State (3-6) in an overtime game that was nationally televised. Some voters count the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense against him. In seven games played, Brennan has completed more passes than Tebow has attempted and nearly as many as Dixon has attempted."
Not impressed with Colt's numbers due to UH's offense, Oakland Tribune (and Heisman voter) Monte Poole said:
"I'm not going to say the system makes him, but it would be interesting to see how he'd do in a system that was less quarterback friendly and not designed for a QB to have huge numbers." (FB)
FB Note: "The only game he did not play in this season was against Charleston Southern, when he had an injured ankle. In that game backup Tyler Graunke was 22 of 36 for 285 yards, two interceptions and three touchdowns. Graunke's numbers didn't sit well with Watson."
Pointing to Tyler's success as an indication about how UH's system is responsible for much of Colt's success, Watson said:
"When the backup comes in and does the same thing you did, that speaks to the system more than it does the quarterback." (FB)
About how Colt has a chance because of the struggles by the other Heisman candidates, ESPN's Mark Schlabach said:
"If he goes out and throws for 550 yards and six touchdowns against Boise State, he's got a possibility. Heisman trophy candidates are dropping like flies." (FB)
About how he doesn't think that Colt will be a finalist for the Heisman, St. Louise Post-Dispatch beat writer Graham Watson (a Heisman voter) said:
"Short of the people in front of him really tanking ... it's really hard to envision him in the top three." (Fresno Bee)
About how he has a chance if they go undefeated and his numbers are good, Colt said:
"I've just got to keep winning. If I lose one game everything's over with. ... We only win when I put up good numbers. So if we are 12-0, I'd assume my numbers would be really good by the end of the year and I'd assume by then that I may have something to say to argue myself to New York." (FB)
FB Note: "Kirk Bohls, a columnist for the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman and Heisman voter for more than 25 years, said Brennan's chances are slim. Several factors explain why voters lack confidence in him: limited television exposure as he plays home games too late at night for Eastern and Central time zone voters, lackluster performances, and a pass-happy offense. What could hurt the most, though, is the Warriors' schedule. "
About how UH's weak schedule hurts him in the Heisman race, SI senior writer (and Heisman voter) Stewart Mandel said:
"What's hurt him and the team [in the polls] the most is the schedule. There's a tremendous backlash against that team. Whereas people rooted for Boise State to get to a BCS game last season, there's a universal resentment [against Hawaii] because of their ridiculously weak schedule ... that feeling rubs off on Colt Brennan as well." (FB)
FB Note: "Mandel said he takes into consideration the Warriors attempts to play better competition than the two Division I-AA opponents, but said Brennan and the team have to be judged on who they play, not who they tried to play."
Admitting that he's at a disadvantage in the Heisman race due to their schedule as compared to Oregon's Dennis Dixon or Florida's Tim Tebow, Colt said:
"What they do, they do against some of the best football teams in America. Unfortunately, I don't have that opportunity." (FB)
FB Note: "Voters interviewed questioned the number of interceptions Brennan's thrown (11) compared to that of Dixon (3) and Tebow (4). Brennan threw five interceptions against Idaho and four against San Jose State (3-6) in an overtime game that was nationally televised. Some voters count the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense against him. In seven games played, Brennan has completed more passes than Tebow has attempted and nearly as many as Dixon has attempted."
Not impressed with Colt's numbers due to UH's offense, Oakland Tribune (and Heisman voter) Monte Poole said:
"I'm not going to say the system makes him, but it would be interesting to see how he'd do in a system that was less quarterback friendly and not designed for a QB to have huge numbers." (FB)
FB Note: "The only game he did not play in this season was against Charleston Southern, when he had an injured ankle. In that game backup Tyler Graunke was 22 of 36 for 285 yards, two interceptions and three touchdowns. Graunke's numbers didn't sit well with Watson."
Pointing to Tyler's success as an indication about how UH's system is responsible for much of Colt's success, Watson said:
"When the backup comes in and does the same thing you did, that speaks to the system more than it does the quarterback." (FB)
About how Colt has a chance because of the struggles by the other Heisman candidates, ESPN's Mark Schlabach said:
"If he goes out and throws for 550 yards and six touchdowns against Boise State, he's got a possibility. Heisman trophy candidates are dropping like flies." (FB)
Fresno State is looking forward to the challenge of playing UH
http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/bulldogs/story/183963.html
Looking forward to a meaningful game vs. UH, Fresno State coach Pat Hill said:
"We've got a big, big challenge ahead, no doubt. But you know, I like the way we're performing. We've won five of our last six games. We're in position where it's a big game. That's all you can ask for, playing in November and have the games mean something." (Fresno Bee)
About coming off a bye week, Colt said:
"The bye is going to help us more than hurt us. The only thing negative is just 'Are you in that game mentality week in, week out?' Like you're in during the regular part of the season. I think we'll be fine." (FB)
Utah State coach Brent Guy, whose Aggies lost 52-37 at Hawaii last month, said Fresno State could match up well with the Warriors.
About how Fresno State could match up well with UH, Utah State coach Brent Guy said:
"Because they can run the football, that'll be the key. I've always said the only way to really stop Hawaii is to keep their offense off the field. Get them out of rhythm ... make them go three-and-out, and possess the football. Our goal down there was to hold onto the football as long as we could. I think Fresno State has the type of running game that they can do that." (FB)
FB Note: "Fresno State ranks No. 24 in the nation at an average of 197.22 yards rushing. But if Mathews can't play, and running back Lonyae Miller also doesn't return (he's missed the past two games), the Bulldogs' ground game isn't as methodical or explosive."
About how they need to control field position and keep the ball away from the UH offense, Hill said:
"It's got to be a game for us of controlling field position, controlling clock time, and getting [Hawaii] off the field on third downs. We can't give up the big plays and we've got to convert our third downs and keep drives alive. This is going to be a great test for us going to Hawaii. It's all business." (FB)
Looking forward to a meaningful game vs. UH, Fresno State coach Pat Hill said:
"We've got a big, big challenge ahead, no doubt. But you know, I like the way we're performing. We've won five of our last six games. We're in position where it's a big game. That's all you can ask for, playing in November and have the games mean something." (Fresno Bee)
About coming off a bye week, Colt said:
"The bye is going to help us more than hurt us. The only thing negative is just 'Are you in that game mentality week in, week out?' Like you're in during the regular part of the season. I think we'll be fine." (FB)
Utah State coach Brent Guy, whose Aggies lost 52-37 at Hawaii last month, said Fresno State could match up well with the Warriors.
About how Fresno State could match up well with UH, Utah State coach Brent Guy said:
"Because they can run the football, that'll be the key. I've always said the only way to really stop Hawaii is to keep their offense off the field. Get them out of rhythm ... make them go three-and-out, and possess the football. Our goal down there was to hold onto the football as long as we could. I think Fresno State has the type of running game that they can do that." (FB)
FB Note: "Fresno State ranks No. 24 in the nation at an average of 197.22 yards rushing. But if Mathews can't play, and running back Lonyae Miller also doesn't return (he's missed the past two games), the Bulldogs' ground game isn't as methodical or explosive."
About how they need to control field position and keep the ball away from the UH offense, Hill said:
"It's got to be a game for us of controlling field position, controlling clock time, and getting [Hawaii] off the field on third downs. We can't give up the big plays and we've got to convert our third downs and keep drives alive. This is going to be a great test for us going to Hawaii. It's all business." (FB)
Quotes about BSU's BCS chances
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_7382724
About how it wouldn't surprise him if BSU beat Utah State, Idaho, and UH to make a BCS bowl, Karl Benson said:
"It would not surprise me, if they win out." (Salt Lake Tribune)
About how their players put last year behind them and want to make their own identity this year, BSU coach Peterson said:
"We have smart guys - good kids. They understand how it goes here. Every year is a new year here. What happened in the past is great, but every year you establish your own identity. . . . It wasn't about last year. It was about this year." (SLT)
Praising BSU, SJSU coach Dick Tomey said:
"Boise has another terrific team that finds ways to win. They are just a championship outfit." (SLT)
About how BSU blocked their FG attempt in the final minutes of the game despite being up 42-7, Tomey said:
"It's like I told my players. That shows a tremendous amount of pride and a tremendous desire to be the best." (SLT)
Praising BSU, Benson said:
"They have only one blemish on their record, and the 'experts' are saying if that [Washington] game was played today, Boise might be undefeated. That game was like a hiccup and, if it hadn't happened, it's more than likely that Boise would already be in the Top 10. . . . Still, they are very close to duplicating what they did a year ago." (SLT)
About how it wouldn't surprise him if BSU beat Utah State, Idaho, and UH to make a BCS bowl, Karl Benson said:
"It would not surprise me, if they win out." (Salt Lake Tribune)
About how their players put last year behind them and want to make their own identity this year, BSU coach Peterson said:
"We have smart guys - good kids. They understand how it goes here. Every year is a new year here. What happened in the past is great, but every year you establish your own identity. . . . It wasn't about last year. It was about this year." (SLT)
Praising BSU, SJSU coach Dick Tomey said:
"Boise has another terrific team that finds ways to win. They are just a championship outfit." (SLT)
About how BSU blocked their FG attempt in the final minutes of the game despite being up 42-7, Tomey said:
"It's like I told my players. That shows a tremendous amount of pride and a tremendous desire to be the best." (SLT)
Praising BSU, Benson said:
"They have only one blemish on their record, and the 'experts' are saying if that [Washington] game was played today, Boise might be undefeated. That game was like a hiccup and, if it hadn't happened, it's more than likely that Boise would already be in the Top 10. . . . Still, they are very close to duplicating what they did a year ago." (SLT)
Quotes about how Nevada could benefit by losing to UH
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/SPORTS06/711060353/1018
Asked about how their bowl chances would actually improve if they lose to UH, Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"We don't look at the system. We don't care about the system. All we care about is the opportunity to play Hawaii." (Reno Gazette Journal)
RGJ Note: "In Nevada's case, if a WAC team were to qualify for a BCS bowl game, as Boise State did last season, then that would guarantee that a fourth WAC team, assuming at least four become bowl eligible (minimum six victories) would get a bowl bid. A fourth bowl bid is possible if a WAC team doesn't crash the BCS party, but it's not guaranteed.
Nevada (5-4, 3-2) is in fourth place in the WAC (the conference has three bowl tie-ins) with three games remaining following a bye this week. After hosting Hawaii (8-0, 5-0), the Wolf Pack visits San Jose State (3-6, 2-3) on Nov. 24 and then hosts Louisiana Tech (4-5, 3-3) on Dec. 1.
So, if the Pack loses to Hawaii and wins its other two games, and Hawaii wins out, Nevada is all but guaranteed a spot in a bowl game. Of course, Hawaii must first beat Fresno State this Saturday and then Boise State and Washington (all three in Honolulu) for that to become reality."
About how nothing can be done about this ethical dilemma in the current system, Karl Benson said:
"It's a fair question. It's a by-product of the system. ... I don't think the current bowl system is going to be tweaked in the near future. I don't think in the existing system we could ever get away from that (possibility) happening." (RGJ)
About how teams can knock fellow conference members out of BCS contention, Benson said:
"We're always going to be faced with the possibility of conference teams knocking a team out of contention. And, yes, there is financial implications. But I don't think you're ever going to see a team not perform at its highest level and attempt to win that game regardless of what it might mean to the conference." (RGJ)
About how every WAC Athletic Director except for Fresno's will be cheering for UH to beat Fresno, Benson said:
"I think it's safe to say, more than likely on Saturday, that there will be eight (WAC) athletic directors that are probably going to be rooting for the University of Hawaii and one, the athletic director at Fresno State, rooting for his own team." (RGJ)
Asked about how their bowl chances would actually improve if they lose to UH, Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"We don't look at the system. We don't care about the system. All we care about is the opportunity to play Hawaii." (Reno Gazette Journal)
RGJ Note: "In Nevada's case, if a WAC team were to qualify for a BCS bowl game, as Boise State did last season, then that would guarantee that a fourth WAC team, assuming at least four become bowl eligible (minimum six victories) would get a bowl bid. A fourth bowl bid is possible if a WAC team doesn't crash the BCS party, but it's not guaranteed.
Nevada (5-4, 3-2) is in fourth place in the WAC (the conference has three bowl tie-ins) with three games remaining following a bye this week. After hosting Hawaii (8-0, 5-0), the Wolf Pack visits San Jose State (3-6, 2-3) on Nov. 24 and then hosts Louisiana Tech (4-5, 3-3) on Dec. 1.
So, if the Pack loses to Hawaii and wins its other two games, and Hawaii wins out, Nevada is all but guaranteed a spot in a bowl game. Of course, Hawaii must first beat Fresno State this Saturday and then Boise State and Washington (all three in Honolulu) for that to become reality."
About how nothing can be done about this ethical dilemma in the current system, Karl Benson said:
"It's a fair question. It's a by-product of the system. ... I don't think the current bowl system is going to be tweaked in the near future. I don't think in the existing system we could ever get away from that (possibility) happening." (RGJ)
About how teams can knock fellow conference members out of BCS contention, Benson said:
"We're always going to be faced with the possibility of conference teams knocking a team out of contention. And, yes, there is financial implications. But I don't think you're ever going to see a team not perform at its highest level and attempt to win that game regardless of what it might mean to the conference." (RGJ)
About how every WAC Athletic Director except for Fresno's will be cheering for UH to beat Fresno, Benson said:
"I think it's safe to say, more than likely on Saturday, that there will be eight (WAC) athletic directors that are probably going to be rooting for the University of Hawaii and one, the athletic director at Fresno State, rooting for his own team." (RGJ)
Quotes from the local papers
About the sprain in Pilares' right MCL, Pilares said that it has been:
"getting worse the past three weeks. It's really weak. It feels dead. ... It doesn't give back when I push down. Just lateral movement is sore. I can't really make cuts." (HA)
HA Note: "Since suffering the injury, Pilares practiced during two bye weeks and played in the Oct. 27 game against New Mexico State."
About how his injury got worse because he didn't take some time off for it to heal, Pilares said:
"I didn't give it time to rest, I guess. I kind of rushed into it. It got worse and worse." (HA)
HA Note: "Pilares attended yesterday's two-hour practice wearing a long brace on his right leg."
About how he doesn't expect to be able to play vs. Fresno State, Pilares said:
"They want me to take care of it for the last three games, (at Nevada and at home against Boise State and Washington). Rest it up." (HSB)
About how he expects Pilares to be back on the field soon, LWJ said:
"I expect him back real soon. Just because he has that brace on doesn't mean anything. He wants to be on the field. I expect him back." (HA)
About how he's recovered from his bruised right knee, LWJ said:
"It was nothing big. Just a little owwie." (HA)
HA Note: "Wright-Jackson attended a community college in Washington last year, and the coaches projected he would need several games this season to adjust to the Warriors' four-wide offense. But he said he was not locked into any timetable."
Not worried about when he's going to be fully adjusted to the offense, LWJ said:
"I'm just trying to take it a game at a time. I'm not worried about what mark where I need to be at my best. I feel I'm at my best right now. I'm going to go out there and give 110 percent and try to better myself every day." (HA)
LWJ did not practice last week so there were times in yesterday's practice when his legs:
"felt like Jell-O." (HA)
About being able to block Adam Leonard's blitz during team drills, LWJ said:
"He's a great linebacker. I had to try and take him as best as I could. He put all of his weight into me. It was a hard block." (HA)
Known as their best blocking RB, Farmer said about his 5 carries (all draw plays):
"Maybe (Jones) had a dream or vision and he decided to give me the ball once." (HA)
Asked if he prefers running or blocking, Farmer said:
"I like winning. If we're winning, I don't care what happens. When I first came here, all I wanted was to get on the field one time, on the kickoff coverage or anything. I accomplished that the very first year." (HA)
About how he has lost about 10 pounds each year and now weights 225, 4th-year junior Farmer said:
"I would love to be 250 and run the same way I do now, but that's not the law of physics." (HA)
About lifting weights before their 2-hour morning practices, Farmer said:
"I'm already here in the morning. I might as well get up a half-hour earlier." (HA)
About how Colt is still a Heisman candidate, JJ told the Honolulu QB Club audience:
"We're in a position where we have four games left. Team goals and team success (have) to be a requisite to any kind of personal success. I think everybody understands that on our team, in particular Colt. If we win the last four (nationally televised) games, that means he played pretty well. If he does pretty well on national TV, he'll win the Heisman Trophy." (HA)
About how New England is now running UH's offense, JJ said:
"So, I find it interesting now when I turn on the game, (New England) is running our offense. (Patriots coach Bill Belichick) kind of learned what it takes to move the football." (HSB)
Asked about Belicheck, JJ said:
"He's kind of a cerebral guy, who watches and studies. When I got my head job at Atlanta (1994-96), he was the head coach at Cleveland. We would go to Cleveland and spend two weeks there and practice against him. The reason he wanted to practice against us was because he couldn't stop us, and he kind of always wanted to know and watch how we did things." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Jones will take his same run-and-shoot offense against Pat Hill's Fresno State Bulldogs this Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Hill, coincidentally, was a Browns assistant under Belichick in the mid-90s."
About how their final four regular season games seems like an NFL playoff drive, JJ said:
"This is kind of a playoff run, when I was in the NFL, at this point usually in early December or late November, you had to win four in a row to stay alive. That's kind of what it feels like right now. We've got four big games, and three at home (Fresno State, Boise State and Washington). The kids are pretty focused and have been able to put everything in perspective from week to week." (HSB)
About dropping 2 spots in the BCS during their bye week, Jason Rivers said:
"We think (the drop) is kind of unfair sometimes, but honestly none of us really cares. What we can control is on a weekly basis as far as how we play and perform. The focus for us is to win every weekend, and as long as we do that on our part then you can't really say much on what other people see how our schedule is (easy) and all that." (HSB)
About how their critics motivate them, Hawthorne said:
"We all love watching ESPN. I always see it as we're the underdogs anyways. Nobody believes in us but us. We know that's going to be the rap no matter what. Almost in a sense they're waiting for us to lose. We just have to realize we're gonna have that opposition." (HSB)
"getting worse the past three weeks. It's really weak. It feels dead. ... It doesn't give back when I push down. Just lateral movement is sore. I can't really make cuts." (HA)
HA Note: "Since suffering the injury, Pilares practiced during two bye weeks and played in the Oct. 27 game against New Mexico State."
About how his injury got worse because he didn't take some time off for it to heal, Pilares said:
"I didn't give it time to rest, I guess. I kind of rushed into it. It got worse and worse." (HA)
HA Note: "Pilares attended yesterday's two-hour practice wearing a long brace on his right leg."
About how he doesn't expect to be able to play vs. Fresno State, Pilares said:
"They want me to take care of it for the last three games, (at Nevada and at home against Boise State and Washington). Rest it up." (HSB)
About how he expects Pilares to be back on the field soon, LWJ said:
"I expect him back real soon. Just because he has that brace on doesn't mean anything. He wants to be on the field. I expect him back." (HA)
About how he's recovered from his bruised right knee, LWJ said:
"It was nothing big. Just a little owwie." (HA)
HA Note: "Wright-Jackson attended a community college in Washington last year, and the coaches projected he would need several games this season to adjust to the Warriors' four-wide offense. But he said he was not locked into any timetable."
Not worried about when he's going to be fully adjusted to the offense, LWJ said:
"I'm just trying to take it a game at a time. I'm not worried about what mark where I need to be at my best. I feel I'm at my best right now. I'm going to go out there and give 110 percent and try to better myself every day." (HA)
LWJ did not practice last week so there were times in yesterday's practice when his legs:
"felt like Jell-O." (HA)
About being able to block Adam Leonard's blitz during team drills, LWJ said:
"He's a great linebacker. I had to try and take him as best as I could. He put all of his weight into me. It was a hard block." (HA)
Known as their best blocking RB, Farmer said about his 5 carries (all draw plays):
"Maybe (Jones) had a dream or vision and he decided to give me the ball once." (HA)
Asked if he prefers running or blocking, Farmer said:
"I like winning. If we're winning, I don't care what happens. When I first came here, all I wanted was to get on the field one time, on the kickoff coverage or anything. I accomplished that the very first year." (HA)
About how he has lost about 10 pounds each year and now weights 225, 4th-year junior Farmer said:
"I would love to be 250 and run the same way I do now, but that's not the law of physics." (HA)
About lifting weights before their 2-hour morning practices, Farmer said:
"I'm already here in the morning. I might as well get up a half-hour earlier." (HA)
About how Colt is still a Heisman candidate, JJ told the Honolulu QB Club audience:
"We're in a position where we have four games left. Team goals and team success (have) to be a requisite to any kind of personal success. I think everybody understands that on our team, in particular Colt. If we win the last four (nationally televised) games, that means he played pretty well. If he does pretty well on national TV, he'll win the Heisman Trophy." (HA)
About how New England is now running UH's offense, JJ said:
"So, I find it interesting now when I turn on the game, (New England) is running our offense. (Patriots coach Bill Belichick) kind of learned what it takes to move the football." (HSB)
Asked about Belicheck, JJ said:
"He's kind of a cerebral guy, who watches and studies. When I got my head job at Atlanta (1994-96), he was the head coach at Cleveland. We would go to Cleveland and spend two weeks there and practice against him. The reason he wanted to practice against us was because he couldn't stop us, and he kind of always wanted to know and watch how we did things." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Jones will take his same run-and-shoot offense against Pat Hill's Fresno State Bulldogs this Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Hill, coincidentally, was a Browns assistant under Belichick in the mid-90s."
About how their final four regular season games seems like an NFL playoff drive, JJ said:
"This is kind of a playoff run, when I was in the NFL, at this point usually in early December or late November, you had to win four in a row to stay alive. That's kind of what it feels like right now. We've got four big games, and three at home (Fresno State, Boise State and Washington). The kids are pretty focused and have been able to put everything in perspective from week to week." (HSB)
About dropping 2 spots in the BCS during their bye week, Jason Rivers said:
"We think (the drop) is kind of unfair sometimes, but honestly none of us really cares. What we can control is on a weekly basis as far as how we play and perform. The focus for us is to win every weekend, and as long as we do that on our part then you can't really say much on what other people see how our schedule is (easy) and all that." (HSB)
About how their critics motivate them, Hawthorne said:
"We all love watching ESPN. I always see it as we're the underdogs anyways. Nobody believes in us but us. We know that's going to be the rap no matter what. Almost in a sense they're waiting for us to lose. We just have to realize we're gonna have that opposition." (HSB)
Monday, November 5, 2007
Feature story on the Ha'a
http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2007/11/06/Sports/Race-Chant.Gives.No.16.Hawaii.Good.Vibes-3080526.shtml
About the penalty they got for doing the ha'a at Lousiana Tech, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"I think it was ridiculous. Not a lot of people understand what it is for. I mean, it's not like we're doing anything physical to the other team." (DO)
DO Note: "Since the incident, No. 16 Hawaii (8-0, 5-0 Western Athletic Conference) ditched the haka in favor of a new Hawaiian war chant called the ha'a in order to better represent the Hawaiian culture. Kalilimoku, defensive back Guyton Galdeira and defensive tackle Keala Watson worked together to write the words and create the movements for the ritual. The three players are native Hawaiians and have experience with the language. Galdeira's training in hula also added cultural flavor to the ha'a."
About changing to the ha'a instead of doing the haka, Kalilimoku said:
"It gives back to our community and to our land and stuff instead of doing something that is Maori. This is not New Zealand or anything so (the haka) is kind of not showing respect back to our people and the land itself." (DO)
DO Note: "The Warriors debuted the ha'a Sept. 15 before their game at Nevada-Las Vegas. The ha'a is an imitation of ancient Pacific Island war chants and is meant to unify the team as though it were going into battle. Watson reiterated that the chant could come across as an offensive taunt, but said the people who thought that do not understand its significance. UH is just trying to give itself identity and connect with its nickname of Warriors."
About how other teams have their own rituals, Keala Watson said:
"Texas does the horn thing, and the Gators do their Gator chomp. The Hawaii Warriors, we do a ha'a. And that's how we get pumped up for the games." (DO)
DO Note: "Before the three players wrote the words and choreographed the moves, they gathered opinions from their teammates about what the ha'a meant to them. Once they had a team consensus, they wrote the lyrics for the ha'a. Galdeira said the motions are meant to be simple and flow with the words. Those words are not so simple to learn. Many players from the mainland are not familiar with the Hawaiian language. UH head coach June Jones allowed the team to practice the ha'a before and after practice, saying that it added great cultural value."
About their ha'a, Galdeira said:
"It's not whether you're Hawaiian or whether you're Polynesian or whether you're even from Hawaii. It doesn't even matter what kind of background you're from. Something people should know about coming to the University of Hawaii is that we have a culture that you're going to represent." (DO)
DO Note: "The ha'a has become a fan favorite and many fans of Hawaiian descent appreciate and connect with the team's chant. One purpose of the ha'a is to create a sense of community, which it has succeeded in doing. At San Jose State Oct. 12, Watson recalled that a large portion of UH fans in the stands erupted in cheer when the Warriors gathered for their game ritual. Although it is not meant to intimidate the other team, the unity the ha'a creates gives UH a mental advantage."
About how doing the ha'a benefits their team, Watston said:
"Any time a team shows that they are able to come together and do anything, anytime they can do the same motions, the other team is going to get scared because this is a team that is ready to play, and they're coming out as one unit." (DO)
DO Note: "If someone wants to know the words of the ha'a, they will either have to wait or try to walk on to the UH football team. The lyrics are kept within the team to add to the effect of keeping it unified. Fans have asked for the words because they would like to join the Warriors in the ha'a."
About how they want to keep the words to the ha'a within their team, Kalilimoku said:
"It's kind of our thing, and we really just understand it. If we put the words out, and everybody, particularly other teams, they could do it. We're still thinking about, we're not really sure yet." (DO)
About the penalty they got for doing the ha'a at Lousiana Tech, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"I think it was ridiculous. Not a lot of people understand what it is for. I mean, it's not like we're doing anything physical to the other team." (DO)
DO Note: "Since the incident, No. 16 Hawaii (8-0, 5-0 Western Athletic Conference) ditched the haka in favor of a new Hawaiian war chant called the ha'a in order to better represent the Hawaiian culture. Kalilimoku, defensive back Guyton Galdeira and defensive tackle Keala Watson worked together to write the words and create the movements for the ritual. The three players are native Hawaiians and have experience with the language. Galdeira's training in hula also added cultural flavor to the ha'a."
About changing to the ha'a instead of doing the haka, Kalilimoku said:
"It gives back to our community and to our land and stuff instead of doing something that is Maori. This is not New Zealand or anything so (the haka) is kind of not showing respect back to our people and the land itself." (DO)
DO Note: "The Warriors debuted the ha'a Sept. 15 before their game at Nevada-Las Vegas. The ha'a is an imitation of ancient Pacific Island war chants and is meant to unify the team as though it were going into battle. Watson reiterated that the chant could come across as an offensive taunt, but said the people who thought that do not understand its significance. UH is just trying to give itself identity and connect with its nickname of Warriors."
About how other teams have their own rituals, Keala Watson said:
"Texas does the horn thing, and the Gators do their Gator chomp. The Hawaii Warriors, we do a ha'a. And that's how we get pumped up for the games." (DO)
DO Note: "Before the three players wrote the words and choreographed the moves, they gathered opinions from their teammates about what the ha'a meant to them. Once they had a team consensus, they wrote the lyrics for the ha'a. Galdeira said the motions are meant to be simple and flow with the words. Those words are not so simple to learn. Many players from the mainland are not familiar with the Hawaiian language. UH head coach June Jones allowed the team to practice the ha'a before and after practice, saying that it added great cultural value."
About their ha'a, Galdeira said:
"It's not whether you're Hawaiian or whether you're Polynesian or whether you're even from Hawaii. It doesn't even matter what kind of background you're from. Something people should know about coming to the University of Hawaii is that we have a culture that you're going to represent." (DO)
DO Note: "The ha'a has become a fan favorite and many fans of Hawaiian descent appreciate and connect with the team's chant. One purpose of the ha'a is to create a sense of community, which it has succeeded in doing. At San Jose State Oct. 12, Watson recalled that a large portion of UH fans in the stands erupted in cheer when the Warriors gathered for their game ritual. Although it is not meant to intimidate the other team, the unity the ha'a creates gives UH a mental advantage."
About how doing the ha'a benefits their team, Watston said:
"Any time a team shows that they are able to come together and do anything, anytime they can do the same motions, the other team is going to get scared because this is a team that is ready to play, and they're coming out as one unit." (DO)
DO Note: "If someone wants to know the words of the ha'a, they will either have to wait or try to walk on to the UH football team. The lyrics are kept within the team to add to the effect of keeping it unified. Fans have asked for the words because they would like to join the Warriors in the ha'a."
About how they want to keep the words to the ha'a within their team, Kalilimoku said:
"It's kind of our thing, and we really just understand it. If we put the words out, and everybody, particularly other teams, they could do it. We're still thinking about, we're not really sure yet." (DO)
BCS Update from the Advertiser
About how UH shouldn't drop any lower in the BCS after dropping to 16th this week, Jerry Palm (who runs CollegeBCS.com) said:
"All things being equal and they don't lose again, (the Warriors) should go up from now on." (HA)
HA Note: "If there was a week UH was vulnerable to get passed by a herd of BCS heavies and could do little about it, this was it. With UH (8-0) having an open date, dead in the water with its sagging strength of schedule numbers, the fear was that a handful of marquee schools might leap-frog the Warriors.
Six of the nine teams immediately behind UH won, but just two, Texas (8-2) and Florida (6-3), hopped over them. Significantly, Southern California (7-2) and Auburn (7-3) remained behind, the Tigers getting leapfrogged by three teams for the schedule hit they took for playing I-AA homecoming patsy Tennessee Tech. Had Auburn slipped past UH on that note, the Warriors' prospects would have seriously dimmed."
About the difference between UH's voter and computer rankings, Palm said that in the 10 years of the BCS:
"There has never been a team (ranked) so disparately between what the voters think of them and what the computers think of them." (HA)
HA Note: "Only one of the six computer providers (Peter Wolfe) even has UH in the top 25 underlining how much more forgiving the voters are than computers. UH's schedule is ranked worst among the 119 I-A teams and 160th overall. To date the highest-ranked UH foe in the Sagarin ratings, one of the BCS computer providers, is No. 106 Louisiana Tech. Now comes the "meat" of the schedule, Fresno State (73), Nevada (105), Boise State (28) and Washington (53), who all rank better."
HA Note: "The Fiesta and Sugar Bowls said they plan to send representatives to the Warriors' Nov. 16 game at Nevada and the Orange Bowl is scheduled to send a scout to the Nov. 23 game with Boise State, Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson said yesterday."
About how the winner of the UH-BSU game could get to a BCS game, Karl Benson said:
"We could be looking at a No. 15 or 16 Boise State playing a No. 10, 11 or 12 Hawai'i at that point. The fact that we already have two teams in the top 20 of the BCS makes a very strong statement about WAC football." (HA)
HA Note: "A visit by an Orange Bowl representative would be the longest trip taken by the Miami-based game. The Fiesta Bowl had a representative at the Warriors' Oct. 12 game at San Jose State, and the Sugar Bowl had a staffer at the Sept. 8 game at Louisiana Tech. Prior to this season none of the bowls had sent representatives to UH games."
"All things being equal and they don't lose again, (the Warriors) should go up from now on." (HA)
HA Note: "If there was a week UH was vulnerable to get passed by a herd of BCS heavies and could do little about it, this was it. With UH (8-0) having an open date, dead in the water with its sagging strength of schedule numbers, the fear was that a handful of marquee schools might leap-frog the Warriors.
Six of the nine teams immediately behind UH won, but just two, Texas (8-2) and Florida (6-3), hopped over them. Significantly, Southern California (7-2) and Auburn (7-3) remained behind, the Tigers getting leapfrogged by three teams for the schedule hit they took for playing I-AA homecoming patsy Tennessee Tech. Had Auburn slipped past UH on that note, the Warriors' prospects would have seriously dimmed."
About the difference between UH's voter and computer rankings, Palm said that in the 10 years of the BCS:
"There has never been a team (ranked) so disparately between what the voters think of them and what the computers think of them." (HA)
HA Note: "Only one of the six computer providers (Peter Wolfe) even has UH in the top 25 underlining how much more forgiving the voters are than computers. UH's schedule is ranked worst among the 119 I-A teams and 160th overall. To date the highest-ranked UH foe in the Sagarin ratings, one of the BCS computer providers, is No. 106 Louisiana Tech. Now comes the "meat" of the schedule, Fresno State (73), Nevada (105), Boise State (28) and Washington (53), who all rank better."
HA Note: "The Fiesta and Sugar Bowls said they plan to send representatives to the Warriors' Nov. 16 game at Nevada and the Orange Bowl is scheduled to send a scout to the Nov. 23 game with Boise State, Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson said yesterday."
About how the winner of the UH-BSU game could get to a BCS game, Karl Benson said:
"We could be looking at a No. 15 or 16 Boise State playing a No. 10, 11 or 12 Hawai'i at that point. The fact that we already have two teams in the top 20 of the BCS makes a very strong statement about WAC football." (HA)
HA Note: "A visit by an Orange Bowl representative would be the longest trip taken by the Miami-based game. The Fiesta Bowl had a representative at the Warriors' Oct. 12 game at San Jose State, and the Sugar Bowl had a staffer at the Sept. 8 game at Louisiana Tech. Prior to this season none of the bowls had sent representatives to UH games."
Feature on Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins
http://www.mauinews.com/sports/2007/11/4/06bess1104.html
About how they do not worry about the criticism of their weak schedule, Bess said:
“We don’t have anything to apologize for,. That is one of the things we don’t get too caught up in, the lack and how weak our schedule is. You know, as long as we continue to go out and play hard, good things are going to come.’’ (Maui News)
MN Note: "The NFL could be in their futures as soon as next year, but the junior teammates were squarely cemented in the here and now as they helped run a Hawaii Speed and Quickness Clinic for 127 Valley Isle youths at Maui High School gym on Saturday."
About the predictions that they would play LSU in the Sugar Bowl, Bess said:
“That is something beyond a lot of our dreams. That would be a dream come true. That is one of the main things we want to focus on – putting Hawaii on the map, going mainstream and letting everybody across the country know that the name WAC doesn’t mean that the teams are whack.’’ (MN)
Feeling that their weak schedule should not keep them from the BCS, Bess said:
“It doesn’t matter who we go up and play against because if you look at college football this year you can see so many upsets. I don’t think it is a matter of who we are playing. It is a matter of going out there and playing ball. Anybody can lose to anybody on any given Saturday, so by us having a weak schedule, I don’t think that should take us out of the BCS.’’ (MN)
About being 8-0, RGM said:
“We are winning, we are 8-0. That is the statement. Especially this year in college football, it doesn’t matter who you are playing against. This has got to be one of the wildest years in college football history. This year it is all about winning. Everybody has proved over the last couple of weeks how hard it is just to win. It doesn’t matter if the team is ranked number two or number 119.’’ (MN)
About their second bye week in three weeks, Bess said:
“I think it is good to rest up, to get the body back in shape and obviously get mentally focused, get mentally prepared for what we have got in these last four games – we know they are real big and will determine if we go to the BCS or not. We just want to continue to work hard and stay humble at the same time.’’ (MN)
About how people constantly mistake RGM and him for each other, Bess said:
“We get mixed up a lot, especially on Oahu. We are pretty used to it. It has been happening since our freshman year.’’ (MN)
Not thinking about whether he'll go to the NFL after this season, Bess said:
“You know what, it is something I haven’t discussed with my coaches, my parents, nobody. We’ll see at the end of this year. I am focusing on getting my team a BCS championship and a WAC championship. All that other stuff will happen later.’’ (MN)
Not thinking about whether he'll go to the NFL after this season, RGM said:
“We don’t talk about it much – just this season, this opportunity that we have right now. Right now it is just this season. We don’t want to talk about nothing else. Maybe at the end of the season I will think about it, but not now.’’ (MN)
About Tyler Graunke (who was also helping at that clinic on Maui), RGM said:
“Tyler, he’s a slinger, you know, a gunslinger. Like I tell everybody, Tyler is a good quarterback. He just happens to be behind the best quarterback in the nation.’’ (MN)
About their August 30 opener next season at Florida, Tyler said:
“I get next year, I have got one more year, so who knows? Colt has taught me just about football and being a person. How he presents himself is real beneficial to me. I know we are going to have a good team coming into next year and I am going to be the general for the spread. It is just going to be me next year. I think about the Florida game all the time. I have been thinking about it for a couple years.’’ (MN)
About how they do not worry about the criticism of their weak schedule, Bess said:
“We don’t have anything to apologize for,. That is one of the things we don’t get too caught up in, the lack and how weak our schedule is. You know, as long as we continue to go out and play hard, good things are going to come.’’ (Maui News)
MN Note: "The NFL could be in their futures as soon as next year, but the junior teammates were squarely cemented in the here and now as they helped run a Hawaii Speed and Quickness Clinic for 127 Valley Isle youths at Maui High School gym on Saturday."
About the predictions that they would play LSU in the Sugar Bowl, Bess said:
“That is something beyond a lot of our dreams. That would be a dream come true. That is one of the main things we want to focus on – putting Hawaii on the map, going mainstream and letting everybody across the country know that the name WAC doesn’t mean that the teams are whack.’’ (MN)
Feeling that their weak schedule should not keep them from the BCS, Bess said:
“It doesn’t matter who we go up and play against because if you look at college football this year you can see so many upsets. I don’t think it is a matter of who we are playing. It is a matter of going out there and playing ball. Anybody can lose to anybody on any given Saturday, so by us having a weak schedule, I don’t think that should take us out of the BCS.’’ (MN)
About being 8-0, RGM said:
“We are winning, we are 8-0. That is the statement. Especially this year in college football, it doesn’t matter who you are playing against. This has got to be one of the wildest years in college football history. This year it is all about winning. Everybody has proved over the last couple of weeks how hard it is just to win. It doesn’t matter if the team is ranked number two or number 119.’’ (MN)
About their second bye week in three weeks, Bess said:
“I think it is good to rest up, to get the body back in shape and obviously get mentally focused, get mentally prepared for what we have got in these last four games – we know they are real big and will determine if we go to the BCS or not. We just want to continue to work hard and stay humble at the same time.’’ (MN)
About how people constantly mistake RGM and him for each other, Bess said:
“We get mixed up a lot, especially on Oahu. We are pretty used to it. It has been happening since our freshman year.’’ (MN)
Not thinking about whether he'll go to the NFL after this season, Bess said:
“You know what, it is something I haven’t discussed with my coaches, my parents, nobody. We’ll see at the end of this year. I am focusing on getting my team a BCS championship and a WAC championship. All that other stuff will happen later.’’ (MN)
Not thinking about whether he'll go to the NFL after this season, RGM said:
“We don’t talk about it much – just this season, this opportunity that we have right now. Right now it is just this season. We don’t want to talk about nothing else. Maybe at the end of the season I will think about it, but not now.’’ (MN)
About Tyler Graunke (who was also helping at that clinic on Maui), RGM said:
“Tyler, he’s a slinger, you know, a gunslinger. Like I tell everybody, Tyler is a good quarterback. He just happens to be behind the best quarterback in the nation.’’ (MN)
About their August 30 opener next season at Florida, Tyler said:
“I get next year, I have got one more year, so who knows? Colt has taught me just about football and being a person. How he presents himself is real beneficial to me. I know we are going to have a good team coming into next year and I am going to be the general for the spread. It is just going to be me next year. I think about the Florida game all the time. I have been thinking about it for a couple years.’’ (MN)
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Quotes about Samson and Miami's OL
About Samson starting as a rookie center, 10-year NFL vet LG Chris Liwinski said:
''He's got a lot of stuff on his shoulders, a lot of calls to make, a lot of things to understand. I think he's done a great job of adjusting to the NFL game.'' (Miami Herald)
MH Note: "Still, it's accurate to mention Satele first among the rookies and trumpeting the fact he starts. The center position requires more than just safely transferring the ball to the quarterback's hands and hitting the guy in front of you. It's not ideal to have a rookie in the job on a line with five guys either new to the roster or playing spots they didn't play last season."
About how Rex Hadnot (last year's starting C, now their starting RG) and the rest of their OL have helped him, Samson said:
''I had a lot of help from Rex, because he played center last year, Chris, all the guys up front. I can make a wrong call and Rex will tell me the right call. When [we go] into [the] meeting, he doesn't take the credit, but he knows that he did the right call.'' (MH)
MH Note: "Nobody is confusing Satele with Dwight Stephenson. But teams don't get their top two rushers above 5.0 yards a carry -- Brown at 5.1 and Jesse Chatman at 5.4 -- without strong clearance by the middle of the line."
About how their OL wants to prove their detractors wrong, Liwienski said:
"We all have a chip on our shoulder, knowing the offensive line has been the brunt of the joke around here for a couple of years." (Palm Beach Post)
PBP Note: "Everything is relative with an 0-8 team and a franchise with a recent history of abominable line play. Yet statistically, this O-line is one of the better ones in the NFL. The Dolphins are second in the NFL with an average of 4.9 yards per rush attempt and nine rushing TDs, a season after Miami scored only seven in 16 games. Miami's 278 pass attempts rank fourth in the NFL, yet the Dolphins have allowed just 14 sacks. Last season, they gave up 41."
''He's got a lot of stuff on his shoulders, a lot of calls to make, a lot of things to understand. I think he's done a great job of adjusting to the NFL game.'' (Miami Herald)
MH Note: "Still, it's accurate to mention Satele first among the rookies and trumpeting the fact he starts. The center position requires more than just safely transferring the ball to the quarterback's hands and hitting the guy in front of you. It's not ideal to have a rookie in the job on a line with five guys either new to the roster or playing spots they didn't play last season."
About how Rex Hadnot (last year's starting C, now their starting RG) and the rest of their OL have helped him, Samson said:
''I had a lot of help from Rex, because he played center last year, Chris, all the guys up front. I can make a wrong call and Rex will tell me the right call. When [we go] into [the] meeting, he doesn't take the credit, but he knows that he did the right call.'' (MH)
MH Note: "Nobody is confusing Satele with Dwight Stephenson. But teams don't get their top two rushers above 5.0 yards a carry -- Brown at 5.1 and Jesse Chatman at 5.4 -- without strong clearance by the middle of the line."
About how their OL wants to prove their detractors wrong, Liwienski said:
"We all have a chip on our shoulder, knowing the offensive line has been the brunt of the joke around here for a couple of years." (Palm Beach Post)
PBP Note: "Everything is relative with an 0-8 team and a franchise with a recent history of abominable line play. Yet statistically, this O-line is one of the better ones in the NFL. The Dolphins are second in the NFL with an average of 4.9 yards per rush attempt and nine rushing TDs, a season after Miami scored only seven in 16 games. Miami's 278 pass attempts rank fourth in the NFL, yet the Dolphins have allowed just 14 sacks. Last season, they gave up 41."
Great info about the BCS computers from Ferd
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071104/SPORTS0201/711040354/1312/SPORTS0201&template=UHsports
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071104/SPORTS0201/711040355/1312/SPORTS0201&template=UHsports
HA Note: "The six computer providers are Anderson & Hester, Richard Billingsley, Wes Colley, Kenneth Massey, Jeff Sagarin and Peter Wolfe. That UH's standing varies from 14th to 55th among the computers reflects the differences in the providers and the latitude they have in their programs."
About the different computer rankings, Charles Bloom (associate commissioner of the SEC, which administers the BCS in conjunction with the National Football Foundation) said:
"The parameters are up to them. Each of the (computers) have its own measures of what they use: i.e. schedule strength, recent results, conference strength, etc." (HA)
HA Note: "The only prohibition being a margin of victory component, which the BCS did away with in 2002. Jeff Sagarin, 59, an MIT graduate in theoretical mathematics, is the only one of the six who makes his living on rankings. The providers receive what is described as a small "honorarium." "
About the small amount of money they get for their computer rankings, Wolfe said:
"let's put it this way, I'm not giving up my day job." (HA)
HA Note: "His day jobs include being an associate professor at UCLA, specializing in infectious diseases, and a physician with a private practice."
About his computer ranking, Wolfe said:
"College football is my favorite sport and I've been interested in math and ratings systems since college. I think the people who run the BCS knew there is a kind of sports ratings subculture out there on the internet and, one day, Ray Kramer (then commissioner of the SEC) called me to invite me to participate." (HA)
HA Note: "Colley's call came while he was in a MIT lab working on missiles. Colley, 36, produces the Colley Matrix and is an astrophysics professor at the University of Alabama-Huntsville who began mixing algorithms and football as a hobby while at Princeton. Colley's Matrix, which this year began tracking games against I-AA opponents for the first time, does not give UH (26th) any points for strength of schedule. UH was especially hurt by not only playing two I-AA opponents, but by playing New Mexico State, which also had two I-AA foes."
About how he has consistently rated UH high (currently 14th), Wolfe said:
"I chose to design my system to have a small preference for undefeateds, perhaps more than the other systems used by the BCS, which might account for Hawai'i's position." (HA)
HA Note: "Anderson and Hester were buddies at the University of Washington in the 1980s and, feeling that the major polls had a bias against the Huskies, came up with their own. Anderson became a constitutional law scholar and professor at the Air Force Academy and Hester a sportswriter in Seattle. In their system UH is currently 33rd."
About his computer rankings, Anderson said:
"Each team's opponents and opponents' opponents are judged not only by their won-lost records but also, uniquely, by their conferences' strength. Each conference is rated according to its non-conference won-lost record and the difficulty of its non-conference schedule." (HA)
HA Note: "Massey is a math professor at Carson-Newman College (Tennessee) and, at 31 the youngest of the providers. The Warriors are 55th on his computer — a function, he said, of their schedule to date, which compares with a "Division I-AA schedule." As UH plays better teams, Massey said its numbers should rise."
HA Note: "The interest people have in the BCS standings, Colley said, hit home when he was introduced to the commanding general at the Army's Redstone Arsenal who, to heck with missiles, demanded to know where Colley had his team (Texas) ranked. Fortunately, Colley said he was able to tell him the Longhorns were No. 1 on his computer at the time."
HA Note: "Taking issue with the suggestion that a lot of UH's scheduling weakness can be blamed on the Spartans' pullout, Jeff Anderson writes on www .andersonsports.com under the headline, "Why Hawaii Doesn't Deserve Sympathy for Its Easy Schedule," "... all of Hawaii's scheduling woes cannot be blamed on Michigan State's having bailed out. If Hawaii had played Michigan St. instead of I-AA Northern Colorado (the Spartans' replacement), the Warriors would still have played the easiest or second-easiest schedule to date out of the nation's 119 (major) teams." "
"Fully half of Hawaii's games have been against teams that are currently ranked in the bottom-6 (No. 114 or worse) or are I-AA," Anderson wrote on the Web site. "What about the tough half of the Warriors' schedule, you ask? Those games have been against teams ranked between Nos. 84 and 106." (HA)
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071104/SPORTS0201/711040355/1312/SPORTS0201&template=UHsports
HA Note: "The six computer providers are Anderson & Hester, Richard Billingsley, Wes Colley, Kenneth Massey, Jeff Sagarin and Peter Wolfe. That UH's standing varies from 14th to 55th among the computers reflects the differences in the providers and the latitude they have in their programs."
About the different computer rankings, Charles Bloom (associate commissioner of the SEC, which administers the BCS in conjunction with the National Football Foundation) said:
"The parameters are up to them. Each of the (computers) have its own measures of what they use: i.e. schedule strength, recent results, conference strength, etc." (HA)
HA Note: "The only prohibition being a margin of victory component, which the BCS did away with in 2002. Jeff Sagarin, 59, an MIT graduate in theoretical mathematics, is the only one of the six who makes his living on rankings. The providers receive what is described as a small "honorarium." "
About the small amount of money they get for their computer rankings, Wolfe said:
"let's put it this way, I'm not giving up my day job." (HA)
HA Note: "His day jobs include being an associate professor at UCLA, specializing in infectious diseases, and a physician with a private practice."
About his computer ranking, Wolfe said:
"College football is my favorite sport and I've been interested in math and ratings systems since college. I think the people who run the BCS knew there is a kind of sports ratings subculture out there on the internet and, one day, Ray Kramer (then commissioner of the SEC) called me to invite me to participate." (HA)
HA Note: "Colley's call came while he was in a MIT lab working on missiles. Colley, 36, produces the Colley Matrix and is an astrophysics professor at the University of Alabama-Huntsville who began mixing algorithms and football as a hobby while at Princeton. Colley's Matrix, which this year began tracking games against I-AA opponents for the first time, does not give UH (26th) any points for strength of schedule. UH was especially hurt by not only playing two I-AA opponents, but by playing New Mexico State, which also had two I-AA foes."
About how he has consistently rated UH high (currently 14th), Wolfe said:
"I chose to design my system to have a small preference for undefeateds, perhaps more than the other systems used by the BCS, which might account for Hawai'i's position." (HA)
HA Note: "Anderson and Hester were buddies at the University of Washington in the 1980s and, feeling that the major polls had a bias against the Huskies, came up with their own. Anderson became a constitutional law scholar and professor at the Air Force Academy and Hester a sportswriter in Seattle. In their system UH is currently 33rd."
About his computer rankings, Anderson said:
"Each team's opponents and opponents' opponents are judged not only by their won-lost records but also, uniquely, by their conferences' strength. Each conference is rated according to its non-conference won-lost record and the difficulty of its non-conference schedule." (HA)
HA Note: "Massey is a math professor at Carson-Newman College (Tennessee) and, at 31 the youngest of the providers. The Warriors are 55th on his computer — a function, he said, of their schedule to date, which compares with a "Division I-AA schedule." As UH plays better teams, Massey said its numbers should rise."
HA Note: "The interest people have in the BCS standings, Colley said, hit home when he was introduced to the commanding general at the Army's Redstone Arsenal who, to heck with missiles, demanded to know where Colley had his team (Texas) ranked. Fortunately, Colley said he was able to tell him the Longhorns were No. 1 on his computer at the time."
HA Note: "Taking issue with the suggestion that a lot of UH's scheduling weakness can be blamed on the Spartans' pullout, Jeff Anderson writes on www .andersonsports.com under the headline, "Why Hawaii Doesn't Deserve Sympathy for Its Easy Schedule," "... all of Hawaii's scheduling woes cannot be blamed on Michigan State's having bailed out. If Hawaii had played Michigan St. instead of I-AA Northern Colorado (the Spartans' replacement), the Warriors would still have played the easiest or second-easiest schedule to date out of the nation's 119 (major) teams." "
"Fully half of Hawaii's games have been against teams that are currently ranked in the bottom-6 (No. 114 or worse) or are I-AA," Anderson wrote on the Web site. "What about the tough half of the Warriors' schedule, you ask? Those games have been against teams ranked between Nos. 84 and 106." (HA)
Feature article on Desmond Thomas
Happy to be UH's starting free safety, expecting his first child in May with his wife, and being on track to be the first family member to earn a college degree in December 2008, Desmond Thomas said:
"I'm blessed, and I'm enjoying everything now," said Thomas, a fourth-year junior. "Tomorrow is never promised." (HA)
About how he drank a lot of alcohol a couple of years ago, Desmond said:
"Man, I was carnal. I did the college thing, enjoying life. I didn't realize I was sinning." (HA)
About how he could not get over his bitterness towards his father who left their family before his 6th birthday, Desmond said:
"It was tough. My mom struggled raising us up. I get all of my courage from her." (HA)
About how his Mom and 2 siblings struggled while living in Sacramento, Fairfield, Vallejo, Richmond, and Oakland, Desmond said:
"Just looking back, I mean, you hear those stories where people didn't have anything to eat. That was my family sometimes. Not most of the cases, but there were times when we had to stay with family members." (HA)
About how she always insisted that Desmond regularly attend church, his Mom Belinda said:
"I tried to keep him with the church activities. Hopefully, it would pay off later." (HA)
About how when Desmond was 12 a neighborhood friend stole some items and gave it to him for safekeeping, and both of them were caught and taken to a juvenile center, Belinda said:
"He was a good kid, and that incident threw us for a loop." (HA)
About how he asked for her son to be held in the juvenile center until the evening, Belinda said:
"He needed to sit there and think about what he did." (HA)
HA Note: "Thomas excelled in football, although Belinda, fearful that his thin body would be prone to injuries, preferred if he would play soccer or basketball. Thomas eventually was offered a UH football scholarship, which he accepted without regrets."
About getting a scholarship from UH, Desmond said:
"I was proud to come out here. I'm the first one in my immediate family with a chance to graduate from college." (HA)
HA Note: "Thomas initially joined UH as a wideout. After two years, he moved to safety. He received little playing time at either position, but was enjoying the college scene. Then last year, a disheveled man approached. Thomas thought the man wanted to ask for money. Instead, the stranger told Thomas that he had "depression" in his eyes. He asked: "Why do you have so much stress?" The stranger told Thomas he needed to change his life. Thomas broke into tears. The man walked away. Thomas never saw him again."
About how Desmond reacted to that meeting with the stranger, Belinda said:
"He took it to heart. He started to go to church again." (HA)
About how he changed his life around, Desmond said:
"I was going through a lot of stuff. I couldn't find any answers. ... Last year, I sacrificed my life to God. He transformed me. I think it was my calling. Now I get a chance to minister to other teammates. See the sticker on the back of my (practice) helmet? I pose that question: 'Got Jesus?' " (HA)
About how she told her son he had to get over his bitterness towards his father, Belinda said:
"If you keep these burdens and heavy heart, you can't appreciate these blessings." (HA)
About how he now has a good relationship with his Dad, who even attended the SJSU game, Desmond said:
"I always held it against him. I couldn't forgive him. The Lord helped me with that. We have a healthy relationship now. We talk on the phone more. The Lord has been working with me in different ways, and forgiveness was one of them." (HA)
About how Demond's play has improved, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"He's working harder in the weight room. He was always a good guy. Now he's a better one." (HA)
About how his mother serves as his motivation to succeed, Desmond said:
"Actions speak louder than words, and I'm just showing her now I'm sorry for all of the things I've done. This is how I'm going to repay — by going to school, by playing football, by doing the right things." (HA)
"I'm blessed, and I'm enjoying everything now," said Thomas, a fourth-year junior. "Tomorrow is never promised." (HA)
About how he drank a lot of alcohol a couple of years ago, Desmond said:
"Man, I was carnal. I did the college thing, enjoying life. I didn't realize I was sinning." (HA)
About how he could not get over his bitterness towards his father who left their family before his 6th birthday, Desmond said:
"It was tough. My mom struggled raising us up. I get all of my courage from her." (HA)
About how his Mom and 2 siblings struggled while living in Sacramento, Fairfield, Vallejo, Richmond, and Oakland, Desmond said:
"Just looking back, I mean, you hear those stories where people didn't have anything to eat. That was my family sometimes. Not most of the cases, but there were times when we had to stay with family members." (HA)
About how she always insisted that Desmond regularly attend church, his Mom Belinda said:
"I tried to keep him with the church activities. Hopefully, it would pay off later." (HA)
About how when Desmond was 12 a neighborhood friend stole some items and gave it to him for safekeeping, and both of them were caught and taken to a juvenile center, Belinda said:
"He was a good kid, and that incident threw us for a loop." (HA)
About how he asked for her son to be held in the juvenile center until the evening, Belinda said:
"He needed to sit there and think about what he did." (HA)
HA Note: "Thomas excelled in football, although Belinda, fearful that his thin body would be prone to injuries, preferred if he would play soccer or basketball. Thomas eventually was offered a UH football scholarship, which he accepted without regrets."
About getting a scholarship from UH, Desmond said:
"I was proud to come out here. I'm the first one in my immediate family with a chance to graduate from college." (HA)
HA Note: "Thomas initially joined UH as a wideout. After two years, he moved to safety. He received little playing time at either position, but was enjoying the college scene. Then last year, a disheveled man approached. Thomas thought the man wanted to ask for money. Instead, the stranger told Thomas that he had "depression" in his eyes. He asked: "Why do you have so much stress?" The stranger told Thomas he needed to change his life. Thomas broke into tears. The man walked away. Thomas never saw him again."
About how Desmond reacted to that meeting with the stranger, Belinda said:
"He took it to heart. He started to go to church again." (HA)
About how he changed his life around, Desmond said:
"I was going through a lot of stuff. I couldn't find any answers. ... Last year, I sacrificed my life to God. He transformed me. I think it was my calling. Now I get a chance to minister to other teammates. See the sticker on the back of my (practice) helmet? I pose that question: 'Got Jesus?' " (HA)
About how she told her son he had to get over his bitterness towards his father, Belinda said:
"If you keep these burdens and heavy heart, you can't appreciate these blessings." (HA)
About how he now has a good relationship with his Dad, who even attended the SJSU game, Desmond said:
"I always held it against him. I couldn't forgive him. The Lord helped me with that. We have a healthy relationship now. We talk on the phone more. The Lord has been working with me in different ways, and forgiveness was one of them." (HA)
About how Demond's play has improved, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"He's working harder in the weight room. He was always a good guy. Now he's a better one." (HA)
About how his mother serves as his motivation to succeed, Desmond said:
"Actions speak louder than words, and I'm just showing her now I'm sorry for all of the things I've done. This is how I'm going to repay — by going to school, by playing football, by doing the right things." (HA)
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Chris Spielman praises Colt
About Colt, Chris Spielman (ESPN analyst and 4-time Pro Bowl linebacker) said:
“I’ve watched Colt Brennan on film. I’ve watched him live. There’s nobody in college football that has the release he has. I think he has the opportunity to be a great NFL quarterback.” (Coltbrennanblog.com)
“I’ve watched Colt Brennan on film. I’ve watched him live. There’s nobody in college football that has the release he has. I think he has the opportunity to be a great NFL quarterback.” (Coltbrennanblog.com)
Friday, November 2, 2007
Stephanie Lum writes about the "job swap"
http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=7301121
About how the fans love Vili and how he feeds off of that love, Vili's wife Linda Fehoko said:
"Once he looks to the fans in the Vili zone, they go nuts! He feeds off of that and goes even more ballistic and crazy, he bumps chests with the football players and he also spends time prior to the games rehearsing with his sons on the drums and weaving headbands for the fans." (KHNL)
"The stage is his home. He is a natural born performer." (KHNL)
KHNL Note: "At the grueling half ironman triathlon on the Big Island, two years ago, I was practically running on fumes on the last leg of the race and ready to collapse. But as I continued to put one foot in front of the other, I could hear Vili's yells and the thunderous sounds of his drums. Before I knew it, I was recharged and found my legs moving faster to the beat of Vili's drum, towards the finish line. He helped me and many other triathletes that day by giving us that final push we needed to make it to the end. After that, I was determined to find out more about the mysterious Vili the Warrior and see if I have what it takes to do his job."
KHNL Note: "Everyone knows whenever the UH Warriors score a touchdown, Vili does pushups. So, as part of my training, we did pushups, and I also learned the haka and the signature "Vili cheer". On game day, I found out it takes a ton of energy, charisma, and heart to be a true warrior. Running around the stadium, passing out headbands, pounding drums, shouting, cheering and doing pushups can tire you out fast."
About how the fans motivate him to keep up his energy, Vili said:
"It is the fans that keep you going." (KHNL)
About how the fans love Vili and how he feeds off of that love, Vili's wife Linda Fehoko said:
"Once he looks to the fans in the Vili zone, they go nuts! He feeds off of that and goes even more ballistic and crazy, he bumps chests with the football players and he also spends time prior to the games rehearsing with his sons on the drums and weaving headbands for the fans." (KHNL)
"The stage is his home. He is a natural born performer." (KHNL)
KHNL Note: "At the grueling half ironman triathlon on the Big Island, two years ago, I was practically running on fumes on the last leg of the race and ready to collapse. But as I continued to put one foot in front of the other, I could hear Vili's yells and the thunderous sounds of his drums. Before I knew it, I was recharged and found my legs moving faster to the beat of Vili's drum, towards the finish line. He helped me and many other triathletes that day by giving us that final push we needed to make it to the end. After that, I was determined to find out more about the mysterious Vili the Warrior and see if I have what it takes to do his job."
KHNL Note: "Everyone knows whenever the UH Warriors score a touchdown, Vili does pushups. So, as part of my training, we did pushups, and I also learned the haka and the signature "Vili cheer". On game day, I found out it takes a ton of energy, charisma, and heart to be a true warrior. Running around the stadium, passing out headbands, pounding drums, shouting, cheering and doing pushups can tire you out fast."
About how the fans motivate him to keep up his energy, Vili said:
"It is the fans that keep you going." (KHNL)
Quotes from the local papers
Praising Fresno's defense and special teams, JJ said:
"Fresno's the best defense I've looked at so far, technically and physically, and their special teams are probably the best in the country along with Boise." (HSB)
About how their special teams will be challenged in the Fresno State and BSU games, JJ said:
"Two of the next four weeks, we'll play two of the best special teams (units) in the country." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The Warriors devoted a sizable portion of their final practice of their bye week to special teams, concentrating on assignments and technique in punt coverage and kickoff returns yesterday morning."
About how special teams play will be important vs. Fresno State, Nevada, and BSU, Guyton Galdeira said:
"We know those three (WAC) teams pride themselves on special teams and they're really aggressive. There isn't any room for error at all." (HSB)
About how key special teams breakdowns cost them big in the BSU game Oregon State games, Galdeira said:
"(The Broncos) blocked our field goals the last two years -- those were really big plays. You look at our Oregon State game (a 35-32 loss last season), they had a kick return (for a touchdown) on us. We had stuffed everybody all year and one play was probably the factor in that game. We're concentrating on our responsibilities and making sure we execute every single time. ... We pride ourselves and really take it personal." (HSB)
Feeling more comfortable in their system now, especially with the extra reps he's been getting now that he's with the 2nd team D, Erik Robinson said:
"I feel real comfortable (in the UH system) because as you get more repetitions at something you start getting comfortable. I used to be kind of nervous, but now I'm more relaxed and laid back. I was ready to get out there and prove myself (against NMSU). I was hungry, just ready to just hit somebody." (HSB)
About how their backups have stepped up whenever they have had injuries, GM said:
"We've been fortunate in that if anybody has gotten hurt the next guy has stepped up. Tyler (Graunke) stepped up. Brad Kalilimoku stepped up. Keala Watson stepped up when Mike (Lafaele) was hurt, and Desmond has already started to take charge back there. And then Erik and Dane Porlas really looked good today." (HSB)
About how they practiced a little against Nevada's D this week, GM said:
"We practiced most of the time against Fresno, but we did spend some time practicing against Reno. They run a unique offense, so we wanted to get into it a little bit." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Getting an early jump on preparing for the "Pistol" will help make up for a short week leading up to UH's last road game of the regular season, a Friday night contest in Reno to air on ESPN2."
Happy to receive an invitation to the Hula Bowl, CJ Hawthorne said:
"I'm thankful for the invitation. There are probably hundreds of seniors who want to be in that game. It's an honor to be invited." (HA)
WR coach Ron Lee said that Rivers and Hawthorne are:
"very deserving. It's great for them. It's a nice way to cap their season." (HA)
"They both have speed and good hands," Lee said. "All of the good stuff." (HA)
HA Note: "During testing last spring, Rivers and Hawthorne each ran 40 yards in a team-best 4.45 seconds."
About Hercules Satele, who just got his Hula Bowl invitation, OL coach Dennis McKnight said:
"He's the next (offensive lineman) from this school who will get his shot and go to the NFL. He's a great pass-blocker, great trapper, great competitor. Plus, at the next level, he can play center, as well." (HA)
McKnight said about their OL:
"Colt and the receivers couldn't do what they do if we didn't do what we do. And we wouldn't be as good and get the recognition we get if Colt and the receivers weren't as good as they are. It all works hand in hand. We give Colt and the receivers the credit they deserve." (HA)
HA Note: "At UH, Satele has spent hours in the weight room to develop into a physical blocker. He can bench press a maximum 405 pounds, and bench 225 pounds 27 times."
Happy that Hercules' success has paid off, McKnight said:
"I'm happy for Herc. He's been given nothing. He's worked hard, and he deserves everything he gets." (HA)
Happy to be able to play in the Hula Bowl and extend his college career, Hercules said:
"There's another game for me to play against different people from different colleges." (HA)
Hawthorne also is happy to extend his college career, saying:
"We're happy for another game. Once it's over, it's over." (HA)
"Fresno's the best defense I've looked at so far, technically and physically, and their special teams are probably the best in the country along with Boise." (HSB)
About how their special teams will be challenged in the Fresno State and BSU games, JJ said:
"Two of the next four weeks, we'll play two of the best special teams (units) in the country." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The Warriors devoted a sizable portion of their final practice of their bye week to special teams, concentrating on assignments and technique in punt coverage and kickoff returns yesterday morning."
About how special teams play will be important vs. Fresno State, Nevada, and BSU, Guyton Galdeira said:
"We know those three (WAC) teams pride themselves on special teams and they're really aggressive. There isn't any room for error at all." (HSB)
About how key special teams breakdowns cost them big in the BSU game Oregon State games, Galdeira said:
"(The Broncos) blocked our field goals the last two years -- those were really big plays. You look at our Oregon State game (a 35-32 loss last season), they had a kick return (for a touchdown) on us. We had stuffed everybody all year and one play was probably the factor in that game. We're concentrating on our responsibilities and making sure we execute every single time. ... We pride ourselves and really take it personal." (HSB)
Feeling more comfortable in their system now, especially with the extra reps he's been getting now that he's with the 2nd team D, Erik Robinson said:
"I feel real comfortable (in the UH system) because as you get more repetitions at something you start getting comfortable. I used to be kind of nervous, but now I'm more relaxed and laid back. I was ready to get out there and prove myself (against NMSU). I was hungry, just ready to just hit somebody." (HSB)
About how their backups have stepped up whenever they have had injuries, GM said:
"We've been fortunate in that if anybody has gotten hurt the next guy has stepped up. Tyler (Graunke) stepped up. Brad Kalilimoku stepped up. Keala Watson stepped up when Mike (Lafaele) was hurt, and Desmond has already started to take charge back there. And then Erik and Dane Porlas really looked good today." (HSB)
About how they practiced a little against Nevada's D this week, GM said:
"We practiced most of the time against Fresno, but we did spend some time practicing against Reno. They run a unique offense, so we wanted to get into it a little bit." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Getting an early jump on preparing for the "Pistol" will help make up for a short week leading up to UH's last road game of the regular season, a Friday night contest in Reno to air on ESPN2."
Happy to receive an invitation to the Hula Bowl, CJ Hawthorne said:
"I'm thankful for the invitation. There are probably hundreds of seniors who want to be in that game. It's an honor to be invited." (HA)
WR coach Ron Lee said that Rivers and Hawthorne are:
"very deserving. It's great for them. It's a nice way to cap their season." (HA)
"They both have speed and good hands," Lee said. "All of the good stuff." (HA)
HA Note: "During testing last spring, Rivers and Hawthorne each ran 40 yards in a team-best 4.45 seconds."
About Hercules Satele, who just got his Hula Bowl invitation, OL coach Dennis McKnight said:
"He's the next (offensive lineman) from this school who will get his shot and go to the NFL. He's a great pass-blocker, great trapper, great competitor. Plus, at the next level, he can play center, as well." (HA)
McKnight said about their OL:
"Colt and the receivers couldn't do what they do if we didn't do what we do. And we wouldn't be as good and get the recognition we get if Colt and the receivers weren't as good as they are. It all works hand in hand. We give Colt and the receivers the credit they deserve." (HA)
HA Note: "At UH, Satele has spent hours in the weight room to develop into a physical blocker. He can bench press a maximum 405 pounds, and bench 225 pounds 27 times."
Happy that Hercules' success has paid off, McKnight said:
"I'm happy for Herc. He's been given nothing. He's worked hard, and he deserves everything he gets." (HA)
Happy to be able to play in the Hula Bowl and extend his college career, Hercules said:
"There's another game for me to play against different people from different colleges." (HA)
Hawthorne also is happy to extend his college career, saying:
"We're happy for another game. Once it's over, it's over." (HA)
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Quotes from the Hawaii papers, the Idaho Statesman, and the Associated Press
About how he hasn't talked about their BCS chances to the team, JJ said:
"I haven't said one word to them about it. We just talk about each game and each opponent and each play. From the time of the Heisman talk on [quarterback] Colt [Brennan], like I told him, 'You're not going to win it unless we win one at a time and win them all.' " (AP)
About his weekly appointment with the scale in the UH locker room, Raphael Ieru said:
"You get scared every time. You can step on it, and you don't see the results you feel you should see." (HA)
About how 3 weeks ago the scale showed that he was under 300 pounds, Ieru (who was up to 365 after joining the Warriors) said:
"I was super excited. It was unbelievable. I felt real good. I've been getting good comments from all of the coaches. That drives you even more." (HA)
About how Ieru (now 296 pounds) was promoted to #2 RT after losing the weight, JJ said:
"Because he showed the dedication off the field to lose the weight, I'm going give him an opportunity to show what he can do." (HA)
HA Note: "During the bye week, Ieru has received extensive work during team drills. His strength (benches 225 pounds 26 times) combined with his improved quickness have improved his stock as a perimeter blocker."
Praising Ieru, OL coach Dennis McKnight said:
"He's playing his (butt) off. He's reborn again hard. I'm very proud of him." (HA)
About how he struggled with his conditioning after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in 2005, Ieru said:
"Sometimes my knee held me back, but I don't use that as an excuse." (HA)
About how he was last year, Ieru admitted:
"I wasn't responsible. I took everything to the head instead of taking care of all of my priorities." (HA)
HA Note: "At the end of spring practice in April, Jones told the 6-foot-1 Ieru he needed to weigh less than 300 if he wanted to compete for playing time. Ieru went on the Atkins Diet, eating salads and smaller portions of beef and chicken. He reduced his intake of carbohydrates and sweets."
About reporting to training camp at 309 pounds, Ieru said:
"Coach Jones wanted me to lose more, but he was OK with 309." (HA)
About how he then *gained* 6 pounds, Ieru said:
"I felt bad. I didn't want to disappoint anybody. We've got brothers out there fighting for you, and the best you can do is your part." (HA)
About how he then drank more water and avoided any fried foods, Ieru added:
"You get used to eating small portions. You keep doing it, and you feel better about yourself." (HA)
About how he wants to reach his preferred weight of 290, Ieru said:
"People say that's too light for a lineman. But people have different frames. There are big 290s and skinny 290s. You have to be in shape to play in this offense. There's a lot of movement, pulling, a lot of screens. There's a lot of fun stuff, too. It's not pass block and chill. You have to be quick on your feet and read the (line)backers and (defensive) ends. I'm trying to improve." (HA)
About how he wants to learn more about his Samoan ancestry, Ieru loves how Colt, Bess, and Patek speak Samoan:
"I feel they're getting better than me. That goes to show they're taking it serious. They want to learn about the Polynesian cultures. It's a big plus. That shows we're brothers on this team. That's what keeps us close." (HA)
Vowing to play in their bowl game, Monteilh said:
"I'm playing in the bowl whether they like it or not. I think I'll be good to go." (HA)
Monteilh was told the recovery for his injury if 6-8 weeks and there are 5 weekends left in the regular season, but Monteilh hasn't given up hope for the regular season, saying:
"I heal a little fast." (HA)
About being happy with the bye week last in the season, JJ said:
"I always think byes late in the season are (good)." (HSB)
Not worried about how they could get rusty, JJ said:
"I don't ever worry about rust. We've been using our bye schedule the way we have for almost 25 years. I think we're pretty good after byes. … I stole this from Jerry Glanville, and it works." (Idaho Statesman)
About how their offense helps them get into gear, JJ said:
"Because we're a high-tempo offense … we kick it right into gear when we come back." (IS)
IS Note: "Hawaii coaches will use this week's bye to begin game-planning for their last three opponents of the season — Nevada, Boise State and Washington. The Warriors face Fresno State on Nov. 10 in Honolulu. All four games will be televised on ESPN networks."
Wishing that they didn't have a bye week now, Dennis McKnight said:
"I don't like having byes. I think it takes away momentum and stuff you have." (HSB)
About how they don't just relax during the bye week, RT Keoni Steinhoff said:
"Everybody thinks we have rest and stuff, but it's just another practice week for us. We come out here every day, practice, weight room, running, all that kind of stuff. Relaxing isn't necessarily on my schedule." (HSB)
About the 3 holding calls he got in the NMSU game, Keith AhSoon (isn't that Ah-Soon?) said:
"Maybe we need to have some referee session or something to get to know what's holding. I was disappointed (with the calls), man, but at the same time I had to keep my composure." (HSB)
Note: Man, someone gets 3 holding calls in one game and the Star-Bulletin takes away the "-" in his name!
About how he disagreed with the holding calls, McKnight said:
"What they call holding and what I call holding, obviously we're on different pages. To me, an ass-kicking where you put a guy on his back on a flat-ass pancake block is not holding." (HSB)
About how his OL gets a good test in practice, OL coach McKnight said:
"The one good thing about it is we practice against the No. 1 sack team in our conference every day. I think our defense, with the way they blitz and come after us, is the best work we can get." (HSB)
About how he thinks that the bye week is good for them so they have the practice time, Steinhoff said:
"I think another bye week for more hard work in practice is important to us. We still need to improve our blocking schemes." (HSB)
About how he doesn't like the bye week, AhSoon (or Ah-Soon) said:
"It kind of bothers me. Once you're in that routine of going out there every Saturday, it's a good thing. It's hard for someone like me who's anxious to play." (HSB)
About how they will plya their final 4 games in just 22 days, Steinhoff said:
"It's going to be a dogfight to the end." (HSB)
Happy that ESPN will broadcast their final 4 games, HF said:
"We're so glad that we were able to work out the various details with ESPN in order to deliver this game to a national television audience. Having our last four football games on national television, including three at home, will really highlight our program and provide wonderful exposure for the state of Hawaii." (HSB)
"I haven't said one word to them about it. We just talk about each game and each opponent and each play. From the time of the Heisman talk on [quarterback] Colt [Brennan], like I told him, 'You're not going to win it unless we win one at a time and win them all.' " (AP)
About his weekly appointment with the scale in the UH locker room, Raphael Ieru said:
"You get scared every time. You can step on it, and you don't see the results you feel you should see." (HA)
About how 3 weeks ago the scale showed that he was under 300 pounds, Ieru (who was up to 365 after joining the Warriors) said:
"I was super excited. It was unbelievable. I felt real good. I've been getting good comments from all of the coaches. That drives you even more." (HA)
About how Ieru (now 296 pounds) was promoted to #2 RT after losing the weight, JJ said:
"Because he showed the dedication off the field to lose the weight, I'm going give him an opportunity to show what he can do." (HA)
HA Note: "During the bye week, Ieru has received extensive work during team drills. His strength (benches 225 pounds 26 times) combined with his improved quickness have improved his stock as a perimeter blocker."
Praising Ieru, OL coach Dennis McKnight said:
"He's playing his (butt) off. He's reborn again hard. I'm very proud of him." (HA)
About how he struggled with his conditioning after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in 2005, Ieru said:
"Sometimes my knee held me back, but I don't use that as an excuse." (HA)
About how he was last year, Ieru admitted:
"I wasn't responsible. I took everything to the head instead of taking care of all of my priorities." (HA)
HA Note: "At the end of spring practice in April, Jones told the 6-foot-1 Ieru he needed to weigh less than 300 if he wanted to compete for playing time. Ieru went on the Atkins Diet, eating salads and smaller portions of beef and chicken. He reduced his intake of carbohydrates and sweets."
About reporting to training camp at 309 pounds, Ieru said:
"Coach Jones wanted me to lose more, but he was OK with 309." (HA)
About how he then *gained* 6 pounds, Ieru said:
"I felt bad. I didn't want to disappoint anybody. We've got brothers out there fighting for you, and the best you can do is your part." (HA)
About how he then drank more water and avoided any fried foods, Ieru added:
"You get used to eating small portions. You keep doing it, and you feel better about yourself." (HA)
About how he wants to reach his preferred weight of 290, Ieru said:
"People say that's too light for a lineman. But people have different frames. There are big 290s and skinny 290s. You have to be in shape to play in this offense. There's a lot of movement, pulling, a lot of screens. There's a lot of fun stuff, too. It's not pass block and chill. You have to be quick on your feet and read the (line)backers and (defensive) ends. I'm trying to improve." (HA)
About how he wants to learn more about his Samoan ancestry, Ieru loves how Colt, Bess, and Patek speak Samoan:
"I feel they're getting better than me. That goes to show they're taking it serious. They want to learn about the Polynesian cultures. It's a big plus. That shows we're brothers on this team. That's what keeps us close." (HA)
Vowing to play in their bowl game, Monteilh said:
"I'm playing in the bowl whether they like it or not. I think I'll be good to go." (HA)
Monteilh was told the recovery for his injury if 6-8 weeks and there are 5 weekends left in the regular season, but Monteilh hasn't given up hope for the regular season, saying:
"I heal a little fast." (HA)
About being happy with the bye week last in the season, JJ said:
"I always think byes late in the season are (good)." (HSB)
Not worried about how they could get rusty, JJ said:
"I don't ever worry about rust. We've been using our bye schedule the way we have for almost 25 years. I think we're pretty good after byes. … I stole this from Jerry Glanville, and it works." (Idaho Statesman)
About how their offense helps them get into gear, JJ said:
"Because we're a high-tempo offense … we kick it right into gear when we come back." (IS)
IS Note: "Hawaii coaches will use this week's bye to begin game-planning for their last three opponents of the season — Nevada, Boise State and Washington. The Warriors face Fresno State on Nov. 10 in Honolulu. All four games will be televised on ESPN networks."
Wishing that they didn't have a bye week now, Dennis McKnight said:
"I don't like having byes. I think it takes away momentum and stuff you have." (HSB)
About how they don't just relax during the bye week, RT Keoni Steinhoff said:
"Everybody thinks we have rest and stuff, but it's just another practice week for us. We come out here every day, practice, weight room, running, all that kind of stuff. Relaxing isn't necessarily on my schedule." (HSB)
About the 3 holding calls he got in the NMSU game, Keith AhSoon (isn't that Ah-Soon?) said:
"Maybe we need to have some referee session or something to get to know what's holding. I was disappointed (with the calls), man, but at the same time I had to keep my composure." (HSB)
Note: Man, someone gets 3 holding calls in one game and the Star-Bulletin takes away the "-" in his name!
About how he disagreed with the holding calls, McKnight said:
"What they call holding and what I call holding, obviously we're on different pages. To me, an ass-kicking where you put a guy on his back on a flat-ass pancake block is not holding." (HSB)
About how his OL gets a good test in practice, OL coach McKnight said:
"The one good thing about it is we practice against the No. 1 sack team in our conference every day. I think our defense, with the way they blitz and come after us, is the best work we can get." (HSB)
About how he thinks that the bye week is good for them so they have the practice time, Steinhoff said:
"I think another bye week for more hard work in practice is important to us. We still need to improve our blocking schemes." (HSB)
About how he doesn't like the bye week, AhSoon (or Ah-Soon) said:
"It kind of bothers me. Once you're in that routine of going out there every Saturday, it's a good thing. It's hard for someone like me who's anxious to play." (HSB)
About how they will plya their final 4 games in just 22 days, Steinhoff said:
"It's going to be a dogfight to the end." (HSB)
Happy that ESPN will broadcast their final 4 games, HF said:
"We're so glad that we were able to work out the various details with ESPN in order to deliver this game to a national television audience. Having our last four football games on national television, including three at home, will really highlight our program and provide wonderful exposure for the state of Hawaii." (HSB)
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