About facing UH's offense, BSU defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said:
"If there was some magic defense that automatically shut them down, everybody would be doing it. But there isn't. So you've got to win the one-on-one matchups, you've got to cover and you've got to tackle." (Idaho Statesman)
About how they haven't stopped UH's offense, but they have done well enough to win, senior safety Marty Tadman said:
"I don't know if we've been successful against them, but we know what we need to do to be successful against them." (IS)
IS Note: "That list is long, but it begins with an attitude. Teams often talk about trying to slow the Warriors down or contain them - and rarely do either. The Broncos, instead, want to be the aggressor, attacking Hawaii's receivers and quarterback Colt Brennan. Hawaii turned the ball over three times, including a pivotal fumble by Brennan, in last year's 41-34 Boise State victory."
About how they want to attack UH's offense, CB Orlando Scandrick said:
"It's going to be much harder on someone if someone is attacking you, rather than if someone is sitting back letting you dictate what you want to do." (IS)
About how Colt might throw some bad passes if they get pressure on him, DE Mike Williams said:
"(Brennan's) a really good quarterback. If you put a lot of pressure on him, we'll see what happens. Maybe he might throw some bad passes. We're going to try to throw everything we can at him to try and confuse him." (IS)
About BSU, Colt said:
"Boise's always given us a ton of credit on offense. They're going to say, 'We're going to move the ball on them. We're going to put points on them.' One reason they do well is because they understand that." (IS)
About the type of plays that have to be made in the game, Wilcox said:
"There are going to be times where we've got to win a one-on-one pass rush, win a one-on-one in the slot, win a one-on-one on the edge." (IS)
Telling Colt to leave instead of talk to the reporters waiting for him, JJ said:
"You're out of here." (HSB)
About trying to stay with their routine for this game, JJ said:
"It's a normal week for us. We've stayed plugged in the whole time." (HSB)
About how this is his biggest game so far, Colt said:
"I assume there will be some bigger ones down the line, but this is it now." (HSB)
About trying to stay with their routine this week, JJ said:
"We haven't really done anything different other than realize the importance of this game. We're probably a little more enthusiastic in practice. I'm just getting used to the idea of lining up and playing regardless of who we play." (HSB)
About how the hype for the BSU game doesn't bother him, JJ said:
"The good Lord has blessed me. I don't worry about things." (HA)
About his national interview with Jim Rome, JJ said:
"It was like a normal interview from (KITV's) Robert Kekaula." (HA)
About how he doesn't dwell on records or milestones, JJ said:
"That's the way it's always been for me. It's about the players, not that other stuff. Already this year, I don't remember stuff about games. People ask me, and I don't remember plays. But I remember the look on (quarterback) Tyler Graunke's face when he came off the field against Nevada. I remember the way (defensive tackle) Michael Lafaele plays. Those are the things you remember and appreciate." (HA)
No matter who wins tomorrow, JJ said that this season has:
"been fabulous. It's great to be around the coaches and players. It's wonderful to watch the good Lord touch the hearts of all of the kids on the team. It's been really fun. We have great leadership within the locker room. We really have good kids." (HA)
About how he gets up before sunrise every day, JJ said:
"I can't wait to go to school. I really look forward to it." (HA)
About his close friends Mouse Davis and Jerry Glanville, JJ said:
"We talk every week. I think both are coming to the game. They're very supportive. I appreciate that." (HA)
About how he will be one of their kick returners, Keenan Jones said:
"For sure." (HA)
About how he impressed the coaches with his aggressive running style, Keenan said:
"That's what you have to do. You can't be in there and dance around." (HA)
"I'm a little flashy, but you've got to keep your mindframe straight. You can't go out there and be cocky. This game humbles you. At the same time, you have to be confident. All of the guys on offense are making plays. You want to go out there and do the same." (HA)
HA Note: "Last week against Nevada, there was at least one return that should have resulted in a touchdown but wasn't because of a poor read. The coaches believe that Jones, who can run 40 yards in 4.57 seconds, is quick enough to sprint to daylight."
About the mistakes he made in the past at UH, Keenan said:
"I wouldn't say I'm a model guy. I'm nobody. I'm not a role model, by any means. I try to keep my sense of being when I'm around here, and try to be a good example and not embarrass the program. They teach you that here as well as football. Being a man, for one, and going out there and handling business." (HA)
About practicing despite his injuries, Fale Laeli said:
"It was good to practice. They said 'it's good,' and they said I can play." (HA)
Laeli said that his injuries:
"don't hurt me." (HA)
About how he's ready to play after missing the last 2 games, Pilares said:
"Good to go already, training hard and I'm in better shape than I was. I think I'll be ready. All week we have to practice hard." (HSB)
Pilares watched Hawaii's dramatic 28-26 victory at Nevada with friends at his dorm, while his parents made the trip to Reno.
About how his parents went to the Nevada game while he watched it at his dorm, Pilares said:
"I was kind of sad I couldn't go. They had a good time, but it's all about supporting the team, not just me." (HSB)
About Jason Rivers being held out of practice due to a headache, WR coach Ron Lee said:
"He wanted to practice, but we held him out. He'll play Friday." (HSB)
About how he was close to committing to the Warriors in 2003, BSU QB Taylor Tharp said:
"Really close. When I tripped to Hawaii, Boise had had a commit from Brink, the guy that went to Washington State. My options were limited to Hawaii or possibly Wyoming at the time. I went out there, was really close to committing, didn't commit while I was there and as things unfolded. Pete (Boise State coach Chris Petersen) called me that week and said that Brink had de-committed and ... I jumped in right away. I was very close to being a Warrior." (HSB)
About how he was disappointed to lose that recruiting battle with BSU, especially with Tim Chang ending his Warrior career, JJ said:
"We thought he was going to come. He's our kind of guy, a real accurate passer. Nobody was recruiting him and once we got on him, Boise got on him." (HSB)
Asked if Colt could have taken SJSU's scholarship if Tharp had committed to UH, JJ said:
"Lot of ifs in that question, but it could've happened." (HSB)
HSB Note: "To add to the series of coincidences, former Boise State coach Dan Hawkins is now at Colorado, and his son, Cody, is the CU quarterback. So a guy who grew up in Boise is the Colorado QB, a guy who grew up in Boulder is the Boise QB, and a guy who was at Colorado is the Hawaii QB."
About how things worked out for everyone, Dan Morrison said:
"The game itself is kind of serendipitous. Things happen, one thing leads to another. We're real happy (Brennan's) here and I'm happy for Taylor that he's doing well where he is. He was a very good high school quarterback, threw the ball well, had a real good knowledge of what they were doing. Great kid. We always stayed in touch. When we play each other we always visit. It was nice getting to know him. He's a fine young man and I'm happy for his success. He deserves it." (HSB)
About how he doesn't think about what numbers he could have put up in UH's offense, Tharp said:
"You can always play the different scenario game. You try and figure out if things might have been different," he said. "But I couldn't have asked for the situation I've gotten here. I've been completely blessed to be in a situation where I've been a part of four WAC championships, gotten four rings and have a chance to get a fifth. This has been the perfect situation for me and I wouldn't trade it." (HSB)
About facing UH at Aloha Stadium, Chris Petersen said:
"It's going to be tough because of the travel. We're leaving Wednesday and we'll go through LAX and get there late. It'll be 80 degrees, in a stadium with metal benches and a sold-out crowd. It'll be as loud as Washington was (where BSU lost in September). It's a challenge, but our guys are accustomed to focusing on the job at hand. Last year we beat Oregon State and for three months we had to hear about the BCS. We had business to take care of first, and we did." (Orange County Register)
About the huge increase in sales of Warrior merchandise, associate AD John McNamara said:
"The brand has never been stronger, and fans are reacting to that. They want to be part of the team." (Houston Chronicle)
Houston Chronicle Note: "Royalty revenue from licensed merchandise has increased 69 percent from July 1 thru Monday, compared to the same period last year, said Debbie Kutara, the school's licensing administrator. The $194,465 royalties earned in the 4 1/2 months roughly translates to retail sales of $4.8 million in merchandise."
"Fans are buying all kinds of goods with the Warriors' logo, including T-shirts, hats, rugs, beach chairs and bean bags. Brandon Kop, owner of the largest local licensee of University of Hawaii-branded merchandise, said his sales to retailers from July to September are up 300 percent from the same three months a year ago."
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Article about how the Pac-10 doesn't develop backup QBs
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pacqbs21nov21,1,1192292.story?coll=la-headlines-sports
About how Pac-10 teams keep losing when they have to use their backup QBs, Oregon State coach Mike Riley said:
"Man, I don't think I have ever seen a [conference race] affected by so many injuries to quarterbacks. The injury factor at that position is so big and how you handle that is a major factor in how your team does. It has been an unusual year." (LAT)
About why Pac-10 teams struggle when their starting QB is hurt, private QB coach Steve Clarkson said:
"The problem is, if you lose your No. 1 guy, your whole offensive philosophy is not prepared for the drop off. Quarterback is such a difficult position to fill that it's an oddity to find more than one guy who possess the same skills, especially when you have someone special like a Dixon. You end up with a guy 180 degrees different." (LAT)
"It's hard to duplicate what a Tim Tebow does [for Florida]." (LAT)
About how college teams are really hurt when they lose their starting QB, Cal coach Jeff Tedford said:
"You notice throughout the country, when a quarterback goes down and you don't have a lot depth or a lot of experience in your depth, those injuries have a greater affect than at [other positions]." (LAT)
About why Pac-10 teams don't develop backup QBs, Clarkson said:
"Teams don't develop backups. As a coach I'd never practice a backup, figuring we'd lose anyway if had to play a backup." (LAT)
About why his starting QB gets all of the practice reps, USC coach Pete Carroll said:
"You have limited reps and you have to get your starter ready. We never had played a backup quarterback in seven years we've been here and now we've had to go through that." (LAT)
About how he was mistaken when he kept QB starter Booty in the Stanford game despite a broken finger on his throwing hand instead of using his backup Sanchez, Carroll said:
"It was not the right decision to stay with him. He didn't want to come out. The doctors felt he could play. My experience with the Patriots worked against me. [Quarterback] Drew Bledsoe had a similar deal with a cracked bone. He finished and was the hero." (LAT)
About why he doesn't want to use his backup QB, Carroll said:
"There's a learning curve you have to live through when you start a new guy. It takes time to get comfortable with the players around you and the tempo. It's an unbelievable challenge." (LAT)
About losing his starter Dixon, Oregon coach Belloti said:
"Dennis was performing better than any other quarterback in the nation." (LAT)
About Oregon losing Dixon, Clarkson said:
"Oregon was on a roll and should have been in position to compete for the national title. Then Dennis goes down and now they almost have to make up an offense as they go." (LAT)
About how Pac-10 teams keep losing when they have to use their backup QBs, Oregon State coach Mike Riley said:
"Man, I don't think I have ever seen a [conference race] affected by so many injuries to quarterbacks. The injury factor at that position is so big and how you handle that is a major factor in how your team does. It has been an unusual year." (LAT)
About why Pac-10 teams struggle when their starting QB is hurt, private QB coach Steve Clarkson said:
"The problem is, if you lose your No. 1 guy, your whole offensive philosophy is not prepared for the drop off. Quarterback is such a difficult position to fill that it's an oddity to find more than one guy who possess the same skills, especially when you have someone special like a Dixon. You end up with a guy 180 degrees different." (LAT)
"It's hard to duplicate what a Tim Tebow does [for Florida]." (LAT)
About how college teams are really hurt when they lose their starting QB, Cal coach Jeff Tedford said:
"You notice throughout the country, when a quarterback goes down and you don't have a lot depth or a lot of experience in your depth, those injuries have a greater affect than at [other positions]." (LAT)
About why Pac-10 teams don't develop backup QBs, Clarkson said:
"Teams don't develop backups. As a coach I'd never practice a backup, figuring we'd lose anyway if had to play a backup." (LAT)
About why his starting QB gets all of the practice reps, USC coach Pete Carroll said:
"You have limited reps and you have to get your starter ready. We never had played a backup quarterback in seven years we've been here and now we've had to go through that." (LAT)
About how he was mistaken when he kept QB starter Booty in the Stanford game despite a broken finger on his throwing hand instead of using his backup Sanchez, Carroll said:
"It was not the right decision to stay with him. He didn't want to come out. The doctors felt he could play. My experience with the Patriots worked against me. [Quarterback] Drew Bledsoe had a similar deal with a cracked bone. He finished and was the hero." (LAT)
About why he doesn't want to use his backup QB, Carroll said:
"There's a learning curve you have to live through when you start a new guy. It takes time to get comfortable with the players around you and the tempo. It's an unbelievable challenge." (LAT)
About losing his starter Dixon, Oregon coach Belloti said:
"Dennis was performing better than any other quarterback in the nation." (LAT)
About Oregon losing Dixon, Clarkson said:
"Oregon was on a roll and should have been in position to compete for the national title. Then Dennis goes down and now they almost have to make up an offense as they go." (LAT)
Wednesday Morning Quotes for the UH-BSU Game
Sam Chi, operater of BCSguru, said that UH has to:
"not only need to beat Boise but to look good doing it." (HA)
Chi wrote on BCSGuru:
"...the hopes of a WAC representative in a BCS bowl were all but dashed by Ohio State's victory (over Michigan). The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher. Hawai'i's only hope appears to rest with a Tennessee upset of LSU in the SEC title game, but even that doesn't guarantee anything. Boise State's quest for a repeat trip to a BCS bowl is deader than Generalissimo Francisco Franco." (HA)
Chi says that a top 12 finish for UH without beating BSU soundly or some help from other teamS;
"from where they are right now is probably a little bit of a stretch. The problem for them is they need all the votes they can get in the polls because the computers are just not going to help a whole heckuva lot at this point because of Hawai'i's schedule." (HA)
Karl Benson gave his standard response:
"I remain confident that the (BCS) process will reward a 12-0 Hawai'i team." (HA)
About returning from injury to boost UH's special teams, Rustin Saole said:
"I feel pretty good — 100 percent." (HA)
About how Saole is positioned 2nd from the right on the front line on kick returns, Rich Miano said that in the Nevada game Saole's replacement missed a key block:
"If Rustin were in there, it would have been a touchdown." (HA)
About how Solomon Elimimian replace Saole as right guard on punts, Miano said:
"Solomon is a leader on defense, and we'd rather have him on the sideline during punts." ( HA)
About how Saole is one of the inside wedge-busters on kickoffs, Miano said:
"He's one of the guys who takes great pride in playing special teams. When he's in there, it makes a big difference." (HA)
About wearing a knee brace after his return from his knee injury, Pilares said:
"It takes a lot away. It's like baggage. I'm getting used to it, because I might have to play with it." (HA)
HA Note: "The Broncos recruited Pilares in 2005, when he was the state's Offensive Player of the Year as a Damien Memorial High senior. But Pilares balked when he was encouraged to join the Broncos as a defensive back."
About why he didn't want to go to BSU, Pilares said:
"I didn't want to play defense. That was the major key why I didn't want to go there." (HA)
HA Note: "He also said he felt pressured to make a quick decision. Pilares accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy, but left during the equivalent of basic training. He then enrolled at UH."
About whether or not he'll go to the NFL after this season, Bess said:
"It's in the air still." (HA)
Asked about the reasons to return, Bess said:
"Hawai'i, the people here. Obviously it will help to have an extra year to put up good numbers. And I can graduate. Right now I'm on track to graduate right after my senior season. Graduating is the main thing." (HA)
About a play last year where an airborne BSU CB appeared to be aiming for his knee, requiring him to jump to avoid being hit and upsetting the UH coaches, Colt said:
"It was a corner blitz. Cornerbacks — I'm not speaking of all cornerbacks — they're not big hitters, so they usually go low, anyway. I think the guy was just trying to get to me. Luckily, I felt him and was able to get off the ground." (HA)
About how their 34-19 win over BSU (who was 10-3 in 1999) in 1999 was the turning point for their program, Rich Miano said:
"That's when I knew we were a good football team. To me, that's when I knew the June Jones era arrived." (HA)
About his wife of two weeks and high school sweetheart, the former Leona Wright, Keala Watson said:
"She's the love of my life." (HA)
HA Note: "They met as Nanakuli High juniors in the fall of 2002 after Keala moved from Kaua'i."
About how she knew Keala was the one even in high school, Leona said:
"I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him." (HA)
HA Note: "Their affection was strengthened by their Christian faith and the perseverance over tragedy. It was during their senior year in January 2004 when Leona's 40-year-old mother, Elizabeth Kanani Mathewson, died in a car accident. Two months later, Leona's father, Renold Wright, 45, suffered a fatal heart attack."
About how Leona lost both of her parents during her senior year, Keala said:
"They passed away so close together. It was devastating." (HA)
HA Note: "Leona also was caring for her grandmother, who died shortly after that."
About how his Christian faith helped get her through those tragedies, Leona said:
"Believing in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, that's the only thing that helped me get through all of the tragedies." (HA)
About how his parents invited Leona to move into their home in Nanakuli, Keala said:
"She needed somebody, and we were there. My parents were really cool about it. They took on the mother and father role." (HA)
About the Watsons' kindness, Leona said with her eyes moistening:
"His family was there for me when my parents passed away. His parents are practically mom and dad to me. They fill in those roles. I praise the Lord for blessing them, and bringing them into my life." (HA)
HA Note: "Leona also has been supportive of Keala, attending every UH home practice — in the rain or sweltering training-camp heat. She was at his side when he was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disorder, a condition similar to hemophilia in which a chemical deficiency does not allow his blood to clot normally. He redshirted as a UH freshman in 2004 because of the condition. And she has watched as he has ascended the depth chart. Keala is now in the starting rotation at defensive tackle."
Praising Keala, DL coach Jeff Reinbold said:
"He's doing a really good job." (HA)
About his proposal to Leona 3.5 years ago, Keala said:
"She was crying. She cried for five minutes. I was like, 'is that yes or no?' She said, 'yes.' " (HA)
About how they knew that they were too young to get married but Leona changed to the church where Keala worshiped, Leona said:
"We wanted to grow together in the Lord." (HA)
About how they wanted to get married before the start of training camp in August, Leona said:
"we wanted to make it right already." (HA)
HA Note: "But the wedding was delayed while Keala sought answers about his medical coverage. He feared the cost of his blood-clotting medicine would soar if he left his father's medical-insurance plan. He carries a nasal-spray bottle containing medicine he must take before every game. Each 12-dose bottle costs about $900. When it was learned the insurance he paid through the school would cover the medicine, the wedding was set for one of the bye weeks."
About their simple service at Leona's uncle's house in Nanakuli, Leona said:
"It's a beach-front property. It extends over the reef in Nanakuli. It was the right place. We met in Nanakuli. My parents are both scattered out there." (HA)
HA Note: "Keala, a fourth-year junior, and Leona are on track to earn their bachelor's degrees in May 2009. Keala, who has a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average, is majoring in environmental studies. Leona, who is studying to be a speech pathologist, has a 3.8 GPA."
About how they want to get their masters degrees at UH after this year, Leona said:
"We both want to continue to go to school and get our masters. We really like going to school at UH."
About Karl Noa's district All-America award, Keala said:
"Karl's only taking about four credits and has a 4.0 right now. He's graduating this semester." (HSB)
About Keala's classes that include advanced biology, geography, botany, and Hawaiian courses, Reinbold said:
"He's designing his own major. Endemic horticulture." (HSB)
About how he's actually an environmental studies major, Keala described his customized program:
"Preservation of native plants and animals." (HSB)
About how Keala is a fun guy to be around, Adam Leonard said:
"He just has that wit about him, anything can turn into a joke around him. He's a fun guy to have around. Walrus, he always keeps us on our toes. And you can see how hard he works, especially getting down in weight from last year (334 to 300 on his 6-foot-3 frame). I was shocked to see how much he changed. He's been making plays the past two years. He's one of those guys that when he comes in the game we have confidence he'll get the job done." (HSB)
HSB Note: "That was the case last Friday when Watson, the third defensive tackle, saw more action than usual when starters Mike Lafaele and Fale Laeli left the game with injuries. Watson was in on three tackles, but one of them forced a Colin Kaepernick fourth-quarter fumble that Watson recovered, preventing the Wolf Pack from adding to their 26-25 lead. After Desmond Thomas stopped the Pack on the next series, UH took over for the game-winning drive that ended with Dan Kelly's 45-yard field goal."
About how Keala's attention to technique and quickness allowed him to force that fumble and recover it, Reinbold said:
"On that particular blitz, he looks at the tackle. The tackle released, and because his eyes were in the right place he was able to chase him and knock the ball out. Because he's conscientious he put himself in position to make the play. I don't want to make it sound like he's not talented, because not many guys his size have that quickness." (HSB)
About how Keala is considered a 3rd DT starter, GM said:
"He, Mike and Fale are all solid players. They give us a great inside push. That's our starting point, those guys inside. I feel like we really have some good ones. He plays smart, he plays low, very coachable, runs to the football. Knows where the ball is. Very smart player, very seldom busts." (HSB)
About how he and Siave Seti observe what goes on when the starters are in the game to prepare for when they get in, Keala said:
"He's a real big influence for me on the sideline with me. Seti keeps me pumped up and takes a role as a leader even though he doesn't have that much playing time. We have a connection. Every time we go in there we just try to cause havoc.
Everyone has a role on this team. I can't grumble about where I sit. I can control what I put out on the field. I can't control anything else. Scout guys, they don't even see the playing field. I'm just lucky and blessed to go out there and at least have some time." (HSB)
About how Keala never gave up despite his blood disorder and broken hand, Reinbold said:
"He kept on believing and doing what he was asked to do, with his weight, and technique. Conscientious. That's the thing that separates him. He's not just book smart. He's book smart and football smart. When we ask him to do something, he does it every single time. He's exactly what you want representing your program." (HSB)
"not only need to beat Boise but to look good doing it." (HA)
Chi wrote on BCSGuru:
"...the hopes of a WAC representative in a BCS bowl were all but dashed by Ohio State's victory (over Michigan). The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher. Hawai'i's only hope appears to rest with a Tennessee upset of LSU in the SEC title game, but even that doesn't guarantee anything. Boise State's quest for a repeat trip to a BCS bowl is deader than Generalissimo Francisco Franco." (HA)
Chi says that a top 12 finish for UH without beating BSU soundly or some help from other teamS;
"from where they are right now is probably a little bit of a stretch. The problem for them is they need all the votes they can get in the polls because the computers are just not going to help a whole heckuva lot at this point because of Hawai'i's schedule." (HA)
Karl Benson gave his standard response:
"I remain confident that the (BCS) process will reward a 12-0 Hawai'i team." (HA)
About returning from injury to boost UH's special teams, Rustin Saole said:
"I feel pretty good — 100 percent." (HA)
About how Saole is positioned 2nd from the right on the front line on kick returns, Rich Miano said that in the Nevada game Saole's replacement missed a key block:
"If Rustin were in there, it would have been a touchdown." (HA)
About how Solomon Elimimian replace Saole as right guard on punts, Miano said:
"Solomon is a leader on defense, and we'd rather have him on the sideline during punts." ( HA)
About how Saole is one of the inside wedge-busters on kickoffs, Miano said:
"He's one of the guys who takes great pride in playing special teams. When he's in there, it makes a big difference." (HA)
About wearing a knee brace after his return from his knee injury, Pilares said:
"It takes a lot away. It's like baggage. I'm getting used to it, because I might have to play with it." (HA)
HA Note: "The Broncos recruited Pilares in 2005, when he was the state's Offensive Player of the Year as a Damien Memorial High senior. But Pilares balked when he was encouraged to join the Broncos as a defensive back."
About why he didn't want to go to BSU, Pilares said:
"I didn't want to play defense. That was the major key why I didn't want to go there." (HA)
HA Note: "He also said he felt pressured to make a quick decision. Pilares accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy, but left during the equivalent of basic training. He then enrolled at UH."
About whether or not he'll go to the NFL after this season, Bess said:
"It's in the air still." (HA)
Asked about the reasons to return, Bess said:
"Hawai'i, the people here. Obviously it will help to have an extra year to put up good numbers. And I can graduate. Right now I'm on track to graduate right after my senior season. Graduating is the main thing." (HA)
About a play last year where an airborne BSU CB appeared to be aiming for his knee, requiring him to jump to avoid being hit and upsetting the UH coaches, Colt said:
"It was a corner blitz. Cornerbacks — I'm not speaking of all cornerbacks — they're not big hitters, so they usually go low, anyway. I think the guy was just trying to get to me. Luckily, I felt him and was able to get off the ground." (HA)
About how their 34-19 win over BSU (who was 10-3 in 1999) in 1999 was the turning point for their program, Rich Miano said:
"That's when I knew we were a good football team. To me, that's when I knew the June Jones era arrived." (HA)
About his wife of two weeks and high school sweetheart, the former Leona Wright, Keala Watson said:
"She's the love of my life." (HA)
HA Note: "They met as Nanakuli High juniors in the fall of 2002 after Keala moved from Kaua'i."
About how she knew Keala was the one even in high school, Leona said:
"I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him." (HA)
HA Note: "Their affection was strengthened by their Christian faith and the perseverance over tragedy. It was during their senior year in January 2004 when Leona's 40-year-old mother, Elizabeth Kanani Mathewson, died in a car accident. Two months later, Leona's father, Renold Wright, 45, suffered a fatal heart attack."
About how Leona lost both of her parents during her senior year, Keala said:
"They passed away so close together. It was devastating." (HA)
HA Note: "Leona also was caring for her grandmother, who died shortly after that."
About how his Christian faith helped get her through those tragedies, Leona said:
"Believing in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, that's the only thing that helped me get through all of the tragedies." (HA)
About how his parents invited Leona to move into their home in Nanakuli, Keala said:
"She needed somebody, and we were there. My parents were really cool about it. They took on the mother and father role." (HA)
About the Watsons' kindness, Leona said with her eyes moistening:
"His family was there for me when my parents passed away. His parents are practically mom and dad to me. They fill in those roles. I praise the Lord for blessing them, and bringing them into my life." (HA)
HA Note: "Leona also has been supportive of Keala, attending every UH home practice — in the rain or sweltering training-camp heat. She was at his side when he was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disorder, a condition similar to hemophilia in which a chemical deficiency does not allow his blood to clot normally. He redshirted as a UH freshman in 2004 because of the condition. And she has watched as he has ascended the depth chart. Keala is now in the starting rotation at defensive tackle."
Praising Keala, DL coach Jeff Reinbold said:
"He's doing a really good job." (HA)
About his proposal to Leona 3.5 years ago, Keala said:
"She was crying. She cried for five minutes. I was like, 'is that yes or no?' She said, 'yes.' " (HA)
About how they knew that they were too young to get married but Leona changed to the church where Keala worshiped, Leona said:
"We wanted to grow together in the Lord." (HA)
About how they wanted to get married before the start of training camp in August, Leona said:
"we wanted to make it right already." (HA)
HA Note: "But the wedding was delayed while Keala sought answers about his medical coverage. He feared the cost of his blood-clotting medicine would soar if he left his father's medical-insurance plan. He carries a nasal-spray bottle containing medicine he must take before every game. Each 12-dose bottle costs about $900. When it was learned the insurance he paid through the school would cover the medicine, the wedding was set for one of the bye weeks."
About their simple service at Leona's uncle's house in Nanakuli, Leona said:
"It's a beach-front property. It extends over the reef in Nanakuli. It was the right place. We met in Nanakuli. My parents are both scattered out there." (HA)
HA Note: "Keala, a fourth-year junior, and Leona are on track to earn their bachelor's degrees in May 2009. Keala, who has a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average, is majoring in environmental studies. Leona, who is studying to be a speech pathologist, has a 3.8 GPA."
About how they want to get their masters degrees at UH after this year, Leona said:
"We both want to continue to go to school and get our masters. We really like going to school at UH."
About Karl Noa's district All-America award, Keala said:
"Karl's only taking about four credits and has a 4.0 right now. He's graduating this semester." (HSB)
About Keala's classes that include advanced biology, geography, botany, and Hawaiian courses, Reinbold said:
"He's designing his own major. Endemic horticulture." (HSB)
About how he's actually an environmental studies major, Keala described his customized program:
"Preservation of native plants and animals." (HSB)
About how Keala is a fun guy to be around, Adam Leonard said:
"He just has that wit about him, anything can turn into a joke around him. He's a fun guy to have around. Walrus, he always keeps us on our toes. And you can see how hard he works, especially getting down in weight from last year (334 to 300 on his 6-foot-3 frame). I was shocked to see how much he changed. He's been making plays the past two years. He's one of those guys that when he comes in the game we have confidence he'll get the job done." (HSB)
HSB Note: "That was the case last Friday when Watson, the third defensive tackle, saw more action than usual when starters Mike Lafaele and Fale Laeli left the game with injuries. Watson was in on three tackles, but one of them forced a Colin Kaepernick fourth-quarter fumble that Watson recovered, preventing the Wolf Pack from adding to their 26-25 lead. After Desmond Thomas stopped the Pack on the next series, UH took over for the game-winning drive that ended with Dan Kelly's 45-yard field goal."
About how Keala's attention to technique and quickness allowed him to force that fumble and recover it, Reinbold said:
"On that particular blitz, he looks at the tackle. The tackle released, and because his eyes were in the right place he was able to chase him and knock the ball out. Because he's conscientious he put himself in position to make the play. I don't want to make it sound like he's not talented, because not many guys his size have that quickness." (HSB)
About how Keala is considered a 3rd DT starter, GM said:
"He, Mike and Fale are all solid players. They give us a great inside push. That's our starting point, those guys inside. I feel like we really have some good ones. He plays smart, he plays low, very coachable, runs to the football. Knows where the ball is. Very smart player, very seldom busts." (HSB)
About how he and Siave Seti observe what goes on when the starters are in the game to prepare for when they get in, Keala said:
"He's a real big influence for me on the sideline with me. Seti keeps me pumped up and takes a role as a leader even though he doesn't have that much playing time. We have a connection. Every time we go in there we just try to cause havoc.
Everyone has a role on this team. I can't grumble about where I sit. I can control what I put out on the field. I can't control anything else. Scout guys, they don't even see the playing field. I'm just lucky and blessed to go out there and at least have some time." (HSB)
About how Keala never gave up despite his blood disorder and broken hand, Reinbold said:
"He kept on believing and doing what he was asked to do, with his weight, and technique. Conscientious. That's the thing that separates him. He's not just book smart. He's book smart and football smart. When we ask him to do something, he does it every single time. He's exactly what you want representing your program." (HSB)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Tuesday Night Quotes for the UH-BSU game
IS = Idaho Statesman
About sending his WAC coach of the year award to BSU's Petersen, JJ said:
"How often does anyone ever go undefeated and have that type of year and do everything they did? I just thought he deserved it." (IS)
Asked where that trophy is now that Petersen sent it back, JJ said:
"It's in my office, behind a bunch of things." (IS)
IS Note: "Fittingly enough, the winner of Friday's game likely will get the 2007 WAC Coach of the Year award."
Expecting Colt to play the whole BSU game, JJ said:
"(Brennan) could have played last week, too. They cleared him to play. I just thought he had too much at stake." (IS)
About his injury that scared off Pac-10 teams during the recruiting process, Adam Leonard said:
"The injury just helped make me mentally stronger. When things don't look as bright as you would want it to be, you can still push your way through the darkness and get better." (IS)
About how their defense is different this year, Adam said:
"We're finally playing together as a unit. We're making more big plays that change the game." (IS)
About Adam, GM said:
"He's been a big-play guy. He's a great player with a great attitude." (IS)
About how Adam doesn't get the attention he deserves, RGM said:
"I think he's one of the most underrated players in the country. If somebody sits down and just watches our games, him and (linebacker) Solomon (Elimimian), both of them are just everywhere." (IS)
About the Pac-10 school he was going to commit to out of high school, Adam said:
"I was thinking I was going to end up going to Cal." (IS)
IS Note: "Then his knee crumbled, and so did all that Pac-10 interest. He tore an anterior cruciate ligament - the type of injury that usually takes two years for a football player to fully overcome. Cal pulled its offer, suggesting Leonard go to a junior college to rehabilitate his knee. So did Duke, the school he thought would stick with him. So on signing day 2005, Leonard did not have a home. He knew a junior-college coach at Dixie State in Utah and was leaning toward going there."
About how he didn't want to go to a junior college, Adam said:
"I knew I could go the JC route, but I was kind of stubborn. I felt I still deserved a shot at Division I." (IS)
About how the Dixie College coach had friends on UH's coaching staff and sent them his tape, Adam said:
"Thank God he wasn't being selfish." (IS)
IS Note: "Hawaii asked Leonard to visit the day after the coaches watched the video. He flew to Honolulu that weekend and signed a letter of intent. A late offer from Fresno State was his only other I-A opportunity."
About how they took a chance on Adam, JJ said:
"We brought him in for a visit and took a chance. It paid off." (IS)
Praising Adam, Colt said:
"He's just a playmaker. I don't see a better defensive ballplayer in the WAC." (IS)
About how their team got more respect after beating Nevada without him, Colt said:
"Finally everybody can see how great of a team this really is. I know people have said all year, 'Oh, they've got a great quarterback, that is why they win, but they don't really have a great team.' People saw how great of a complete team we are." (AP)
About the importance of this game, Ian Johnson said:
"This game is really huge. We've done everything to get to this point. This is the pinnacle of our season right now . . . the little turning point of whether we finish it off strongly or not. This is the biggest thing for us right now." (AP)
About how their offense is on a roll, scoring 50+ in back-to-back games, Ian said:
"We're definitely in a good situation in our season. When you go out there and execute the way we have ... then you can start having some fun." (AP)
About their scheduling problems this year, JJ said:
"We offered to play everybody. No one wanted to play us." (ABC News)
About their success this year and their lack of respect, JJ said:
"We knew before the season started that we had to win them all to get any respect. We've kind of focused on one at a time and it's worked for us. All I know is we beat Arizona State in a bowl game last year and we've won 20 of our last 21 games. We'll line up and play anybody." (ABC)
About how their schedule is not their fault, Colt said:
"It wasn't like we didn't try to go out and schedule good teams. We tried to play everyone. We couldn't get anybody to take the offers. This is what we've dealt with and this is our schedule. I know we've won some close games and it's been a crazy year, but this team knows how to win. That's what's scary about us -- this team is used to winning." (ABC)
About sending his WAC coach of the year award to BSU's Petersen, JJ said:
"How often does anyone ever go undefeated and have that type of year and do everything they did? I just thought he deserved it." (IS)
Asked where that trophy is now that Petersen sent it back, JJ said:
"It's in my office, behind a bunch of things." (IS)
IS Note: "Fittingly enough, the winner of Friday's game likely will get the 2007 WAC Coach of the Year award."
Expecting Colt to play the whole BSU game, JJ said:
"(Brennan) could have played last week, too. They cleared him to play. I just thought he had too much at stake." (IS)
About his injury that scared off Pac-10 teams during the recruiting process, Adam Leonard said:
"The injury just helped make me mentally stronger. When things don't look as bright as you would want it to be, you can still push your way through the darkness and get better." (IS)
About how their defense is different this year, Adam said:
"We're finally playing together as a unit. We're making more big plays that change the game." (IS)
About Adam, GM said:
"He's been a big-play guy. He's a great player with a great attitude." (IS)
About how Adam doesn't get the attention he deserves, RGM said:
"I think he's one of the most underrated players in the country. If somebody sits down and just watches our games, him and (linebacker) Solomon (Elimimian), both of them are just everywhere." (IS)
About the Pac-10 school he was going to commit to out of high school, Adam said:
"I was thinking I was going to end up going to Cal." (IS)
IS Note: "Then his knee crumbled, and so did all that Pac-10 interest. He tore an anterior cruciate ligament - the type of injury that usually takes two years for a football player to fully overcome. Cal pulled its offer, suggesting Leonard go to a junior college to rehabilitate his knee. So did Duke, the school he thought would stick with him. So on signing day 2005, Leonard did not have a home. He knew a junior-college coach at Dixie State in Utah and was leaning toward going there."
About how he didn't want to go to a junior college, Adam said:
"I knew I could go the JC route, but I was kind of stubborn. I felt I still deserved a shot at Division I." (IS)
About how the Dixie College coach had friends on UH's coaching staff and sent them his tape, Adam said:
"Thank God he wasn't being selfish." (IS)
IS Note: "Hawaii asked Leonard to visit the day after the coaches watched the video. He flew to Honolulu that weekend and signed a letter of intent. A late offer from Fresno State was his only other I-A opportunity."
About how they took a chance on Adam, JJ said:
"We brought him in for a visit and took a chance. It paid off." (IS)
Praising Adam, Colt said:
"He's just a playmaker. I don't see a better defensive ballplayer in the WAC." (IS)
About how their team got more respect after beating Nevada without him, Colt said:
"Finally everybody can see how great of a team this really is. I know people have said all year, 'Oh, they've got a great quarterback, that is why they win, but they don't really have a great team.' People saw how great of a complete team we are." (AP)
About the importance of this game, Ian Johnson said:
"This game is really huge. We've done everything to get to this point. This is the pinnacle of our season right now . . . the little turning point of whether we finish it off strongly or not. This is the biggest thing for us right now." (AP)
About how their offense is on a roll, scoring 50+ in back-to-back games, Ian said:
"We're definitely in a good situation in our season. When you go out there and execute the way we have ... then you can start having some fun." (AP)
About their scheduling problems this year, JJ said:
"We offered to play everybody. No one wanted to play us." (ABC News)
About their success this year and their lack of respect, JJ said:
"We knew before the season started that we had to win them all to get any respect. We've kind of focused on one at a time and it's worked for us. All I know is we beat Arizona State in a bowl game last year and we've won 20 of our last 21 games. We'll line up and play anybody." (ABC)
About how their schedule is not their fault, Colt said:
"It wasn't like we didn't try to go out and schedule good teams. We tried to play everyone. We couldn't get anybody to take the offers. This is what we've dealt with and this is our schedule. I know we've won some close games and it's been a crazy year, but this team knows how to win. That's what's scary about us -- this team is used to winning." (ABC)
Article about Jeff Ulbrich
http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=3714§ion=PR%20News
About how he found out he would be drafted, Jeff Ulbrich said:
“I found out when everyone else watching the draft found out. I was at my sister’s house and Bill Walsh had called. He was running the draft at the time and he told me they were going to use their pick on me, and a couple seconds later I saw my name on the ESPN ticker.” (49ers.com)
About how he grew up a 49ers fan in San Jose, near 49ers headquarters, Ulbrich said:
“I was always a huge 49ers fan and grew up with the team in the 80’s. My first memory of a 49ers game was when I was a kid, and saw Keena Turner put a huge hit on someone. I was always into the hits.” (49ers.com)
About how he tries to help out the younger 49ers players, Ulbrich said:
“I try to share whatever knowledge I have with the young guys. I try to give them an emotional lift.” (49ers.com)
About how he found out he would be drafted, Jeff Ulbrich said:
“I found out when everyone else watching the draft found out. I was at my sister’s house and Bill Walsh had called. He was running the draft at the time and he told me they were going to use their pick on me, and a couple seconds later I saw my name on the ESPN ticker.” (49ers.com)
About how he grew up a 49ers fan in San Jose, near 49ers headquarters, Ulbrich said:
“I was always a huge 49ers fan and grew up with the team in the 80’s. My first memory of a 49ers game was when I was a kid, and saw Keena Turner put a huge hit on someone. I was always into the hits.” (49ers.com)
About how he tries to help out the younger 49ers players, Ulbrich said:
“I try to share whatever knowledge I have with the young guys. I try to give them an emotional lift.” (49ers.com)
Tuesday Quotes for the UH-BSU game
About their nationally televised game vs. BSU for the WAC title, George Lumpkin said:
"It's outstanding. This is great, especially for the kids. They've worked so hard. They worked hard in the summer when nobody was making them. And they've played hard." (HA)
HA Note: "For 35 years, George Lumpkin has been a member of the University of Hawai'i football team. He played two seasons as a defensive back, then served 33 of the next 36 years as every sort of coach on defense. He has watched players, coaches, mascots and nicknames come and go. Now, at last, he is preparing for the Warriors' first winner-take-all game."
About the BSU game, Rich Miano (All-WAC safety for UH in the 80s and an 11-year NFL vet) said:
"I would think this would be the biggest regular-season game in the history of the program. It's for the undisputed WAC championship." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors shared the title in 1992 and 1999, but have never won a championship outright."
About how the rivalry with BSU has escalated, Miano said:
"For us coaches, players and fans, Boise is the BYU of the '80s." (HA)
HA Note: "Quarterback Colt Brennan, who has recovered from a concussion and will start, said the game is a culmination of three years of hard work. The core of the team — Brennan, slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins, linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian — were first-year Warriors during the 5-7 season in 2005."
About how many of their core players went from 5-7 as first-year Warriors to 10-0 now, Colt said:
"Just to think about where we were our first year, what we've come to now, to be sitting here at 10-0, I mean, it's been a journey. Now it's time to have fun and play this football game, which is probably the most anticipated football game for us all season. I mean, you can't even sleep. You can't even get through the day right now. It's that exciting." (HA)
"The struggle has just been to get here, to get to this point. Everyone has been wanting to play Boise with the last two years - how crazy those games have been, how well we've done and come away with losses. We're dying to play Boise. To be here finally, it's a relief." (Idaho Statesman)
About how BSU has earned respect due to their 5 WAC titles in a row, Solomon Elimimian said:
"You have to give respect where respect is due. They're the champs, and we want the title. They're a great team. We're going to have to battle them. May the best team win on Friday." (HA)
HA Note: "The teams are entering with different approaches. The Broncos, as they have done all season, are limiting access to Boise writers. Hawai'i media will not be granted interviews with Bronco players. The Warriors' practice yesterday was open to the public. About a dozen fans waited for Brennan to sign autographs."
When BSU's limited access policy was brought up to him, JJ smiled and said:
"Hope you (reporters) appreciate what you have over here." (HA)
Trying to treat this game as if it was a normal game (at least when he talks with the media), JJ said:
"Make it what you want. For us, it's the next game. Next week's game will be big, too, just like last week's game was big. All of them are that way." (HA)
Admitting a little more about the importance of the game, JJ said:
"We were hoping to get it to this game and this situation all year, just like they were the same way, so it'll be a heck of a football game." (HSB)
About the Nevada win and their other close wins, JJ said:
"Great football teams are able to do that thing, two overtime wins and a last second game against Reno, that's what great things do and this team has all the makings of a great team." (KHNL)
About how it was decided early last week that he would play no more than a limited role in the Nevada game, Colt said:
"We tried to keep (the status) as secret as possible. The truth is, I could have played (the entire game). I was 100 percent physically in what I could do. But I didn't know how my brain was going to react to good, solid shots. ... If anything happened, and I'd taken a good enough shot to the head, I would have had another concussion. And two concussions in six days would have meant I couldn't play for the rest of the year." (HA)
By missing most of the Nevada game, Colt said:
"I can be 100 percent this week." (HA)
"That's why I sat out last week - so I could be 100 percent for the rest of the season. Now I don't have anything to worry about. I'm as close to 100 percent as possible." (Idaho Statesman)
Expecting Colt to play in their game, BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"Coach Jones, they run their offense, they do what they do. We're pretty confident Colt is gonna get in there." (HSB)
Praising Colt, Petersen said:
"He's a special player. He's just got a great knack for finding receivers. He's one of those guys that's got 'it.' " (IS)
About how they can't rely on their past successes to win this game, Petersen said:
"We're just worried about, this is a completely different (Boise) team than in the past. This is about this year and now, and we're just totally focused on playing our best against Hawaii." (HSB)
About how they have to score a lot of points against UH's tough D, Petersen said:
"Hawaii, they score a heck of a lot of points (NCAA best 48.0). We're going to have to get some things done on offense, which is so challenging because Hawaii's playing as good defense as anybody out there." (HSB)
About Colt and Ian Johnson are just part of their teams, with both missing games this season, Petersen said:
"If you're gonna be a good team it's not about one guy. Certain positions get a lot of attention, but if you're gonna have a really good team, you're gonna have a lot of good players. At certain times, guys get banged up, and other guys gotta step up and carry the flag, and I think both teams have had that happen." (HSB)
About the importance of this game, Petersen said:
"I think we've got two really good teams here. It's hard for me to say what one of us deserves. I just got to believe it's going to work out for both teams whatever happens. I just tell our guys if we play to the best of our ability and take care of business, we're going to play somewhere good." (AP)
About his Dad's reaction to his game winning FG against Nevada, Dan Kelly (named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week) said:
"My sister said my dad actually brought out, for the first time in a few years, the 'Fat Man Dance.' It's a dance nobody can describe that he does in the living room when something exciting happens. My sister said he broke it out right after my field goal. It's entertaining. I can still picture it in my head. But it's something you have to see to get a full essence of." (HA)
"It's like any other award, it's nice to look at after the season is over, but we want to focus on what's at hand." (KHNL)
About being named WAC Offensive Player of the Week, Tyler said:
"It's a great honor. I'm just trying to do my job, play my role, not get too selfish out there. I don't need to do much. I just try to get it to the athletes, and watch them score touchdowns." (HA)
"I'm not all about individual accomplishments or anything like that, as long as we get the victory, but it feels great to be recognized." (KHNL)
About being cleared to play in the BSU game, Pilares said:
"I'm trying to get my leg stronger. I want to play without a brace." (HA)
About how they have to be discliplined against BSU, Bess said:
"They're real disciplined, so we need to play disciplined ourselves, so we just need to know when to, and when not to do certain things and hopefully everything will pan out and we win it." (KHNL)
About setting the WAC career reception record (he has 266 now), Bess said:
"I'm happy, thankful. I give credit to my teammates, and to coach Jones for putting me in positions to make plays." (HA)
HA Note: "But the record isn't safe. Teammate Jason Rivers trails by nine."
About how he will play in the BSU game despite a fractured rib, Fale Laeli said:
"I thought it was a spasm, but a spasm usually goes away. The thing kept on when I talked and breathed." (HA)
About how Laeli let him know he would play, GM said:
"He called me and said he'll be OK. We'll probably be light on him but he'll practice (today)." (HSB)
About how Keala Watson replaced Laeli and made a key forced fumble and recovery late in the 4th quarter in the Nevada game, GM said:
"We've been playing 10 linemen, so Keala came in and we didn't miss a beat. He came out of the stack, went in on the hit, and got the fumble, which was big time. Keala played really well." (HSB)
About Michael Lafaele, who had to come out of the Nevada game for awhile when he was undercut on a play, GM said:
"He's fine, he's fine. He actually, I think, had his best ballgame. He went off the ball, and I think what he did really disrupted Nevada's offense." (HSB)
About Jake Ingram being named their special teams player of the game, Dan Kelly said:
"If you break down what we do, (holder) Tim (Grasso) and Jake have to be perfect for me to have a chance to be consistent. Day in and day out, those guys are the essence of perfection." (HA)
About the coaches giving him the special teams award, Ingram said:
"I was surprised. I thought all three of us could have gotten it." (HA)
About how they don't get much free time in Hawaii, Ian Johnson said:
"You really don't see the beach. Your every 5 minutes are planned out to a T. Until after the game, you don't have any free time to go sit in the water, to go look at one shop. They strategically place us so you can't get to the beach without them knowing." (IS)
IS Note: "Past Bronco teams have had a little more time in Hawaii and have visited Pearl Harbor or other tourist destinations. This year's team won't do any of that, Petersen said. The team also doesn't have much special planned to observe Thanksgiving. Players will be able to see their family members who make the trip, but the day will be treated like any other."
About restricting their outings on this trip to Hawaii, Petersen said:
"We're going over there not for a vacation. We're going over there to play a game. That's one of the traps teams can fall into. Hawaii is a beautiful place. You think it's time to relax and enjoy the people around you. That's playing right into their hands." (IS)
About having a regular 7-days between games (while BSU is on a short week and lost a day), Colt said:
"We're going to be extremely comfortable." (IS)
About how they dropped 2 spots in the coaches' poll and 1 spot in the BCS after their blowout win over Idaho, Ian Johnson said:
"Did we seriously drop? That's why we always say we don't control what (the polls) do. I thought that (question) was a joke." (IS)
About the importance of the UH game, Ian said:
This game is really huge. We've done everything to get to this point. This is the pinnacle of our season right now ... the little turning point of whether we finish it off strongly or not. This is the biggest thing for us right now." (AP)
About the UH-BSU game, Idaho coach Robb Akey said:
"It's going to be a tremendous football game played by two real good football teams that have handled themselves throughout the course of the season. That ought to be one hell of a game." (IS)
IS Note: "No. 17 Boise State (10-1, 7-0 in the WAC) and No. 14 Hawaii (10-0, 7-0) rank one-two in the conference in scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense and total defense - with the Broncos tops in the defensive categories, and the Warriors leading the offensive side."
About the importance of this game, Karl Benson (who had earlier said that the 1996 WAC Championship Game between BYU and Wyoming was more important in WAC history than this game) said:
"It is the biggest game in WAC history. I'm anxious to be in Hawaii for that game. It has all the buzz and all the hype that we were expecting it to have." (IS)
About the UH-BSU game, Utah State coach Brent Guy said:
"It's a huge game and it will be in the national spotlight like a lot of those Friday night games are for us." (IS)
About how the entire conference hopes that a WAC team makes it into the BCS (getting $7 mil for the conference), Guy analyzed the WAC's chances:
"It's going to be harder for us to state our case with a one-loss team. Certainly, I think an undefeated team will go and deserve to go." (IS)
Asked to pick a winner, Guy declined and said:
"It comes down to Boise State running the ball and how well Hawaii can stop the run and get the ball back for (quarterback) Colt (Brennan)." (IS)
About the keys to the game, NMSU coach Hal Mumme said:
"There's two things: Colt's health and then playing in Hawaii is always tough." (IS)
About the UH-BSU game, Fresno State coach Pat Hill said:
"This is the premier matchup (in the WAC). I think it's great for our conference and it gives the country a chance to see two outstanding football teams. It'll be great to watch. I'm looking forward to watching it Friday night." (IS)
"It's outstanding. This is great, especially for the kids. They've worked so hard. They worked hard in the summer when nobody was making them. And they've played hard." (HA)
HA Note: "For 35 years, George Lumpkin has been a member of the University of Hawai'i football team. He played two seasons as a defensive back, then served 33 of the next 36 years as every sort of coach on defense. He has watched players, coaches, mascots and nicknames come and go. Now, at last, he is preparing for the Warriors' first winner-take-all game."
About the BSU game, Rich Miano (All-WAC safety for UH in the 80s and an 11-year NFL vet) said:
"I would think this would be the biggest regular-season game in the history of the program. It's for the undisputed WAC championship." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors shared the title in 1992 and 1999, but have never won a championship outright."
About how the rivalry with BSU has escalated, Miano said:
"For us coaches, players and fans, Boise is the BYU of the '80s." (HA)
HA Note: "Quarterback Colt Brennan, who has recovered from a concussion and will start, said the game is a culmination of three years of hard work. The core of the team — Brennan, slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins, linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian — were first-year Warriors during the 5-7 season in 2005."
About how many of their core players went from 5-7 as first-year Warriors to 10-0 now, Colt said:
"Just to think about where we were our first year, what we've come to now, to be sitting here at 10-0, I mean, it's been a journey. Now it's time to have fun and play this football game, which is probably the most anticipated football game for us all season. I mean, you can't even sleep. You can't even get through the day right now. It's that exciting." (HA)
"The struggle has just been to get here, to get to this point. Everyone has been wanting to play Boise with the last two years - how crazy those games have been, how well we've done and come away with losses. We're dying to play Boise. To be here finally, it's a relief." (Idaho Statesman)
About how BSU has earned respect due to their 5 WAC titles in a row, Solomon Elimimian said:
"You have to give respect where respect is due. They're the champs, and we want the title. They're a great team. We're going to have to battle them. May the best team win on Friday." (HA)
HA Note: "The teams are entering with different approaches. The Broncos, as they have done all season, are limiting access to Boise writers. Hawai'i media will not be granted interviews with Bronco players. The Warriors' practice yesterday was open to the public. About a dozen fans waited for Brennan to sign autographs."
When BSU's limited access policy was brought up to him, JJ smiled and said:
"Hope you (reporters) appreciate what you have over here." (HA)
Trying to treat this game as if it was a normal game (at least when he talks with the media), JJ said:
"Make it what you want. For us, it's the next game. Next week's game will be big, too, just like last week's game was big. All of them are that way." (HA)
Admitting a little more about the importance of the game, JJ said:
"We were hoping to get it to this game and this situation all year, just like they were the same way, so it'll be a heck of a football game." (HSB)
About the Nevada win and their other close wins, JJ said:
"Great football teams are able to do that thing, two overtime wins and a last second game against Reno, that's what great things do and this team has all the makings of a great team." (KHNL)
About how it was decided early last week that he would play no more than a limited role in the Nevada game, Colt said:
"We tried to keep (the status) as secret as possible. The truth is, I could have played (the entire game). I was 100 percent physically in what I could do. But I didn't know how my brain was going to react to good, solid shots. ... If anything happened, and I'd taken a good enough shot to the head, I would have had another concussion. And two concussions in six days would have meant I couldn't play for the rest of the year." (HA)
By missing most of the Nevada game, Colt said:
"I can be 100 percent this week." (HA)
"That's why I sat out last week - so I could be 100 percent for the rest of the season. Now I don't have anything to worry about. I'm as close to 100 percent as possible." (Idaho Statesman)
Expecting Colt to play in their game, BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"Coach Jones, they run their offense, they do what they do. We're pretty confident Colt is gonna get in there." (HSB)
Praising Colt, Petersen said:
"He's a special player. He's just got a great knack for finding receivers. He's one of those guys that's got 'it.' " (IS)
About how they can't rely on their past successes to win this game, Petersen said:
"We're just worried about, this is a completely different (Boise) team than in the past. This is about this year and now, and we're just totally focused on playing our best against Hawaii." (HSB)
About how they have to score a lot of points against UH's tough D, Petersen said:
"Hawaii, they score a heck of a lot of points (NCAA best 48.0). We're going to have to get some things done on offense, which is so challenging because Hawaii's playing as good defense as anybody out there." (HSB)
About Colt and Ian Johnson are just part of their teams, with both missing games this season, Petersen said:
"If you're gonna be a good team it's not about one guy. Certain positions get a lot of attention, but if you're gonna have a really good team, you're gonna have a lot of good players. At certain times, guys get banged up, and other guys gotta step up and carry the flag, and I think both teams have had that happen." (HSB)
About the importance of this game, Petersen said:
"I think we've got two really good teams here. It's hard for me to say what one of us deserves. I just got to believe it's going to work out for both teams whatever happens. I just tell our guys if we play to the best of our ability and take care of business, we're going to play somewhere good." (AP)
About his Dad's reaction to his game winning FG against Nevada, Dan Kelly (named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week) said:
"My sister said my dad actually brought out, for the first time in a few years, the 'Fat Man Dance.' It's a dance nobody can describe that he does in the living room when something exciting happens. My sister said he broke it out right after my field goal. It's entertaining. I can still picture it in my head. But it's something you have to see to get a full essence of." (HA)
"It's like any other award, it's nice to look at after the season is over, but we want to focus on what's at hand." (KHNL)
About being named WAC Offensive Player of the Week, Tyler said:
"It's a great honor. I'm just trying to do my job, play my role, not get too selfish out there. I don't need to do much. I just try to get it to the athletes, and watch them score touchdowns." (HA)
"I'm not all about individual accomplishments or anything like that, as long as we get the victory, but it feels great to be recognized." (KHNL)
About being cleared to play in the BSU game, Pilares said:
"I'm trying to get my leg stronger. I want to play without a brace." (HA)
About how they have to be discliplined against BSU, Bess said:
"They're real disciplined, so we need to play disciplined ourselves, so we just need to know when to, and when not to do certain things and hopefully everything will pan out and we win it." (KHNL)
About setting the WAC career reception record (he has 266 now), Bess said:
"I'm happy, thankful. I give credit to my teammates, and to coach Jones for putting me in positions to make plays." (HA)
HA Note: "But the record isn't safe. Teammate Jason Rivers trails by nine."
About how he will play in the BSU game despite a fractured rib, Fale Laeli said:
"I thought it was a spasm, but a spasm usually goes away. The thing kept on when I talked and breathed." (HA)
About how Laeli let him know he would play, GM said:
"He called me and said he'll be OK. We'll probably be light on him but he'll practice (today)." (HSB)
About how Keala Watson replaced Laeli and made a key forced fumble and recovery late in the 4th quarter in the Nevada game, GM said:
"We've been playing 10 linemen, so Keala came in and we didn't miss a beat. He came out of the stack, went in on the hit, and got the fumble, which was big time. Keala played really well." (HSB)
About Michael Lafaele, who had to come out of the Nevada game for awhile when he was undercut on a play, GM said:
"He's fine, he's fine. He actually, I think, had his best ballgame. He went off the ball, and I think what he did really disrupted Nevada's offense." (HSB)
About Jake Ingram being named their special teams player of the game, Dan Kelly said:
"If you break down what we do, (holder) Tim (Grasso) and Jake have to be perfect for me to have a chance to be consistent. Day in and day out, those guys are the essence of perfection." (HA)
About the coaches giving him the special teams award, Ingram said:
"I was surprised. I thought all three of us could have gotten it." (HA)
About how they don't get much free time in Hawaii, Ian Johnson said:
"You really don't see the beach. Your every 5 minutes are planned out to a T. Until after the game, you don't have any free time to go sit in the water, to go look at one shop. They strategically place us so you can't get to the beach without them knowing." (IS)
IS Note: "Past Bronco teams have had a little more time in Hawaii and have visited Pearl Harbor or other tourist destinations. This year's team won't do any of that, Petersen said. The team also doesn't have much special planned to observe Thanksgiving. Players will be able to see their family members who make the trip, but the day will be treated like any other."
About restricting their outings on this trip to Hawaii, Petersen said:
"We're going over there not for a vacation. We're going over there to play a game. That's one of the traps teams can fall into. Hawaii is a beautiful place. You think it's time to relax and enjoy the people around you. That's playing right into their hands." (IS)
About having a regular 7-days between games (while BSU is on a short week and lost a day), Colt said:
"We're going to be extremely comfortable." (IS)
About how they dropped 2 spots in the coaches' poll and 1 spot in the BCS after their blowout win over Idaho, Ian Johnson said:
"Did we seriously drop? That's why we always say we don't control what (the polls) do. I thought that (question) was a joke." (IS)
About the importance of the UH game, Ian said:
This game is really huge. We've done everything to get to this point. This is the pinnacle of our season right now ... the little turning point of whether we finish it off strongly or not. This is the biggest thing for us right now." (AP)
About the UH-BSU game, Idaho coach Robb Akey said:
"It's going to be a tremendous football game played by two real good football teams that have handled themselves throughout the course of the season. That ought to be one hell of a game." (IS)
IS Note: "No. 17 Boise State (10-1, 7-0 in the WAC) and No. 14 Hawaii (10-0, 7-0) rank one-two in the conference in scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense and total defense - with the Broncos tops in the defensive categories, and the Warriors leading the offensive side."
About the importance of this game, Karl Benson (who had earlier said that the 1996 WAC Championship Game between BYU and Wyoming was more important in WAC history than this game) said:
"It is the biggest game in WAC history. I'm anxious to be in Hawaii for that game. It has all the buzz and all the hype that we were expecting it to have." (IS)
About the UH-BSU game, Utah State coach Brent Guy said:
"It's a huge game and it will be in the national spotlight like a lot of those Friday night games are for us." (IS)
About how the entire conference hopes that a WAC team makes it into the BCS (getting $7 mil for the conference), Guy analyzed the WAC's chances:
"It's going to be harder for us to state our case with a one-loss team. Certainly, I think an undefeated team will go and deserve to go." (IS)
Asked to pick a winner, Guy declined and said:
"It comes down to Boise State running the ball and how well Hawaii can stop the run and get the ball back for (quarterback) Colt (Brennan)." (IS)
About the keys to the game, NMSU coach Hal Mumme said:
"There's two things: Colt's health and then playing in Hawaii is always tough." (IS)
About the UH-BSU game, Fresno State coach Pat Hill said:
"This is the premier matchup (in the WAC). I think it's great for our conference and it gives the country a chance to see two outstanding football teams. It'll be great to watch. I'm looking forward to watching it Friday night." (IS)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Quotes from USA Today about the poll drop for UH and BSU
About dropping 2 spots in the coaches' poll and 1 in the BCS after beating Idaho 58-14 (and Utah State 52-0 the previous week), BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"Just if you look at the margin of victory of the last two games, it's pretty convincing. To go down (in the polls), it's a bit surprising. But we don't concern ourselves with stuff we really can't control. We're not going to lose sleep over that." (USA)
About UH's drop in the coaches' poll, Karl Benson said:
"Terribly disappointed. As for Hawai'i, people don't realize how good a win that was at Nevada with a short week, Nevada had a bye, the altitude, the travel, and the Heisman Trophy candidate on the bench. I don't see how anyone could not recognize that as not just as a quality win, but a tremendous win." (USA)
About BSU's drop in the coaches' poll (idle Virginia and Clemson-beating Boston College jumped over BSU), Benson said:
"The polls are so fickle, and I understand their volatility and that the quality of the opponent (Idaho) was not there, but for a team that doesn't play to jump a team that blows out a team it's hard to predict." (USA)
About UH's and BSU's BCS chances, Benson said:
"I'm confident that an undefeated Hawai'i (which hosts Washington in its final game) would get in the top 12, and I would not rule out Boise State getting in the top 12 if they beat Hawai'i." (USA)
About facing UH at Aloha Stadium, Petersen said:
"This is going to be a tremendous challenge. I'm very confident that Colt will play and Colt's as good a thrower as there is in the country and one of the best-kept secrets is that they play great defense." (USA)
Not worried about their BCS chances, Petersen said:
"Our thoughts are on Hawai'i and playing our best and that's all we can control. If we're fortunate enough to play well, you just have to trust the system that it will be good for us." (USA)
"Just if you look at the margin of victory of the last two games, it's pretty convincing. To go down (in the polls), it's a bit surprising. But we don't concern ourselves with stuff we really can't control. We're not going to lose sleep over that." (USA)
About UH's drop in the coaches' poll, Karl Benson said:
"Terribly disappointed. As for Hawai'i, people don't realize how good a win that was at Nevada with a short week, Nevada had a bye, the altitude, the travel, and the Heisman Trophy candidate on the bench. I don't see how anyone could not recognize that as not just as a quality win, but a tremendous win." (USA)
About BSU's drop in the coaches' poll (idle Virginia and Clemson-beating Boston College jumped over BSU), Benson said:
"The polls are so fickle, and I understand their volatility and that the quality of the opponent (Idaho) was not there, but for a team that doesn't play to jump a team that blows out a team it's hard to predict." (USA)
About UH's and BSU's BCS chances, Benson said:
"I'm confident that an undefeated Hawai'i (which hosts Washington in its final game) would get in the top 12, and I would not rule out Boise State getting in the top 12 if they beat Hawai'i." (USA)
About facing UH at Aloha Stadium, Petersen said:
"This is going to be a tremendous challenge. I'm very confident that Colt will play and Colt's as good a thrower as there is in the country and one of the best-kept secrets is that they play great defense." (USA)
Not worried about their BCS chances, Petersen said:
"Our thoughts are on Hawai'i and playing our best and that's all we can control. If we're fortunate enough to play well, you just have to trust the system that it will be good for us." (USA)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Quotes from the local papers
When someone commented that their 3rd comeback in the 4th quarter of road games was unbelievable, Cal Lee responded:
"Yes. Unbelievable might be a good word." (HSB)
About their defense in the Nevada game, and all of the risks they took to get the ball back for their offense, GM said:
"We really put our corners on an island because we played a nine-man front. At the end, the important thing was get the offense back the ball. In the last 6 minutes we got them three possessions. It's almost like San Jose State. They believed and they got the ball back three times. We were running man blitzes, filling up the box and two guys off the edge in case they ran bootleg. Our guys executed that perfectly." (HSB)
About how Nevada was going to try to control the ball with their running game, Desmond Thomas said:
"We figured they were going to run the ball all night." (HSB)
About Tyler's play, Desmond said:
"Maybe it wasn't as sweet and pretty as everyone wanted it. But he got the job done." (HSB)
About how Colt playing in the game inspired the team, Desmond said:
"It was huge for us. It made us think that he would lay his life on the line for us, go out there and give it his all. It really says something about our team." (HSB)
About why he played Colt, JJ said:
"I just wanted him to get in and throw a couple of passes. I knew with those type passes he wasn't going to have to hold the ball and risk any injury. There was another one I was going to have him throw, but Tyler was in the game." (HSB)
Asked about Colt's medical clearance status, JJ said:
"I have no idea if he was clear. I knew he wasn't going to get hit on those two passes." (HSB)
About playing such a limited role in the game, Colt said:
"I think now everyone sees how great this team, TEAM, really is. Hopefully it'll help us out in the rankings. I wanted to (keep playing), and when I threw that second pass I did not want to come out. But the thing is if I'd taken another shot I could've gotten another concussion. This was the game plan coming in and we executed it perfectly and it's an awesome feeling for this team right now." (HSB)
About their comeback wins vs. La Tech, SJSU, and Nevada, Bess credited their leadership and teamwork:
"It goes back to our leaders. As a whole, everyone is stepping up as one unit and we're playing with heart. When you know your role at the end of the day it pays off. We've had a great season so far, taking it back to LaTech and San Jose we just know not to give up. We've been in situations. We're so calm, collected and poised." (HSB)
About how he knew that the defense was going to give them a 3rd chance to come back at the end, JJ said:
"We knew we were going to get the ball one more time. These kids battle through all kinds of adversity. It's pretty powerful." (HSB)
About going to a 5-WR offense to start the game (Bain started), JJ said:
"They had two weeks to practice. My intent was to run empty. So I just wanted to have (Nevada) think about it for a while." (HSB)
Happy to have the spotlight on him now, Tyler said:
"I've been watching from the shadow of Colt the past nine or 10 weeks. It's good to get a little spotlight." (HSB)
About the tackle he made on 3rd down late in the 4th quarter to force Nevada to punt to them, setting up their final drive, Desmond Thomas said:
"I'm just going to fill that hole, and praise God, I made the play." (HSB)
Praising GM's defensive game plan, JJ said:
"Greg (defensive coordinator McMackin) had a pretty good game plan. We felt like we wanted to make them pass. They're one of the best running teams in the country. So we loaded up the box and had guys on (Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick)." (HSB)
About how he tried to operate during the game, especially their final drive, Tyler said:
"Just trying to get it out quick, be accurate, get first downs and stop the clock." (HSB)
About how they believed in their team, Tyler said:
"It's unbelievable how we played together tonight. (When Kelly lined up for his kicks) everybody was just saying, 'Gotta believe, gotta believe.' That's the motto for this team." (HSB)
About how their team wasn't allowed to gamble so they won a ton of stuffed animals at Circus Circus, Tyler said:
"Everybody won all of these big stuffed animals. You know how good Colt is. He won a lot of animals." (HA)
About how 2 players share each 3-seat row on their charter flight, Tyler said:
"The middle seat was filled with stuff Colt won. I was crunched up in the corner. It was tough to sleep." (HA)
About their flight home, Tyler said:
"it was fun for the first couple of hours. Then the next four hours were pretty miserable. I couldn't sleep." (HA)
About the game, Tyler said:
"Oh, man, it was an unbelievable game. I'm so proud of the guys. I'm so glad we got an opportunity to pull out a win on national television." (HA)
HA Note: "The night before the game, head coach June Jones summoned the players for a special meeting. It was then that Jones announced that Brennan, who had suffered a concussion in the previous game, would not start and only be used for a handful of specific plays. Jones then handed the offense to Graunke, a fourth-year junior who had made two UH starts. In an act of team unity, each player went up and expressed his faith in Graunke."
About how each player showed his confidence in him, Tyler said:
"That was one of the coolest things ever. I'm sure the fans were concerned, but our team has full confidence in me and Inoke (Funaki, the third-string quarterback). After that little team talk, I felt unbelievably special. This is a special team. We're 10-0 for a damn good reason, because we're a bunch of great football players who play together." (HA)
Praising Tyler, JJ said:
"Tyler is a player. I knew that from the first scrimmage (in August 2004). He's tough, very tough, and a competitor." (HA)
About how he took several big hits vs. Nevada, Tyler said:
"My (throwing) hand got hit on one. I hit it on somebody's helmet. That kind of hurt. My head got hurt on that third down, when I took the sack. I was slow getting up. I blacked out for a second. It was weird. I got, like, deja vu. I didn't think I was going to be straight-headed, but it came back to me real quick. I'm grateful for that." (HA)
About their game-winning drive, JJ said:
"It says a lot about the team to put together a drive like that. Everybody stepped up and made plays. We had a 13-play drive with no timeouts. That's unheard of." (HA)
About how he was calm during that final drive, Tyler said:
"Sometimes I get nervous and my body feels weird when I go out there. (On the final drive) I was super calm. I wasn't cold. I was real focused on the game. I just knew we were going to win. We didn't put up as many points as we should have, but everyone had this real positive attitude. It was real cool just being out there with everybody." (HA)
About his "Iceman" nickname, Dan Kelly said:
"It's an old nickname from back when I played club soccer. It's stuck with me from the time I was a freshman in high school. It died when I came to the rock, the islands, because no one else knew it." (HSB)
About his belief in Dan Kelly, JJ said:
"When he made the 49-yard kick at LaTech (to tie in the fourth quarter), I knew he had it inside of him." (HSB)
"Yes. Unbelievable might be a good word." (HSB)
About their defense in the Nevada game, and all of the risks they took to get the ball back for their offense, GM said:
"We really put our corners on an island because we played a nine-man front. At the end, the important thing was get the offense back the ball. In the last 6 minutes we got them three possessions. It's almost like San Jose State. They believed and they got the ball back three times. We were running man blitzes, filling up the box and two guys off the edge in case they ran bootleg. Our guys executed that perfectly." (HSB)
About how Nevada was going to try to control the ball with their running game, Desmond Thomas said:
"We figured they were going to run the ball all night." (HSB)
About Tyler's play, Desmond said:
"Maybe it wasn't as sweet and pretty as everyone wanted it. But he got the job done." (HSB)
About how Colt playing in the game inspired the team, Desmond said:
"It was huge for us. It made us think that he would lay his life on the line for us, go out there and give it his all. It really says something about our team." (HSB)
About why he played Colt, JJ said:
"I just wanted him to get in and throw a couple of passes. I knew with those type passes he wasn't going to have to hold the ball and risk any injury. There was another one I was going to have him throw, but Tyler was in the game." (HSB)
Asked about Colt's medical clearance status, JJ said:
"I have no idea if he was clear. I knew he wasn't going to get hit on those two passes." (HSB)
About playing such a limited role in the game, Colt said:
"I think now everyone sees how great this team, TEAM, really is. Hopefully it'll help us out in the rankings. I wanted to (keep playing), and when I threw that second pass I did not want to come out. But the thing is if I'd taken another shot I could've gotten another concussion. This was the game plan coming in and we executed it perfectly and it's an awesome feeling for this team right now." (HSB)
About their comeback wins vs. La Tech, SJSU, and Nevada, Bess credited their leadership and teamwork:
"It goes back to our leaders. As a whole, everyone is stepping up as one unit and we're playing with heart. When you know your role at the end of the day it pays off. We've had a great season so far, taking it back to LaTech and San Jose we just know not to give up. We've been in situations. We're so calm, collected and poised." (HSB)
About how he knew that the defense was going to give them a 3rd chance to come back at the end, JJ said:
"We knew we were going to get the ball one more time. These kids battle through all kinds of adversity. It's pretty powerful." (HSB)
About going to a 5-WR offense to start the game (Bain started), JJ said:
"They had two weeks to practice. My intent was to run empty. So I just wanted to have (Nevada) think about it for a while." (HSB)
Happy to have the spotlight on him now, Tyler said:
"I've been watching from the shadow of Colt the past nine or 10 weeks. It's good to get a little spotlight." (HSB)
About the tackle he made on 3rd down late in the 4th quarter to force Nevada to punt to them, setting up their final drive, Desmond Thomas said:
"I'm just going to fill that hole, and praise God, I made the play." (HSB)
Praising GM's defensive game plan, JJ said:
"Greg (defensive coordinator McMackin) had a pretty good game plan. We felt like we wanted to make them pass. They're one of the best running teams in the country. So we loaded up the box and had guys on (Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick)." (HSB)
About how he tried to operate during the game, especially their final drive, Tyler said:
"Just trying to get it out quick, be accurate, get first downs and stop the clock." (HSB)
About how they believed in their team, Tyler said:
"It's unbelievable how we played together tonight. (When Kelly lined up for his kicks) everybody was just saying, 'Gotta believe, gotta believe.' That's the motto for this team." (HSB)
About how their team wasn't allowed to gamble so they won a ton of stuffed animals at Circus Circus, Tyler said:
"Everybody won all of these big stuffed animals. You know how good Colt is. He won a lot of animals." (HA)
About how 2 players share each 3-seat row on their charter flight, Tyler said:
"The middle seat was filled with stuff Colt won. I was crunched up in the corner. It was tough to sleep." (HA)
About their flight home, Tyler said:
"it was fun for the first couple of hours. Then the next four hours were pretty miserable. I couldn't sleep." (HA)
About the game, Tyler said:
"Oh, man, it was an unbelievable game. I'm so proud of the guys. I'm so glad we got an opportunity to pull out a win on national television." (HA)
HA Note: "The night before the game, head coach June Jones summoned the players for a special meeting. It was then that Jones announced that Brennan, who had suffered a concussion in the previous game, would not start and only be used for a handful of specific plays. Jones then handed the offense to Graunke, a fourth-year junior who had made two UH starts. In an act of team unity, each player went up and expressed his faith in Graunke."
About how each player showed his confidence in him, Tyler said:
"That was one of the coolest things ever. I'm sure the fans were concerned, but our team has full confidence in me and Inoke (Funaki, the third-string quarterback). After that little team talk, I felt unbelievably special. This is a special team. We're 10-0 for a damn good reason, because we're a bunch of great football players who play together." (HA)
Praising Tyler, JJ said:
"Tyler is a player. I knew that from the first scrimmage (in August 2004). He's tough, very tough, and a competitor." (HA)
About how he took several big hits vs. Nevada, Tyler said:
"My (throwing) hand got hit on one. I hit it on somebody's helmet. That kind of hurt. My head got hurt on that third down, when I took the sack. I was slow getting up. I blacked out for a second. It was weird. I got, like, deja vu. I didn't think I was going to be straight-headed, but it came back to me real quick. I'm grateful for that." (HA)
About their game-winning drive, JJ said:
"It says a lot about the team to put together a drive like that. Everybody stepped up and made plays. We had a 13-play drive with no timeouts. That's unheard of." (HA)
About how he was calm during that final drive, Tyler said:
"Sometimes I get nervous and my body feels weird when I go out there. (On the final drive) I was super calm. I wasn't cold. I was real focused on the game. I just knew we were going to win. We didn't put up as many points as we should have, but everyone had this real positive attitude. It was real cool just being out there with everybody." (HA)
About his "Iceman" nickname, Dan Kelly said:
"It's an old nickname from back when I played club soccer. It's stuck with me from the time I was a freshman in high school. It died when I came to the rock, the islands, because no one else knew it." (HSB)
About his belief in Dan Kelly, JJ said:
"When he made the 49-yard kick at LaTech (to tie in the fourth quarter), I knew he had it inside of him." (HSB)
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Quotes from the UH-Nevada game
HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press
CBS47 = CBS47.com
NA = Nevada Appeal
RGJ = Reno Gazette-Journal
LAT = LA Times
_____________________________________________
Quotes from the UH coaches
About their third close victory on the road, JJ said:
"It is tremendous testimony to the kids. They really believe in each other, trust each other." (HA)
About using all 3 QBs in their opening drive, JJ said:
"(Nevada) had two weeks to practice. I just wanted to give them something else to think about for awhile." (HSB)
About how Tyler led their final drive (2:16 left to play, no timeouts, starting on their 12), JJ said:
"Tyler did what he's practiced. We do the two-minute drill all the time (in practice) and he finally got a chance to do it (in a) game. He was patient, took what they gave him and kept moving (the ball) and got it done." (HA)
"Tyler's been practicing two-minute drills for almost four years." (HA)
"Tyler has been practicing the 2-minute drill for almost four years and made it work." (HSB)
"He did what he practiced to do. He's a winner." (HSB)
Proud of Tyler, JJ said:
"He plays well under pressure and he's a competitive kid and I'm just really proud of him." (AP)
"He's a gamer. That's why he's here. He's a competitive kid." (NA)
"I know he's a gamer. He plays under pressure. He's a competitive kid. I'm proud if him." (RGJ)
About putting Colt in for 2 plays, a 7-yard pass for the 2nd play of the game and a 14-yard pass later in the game, JJ said:
"I wanted him to go in there and throw a couple of passes." (HA)
"I just wanted him to get in and throw a couple of passes. I knew the tight passes were throws he could make without getting hit. I knew he wasn't going to get hit on those two passes." (AP)
About keeping Colt out of the game, JJ said:
"It was a big decision, but he had more at stake personally if he did get another [concussion]. He has much more at stake." (AP)
About how their team is more than just Colt, JJ said:
"We're not just Colt Brennan. We have a lot of good players and they all raised their game." (HSB)
"Everybody thought it's just Colt Brennan. We have a lot of great players." (AP)
Praising Dan Kelly, JJ said:
"It was a beautiful thing. Dan seems like the more pressure he's under, the better he kicks. He's got an NFL leg and an NFL mindset and he'll be kicking on Sundays." (HA)
"Every time we put Dan under pressure he has executed. He's a gamer." (HSB)
Praising Nevada's Luke Lippincott (142 yards on 25 carries and 2 TDs), JJ said:
"He's a very north-south guy, a blue collar running back. Every time he's getting hit, he's falling forward." (HA)
"He's a solid, competitive kid." (HA)
About how Lippincott's running style fits Nevada's offense, JJ said:
"It's perfect for what they are trying to do for a back." (HA)
About Lippincott's speed caused them problems in the open field, JJ said:
"On his touchdown, we took a bad angle." (HA)
About their team, JJ said:
"We're a championship football team. We're going to show up next week and the week after." (HSB)
"I'm proud of the guys. We're a championship football team. We're going to show up next week and the week after." (CBS47)
"These kids are champions. The good Lord blessed these kids. I think that was divine intervention. I'm just proud. We're a championship football team." (RGJ)
About how their CBs played man-to-man defense, GM said:
"Our corners really accepted the challenge. There was a lot of pressure on them, and they did a good job." (HA)
"They made good adjustments against us and we had to take chances with a nine-man front." (HSB)
HA Note: "The Warriors also helped contain the Wolf Pack with the 88 scheme in which nine defenders are aligned near the line of scrimmage. In the coverage, the safeties, who usually are aligned 12 yards from the line of scrimmage, play 6 yards off. The plan was to clog the running lanes and dare Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick to throw. Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian became the "spy" assigned to track Kaepernick, an elusive runner. The drawback is the cornerbacks are required to play man-to-man defense."
Quotes from the UH players
About how he didn't want to come out of the game, Colt (who was 2-2 passing for 21 yards) said:
"When I threw the second pass, I didn't want to come out. The one thing is, if I had taken the shot, there's a good chance I could have gotten another concussion." (HA)
Looking forward to facing BSU next week, Colt said:
"I'm real proud of Tyler and what he did today. Next week, I'll be 100 percent and won't have to worry about getting hit." (HSB)
"That's the great thing. Now that I didn't have to play and didn't take any shots, we all know I'm 100 percent going into next week. I can go out there and put my head down and have fun and play football." (AP)
About how they wanted to make Nevada think that he was going to start the game, Colt said:
"We just wanted to keep it a secret. We didn't want to give Nevada a whole week to prepare knowing that I wasn't going to play. The whole goal was to make it seem like I could play and I might play, and you never really know what could happen as the game goes on. If the game had gone a different direction, maybe I would have got in there more. But because Tyler was playing so well, we decided to let him stick it out." (AP)
Proud of Tyler, Colt said:
"I can't be more proud for him because this is the first big win of his career. He's sat around the last three years just watching and being humble and being a great team player. For him to get this opportunity and do what he did, I couldn't be more proud of him." (AP)
About how they believed they would score on their last drive, Tyler said:
"And, you know what? We believed every second." (HA)
"Everybody has to believe. You have to believe until the very last second. That's the only way we win." (HA)
"We're Hawai'i. We're Warriors, baby. We play to the last second. I knew we were going to win." (HA)
About his play on the final drive, Tyler said:
"I just tried to get it out, be accurate, get first downs, and stop the clock. I just had to get it done." (HSB)
About how Colt helped him during the game, Tyler said:
"Colt was there for me (on the sideline) calming me down. I owed it to him." (HA)
About how he talked with Colt before going out for their game-winning drive, Tyler said:
"Colt told me to stay calm. But I knew we already won this game a week ago with all of the work we put in practice. Coach Jones trusts me, too, and that's huge. I knew we were only down by one, so we just had to get it close." (HA)
Praising his WRs, Tyler said:
"They made clutch catches; they sacrificed their bodies." (HA)
About how he didn't sleep the night before the game, Tyler said:
"I got a couple hours of sleep, but it wouldn't have mattered even if I didn't get a wink. I don't feel (tired) on game day." (HSB)
About his play in the game, Tyler said:
"Whenever I get called upon I just do what I can to help my team win. I prepared myself all season for situations like this." (HSB)
About how he would have been the starter if Colt had gone to the NFL, Tyler said:
"It would have been nice if I was the starter all year, but it doesn't matter at all. Right now I'm focused on this year and doing my job." (HSB)
About how he prepared as if he would start the game, Tyler said:
"I was ready the whole week because I knew concussions are a touchy thing. My second year, Colt came in and I've been behind him ever since. I knew I was going to get my shot and next year would be my year." (AP)
About the win, Tyler said:
"That was a total team victory right there. We never won in Reno, and I really wanted to step up and prove to my team (he could do it) and help them rally." (HSB)
"That was a total team victory right there," Graunke said. "We never won in Reno, and I really wanted to step up and prove to my team and help them rally." (CBS47)
About how their team never gets much respect from the mainland, Dan Kelly said:
"Yeah, we get absolutely get almost no respect from anyone on the mainland. But we're just playing football, having fun." (AP)
About his game-winning kick, Dan Kelly said:
"Never a doubt. I knew I had it." (HA)
"I knew it had a very good shot. I've hit some deep balls, and that one and the 54-yarder against Utah State felt the best, as far as getting my foot into the ball, as any I've ever had." (HA)
About the 2 timeouts that Nevada called to try to ice him, Kelly said:
"A kick is a kick, whether it's a PAT, or 45-yarder, it's what we train for. The only kickers who miss after getting iced are the ones who think about getting iced. You've got to keep the mindset that it's just another kick. You can train for that kind of pressure if you have the right mindset." (HA)
About why pressure doesn't affect his kicking, Kelly said:
"There's a certain thing about me. I don't know what it is. I don't feel the pressure until after or before the kick." (HA)
"I don't feel the pressure and it's a great gift that God gave me." (HSB)
Note: HA reports that this was the first game-winning kick of Kelly's life!
About how Nevada made him make the FG twice, Kelly was much happier with his second kick and said:
"The first one was really ugly. It was a hooker. It looks better for ESPN if the kick is nice." (HA)
About how Colt talked with him before the game-winning kick, Kelly said:
"He just told me he believed in me. Just like we have faith in Colt and the rest of our teammates, they have faith in me. It's a family and we're all brothers." (HA)
So happy to have come through for his teammates, Kelly said:
"I thrive on helping my teammates. It's a great feeling to do something that everyone else benefits from. I did my job just like everyone else did tonight." (HA)
Thanking Nevada coach Chris Ault for calling the timeouts, Kelly said:
"When you don't ice someone, you only have 24 seconds to make the kick. He gave me another 60 seconds to think about it. . . . So, thank you. I don't even know the guy's name, but whoever coaches Nevada, thank you." (LAT)
"When you don't ice someone, you only have 24 seconds to make the kick. He gave me another 60 seconds to think about it. Unless you're a total head case, thinking about it shouldn't be that difficult of a task because it's only a 45 yarder. So, thank you. I don't even know the guy's name, but whoever coaches Nevada, 'Thank you."' (AP)
About the 45-yard distance, Kelly said:
"I knew it was in my range," Kelly said. I saw 45 and I was like, '45 is doable.' The way I was hitting them in warmups, I could hit them from about 64 going in that direction." (AP)
After saying that getting a smile and a hug from JJ after the game was "incredible", Kelly said:
"I'm going to hold on to that more than the win." (AP)
About their faith in Tyler, Bess said:
"We have so much faith in Tyler. It goes back to practice. He works so hard." (HA)
About how they remained calm during their final drive, Bess said:
"Everybody was all poised. Nobody panicked." (HA)
About how they believed Kelly would make the kick, Desmond Thomas said:
"We were all on the sideline praying. All things are possible when you believe, and we believe in Dan and everyone on the team." (HSB)
About stopping Brandon Fragger on 3rd down with 3 minutes left in the game and UH out of timeouts, Desmond Thomas said:
"It's my job to make that play. I figured they were going to run the ball. They had been doing that all night." (HSB)
About facing Nevada's power running game, Adam Leonard said:
"We knew they were going to pound it up the middle all night long. This is third game for us like this. It's nothing to us now." (HSB)
About how they made the big plays when they were needed, Adam said:
"We made some mistakes that we need to correct, but like all season, we stepped up when it counted. This will make watching film (today) and (tomorrow) a lot easier." (HSB)
About how they wanted to win for punter (and kick holder) Tim Grasso, who grandfather Tony died on Tuesday, RGM said:
"We wanted to win it for Tim." (HA)
"That's what this year is about. Not just winning, but playing for each other. We love each other. We're brothers. That's why I have tears in my eyes. We did it for each other." (HA)
About Grasso's loss, Kelly said:
"Tim is such a great guy, and he's been through a hardship." (HA)
About his grandfather passing on Tuesday, Grasso attended a wake on Wednesday and rejoined the team on Thursday, wearing a T on his left sleeve during the game on Friday and said:
"It was so emotional for me. I wanted this so much." (HA)
Quotes from Nevada
About the game, Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"It was a good ball game." (HA)
"It was a heck of a ball game. Hat's off to Hawaii, they did a nice job. We had opportunities to win it. I thought our defense played well. They gave us the ball in the fourth quarter. Our offense couldn't hold the ball and they were able to capitalize." (RGJ)
About the loss, Ault said:
"We had our chances. We just didn't get it done." (HSB, HA)
"We couldn't hold the ball at the end and gave them another chance. They were able to move the ball and convert." (HSB)
"We had our chances, our offense just could not move the ball at the end when we needed it. They were able to move the ball and convert." (CBS47)
Praising UH, Ault said:
"They played with some energy out there." (HA)
Praising UH's D, Ault said:
"Everyone is always talking about that offense, but they are a good solid defense." (HSB)
About Colt not playing, Ault said:
"Their system is not going to change. It was no issue who started, or even if Brennan played or not. He might have the stronger arm, but it really didn't matter. They can score from anywhere on the field and score quickly." (HSB)
Praising his D, Ault said:
"We had some breakdowns, but we played with a lot of energy. They have a lot of weapons, especially with those receivers." (HSB)
Asked if holding high-scoring UH to 28 points is a victory, Ault said:
"We don't talk about holding a team to a certain number of points. We just needed to find a way to score more than they did." (HSB)
Asked if UH is a BCS team, Ault said:
"Yes. They definitely are." (HSB)
About how Lippincott scored their first TD on a 22-yard screen pass, QB Colin Kaepernick said:
"It was a screen pass, a good call at the time because they kept blitzing us. Our linemen made some good blocks downfield." (HA)
About RBs Lippincott and Brandon Fragger, Kaepernick said:
"They ran very hard tonight." (HA)
Blaming himself for the loss, Kaepernick said:
"I keep replaying plays in my head that I should have made. I didn't play well in the first half and just didn't finish the game. There are so many different plays to look at ... touchdowns that should have been made. It was a heartbreaker. We were ready to play." (HSB)
About how UH disguised their blitzes and confused Nevada in the first half, Kaepernick said:
"I replayed the plays that I could have made to help the team. I'll take the blame for this one. The first half I didn't play well and the second half I played OK. They disguised their blitzes (early). In the second half, we made adjustments. Things worked out better for us." (NA)
Praising the Warriors, Kaepernick said:
"They're a good team. They can play. That's why they're undefeated and where they are today." (HSB)
About how it was tough running against UH's D but his OL opened holes for him, Lippincott said:
"We showed them what kind of team we are." (HA)
About how they need to be able to finish games, Lippincott said:
"We're playing good, but we can't get to that last inch ... or whatever." (HA)
About how he thought he had recovered Bess' fumble late in the 3rd quarter, Paul Pratt said:
"That's football. I thought I got the ball out, but it's a game of inch." (HSB)
About the loss, Pratt said:
"Words can't describe it. Us seniors don't have another chance against Hawaii. That was it." (HSB)
About the loss, Matt Hines said:
"I'd rather lose by 50 points than like that by two. It was a tough game. We should have come out on top. A lot of guys were yelling and screaming in there (the locker room), but we have two more games left and a chance to go 7-5. We don't need to keep our heads down. We played a good game." (HSB)
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press
CBS47 = CBS47.com
NA = Nevada Appeal
RGJ = Reno Gazette-Journal
LAT = LA Times
_____________________________________________
Quotes from the UH coaches
About their third close victory on the road, JJ said:
"It is tremendous testimony to the kids. They really believe in each other, trust each other." (HA)
About using all 3 QBs in their opening drive, JJ said:
"(Nevada) had two weeks to practice. I just wanted to give them something else to think about for awhile." (HSB)
About how Tyler led their final drive (2:16 left to play, no timeouts, starting on their 12), JJ said:
"Tyler did what he's practiced. We do the two-minute drill all the time (in practice) and he finally got a chance to do it (in a) game. He was patient, took what they gave him and kept moving (the ball) and got it done." (HA)
"Tyler's been practicing two-minute drills for almost four years." (HA)
"Tyler has been practicing the 2-minute drill for almost four years and made it work." (HSB)
"He did what he practiced to do. He's a winner." (HSB)
Proud of Tyler, JJ said:
"He plays well under pressure and he's a competitive kid and I'm just really proud of him." (AP)
"He's a gamer. That's why he's here. He's a competitive kid." (NA)
"I know he's a gamer. He plays under pressure. He's a competitive kid. I'm proud if him." (RGJ)
About putting Colt in for 2 plays, a 7-yard pass for the 2nd play of the game and a 14-yard pass later in the game, JJ said:
"I wanted him to go in there and throw a couple of passes." (HA)
"I just wanted him to get in and throw a couple of passes. I knew the tight passes were throws he could make without getting hit. I knew he wasn't going to get hit on those two passes." (AP)
About keeping Colt out of the game, JJ said:
"It was a big decision, but he had more at stake personally if he did get another [concussion]. He has much more at stake." (AP)
About how their team is more than just Colt, JJ said:
"We're not just Colt Brennan. We have a lot of good players and they all raised their game." (HSB)
"Everybody thought it's just Colt Brennan. We have a lot of great players." (AP)
Praising Dan Kelly, JJ said:
"It was a beautiful thing. Dan seems like the more pressure he's under, the better he kicks. He's got an NFL leg and an NFL mindset and he'll be kicking on Sundays." (HA)
"Every time we put Dan under pressure he has executed. He's a gamer." (HSB)
Praising Nevada's Luke Lippincott (142 yards on 25 carries and 2 TDs), JJ said:
"He's a very north-south guy, a blue collar running back. Every time he's getting hit, he's falling forward." (HA)
"He's a solid, competitive kid." (HA)
About how Lippincott's running style fits Nevada's offense, JJ said:
"It's perfect for what they are trying to do for a back." (HA)
About Lippincott's speed caused them problems in the open field, JJ said:
"On his touchdown, we took a bad angle." (HA)
About their team, JJ said:
"We're a championship football team. We're going to show up next week and the week after." (HSB)
"I'm proud of the guys. We're a championship football team. We're going to show up next week and the week after." (CBS47)
"These kids are champions. The good Lord blessed these kids. I think that was divine intervention. I'm just proud. We're a championship football team." (RGJ)
About how their CBs played man-to-man defense, GM said:
"Our corners really accepted the challenge. There was a lot of pressure on them, and they did a good job." (HA)
"They made good adjustments against us and we had to take chances with a nine-man front." (HSB)
HA Note: "The Warriors also helped contain the Wolf Pack with the 88 scheme in which nine defenders are aligned near the line of scrimmage. In the coverage, the safeties, who usually are aligned 12 yards from the line of scrimmage, play 6 yards off. The plan was to clog the running lanes and dare Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick to throw. Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian became the "spy" assigned to track Kaepernick, an elusive runner. The drawback is the cornerbacks are required to play man-to-man defense."
Quotes from the UH players
About how he didn't want to come out of the game, Colt (who was 2-2 passing for 21 yards) said:
"When I threw the second pass, I didn't want to come out. The one thing is, if I had taken the shot, there's a good chance I could have gotten another concussion." (HA)
Looking forward to facing BSU next week, Colt said:
"I'm real proud of Tyler and what he did today. Next week, I'll be 100 percent and won't have to worry about getting hit." (HSB)
"That's the great thing. Now that I didn't have to play and didn't take any shots, we all know I'm 100 percent going into next week. I can go out there and put my head down and have fun and play football." (AP)
About how they wanted to make Nevada think that he was going to start the game, Colt said:
"We just wanted to keep it a secret. We didn't want to give Nevada a whole week to prepare knowing that I wasn't going to play. The whole goal was to make it seem like I could play and I might play, and you never really know what could happen as the game goes on. If the game had gone a different direction, maybe I would have got in there more. But because Tyler was playing so well, we decided to let him stick it out." (AP)
Proud of Tyler, Colt said:
"I can't be more proud for him because this is the first big win of his career. He's sat around the last three years just watching and being humble and being a great team player. For him to get this opportunity and do what he did, I couldn't be more proud of him." (AP)
About how they believed they would score on their last drive, Tyler said:
"And, you know what? We believed every second." (HA)
"Everybody has to believe. You have to believe until the very last second. That's the only way we win." (HA)
"We're Hawai'i. We're Warriors, baby. We play to the last second. I knew we were going to win." (HA)
About his play on the final drive, Tyler said:
"I just tried to get it out, be accurate, get first downs, and stop the clock. I just had to get it done." (HSB)
About how Colt helped him during the game, Tyler said:
"Colt was there for me (on the sideline) calming me down. I owed it to him." (HA)
About how he talked with Colt before going out for their game-winning drive, Tyler said:
"Colt told me to stay calm. But I knew we already won this game a week ago with all of the work we put in practice. Coach Jones trusts me, too, and that's huge. I knew we were only down by one, so we just had to get it close." (HA)
Praising his WRs, Tyler said:
"They made clutch catches; they sacrificed their bodies." (HA)
About how he didn't sleep the night before the game, Tyler said:
"I got a couple hours of sleep, but it wouldn't have mattered even if I didn't get a wink. I don't feel (tired) on game day." (HSB)
About his play in the game, Tyler said:
"Whenever I get called upon I just do what I can to help my team win. I prepared myself all season for situations like this." (HSB)
About how he would have been the starter if Colt had gone to the NFL, Tyler said:
"It would have been nice if I was the starter all year, but it doesn't matter at all. Right now I'm focused on this year and doing my job." (HSB)
About how he prepared as if he would start the game, Tyler said:
"I was ready the whole week because I knew concussions are a touchy thing. My second year, Colt came in and I've been behind him ever since. I knew I was going to get my shot and next year would be my year." (AP)
About the win, Tyler said:
"That was a total team victory right there. We never won in Reno, and I really wanted to step up and prove to my team (he could do it) and help them rally." (HSB)
"That was a total team victory right there," Graunke said. "We never won in Reno, and I really wanted to step up and prove to my team and help them rally." (CBS47)
About how their team never gets much respect from the mainland, Dan Kelly said:
"Yeah, we get absolutely get almost no respect from anyone on the mainland. But we're just playing football, having fun." (AP)
About his game-winning kick, Dan Kelly said:
"Never a doubt. I knew I had it." (HA)
"I knew it had a very good shot. I've hit some deep balls, and that one and the 54-yarder against Utah State felt the best, as far as getting my foot into the ball, as any I've ever had." (HA)
About the 2 timeouts that Nevada called to try to ice him, Kelly said:
"A kick is a kick, whether it's a PAT, or 45-yarder, it's what we train for. The only kickers who miss after getting iced are the ones who think about getting iced. You've got to keep the mindset that it's just another kick. You can train for that kind of pressure if you have the right mindset." (HA)
About why pressure doesn't affect his kicking, Kelly said:
"There's a certain thing about me. I don't know what it is. I don't feel the pressure until after or before the kick." (HA)
"I don't feel the pressure and it's a great gift that God gave me." (HSB)
Note: HA reports that this was the first game-winning kick of Kelly's life!
About how Nevada made him make the FG twice, Kelly was much happier with his second kick and said:
"The first one was really ugly. It was a hooker. It looks better for ESPN if the kick is nice." (HA)
About how Colt talked with him before the game-winning kick, Kelly said:
"He just told me he believed in me. Just like we have faith in Colt and the rest of our teammates, they have faith in me. It's a family and we're all brothers." (HA)
So happy to have come through for his teammates, Kelly said:
"I thrive on helping my teammates. It's a great feeling to do something that everyone else benefits from. I did my job just like everyone else did tonight." (HA)
Thanking Nevada coach Chris Ault for calling the timeouts, Kelly said:
"When you don't ice someone, you only have 24 seconds to make the kick. He gave me another 60 seconds to think about it. . . . So, thank you. I don't even know the guy's name, but whoever coaches Nevada, thank you." (LAT)
"When you don't ice someone, you only have 24 seconds to make the kick. He gave me another 60 seconds to think about it. Unless you're a total head case, thinking about it shouldn't be that difficult of a task because it's only a 45 yarder. So, thank you. I don't even know the guy's name, but whoever coaches Nevada, 'Thank you."' (AP)
About the 45-yard distance, Kelly said:
"I knew it was in my range," Kelly said. I saw 45 and I was like, '45 is doable.' The way I was hitting them in warmups, I could hit them from about 64 going in that direction." (AP)
After saying that getting a smile and a hug from JJ after the game was "incredible", Kelly said:
"I'm going to hold on to that more than the win." (AP)
About their faith in Tyler, Bess said:
"We have so much faith in Tyler. It goes back to practice. He works so hard." (HA)
About how they remained calm during their final drive, Bess said:
"Everybody was all poised. Nobody panicked." (HA)
About how they believed Kelly would make the kick, Desmond Thomas said:
"We were all on the sideline praying. All things are possible when you believe, and we believe in Dan and everyone on the team." (HSB)
About stopping Brandon Fragger on 3rd down with 3 minutes left in the game and UH out of timeouts, Desmond Thomas said:
"It's my job to make that play. I figured they were going to run the ball. They had been doing that all night." (HSB)
About facing Nevada's power running game, Adam Leonard said:
"We knew they were going to pound it up the middle all night long. This is third game for us like this. It's nothing to us now." (HSB)
About how they made the big plays when they were needed, Adam said:
"We made some mistakes that we need to correct, but like all season, we stepped up when it counted. This will make watching film (today) and (tomorrow) a lot easier." (HSB)
About how they wanted to win for punter (and kick holder) Tim Grasso, who grandfather Tony died on Tuesday, RGM said:
"We wanted to win it for Tim." (HA)
"That's what this year is about. Not just winning, but playing for each other. We love each other. We're brothers. That's why I have tears in my eyes. We did it for each other." (HA)
About Grasso's loss, Kelly said:
"Tim is such a great guy, and he's been through a hardship." (HA)
About his grandfather passing on Tuesday, Grasso attended a wake on Wednesday and rejoined the team on Thursday, wearing a T on his left sleeve during the game on Friday and said:
"It was so emotional for me. I wanted this so much." (HA)
Quotes from Nevada
About the game, Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"It was a good ball game." (HA)
"It was a heck of a ball game. Hat's off to Hawaii, they did a nice job. We had opportunities to win it. I thought our defense played well. They gave us the ball in the fourth quarter. Our offense couldn't hold the ball and they were able to capitalize." (RGJ)
About the loss, Ault said:
"We had our chances. We just didn't get it done." (HSB, HA)
"We couldn't hold the ball at the end and gave them another chance. They were able to move the ball and convert." (HSB)
"We had our chances, our offense just could not move the ball at the end when we needed it. They were able to move the ball and convert." (CBS47)
Praising UH, Ault said:
"They played with some energy out there." (HA)
Praising UH's D, Ault said:
"Everyone is always talking about that offense, but they are a good solid defense." (HSB)
About Colt not playing, Ault said:
"Their system is not going to change. It was no issue who started, or even if Brennan played or not. He might have the stronger arm, but it really didn't matter. They can score from anywhere on the field and score quickly." (HSB)
Praising his D, Ault said:
"We had some breakdowns, but we played with a lot of energy. They have a lot of weapons, especially with those receivers." (HSB)
Asked if holding high-scoring UH to 28 points is a victory, Ault said:
"We don't talk about holding a team to a certain number of points. We just needed to find a way to score more than they did." (HSB)
Asked if UH is a BCS team, Ault said:
"Yes. They definitely are." (HSB)
About how Lippincott scored their first TD on a 22-yard screen pass, QB Colin Kaepernick said:
"It was a screen pass, a good call at the time because they kept blitzing us. Our linemen made some good blocks downfield." (HA)
About RBs Lippincott and Brandon Fragger, Kaepernick said:
"They ran very hard tonight." (HA)
Blaming himself for the loss, Kaepernick said:
"I keep replaying plays in my head that I should have made. I didn't play well in the first half and just didn't finish the game. There are so many different plays to look at ... touchdowns that should have been made. It was a heartbreaker. We were ready to play." (HSB)
About how UH disguised their blitzes and confused Nevada in the first half, Kaepernick said:
"I replayed the plays that I could have made to help the team. I'll take the blame for this one. The first half I didn't play well and the second half I played OK. They disguised their blitzes (early). In the second half, we made adjustments. Things worked out better for us." (NA)
Praising the Warriors, Kaepernick said:
"They're a good team. They can play. That's why they're undefeated and where they are today." (HSB)
About how it was tough running against UH's D but his OL opened holes for him, Lippincott said:
"We showed them what kind of team we are." (HA)
About how they need to be able to finish games, Lippincott said:
"We're playing good, but we can't get to that last inch ... or whatever." (HA)
About how he thought he had recovered Bess' fumble late in the 3rd quarter, Paul Pratt said:
"That's football. I thought I got the ball out, but it's a game of inch." (HSB)
About the loss, Pratt said:
"Words can't describe it. Us seniors don't have another chance against Hawaii. That was it." (HSB)
About the loss, Matt Hines said:
"I'd rather lose by 50 points than like that by two. It was a tough game. We should have come out on top. A lot of guys were yelling and screaming in there (the locker room), but we have two more games left and a chance to go 7-5. We don't need to keep our heads down. We played a good game." (HSB)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Pregame quotes for the UH-Nevada game
About how they will rent heaters for the sidelines, JJ said:
"We'll have all that stuff. We'll do what we need to do." (HSB)
Praising LWJ's improvement this season, with 6 carries for 65 yards vs. Fresno State, JJ said:
"Leon's gotten better every time in there. He played more physical." (HSB)
About how they used Nevada's pistol formation for many of LWJ's plays, JJ said:
"We just felt like we could do some things with it, create different alignments for the plays we wanted to do. And it did." (HSB)
About Nevada's defense, Inoke said:
"I think they (Nevada) have a good scheme. Not only are they physical, but they have good coaching and schemes. It'll be important for us to try to have a mental edge. If we have a good idea of what they're throwing at us it'll help us go through our reads faster." (HSB)
About how Nevada has scored 25 TDs of 20 yards or longer, JJ said:
"We've got to limit the big plays. They make a lot of big plays. They run a lot of misdirection. There's two guys we gotta worry about back there." (HSB)
About how Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick is 2nd on their team with 465 yards, Solomon Elimimian said:
"He's been very effective. If he can't find someone open, he just runs it himself, and a lot of times he'll make a great run." (HSB)
Praising their defense vs. Fresno State, JJ said:
"They were really flying around. We had some guys really step up at linebacker. Brad Kalilimoku played unreal. Blaze Soares played physical. The D-line played good and everybody kind of stepped up. We have to do that two weeks in a row now, with a short week." (HSB)
About how he's been constantly looking to improve his offense, Nevada coach Chris Ault (in his 3rd stretch of coaching Nevada) said:
"I've always been one of those guys who feels you have to change and grow with what you think might be best in the era. In the '90s, we were one of the best passing teams in the country. When I came back (after serving as Nevada's full-time athletic director), I wanted to still pass. But I felt to do the things we want to do now, we have to be able to run the ball a little bit more." (HA)
About how he tries to change 20% of their offense each year, JJ said:
"Like this week, we're using stuff we did 20 years ago. You kind of steal (ideas) off tapes from other teams, what other people do. I really stole a lot of things from Bill Walsh." (HA)
About how developing players motivates him, JJ said:
"I like watching (receivers) Greg Salas and Malcolm (Lane) coming into their own. It's been fun watching (right slotback) Ryan (Grice-Mullins), who couldn't catch a ball when he first came here. He didn't want to play receiver. Now he's probably going to play in the NFL." (HA)
About how his strength (which helps him keep away the DBs hands) has been a key to his 6.8 YAC average, RGM said:
"I don't like the DB to put his hands on me when I'm running the route. If he doesn't get his hands on me, I'm doing something right." (HA)
About how he needs to work on improving his 2.31 YAC, Hawthorne said:
"I need to work on turning the 5-yard catch into a 25-yard play. The key is to lock into what the defense is doing. You need to know where to go once you catch the ball. The slightest hesitation makes a difference. At this level, people can run up and catch you in no time." (HA)
About the key to his yards-after-broken-tackle average of 8.4 yads, Libre said:
"We do a lot of rope drills, line drills, working on our foot work. That helps a lot." (HA)
About how their RBs are taught to force defenders to try to make arm tackles that are easier to break, LWJ said:
"That's what we've been trying to do." (HA)
About playing at Nevada's 4,546 feet above sea level, Myron Newberry said:
Outlook: Altitude? It's about attitude. "Once we get running and sweating, we'll be all right. We run a lot, anyway." (HA)
About how they ran extra sprints this week to prepare for the altitude, Rich Miano said:
"Nobody runs more than we do in practice; it's like a track meet. They'll be fine." (HA)
HA Note: "In the last two games, Newberry and Lewis played most of the way. Mouton, who is the No. 1 nickelback, will join Newberry and Lewis to form a three-cornerback rotation. JoPierre Davis and Keenan Jones also will receive expanded roles. In situations calling for five defensive backs and when Mouton is at cornerback, then Guyton Galdeira will play nickelback."
About his 3 pancake blocks on kickoff returns vs. Fresno State, Jason Rivers said:
"It's pretty simple. If you get the ball, you run. If you don't, you block." (HA)
HA Note: "Kelly, who struggled with his kickoffs in the first eight games — his average boot was to the 6 — said he has found his groove. His kickoffs had an average hang time of 3.7 seconds in the first eight games; last week they averaged 4.1 seconds. That should increase in the thin air."
About how Kaepernick is good with play-action plays because of his skill in hiding the football, Ault said:
"He's got big hands. Play-action passes are a big part of the system. He does well." (HA)
About how he simplified their offense for the freshman Kaepernick and often has him come to the sideline before each play, Ault said:
"Because he doesn't have that experience, he and I exchange a lot of conversation." (HA)
About how Nevada has taken advantage of Kaepernick's scrambling ability, Jeff Reinbold said:
"we feel they have two backs in the game." (HA)
About Lippincott, who leads the WAC in rushing with 117.1 yards per game after being a DB just 1.5 years ago, Ault said:
"We're proud of Luke. He practices hard, he runs hard and he plays hard." (HA)
About Lippincott's running style, Reinbold said:
"He's an old-school runner. He's all about straight-ahead, no-fair-dodging running. If you stop him, he'll come back the next time, finding an open seam." (HA)
About how their defense has improved lately, Ault said about their early struggles:
"We really played poorly. The last few weeks we played better. We're still climbing that hill." (HA)
Praising Hines, Dennis McKnight said:
"If you have 20 of him on your team, you wouldn't even have to practice or coach them." (HA)
About how Colt has a large group attending the Nevada game, his father Terry Brennan said:
"We've got over 50 — relatives and friends. They're coming from all over California. I'm on my way to get some more tickets now." (HA)
Nevada spokesman Chad Hartley said that at least 25 NFL scouts have sought credentials for the game, mainly to see Colt:
"Mostly because it is their last chance to see him play here (on the Mainland). Although some are coming to see our (linebacker) Ezra Butler, too." (HA)
About the importance of this game, Myron Newberry said:
"It's real big for our whole team. We're one step closer to winning the WAC championship." (HA)
Gerard Lewis said that the game is considered to be:
"a playoff game. We lose one, we're out. We want to have perfection this season." (HA)
HA Note: "Two weeks ago, the UH coaches began installing the game plan. The Warriors worked on specific schemes for Nevada in practices Monday through Wednesday at UH's grass field."
Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin wore his traditional day-before attire — slippers and black sweat pants.
About wearing his traditional day-before clothes (slippers and black sweat pants), GM (UH won 9 games in his previous season with them and 9 game so far this season) said:
"These pants helped me get 18 wins." (HA)
About how the team is focused on the game, RGM said:
"You can look around the team, and they know what's at stake. Guys are focused. You look at everybody's eyes. They want the same thing." (HA)
About how their tough games so far this season has prepared team, GM said:
"The good thing, is we've been through adversity. They're all pounding the drums waiting for us. It depends on how we handle adversity. So far, our guys have done a great job of handling that. I have the utmost confidence we're going to handle it well." (HA)
Silver Legacy sports book worker John Pinto said that oddsmakers are:
"expecting Brennan to play [otherwise the betting spread (currently at 7 to 8 points)] would have come out about Hawai'i three (points)." (HA)
About the betting on the game, Pinto said that:
"right now we're seeing a lot of Hawai'i money. Come (today) it will be Hawai'i money since we get a good draw (of) people from Hawai'i at the hotel." (HA)
"We'll have all that stuff. We'll do what we need to do." (HSB)
Praising LWJ's improvement this season, with 6 carries for 65 yards vs. Fresno State, JJ said:
"Leon's gotten better every time in there. He played more physical." (HSB)
About how they used Nevada's pistol formation for many of LWJ's plays, JJ said:
"We just felt like we could do some things with it, create different alignments for the plays we wanted to do. And it did." (HSB)
About Nevada's defense, Inoke said:
"I think they (Nevada) have a good scheme. Not only are they physical, but they have good coaching and schemes. It'll be important for us to try to have a mental edge. If we have a good idea of what they're throwing at us it'll help us go through our reads faster." (HSB)
About how Nevada has scored 25 TDs of 20 yards or longer, JJ said:
"We've got to limit the big plays. They make a lot of big plays. They run a lot of misdirection. There's two guys we gotta worry about back there." (HSB)
About how Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick is 2nd on their team with 465 yards, Solomon Elimimian said:
"He's been very effective. If he can't find someone open, he just runs it himself, and a lot of times he'll make a great run." (HSB)
Praising their defense vs. Fresno State, JJ said:
"They were really flying around. We had some guys really step up at linebacker. Brad Kalilimoku played unreal. Blaze Soares played physical. The D-line played good and everybody kind of stepped up. We have to do that two weeks in a row now, with a short week." (HSB)
About how he's been constantly looking to improve his offense, Nevada coach Chris Ault (in his 3rd stretch of coaching Nevada) said:
"I've always been one of those guys who feels you have to change and grow with what you think might be best in the era. In the '90s, we were one of the best passing teams in the country. When I came back (after serving as Nevada's full-time athletic director), I wanted to still pass. But I felt to do the things we want to do now, we have to be able to run the ball a little bit more." (HA)
About how he tries to change 20% of their offense each year, JJ said:
"Like this week, we're using stuff we did 20 years ago. You kind of steal (ideas) off tapes from other teams, what other people do. I really stole a lot of things from Bill Walsh." (HA)
About how developing players motivates him, JJ said:
"I like watching (receivers) Greg Salas and Malcolm (Lane) coming into their own. It's been fun watching (right slotback) Ryan (Grice-Mullins), who couldn't catch a ball when he first came here. He didn't want to play receiver. Now he's probably going to play in the NFL." (HA)
About how his strength (which helps him keep away the DBs hands) has been a key to his 6.8 YAC average, RGM said:
"I don't like the DB to put his hands on me when I'm running the route. If he doesn't get his hands on me, I'm doing something right." (HA)
About how he needs to work on improving his 2.31 YAC, Hawthorne said:
"I need to work on turning the 5-yard catch into a 25-yard play. The key is to lock into what the defense is doing. You need to know where to go once you catch the ball. The slightest hesitation makes a difference. At this level, people can run up and catch you in no time." (HA)
About the key to his yards-after-broken-tackle average of 8.4 yads, Libre said:
"We do a lot of rope drills, line drills, working on our foot work. That helps a lot." (HA)
About how their RBs are taught to force defenders to try to make arm tackles that are easier to break, LWJ said:
"That's what we've been trying to do." (HA)
About playing at Nevada's 4,546 feet above sea level, Myron Newberry said:
Outlook: Altitude? It's about attitude. "Once we get running and sweating, we'll be all right. We run a lot, anyway." (HA)
About how they ran extra sprints this week to prepare for the altitude, Rich Miano said:
"Nobody runs more than we do in practice; it's like a track meet. They'll be fine." (HA)
HA Note: "In the last two games, Newberry and Lewis played most of the way. Mouton, who is the No. 1 nickelback, will join Newberry and Lewis to form a three-cornerback rotation. JoPierre Davis and Keenan Jones also will receive expanded roles. In situations calling for five defensive backs and when Mouton is at cornerback, then Guyton Galdeira will play nickelback."
About his 3 pancake blocks on kickoff returns vs. Fresno State, Jason Rivers said:
"It's pretty simple. If you get the ball, you run. If you don't, you block." (HA)
HA Note: "Kelly, who struggled with his kickoffs in the first eight games — his average boot was to the 6 — said he has found his groove. His kickoffs had an average hang time of 3.7 seconds in the first eight games; last week they averaged 4.1 seconds. That should increase in the thin air."
About how Kaepernick is good with play-action plays because of his skill in hiding the football, Ault said:
"He's got big hands. Play-action passes are a big part of the system. He does well." (HA)
About how he simplified their offense for the freshman Kaepernick and often has him come to the sideline before each play, Ault said:
"Because he doesn't have that experience, he and I exchange a lot of conversation." (HA)
About how Nevada has taken advantage of Kaepernick's scrambling ability, Jeff Reinbold said:
"we feel they have two backs in the game." (HA)
About Lippincott, who leads the WAC in rushing with 117.1 yards per game after being a DB just 1.5 years ago, Ault said:
"We're proud of Luke. He practices hard, he runs hard and he plays hard." (HA)
About Lippincott's running style, Reinbold said:
"He's an old-school runner. He's all about straight-ahead, no-fair-dodging running. If you stop him, he'll come back the next time, finding an open seam." (HA)
About how their defense has improved lately, Ault said about their early struggles:
"We really played poorly. The last few weeks we played better. We're still climbing that hill." (HA)
Praising Hines, Dennis McKnight said:
"If you have 20 of him on your team, you wouldn't even have to practice or coach them." (HA)
About how Colt has a large group attending the Nevada game, his father Terry Brennan said:
"We've got over 50 — relatives and friends. They're coming from all over California. I'm on my way to get some more tickets now." (HA)
Nevada spokesman Chad Hartley said that at least 25 NFL scouts have sought credentials for the game, mainly to see Colt:
"Mostly because it is their last chance to see him play here (on the Mainland). Although some are coming to see our (linebacker) Ezra Butler, too." (HA)
About the importance of this game, Myron Newberry said:
"It's real big for our whole team. We're one step closer to winning the WAC championship." (HA)
Gerard Lewis said that the game is considered to be:
"a playoff game. We lose one, we're out. We want to have perfection this season." (HA)
HA Note: "Two weeks ago, the UH coaches began installing the game plan. The Warriors worked on specific schemes for Nevada in practices Monday through Wednesday at UH's grass field."
Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin wore his traditional day-before attire — slippers and black sweat pants.
About wearing his traditional day-before clothes (slippers and black sweat pants), GM (UH won 9 games in his previous season with them and 9 game so far this season) said:
"These pants helped me get 18 wins." (HA)
About how the team is focused on the game, RGM said:
"You can look around the team, and they know what's at stake. Guys are focused. You look at everybody's eyes. They want the same thing." (HA)
About how their tough games so far this season has prepared team, GM said:
"The good thing, is we've been through adversity. They're all pounding the drums waiting for us. It depends on how we handle adversity. So far, our guys have done a great job of handling that. I have the utmost confidence we're going to handle it well." (HA)
Silver Legacy sports book worker John Pinto said that oddsmakers are:
"expecting Brennan to play [otherwise the betting spread (currently at 7 to 8 points)] would have come out about Hawai'i three (points)." (HA)
About the betting on the game, Pinto said that:
"right now we're seeing a lot of Hawai'i money. Come (today) it will be Hawai'i money since we get a good draw (of) people from Hawai'i at the hotel." (HA)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Quotes from the local papers
Right before entering their bus going to the airport yesterday, Colt said to a reporter:
"Everything is good." (HA)
JJ said that Colt:
"is fine" (HA)
About how Colt has been cleared to play, JJ said:
"Yup. They've done everything (all tests). (They found) that he's fine." (HSB)
"If the game were (yesterday), I would say Colt would play." (HSB)
Asked if he thought Colt would start vs. Nevada, JJ said:
"I do." (HA)
"He will." (HA)
HA Note: "Jones and the UH medical staff will make a final decision tomorrow."
About how he wants to play but the doctors and JJ could keep him out, Colt said:
"I want to play. But I don't get to make that decision. I have no say." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan appeared to be agitated at his limited work yesterday. He received a third of the snaps — two plays to every four for quarterback Tyler Graunke — during drills against the scout-team defense. Brennan was held out of drills against UH's starting defense"
About how it was more important for Colt to work against the scout team because they were emulating Nevada's defense, JJ said:
"He was in there for the Nevada stuff. The stuff we run (against the defensive starters) we don't run against Nevada." (HA)
Unhappy with being limited to 5 passes vs. the scout team, Colt said:
"But those were four or five good passes." (HA)
About why Colt's condition has been upgraded, JJ said:
"After talking more about it, (medical officials are) not even sure (Brennan) was knocked out. The doctors went out there right away, and his eyes were open, so they're not even sure. It was just a hard hit." (HA)
About Malcolm Lane missing practice while wearing a wrist brace on his right hand, JJ said:
"He kind of jammed it. I told him to sit out." (HA)
HA Note: "With Jason Rivers taking an examination yesterday, Ryan Mouton, Keenan Jones and Michael Washington alternated as the two kick returners."
About how UH ran their Pistol offense against Fresno State 8 times (4 rushes for 33 yards, 4 pass completions for 80 yards), Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"We did see that." (HA)
HA Note: "In the Pistol, the quarterback is in the shotgun, 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, and the running back is 3 yards directly behind the quarterback. In UH's four-wide offense, Brennan also is 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, but the running back is aligned on his side. UH running back Daniel Libre said the Warriors took one week to implement the Pistol, which gives the back a panoramic view of the defense and more running options.
Jones said it was an easy adjustment because he used to run a variation, except the quarterback was under center instead of in the shotgun. Jones said he began using the shotgun when he was with the Houston Oilers two decades ago."
About how Syracuse also has started to use the Pistol, Ault said:
"It's getting pretty widespread." (HA)
About how both Tyler and Inoke are preparing to play, Dan Morrison said:
"Tyler will be next and Inoke will probably get some playing time as well. They'll both see playing time. You have to prepare for this, and they're both planning on doing that. So in their mind-set, they assume they will play." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Just because Brennan is cleared doesn't necessarily mean he will receive the bulk of playing time against the Wolf Pack. He took just five snaps against the Warriors' scout team during practice yesterday, and backups Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki still got the lion's share of the work."
Not making excuses about their short work week because they prepared for Nevada during their bye week, GM said:
"This is a Thursday for us because we lose a day, (but) we worked on Nevada during the bye week (before Fresno State). So, we broke down the film and looked at what they did and plan, then compare it to what they've done. We've had enough time, it's just the players getting refreshed. I think we've had a chance to be prepared." (HSB)
Praising Nevada's offense, GM said:
"I think (Lippincott) is a great player, a great downhill player. He hits it hard, and doesn't stop. I think he's a (former Dallas Cowboys great) Walt Garrison, hard-nosed running back. He's got 1,000 yards, and they throw to him a little bit. I think he's one of the best runners in the country." (HSB)
HSB Note: "McMackin lavished praise on Nevada junior running back Luke Lippincott, who is tops in the conference in rushing yards per game at 117.1, and respects the dual threat of freshman quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has shown a propensity for both the run and pass. Nevada is ninth nationally in total offense at more than 494 yards per game. Hawaii is third at more than 534, and also leads the WAC in rushing defense."
Praising Nevada's DL, Dennis McKnight said they were
"probably the best D-line we'll play." (HSB)
"Their ends are up the field, and if you lean on them they'll spin back inside on you. Their inside guys press the pocket and are relentless like junkyard dogs, which is what you want." (HSB)
"Everything is good." (HA)
JJ said that Colt:
"is fine" (HA)
About how Colt has been cleared to play, JJ said:
"Yup. They've done everything (all tests). (They found) that he's fine." (HSB)
"If the game were (yesterday), I would say Colt would play." (HSB)
Asked if he thought Colt would start vs. Nevada, JJ said:
"I do." (HA)
"He will." (HA)
HA Note: "Jones and the UH medical staff will make a final decision tomorrow."
About how he wants to play but the doctors and JJ could keep him out, Colt said:
"I want to play. But I don't get to make that decision. I have no say." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan appeared to be agitated at his limited work yesterday. He received a third of the snaps — two plays to every four for quarterback Tyler Graunke — during drills against the scout-team defense. Brennan was held out of drills against UH's starting defense"
About how it was more important for Colt to work against the scout team because they were emulating Nevada's defense, JJ said:
"He was in there for the Nevada stuff. The stuff we run (against the defensive starters) we don't run against Nevada." (HA)
Unhappy with being limited to 5 passes vs. the scout team, Colt said:
"But those were four or five good passes." (HA)
About why Colt's condition has been upgraded, JJ said:
"After talking more about it, (medical officials are) not even sure (Brennan) was knocked out. The doctors went out there right away, and his eyes were open, so they're not even sure. It was just a hard hit." (HA)
About Malcolm Lane missing practice while wearing a wrist brace on his right hand, JJ said:
"He kind of jammed it. I told him to sit out." (HA)
HA Note: "With Jason Rivers taking an examination yesterday, Ryan Mouton, Keenan Jones and Michael Washington alternated as the two kick returners."
About how UH ran their Pistol offense against Fresno State 8 times (4 rushes for 33 yards, 4 pass completions for 80 yards), Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"We did see that." (HA)
HA Note: "In the Pistol, the quarterback is in the shotgun, 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, and the running back is 3 yards directly behind the quarterback. In UH's four-wide offense, Brennan also is 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, but the running back is aligned on his side. UH running back Daniel Libre said the Warriors took one week to implement the Pistol, which gives the back a panoramic view of the defense and more running options.
Jones said it was an easy adjustment because he used to run a variation, except the quarterback was under center instead of in the shotgun. Jones said he began using the shotgun when he was with the Houston Oilers two decades ago."
About how Syracuse also has started to use the Pistol, Ault said:
"It's getting pretty widespread." (HA)
About how both Tyler and Inoke are preparing to play, Dan Morrison said:
"Tyler will be next and Inoke will probably get some playing time as well. They'll both see playing time. You have to prepare for this, and they're both planning on doing that. So in their mind-set, they assume they will play." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Just because Brennan is cleared doesn't necessarily mean he will receive the bulk of playing time against the Wolf Pack. He took just five snaps against the Warriors' scout team during practice yesterday, and backups Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki still got the lion's share of the work."
Not making excuses about their short work week because they prepared for Nevada during their bye week, GM said:
"This is a Thursday for us because we lose a day, (but) we worked on Nevada during the bye week (before Fresno State). So, we broke down the film and looked at what they did and plan, then compare it to what they've done. We've had enough time, it's just the players getting refreshed. I think we've had a chance to be prepared." (HSB)
Praising Nevada's offense, GM said:
"I think (Lippincott) is a great player, a great downhill player. He hits it hard, and doesn't stop. I think he's a (former Dallas Cowboys great) Walt Garrison, hard-nosed running back. He's got 1,000 yards, and they throw to him a little bit. I think he's one of the best runners in the country." (HSB)
HSB Note: "McMackin lavished praise on Nevada junior running back Luke Lippincott, who is tops in the conference in rushing yards per game at 117.1, and respects the dual threat of freshman quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has shown a propensity for both the run and pass. Nevada is ninth nationally in total offense at more than 494 yards per game. Hawaii is third at more than 534, and also leads the WAC in rushing defense."
Praising Nevada's DL, Dennis McKnight said they were
"probably the best D-line we'll play." (HSB)
"Their ends are up the field, and if you lean on them they'll spin back inside on you. Their inside guys press the pocket and are relentless like junkyard dogs, which is what you want." (HSB)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Quotes from the local papers
About how he thinks Colt will play vs. Nevada, JJ said:
"I think he'll play." (HA)
"If he had any throwing up or nausea, I think you'd have to be more concerned. He'll practice (today)." (HA)
"He's probably cleared right now, but I held him out, get more reps for the other guys." (HSB)
About Colt's condition, JJ said:
"He's same as (Monday). No exertion (Tuesday), (he) met with the doctors and he feels fine." (HSB)
About how he can practice because no contact is allowed, Colt said:
"In the game, it's full on, full contact. You know I'm not going to get touched in practice. I could have practiced (Monday). I could have practiced every day if I wanted to. I could have practiced the last two days if I wanted to." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan would need a doctor's permission to play against Nevada. A decision, Brennan was told, probably won't be made until Friday. Brennan has attended meetings and watched videos of Nevada's defense. He said he is mentally and physically fit to play."
About how he wants to play but it isn't his decision, Colt said:
"It's not up to me. I'm the last one who gets to decide whether I play. I want to play, but I have no say whether I play this week." (HA)
About receiving lots of reps with the first team, Inoke said:
"I'm getting more comfortable. I'm making mistakes, but it's definitely helping me to go through the growing process. I'm trying to be as prepared as possible." (HA)
About how he will not play in the Nevada game, Pilares said:
"There's no rush. I don't want to make it worse. I'm sitting on it. It's getting better every day. I'm just rehabbing it, and doing what I can to get it better. The pain is almost gone. It's not that tender as it was last week." (HA)
Colt said that Libre's emergence in their offense is:
"a great, great story." (HA)
HA Note: "After transferring from Menlo College, the Big Island-raised Libre led the Warriors with six interceptions as a cornerback during spring training in 2006. But because of personal situations, Libre had to travel extensively to the Big Island, missing school time."
Libre said that his needing to travel to the Big Island led to:
"grade problems. I wasn't up to par that year. I didn't meet the school standards." (HA)
About Rich Miano (who is in charge of their walk on program) encouraged him, Libre said:
"I talked to coach (Rich) Miano a lot. He told me to hang in there and work hard." (HA)
About how he felt prepared for the Fresno State game, Libre said:
"I wasn't nervous because of the way they prepared me. It paid off a lot. I was more nervous in practice than in the game." (HA)
About how Libre was calm during the Fresno State game, RB coach Wes Suan said:
"It was a surprise that he played with that calm intensity, which is a contradictory term. But he was in there, he understood what he was looking at, how the play was designed, and where he needs to be position-wise." (HSB)
About how he encouraged Libre last Fall when they kept running into each other, Colt said:
"I'd say, 'what's up?' and 'keep trying.' It's fun to see where he's headed, and the possible future he could have." (HA)
Libre smiled when Bess yelled in practice:
"Libre for Heisman!" (HSB)
5' 8" graphics design major Libre said that his classmates don't think he plays football:
"Nobody in my art classes believes that I'm an athlete, because just the way I am -- I'm quiet and keep to myself." (HSB)
About the contrast between football and his major, Libre said:
"Well, it's kind of contradictory. With the new developments and software and everything I'm just going more toward graphic design. Drawing and painting is still what I love to do, but for future-wise, graphic design's more (promising)." (HSB)
About why he transferred from Menlo College despite having an Academic scholarship to go there, Libre said:
"It was a nice atmosphere and everything (at Menlo), but the football just wasn't for me." (HSB)
About getting to play vs. Fresno State, Libre said:
"It was refreshing and nerve-racking at the same time. I was real nervous; I knew that was my chance to show that I could do what I know I could do, but what the coaches weren't sure of. I just had to take that opportunity and shine. I guess I did good enough where I could play in the games." (HSB)
About how Hawthorne was their only starting WR to miss practice yesterday after Bess and Rivers were able to return to practice, JJ said:
"C.J. wanted to practice but I held him out." (HA)
About being held out of practice due to his tight hamstring, Hawthorne said:
"Coach wanted to hold me out today. I don't mind taking a vacation. There's a lot of work to be done. We have a lot of teams still ahead of us. I'll be good to go (against Nevada)." (HA)
"I think he'll play." (HA)
"If he had any throwing up or nausea, I think you'd have to be more concerned. He'll practice (today)." (HA)
"He's probably cleared right now, but I held him out, get more reps for the other guys." (HSB)
About Colt's condition, JJ said:
"He's same as (Monday). No exertion (Tuesday), (he) met with the doctors and he feels fine." (HSB)
About how he can practice because no contact is allowed, Colt said:
"In the game, it's full on, full contact. You know I'm not going to get touched in practice. I could have practiced (Monday). I could have practiced every day if I wanted to. I could have practiced the last two days if I wanted to." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan would need a doctor's permission to play against Nevada. A decision, Brennan was told, probably won't be made until Friday. Brennan has attended meetings and watched videos of Nevada's defense. He said he is mentally and physically fit to play."
About how he wants to play but it isn't his decision, Colt said:
"It's not up to me. I'm the last one who gets to decide whether I play. I want to play, but I have no say whether I play this week." (HA)
About receiving lots of reps with the first team, Inoke said:
"I'm getting more comfortable. I'm making mistakes, but it's definitely helping me to go through the growing process. I'm trying to be as prepared as possible." (HA)
About how he will not play in the Nevada game, Pilares said:
"There's no rush. I don't want to make it worse. I'm sitting on it. It's getting better every day. I'm just rehabbing it, and doing what I can to get it better. The pain is almost gone. It's not that tender as it was last week." (HA)
Colt said that Libre's emergence in their offense is:
"a great, great story." (HA)
HA Note: "After transferring from Menlo College, the Big Island-raised Libre led the Warriors with six interceptions as a cornerback during spring training in 2006. But because of personal situations, Libre had to travel extensively to the Big Island, missing school time."
Libre said that his needing to travel to the Big Island led to:
"grade problems. I wasn't up to par that year. I didn't meet the school standards." (HA)
About Rich Miano (who is in charge of their walk on program) encouraged him, Libre said:
"I talked to coach (Rich) Miano a lot. He told me to hang in there and work hard." (HA)
About how he felt prepared for the Fresno State game, Libre said:
"I wasn't nervous because of the way they prepared me. It paid off a lot. I was more nervous in practice than in the game." (HA)
About how Libre was calm during the Fresno State game, RB coach Wes Suan said:
"It was a surprise that he played with that calm intensity, which is a contradictory term. But he was in there, he understood what he was looking at, how the play was designed, and where he needs to be position-wise." (HSB)
About how he encouraged Libre last Fall when they kept running into each other, Colt said:
"I'd say, 'what's up?' and 'keep trying.' It's fun to see where he's headed, and the possible future he could have." (HA)
Libre smiled when Bess yelled in practice:
"Libre for Heisman!" (HSB)
5' 8" graphics design major Libre said that his classmates don't think he plays football:
"Nobody in my art classes believes that I'm an athlete, because just the way I am -- I'm quiet and keep to myself." (HSB)
About the contrast between football and his major, Libre said:
"Well, it's kind of contradictory. With the new developments and software and everything I'm just going more toward graphic design. Drawing and painting is still what I love to do, but for future-wise, graphic design's more (promising)." (HSB)
About why he transferred from Menlo College despite having an Academic scholarship to go there, Libre said:
"It was a nice atmosphere and everything (at Menlo), but the football just wasn't for me." (HSB)
About getting to play vs. Fresno State, Libre said:
"It was refreshing and nerve-racking at the same time. I was real nervous; I knew that was my chance to show that I could do what I know I could do, but what the coaches weren't sure of. I just had to take that opportunity and shine. I guess I did good enough where I could play in the games." (HSB)
About how Hawthorne was their only starting WR to miss practice yesterday after Bess and Rivers were able to return to practice, JJ said:
"C.J. wanted to practice but I held him out." (HA)
About being held out of practice due to his tight hamstring, Hawthorne said:
"Coach wanted to hold me out today. I don't mind taking a vacation. There's a lot of work to be done. We have a lot of teams still ahead of us. I'll be good to go (against Nevada)." (HA)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Quotes from the local papers
About whether or not he'll give medical clearance for Colt to play, Warriors team physician Andrew Nichols said:
"It's simple. You don't want to risk aggravating the condition or making anything worse. But there are lots of factors we'll be following over the week." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Nichols will consult with other doctors and trainers. He said Brennan will be monitored closely and evaluated daily. Due to privacy issues, Nichols would not discuss Brennan's condition, what treatments he would receive or how he will be evaluated."
About how medical details will be kept confidential due to privacy issues, Nichols said:
"We're not going to be discussing how we do this. The medical aspect we won't be discussing." (HSB)
About how medical clearance could be a game time decision, Nichols (who travels with the team) said:
"It could come down to 8 o'clock Friday." (HSB)
About how concussions are treated differently now than they were not too long ago, JJ said:
"It's a big decision the way concussions are now. I've talked to NFL people and specialists and it's different. But we'll do what's best for him." (HSB)
About his hit on Colt, Riley said:
"It's tough, because I started to celebrate, and when he was still down it kind of changed my whole attitude about the situation. I was kind of nervous. I kind of relaxed after I knew he was all right, when he got up, started moving around." (HSB)
About the Nevada game, Colt said:
"I'm going. The way I feel right now — I haven't had any symptoms — I have to think that I'd at least be in the discussion to play on Friday." (HA)
"Oh yeah, I'm going." (HSB)
"You can't make a decision until the end of the week so I just have to sit and wait. I feel fine. It was a good shot and obviously it got the best of me. But the last two mornings I felt fine. So I just gotta wait pretty much." (HSB)
"With everything I have in front of me I want to make the right decision. If my body was reacting in a way that I was scared or nervous I'd say something about it. But my body's been normal and I feel good." (HSB)
HA Note: "He acknowledged a decision will be based on long-term ramifications and the rest period needed to minimize a recurrence."
Colt said that JJ, QB coach Dan Morrison, and UH's trainers:
"are taking (care of) all of the precautionary things for me and my future, and my health is their main concern. They're going to go over everything they can, and turn over every stone, and make sure they do the smartest thing for me and my health." (HA)
Feeling that the way he hit the ground made his injury much worse, Colt said:
"I think if my head didn't hit the ground the way that it did, I still would have been woozy, shaken up, taken a good hit, but I wouldn't have been the way that I was." (HA)
Asked if he was unconscious, Colt said:
"I don't remember it. But it seems like I saw my legs moving right after I hit the ground. Obviously if I was out, I wasn't out for very long." (HA)
Colt is not concerned about his neck ache, saying it was:
"sore like it would after any game. ... It may be a little sorer than normal. It's not a pain that's not normal." (HA)
Explaining why he thinks he can play in the Nevada game, Colt said:
"Because my body's been feeling like normal, and I've been feeling so good, that's why I really think I can get ready to play this Friday." (HA)
HA Note: "But Jones already has put in place a contingency plan. Jones said Tyler Graunke is Brennan's immediate replacement. The No. 3 quarterback, Inoke Funaki, received most of the snaps during team drills yesterday."
About why Inoke received most of the snaps in practice yesterday, JJ said:
"He hasn't had many reps since training camp. If he has to play, I'm trying to sneak a few for him." (HA)
"(Graunke's) played in games and he's gotten a lot of practice time. Tyler's gotten a lot of reps and that's why we want to get Inok' caught up. We do what we have to do to get ready to play. Tyler knows what to do. So we're just trying to get them both ready. If they both need to play you want to make sure they know what to do. There could be a role for both of them (Friday)." (HSB)
HA Note: "In UH's practice format, Brennan receives four snaps for every two for Graunke. In team drills, Funaki receives "mental reps" in which he observes but does not participate."
About the reps he got in practice yesterday, Inoke said:
"It was the first time I took reps in that period. I think that shows confidence I might be able to help out. I don't know what Colt's situation is, if he's going to play or not. If he doesn't then, Tyler goes in. Then I would be one play away. I have to be ready." (HA)
About how they only have 3 QBs on their active roster, Inoke said:
"I'm the last line of defense ... or offense." (HA)
About playing in the cold in Reno, Inoke talked about how he spent a year in Utah when he was in Junior High and said:
"I had a couple games in the cold there and it wasn't fun. It was snowing and stuff and there was ice. I guess it depends on the person. I'm a local boy, an island boy. I'm not very fond of the cold weather. To go from here it will be super cold playing in that kind of weather." (HSB)
About Colt, Inoke said:
"Look, he's back joking around already. I hope he's OK for the game. But we have a short week. If he's not (cleared) or something happens in the game, hopefully Tyler and I will be ready to help the team pick up where he left off." (HSB)
Preparing to play vs. Nevada, Tyler said:
"I'll be ready if Colt can't go, that's for sure. Even if he can, he might be a little sensitive toward his concussion. I'll have to be ready either way." (HA)
Asked if he was ready to play vs. Fresno State, Tyler said:
"Honestly, no. I didn't think I was going in and I got nervous once my number got called. I was a little shaky and got tingly all over, but it's all good. I didn't get to warm-up, run or throw at all. Kind of shaken. But I can't be doing that, I gotta be ready whenever I'm called upon." (HSB)
Worried about the cold in Reno, Tyler said:
"I'll have to keep myself warm on the sidelines." (HA)
"I'm from Tucson, Ariz., and I'm in Hawaii. I'll layer a lot and I'll keep moving around on the sidelines to be ready." (HSB)
About being injured on the onside kick at the end of the Fresno State game, Jason Rivers said:
"The dude kind of speared me in the back of my neck. I wasn't looking at the dude. Somebody hitting you full blast when you're not looking, especially that kind of hit, it's sore." (HA)
Jason Rivers said that his neck "tightened up" over the weekend, but he won't miss the Nevada game:
"I'm going to play. It's not something that is going to hold me out. It's just a stiff neck." (HA)
About how he felt tightness in his hamstring when UH was up 31-7, Hawthorne said:
"I didn't pop it, but it was close. I felt a real tightness. I told the coaches it would be OK if I didn't go anymore." (HA)
"It's simple. You don't want to risk aggravating the condition or making anything worse. But there are lots of factors we'll be following over the week." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Nichols will consult with other doctors and trainers. He said Brennan will be monitored closely and evaluated daily. Due to privacy issues, Nichols would not discuss Brennan's condition, what treatments he would receive or how he will be evaluated."
About how medical details will be kept confidential due to privacy issues, Nichols said:
"We're not going to be discussing how we do this. The medical aspect we won't be discussing." (HSB)
About how medical clearance could be a game time decision, Nichols (who travels with the team) said:
"It could come down to 8 o'clock Friday." (HSB)
About how concussions are treated differently now than they were not too long ago, JJ said:
"It's a big decision the way concussions are now. I've talked to NFL people and specialists and it's different. But we'll do what's best for him." (HSB)
About his hit on Colt, Riley said:
"It's tough, because I started to celebrate, and when he was still down it kind of changed my whole attitude about the situation. I was kind of nervous. I kind of relaxed after I knew he was all right, when he got up, started moving around." (HSB)
About the Nevada game, Colt said:
"I'm going. The way I feel right now — I haven't had any symptoms — I have to think that I'd at least be in the discussion to play on Friday." (HA)
"Oh yeah, I'm going." (HSB)
"You can't make a decision until the end of the week so I just have to sit and wait. I feel fine. It was a good shot and obviously it got the best of me. But the last two mornings I felt fine. So I just gotta wait pretty much." (HSB)
"With everything I have in front of me I want to make the right decision. If my body was reacting in a way that I was scared or nervous I'd say something about it. But my body's been normal and I feel good." (HSB)
HA Note: "He acknowledged a decision will be based on long-term ramifications and the rest period needed to minimize a recurrence."
Colt said that JJ, QB coach Dan Morrison, and UH's trainers:
"are taking (care of) all of the precautionary things for me and my future, and my health is their main concern. They're going to go over everything they can, and turn over every stone, and make sure they do the smartest thing for me and my health." (HA)
Feeling that the way he hit the ground made his injury much worse, Colt said:
"I think if my head didn't hit the ground the way that it did, I still would have been woozy, shaken up, taken a good hit, but I wouldn't have been the way that I was." (HA)
Asked if he was unconscious, Colt said:
"I don't remember it. But it seems like I saw my legs moving right after I hit the ground. Obviously if I was out, I wasn't out for very long." (HA)
Colt is not concerned about his neck ache, saying it was:
"sore like it would after any game. ... It may be a little sorer than normal. It's not a pain that's not normal." (HA)
Explaining why he thinks he can play in the Nevada game, Colt said:
"Because my body's been feeling like normal, and I've been feeling so good, that's why I really think I can get ready to play this Friday." (HA)
HA Note: "But Jones already has put in place a contingency plan. Jones said Tyler Graunke is Brennan's immediate replacement. The No. 3 quarterback, Inoke Funaki, received most of the snaps during team drills yesterday."
About why Inoke received most of the snaps in practice yesterday, JJ said:
"He hasn't had many reps since training camp. If he has to play, I'm trying to sneak a few for him." (HA)
"(Graunke's) played in games and he's gotten a lot of practice time. Tyler's gotten a lot of reps and that's why we want to get Inok' caught up. We do what we have to do to get ready to play. Tyler knows what to do. So we're just trying to get them both ready. If they both need to play you want to make sure they know what to do. There could be a role for both of them (Friday)." (HSB)
HA Note: "In UH's practice format, Brennan receives four snaps for every two for Graunke. In team drills, Funaki receives "mental reps" in which he observes but does not participate."
About the reps he got in practice yesterday, Inoke said:
"It was the first time I took reps in that period. I think that shows confidence I might be able to help out. I don't know what Colt's situation is, if he's going to play or not. If he doesn't then, Tyler goes in. Then I would be one play away. I have to be ready." (HA)
About how they only have 3 QBs on their active roster, Inoke said:
"I'm the last line of defense ... or offense." (HA)
About playing in the cold in Reno, Inoke talked about how he spent a year in Utah when he was in Junior High and said:
"I had a couple games in the cold there and it wasn't fun. It was snowing and stuff and there was ice. I guess it depends on the person. I'm a local boy, an island boy. I'm not very fond of the cold weather. To go from here it will be super cold playing in that kind of weather." (HSB)
About Colt, Inoke said:
"Look, he's back joking around already. I hope he's OK for the game. But we have a short week. If he's not (cleared) or something happens in the game, hopefully Tyler and I will be ready to help the team pick up where he left off." (HSB)
Preparing to play vs. Nevada, Tyler said:
"I'll be ready if Colt can't go, that's for sure. Even if he can, he might be a little sensitive toward his concussion. I'll have to be ready either way." (HA)
Asked if he was ready to play vs. Fresno State, Tyler said:
"Honestly, no. I didn't think I was going in and I got nervous once my number got called. I was a little shaky and got tingly all over, but it's all good. I didn't get to warm-up, run or throw at all. Kind of shaken. But I can't be doing that, I gotta be ready whenever I'm called upon." (HSB)
Worried about the cold in Reno, Tyler said:
"I'll have to keep myself warm on the sidelines." (HA)
"I'm from Tucson, Ariz., and I'm in Hawaii. I'll layer a lot and I'll keep moving around on the sidelines to be ready." (HSB)
About being injured on the onside kick at the end of the Fresno State game, Jason Rivers said:
"The dude kind of speared me in the back of my neck. I wasn't looking at the dude. Somebody hitting you full blast when you're not looking, especially that kind of hit, it's sore." (HA)
Jason Rivers said that his neck "tightened up" over the weekend, but he won't miss the Nevada game:
"I'm going to play. It's not something that is going to hold me out. It's just a stiff neck." (HA)
About how he felt tightness in his hamstring when UH was up 31-7, Hawthorne said:
"I didn't pop it, but it was close. I felt a real tightness. I told the coaches it would be OK if I didn't go anymore." (HA)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Quotes from an AP story on Colt's condition
About how he plans to play vs. Nevada, Colt said:
"I'll be out there and ready to play." (AP)
About how whether or not Colt can play against Nevada, JJ said:
"I've talked to a bunch of specialists. It's a little more complicated than it used to be, when they give some smelling salts and they send you back in. We'll do what's best for him." (AP)
About how he has had no symptoms from his concussion and feels "normal", Colt said:
"I just got to hope that I continue to get better and feel good. Hopefully Friday, I can get cleared. That's all I'm waiting for." (AP)
About Riley's hit on him, Colt said:
"He hit me solid. Unfortunately, he hit me right in the head and my head hit the ground and it knocked me out cold." (AP)
AP Note: "Brennan laid motionless, face down, as trainers from both teams came to his aid. The near-sellout crowd drew silent and teammates prayed on one knee as the game was halted for about five minutes. Brennan eventually stood up, wincing in pain and was helped off the field into the locker room."
About the hit, Colt said:
"I didn't see him until the last second. He came in and I tried to get underneath him and we just went helmet-to-helmet. That's the game. ... Do I think he did it on purpose? Absolutely not. Do I feel any negative feelings toward this guy? Absolutely not." (AP)
About how the rules need to be evaluated so that QBs can be protected, Karl Benson said:
"The need to protect the quarterback is in need of thorough review and if that means changing the NCAA rules, we need to change rules." (AP)
About how he thought that the hit on Colt was legal, Benson said:
"It was a legal hit, but it has brought attention to the rule. In my opinion, the NCAA needs to adopt a similar helmet-to-helmet rule as the NFL." (AP)
AP Note: "The hit would've drawn a penalty in the NFL, regardless of the previous contact. In the NFL, contact with a quarterback's helmet -- even inadvertent -- draws a 15-yard penalty at a minimum, and ejections and possible fines if flagrant. In college football, ejections, are not as common and suspensions are almost unheard of."
About how college football doesn't protect players like the NFL does, JJ said:
"We're still not there in college football and (it's) probably going to be somebody's decision to finally draw the line and suspend guys." (AP)
AP Note: "Despite not participating in drills Monday, Brennan still got a workout. He stayed a half hour after practice to autograph about a hundred jerseys, helmets, magazines and photos for fans."
"I'll be out there and ready to play." (AP)
About how whether or not Colt can play against Nevada, JJ said:
"I've talked to a bunch of specialists. It's a little more complicated than it used to be, when they give some smelling salts and they send you back in. We'll do what's best for him." (AP)
About how he has had no symptoms from his concussion and feels "normal", Colt said:
"I just got to hope that I continue to get better and feel good. Hopefully Friday, I can get cleared. That's all I'm waiting for." (AP)
About Riley's hit on him, Colt said:
"He hit me solid. Unfortunately, he hit me right in the head and my head hit the ground and it knocked me out cold." (AP)
AP Note: "Brennan laid motionless, face down, as trainers from both teams came to his aid. The near-sellout crowd drew silent and teammates prayed on one knee as the game was halted for about five minutes. Brennan eventually stood up, wincing in pain and was helped off the field into the locker room."
About the hit, Colt said:
"I didn't see him until the last second. He came in and I tried to get underneath him and we just went helmet-to-helmet. That's the game. ... Do I think he did it on purpose? Absolutely not. Do I feel any negative feelings toward this guy? Absolutely not." (AP)
About how the rules need to be evaluated so that QBs can be protected, Karl Benson said:
"The need to protect the quarterback is in need of thorough review and if that means changing the NCAA rules, we need to change rules." (AP)
About how he thought that the hit on Colt was legal, Benson said:
"It was a legal hit, but it has brought attention to the rule. In my opinion, the NCAA needs to adopt a similar helmet-to-helmet rule as the NFL." (AP)
AP Note: "The hit would've drawn a penalty in the NFL, regardless of the previous contact. In the NFL, contact with a quarterback's helmet -- even inadvertent -- draws a 15-yard penalty at a minimum, and ejections and possible fines if flagrant. In college football, ejections, are not as common and suspensions are almost unheard of."
About how college football doesn't protect players like the NFL does, JJ said:
"We're still not there in college football and (it's) probably going to be somebody's decision to finally draw the line and suspend guys." (AP)
AP Note: "Despite not participating in drills Monday, Brennan still got a workout. He stayed a half hour after practice to autograph about a hundred jerseys, helmets, magazines and photos for fans."
Quotes about Colt's condition
About UH's standard monitoring period for a concussion, JJ said about Colt's condition:
"We want to wait 48 hours to see what the deal is." (HA)
"We'll probably hold him out a couple of days. It's possible he'll practice Tuesday, we'll wait and see how he reacts." (HSB)
HA Note: "He experienced soreness to his body and neck Saturday night, and was given a padded neck brace to help him sleep peacefully. He was told he will not need a CT scan. Brennan suffered the injury at the end of a run in the fourth quarter Saturday night. After eluding a would-be tackler in the backfield, Brennan scrambled upfield along the left sideline. Fresno State linebacker Marcus Riley raced across and floored Brennan. UH's two video angles of the play show that Riley's right shoulder pad and then helmet struck Brennan, leaving the Heisman Trophy candidate in a dazed heap. Jones and offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said Brennan was knocked unconscious for a few seconds."
About how Colt did not have any nausea or headaches, which are common after concussions, JJ said:
"That's a good sign. Maybe it's not too severe." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan said he had a sore neck after the hit, but that he felt "a lot better" yesterday and he slept well Saturday night."
About how he felt after his concussion, Colt said:
"There was a lot of fuzziness. When I really came back to my full coherent self, I was already in the locker room. It's a fuzzy memory. There's stuff I remember, stuff I don't remember." (HA)
About the play that he was injured in, Colt said it:
"was one of the things I have trouble remembering. I have trouble remembering the incident and what transpired." (HA)
"I remember some stuff, some stuff is just fuzzy. Looking at the replay, I don't think I saw him coming." (HSB)
About how this is not his first concussion, Colt said:
"Yeah, I got hit pretty hard before, in Pop Warner. It's just part of the game. I'll bounce back and be fine." (HSB)
About how he thought the hit was fine during the game, JJ said:
"At the time I looked at the replay on the scoreboard, I thought it was just a clean, hard, fast play. That was my initial reaction." (HSB)
About how commissioners are the only ones who can deter high hard shots, JJ said:
"Ultimately, the conference commissioners are going to have to look at the tapes and decide whether these were flagrant fouls and suspend kids for a game. Otherwise, I don't think that it's going to stop." (HSB)
After looking at 2 angles of the play at regular speed and in slow motion, Dennis McKnight said that Riley:
"took off in a trajectory to go for (Brennan's) head. It looks like it was helmet to helmet. It looked like the forearm was led. ... He was going for his head, and I think the film concurs that. ... I don't know if he was intentionally trying to hurt or whatever, but I think he went to (Brennan's) head." (HA)
Calling the hit on him "a good hit", Colt said:
"That's just the game. That's the nature of the game we play. I've got no hard feelings. I don't think there was anything cheap about it. I took a nice shot." (HA)
About how AhSoon blamed himself for his injury, Colt said:
"it definitely was not Keith AhSoon's fault. Not at all. He had nothing to do with it." (HA)
Blaming himself for the hit, as he could have thrown the ball away or run out of bounds, Colt said:
"I was the one who put myself at risk by trying to make something happen. It's my fault." (HA)
HA Note: "Jones said he believes Brennan "will play" Friday, but "we'll evaluate it." "
Not worried about the BCS right now, JJ said:
"We're totally focused on Reno right now." (HSB)
About how taking too little time off after a concussion could make a recovering person more susceptible to another concussion, JJ (who had 6 concussions as an NFL QB) said:
"That's why you have to be careful." (HA)
About how concussions are treated differently now than when he played, JJ said:
"Everything's changed. When I was playing you just got the smelling salts and went back in. Now it's a little more conservative. We have to see how he reacts. We've got to be smart about it." (HSB)
About how JJ is looking out for him, Colt said:
"He's looking out for my health. He wants to make sure the best decision will be made Friday. I feel fine. I'll have to wait and see." (HA)
"Coach Jones is doing research right now. He knows for 48 hours the best thing is to not do anything. It's day-by-day and see how practice goes. I know Coach Jones is concerned for me and wants to make the right decision for Friday." (HSB)
Calling the hit on Colt legal, Karl Benson said:
"the Fresno player did make contact with his shoulder pads prior to the helmet hit, thus it was not an illegal hit. It was a legal hit." (HA)
HA note: 'Brennan, who lay motionless on the turf after being leveled, left the game with 10 minutes, 34 seconds remaining and was taken to the locker room, where he remained until after the 37-30 UH victory. Brennan suffered what a UH spokesman said was a "mild" concussion. He is listed as "day-to-day" and will be examined further, UH said."
After meeting with the UH medical staff, Colt said:
"I do feel a lot better. They told me to just rest, no heavy physical work or labor, just rest and keep hydrated." (HSB)
Last night Colt said:
"I'm feeling better today. I kinda feel like I left my body exposed and he was coming full speed. I think in the NFL a case may be made (about the hit) but this isn't the NFL. This is college football. Honestly, I think I'm the only one that I have to blame." (HA)
Benson and the game's ref (Bil Athan) reviewed video of the play and concluded:
"it appears that the no call (of a flagrant foul) was the correct call." (HA)
HA Note: "Benson said it was also a "close call" whether Riley led with a forearm but he said he believed the "player led with shoulder pad first." "
About the blown call of pass interference vs. UH, Benson declined to say whether the review showed it to be a correct call:
"it was a judgment call" (HA)
Note: Since Benson made sure to point out when his review agreed with the call on the field, it is interesting that he did NOT support that interference call.
"We want to wait 48 hours to see what the deal is." (HA)
"We'll probably hold him out a couple of days. It's possible he'll practice Tuesday, we'll wait and see how he reacts." (HSB)
HA Note: "He experienced soreness to his body and neck Saturday night, and was given a padded neck brace to help him sleep peacefully. He was told he will not need a CT scan. Brennan suffered the injury at the end of a run in the fourth quarter Saturday night. After eluding a would-be tackler in the backfield, Brennan scrambled upfield along the left sideline. Fresno State linebacker Marcus Riley raced across and floored Brennan. UH's two video angles of the play show that Riley's right shoulder pad and then helmet struck Brennan, leaving the Heisman Trophy candidate in a dazed heap. Jones and offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said Brennan was knocked unconscious for a few seconds."
About how Colt did not have any nausea or headaches, which are common after concussions, JJ said:
"That's a good sign. Maybe it's not too severe." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan said he had a sore neck after the hit, but that he felt "a lot better" yesterday and he slept well Saturday night."
About how he felt after his concussion, Colt said:
"There was a lot of fuzziness. When I really came back to my full coherent self, I was already in the locker room. It's a fuzzy memory. There's stuff I remember, stuff I don't remember." (HA)
About the play that he was injured in, Colt said it:
"was one of the things I have trouble remembering. I have trouble remembering the incident and what transpired." (HA)
"I remember some stuff, some stuff is just fuzzy. Looking at the replay, I don't think I saw him coming." (HSB)
About how this is not his first concussion, Colt said:
"Yeah, I got hit pretty hard before, in Pop Warner. It's just part of the game. I'll bounce back and be fine." (HSB)
About how he thought the hit was fine during the game, JJ said:
"At the time I looked at the replay on the scoreboard, I thought it was just a clean, hard, fast play. That was my initial reaction." (HSB)
About how commissioners are the only ones who can deter high hard shots, JJ said:
"Ultimately, the conference commissioners are going to have to look at the tapes and decide whether these were flagrant fouls and suspend kids for a game. Otherwise, I don't think that it's going to stop." (HSB)
After looking at 2 angles of the play at regular speed and in slow motion, Dennis McKnight said that Riley:
"took off in a trajectory to go for (Brennan's) head. It looks like it was helmet to helmet. It looked like the forearm was led. ... He was going for his head, and I think the film concurs that. ... I don't know if he was intentionally trying to hurt or whatever, but I think he went to (Brennan's) head." (HA)
Calling the hit on him "a good hit", Colt said:
"That's just the game. That's the nature of the game we play. I've got no hard feelings. I don't think there was anything cheap about it. I took a nice shot." (HA)
About how AhSoon blamed himself for his injury, Colt said:
"it definitely was not Keith AhSoon's fault. Not at all. He had nothing to do with it." (HA)
Blaming himself for the hit, as he could have thrown the ball away or run out of bounds, Colt said:
"I was the one who put myself at risk by trying to make something happen. It's my fault." (HA)
HA Note: "Jones said he believes Brennan "will play" Friday, but "we'll evaluate it." "
Not worried about the BCS right now, JJ said:
"We're totally focused on Reno right now." (HSB)
About how taking too little time off after a concussion could make a recovering person more susceptible to another concussion, JJ (who had 6 concussions as an NFL QB) said:
"That's why you have to be careful." (HA)
About how concussions are treated differently now than when he played, JJ said:
"Everything's changed. When I was playing you just got the smelling salts and went back in. Now it's a little more conservative. We have to see how he reacts. We've got to be smart about it." (HSB)
About how JJ is looking out for him, Colt said:
"He's looking out for my health. He wants to make sure the best decision will be made Friday. I feel fine. I'll have to wait and see." (HA)
"Coach Jones is doing research right now. He knows for 48 hours the best thing is to not do anything. It's day-by-day and see how practice goes. I know Coach Jones is concerned for me and wants to make the right decision for Friday." (HSB)
Calling the hit on Colt legal, Karl Benson said:
"the Fresno player did make contact with his shoulder pads prior to the helmet hit, thus it was not an illegal hit. It was a legal hit." (HA)
HA note: 'Brennan, who lay motionless on the turf after being leveled, left the game with 10 minutes, 34 seconds remaining and was taken to the locker room, where he remained until after the 37-30 UH victory. Brennan suffered what a UH spokesman said was a "mild" concussion. He is listed as "day-to-day" and will be examined further, UH said."
After meeting with the UH medical staff, Colt said:
"I do feel a lot better. They told me to just rest, no heavy physical work or labor, just rest and keep hydrated." (HSB)
Last night Colt said:
"I'm feeling better today. I kinda feel like I left my body exposed and he was coming full speed. I think in the NFL a case may be made (about the hit) but this isn't the NFL. This is college football. Honestly, I think I'm the only one that I have to blame." (HA)
Benson and the game's ref (Bil Athan) reviewed video of the play and concluded:
"it appears that the no call (of a flagrant foul) was the correct call." (HA)
HA Note: "Benson said it was also a "close call" whether Riley led with a forearm but he said he believed the "player led with shoulder pad first." "
About the blown call of pass interference vs. UH, Benson declined to say whether the review showed it to be a correct call:
"it was a judgment call" (HA)
Note: Since Benson made sure to point out when his review agreed with the call on the field, it is interesting that he did NOT support that interference call.
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