HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
ST = Seattle Times
HN = Everett HeraldNet
NA = Nevada Appeal
SI = Sports Illustrated
OL = The Olympian
AP = Associated Press
KGMB = KGMB9.com
**** Special section about the idiots who stole UH helmets after the BSU game ***
About how someone tried to grab his helmet and run away with it after the game, Colt said:
"I held on to my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "Some of his teammates were not as fortunate. At least six dark-green Warrior helmets were taken after fans stormed onto the FieldTurf to celebrate the Warriors' first outright WAC football championship. UH officials were able to retrieve helmets belonging to right tackle Keoni Steinhoff and defensive right end Karl Noa. But quarterback Inoke Funaki, linebacker Brashton Satele, wideout Greg Salas and running back Jason Laumoli were left bare-headed."
About how someone took his helmet, Steinhoff said:
"I dropped it on the ground when I went to tell my mom 'Hi' in the stands, and somebody swiped it." (HA)
About how he wants his helmet back, Inoke said:
"I miss it. I loved my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials have asked for the safe return of the helmets. Although each helmet is valued at $200, the players want them back because it is too difficult to break in new ones. Satele has had the same dark green helmet for three years."
Hoping that his helmet is returned, Brashton Satele said:
"Hopefully, somebody will bring it back." (HA)
About when his helmet was stolen, Inoke said:
"I made my way eventually to the (makeshift) stage where the trophy was. I jumped up on the stage, waving my towel. I was up there for a while. I put my helmet down between my legs. All of the fans were on the bottom. Finally, after being up there for a while, I said, 'Enough, I'm taking it in.' I reached down and it wasn't there. I don't know where it went. I assumed somebody grabbed it. It must be on someone's wall right now." (HA)
HA Note: "The helmets are adorned with Warrior stickers for good plays."
About the Warrior stickers he earned for his helmet, Inoke said:
"I had a few decals. It wasn't as decorative as Colt's helmet. But there were a couple of marks on there. Maybe this next home game we might have to use our silver (road) helmets." (HA)
About the importance of the lost helmets, UH spokesman Derek Inouchi said:
"It's not the cost. But it's the fact that the helmets are fitted to the guys' heads and it takes some time to break them in." (HSB)
About how he wore his helmet as "protection" when the fans ran onto the field, but took it off to hug people that he knew, Colt said:
"When I saw people I knew, I took it off. I was hugging people. As I was going over to the podium, I was getting lifted up. Some guy kind of grabbed it, and held my helmet up. All of a sudden, I thought he tried to walk off with it. I held on tight. I wouldn't let him walk off with my helmet." (HA)
HA Note: "Still, Brennan did not come away unscathed. A fan told The Advertiser's Kalani Takase that he has Brennan's used mouthpiece."
***
*** Special section on UH's facilities and lack on funding ***
During the ESPN2 broadcast of the BSU game, ESPN announcer Sean McDonough said:
"If they (Hawaii) do get to a BCS Bowl game, let's hope they spend some of the money on facilities here because folks if you saw their practice field and their office building, you'd be amazed they could have this kind of success with their facilities in quite frankly an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "McDonough must have been referring to Cooke Field. It is the university's artificial turf field but it is missing artificial turf. Cook is covered with soft black material that once served as padding under artificial turf."
About ESPN's comments on their facilities, JJ said:
"They were in our offices and made some comments and saw Cooke Field. It's not anything that isn't known. I came here not for the facilities and our players don't come here for the facilities. They come here because it's a great place to live and a great place to play football." (HSB)
"I didn't hear 'em. I know when they came in here for the (pre-game) interview, they were in our offices, you know, and made some comments, and looked out on Cooke Field. That was it. We didn't talk about any of that. It's not anything that isn't known already. There's nothing there." (HA)
Asked if he was embarrassed by the condition of UH's athletic facilities, JJ said:
"I came here not for the facilities, and our players don't come here for the facilities. They come here because it's a great place to live and a great place to play football. If we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (HA)
Hoping the BCS money would lead to improved facilities, JJ said:
"Certainly I would think if you get to the big dance (BCS bowl game) it's going to help. The athletic department get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field would get some field turf." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "If Hawaii beats Washington and is invited to a BCS bowl game, the athletic department stands to get in the neighborhood of $4.5 to $5 million. About a million could go to bowl game expenses, but everything after that is pure profit."
After saying that UH's facilities are among the worst he's seen, Solomon Elimimian said:
"But facilities doesn't necessarily make the team. There's nothing we can do. We want great facilities, not for us, but for the guys coming behind us. We're not one of the worst teams in college football. We're up there. So we deserve better facilities." (HSB)
About feeling they deserve better facilities, Sol said:
"It's something that I think we deserve. We're not one of the worst teams in all of college football. We're actually up there, you know. So I think we do deserve better facilities. It's one of the worst that I've seen." (KGMB)
About their facilities and recruiting, Sol said:
"We tell them the truth. You can't hide it and they're going to see it," Elimimian said. "Hawaii has other things to offer. The best thing on our team is the guys." (HSB)
About how UH manages to compete despite having just a fraction of the funding of other schools, UH Associate AD John McNamara said:
"Compared to the other BCS schools, it's clear that UH has to manage its resources rather frugally. When you look at the finances of the other institutions and find us in their company, it is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the players and the coaches." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i reached No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings despite a football program that generated a measly $7.5 million last year, puny in the world of big-time college football where programs like Ohio State and Georgia bring in more than $60 million. UH ranks last out of this week's Top 12 BCS teams in both money earned and money spent on football, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education.
UH, Ohio State and West Virginia did not report overall football team expenses to the Department of Education, like the other nine universities did. But under operating team expenses, UH said it spent $2.17 million through June 30 — compared with overall team expenses of more than $16 million for much richer programs such as Georgia, the University of Southern California, Oklahoma and Boston College. And Virginia Tech and Florida spent more than $20 million apiece on overall team expenses. Overall, seven Top 12 BCS teams spent more than twice what UH earned in total football revenue."
About how UH is shut out of concessions revenue, Rep. Takai said:
"The only thing UH generates in revenue is sales of tickets," Takai said. "None of the beer, none of the hot dogs, none of the parking revenue. Many other schools have their own facilities and generate a lot of revenue from that."
About how they need to invest into their football program to be able to stay at this level every year, Takai said:
"Now that we have gotten to this level, we need to put our money into this program. If we're going to expect June Jones and his team to compete at this level year in and year out, they're going to need additional support, whether it's to the facilities which are clearly in desperate need of help, or whether it's corporate or public support." (HA)
Colt talked the Advertiser back in May about their limited resources:
"When we're winning, we get compared to big programs like Ohio State and USC. I wonder how analysts would look at our achievements if they realize what we have to overcome through facilities, resources and traveling." (HA)
HA NOte: "Dexter Kekua, chief financial officer of Heide & Cook, responded to Brennan's comments by offering to buy a year's supply of locker-room soap. Coach Jones declined Kekua's offer, saying that maintenance crews were already replacing missing soap dispensers and refilling them. But the memory still irks Kekua."
Still upset that UH didn't have soap in the showers, Kekua said:
"This is a Division I-A program. You've got to be kidding me. It just didn't make any sense." (HA)
HA Note: "Kekua has donated a pair of fans to use at practice and always provides misting sideline fans on game day whenever asked — for free. Kekua also always tells any opposing teams that he's out of fan inventory if they should call to rent fans for their side of the field. The success of the UH football team has inspired an entire island state, Kekua said, and it's only fitting that businesses like his try to help out. He's a huge fan of Jones' speeches and has implemented many of Jones' tactics — such as changing the design of Heide & Cook's logo, having each of the 157 employees undergo motivational training and changing the company's appearance by having Reyn Spooner redesign the company's work T-shirts for plumbers, sheet metal workers and air-conditioner installers."
About changing their branding like JJ did with the Warriors, Kekua said:
"We wanted to change our persona, give us a stronger look. Coach Jones changed uniforms and got rid of the old 'Bows. Look at how people are calling him a super genius." (HA)
About how he hoped that the BCS money helped their athletic facilities (BSU got $4.5 mil last year and netted $3 mil after bowl expenses), JJ said:
"If you get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletic department gets some money. Hopefully, that means Cooke Field gets some FieldTurf." (HA)
HA Note: "The athletic department shares its financial troubles with the rest of the other nine UH campuses on every major island. A newly ruined science building and dilapidated dormitories on the main Manoa campus are just a few of the items on a long list of other big-ticket needs."
About how the BCS money will be spent by the Chancellor, and not just given to the Athletic Department, McNamara said:
"If we are fortunate enough to advance to a BCS game, the revenue from that opportunity is not going to cure all the financial ills. The athletic department does not exist in a vacuum. We're part of an entire university system, and our needs and priorities should not take on any greater urgency than any other department in the system. That money is to be spent at the discretion of the chancellor." (HA)
About how UH has already benefitted from the team's success this season, McNamara said:
"With this type of national success and acclaim, you tend to see increases in season ticket sales, donations and admissions applications to the university. We can't put a price on the exposure that four straight national telecasts has delivered, not only to the football program but to tourism, to the entire state of Hawai'i. Everything has been touched in some way. Everybody has greater pride in being a citizen of Hawai'i." (HA)
About how he's seen a 10% increase in business on football game days compared with last year, Robbie Acoba (owner of Eastside Bar & Grill) said:
"As a whole, everybody has benefited." (HA)
HA Note: "UH's football financial "numbers show that we have more work to do," he said. "But the kids and the coaches have given 200 percent and have shown the rest of the nation what Hawai'i is about." "
About how he follows one of JJ's favorite sayings, Kekua said:
"It's not how many times you get knocked down. It's how many times you get up." (HA)
**************************************************************
About how he isn't surprised that they are close to getting a BCS bowl spot, JJ said:
"Yeah, I envisioned it. I talked about it during the first press conference I had. This has been a dream season. Hopefully we cam keep it going." (NA)
About how he didn't celebrate the BSU win for long, JJ said:
"After the game I went to Murph's, (celebrated) a little, then back to it." (HSB)
About the importance of winning the U-Dub game, JJ said:
"We knew before the season that we were going to have to win them all. All we have to do is take care of business." (SI)
Praising Washington, JJ said:
"They played the hardest schedule in the country and had Ohio State at halftime and lost to USC by (a field goal). They beat Cal at home, at their place, so they're pretty good. They beat Boise, probably more handily than we did. They can play." (HSB)
JJ said that QB Jake Locker and RB Louis Rankin:
"might be the two best athletes we have played this year." (ST)
"I think that their quarterback and their running back might be the two best athletes we've played this year." (HN, OL)
After comparing Ranking to Cal running back Marshawn Lynch, a first-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills, JJ said:
"He's very explosive, and the quarterback is as good as anybody. People can talk about Tim Tebow all they want, but the quarterback at Washington is the real deal." (HN, OL)
Praising Locker, JJ said:
"Everybody can talk about [Florida QB Tim] Tebow all they want, that quarterback at Washington is the real deal." (ST)
"This guy's faster than anybody we've played, including any running back we've played. (And) their running back (Louis Rankin) is probably the best running back we've played, too. That guy's scary on tape." (HSB)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He should have won the Heisman last year. He threw for more yards and touchdowns than [Ohio State's Heisman winner] Troy Smith and [Michigan's] Chad Henne combined." (SI)
Praising their fans at the BSU game and hoping they will be just as loud for Washington, JJ said:
"The crowd was into the game and hopefully they'll be into the game this week. It's obviously helpful to the players to have that kind of crowd. It changes the momentum at different times of the game." (HSB)
About how they will be prepared for Washington, JJ said:
"No. I can tell already from today. Everybody understands. If we don't win the game it's not going to be because we're not ready to play, I'll tell you that." (HSB)
About their defense in the BSU game, GM said:
"We missed one gap. After that, everybody played really smart." (SI)
About the championship rings he has won before, GM said:
"I was fortunate to get a few (rings). Miami's was nice. We got some good ones at Texas Tech." (HA)
HA Note "Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin has been named the lone member of the screening committee to choose a ring commemorating the Warriors' WAC championship. McMackin also was the UH defensive coordinator in 1999, Jones' first season as UH head coach, when the Warriors won a share of the WAC title."
About how they need to have big rings because GM said it has to be:
"big on a kid, because they have big hands. It has to be something worthy of what they've accomplished, you know, a lot of bling." (HA)
HA Note: "Na Koa, the football team's booster club, will pay for the rings."
About their rings, Hercules said:
"It needs to have a big ol' '1' on it." (HA)
RGM considered the Warriors' fashion plate said:
"They should let me design it. I'll put a little flavor to it. That seems like a fun project. I don't want a puny ring. I want something big and shiny." (HA)
About how he won't do anything for the ring until after the Washington game, GM said:
"We won't do anything until after the Washington game. That's the most important thing. We're not thinking of rings at this point. " (HA)
About 30 pounds during the offseason under GM's orders, Michael Lafaele said:
"No rice. Being from the islands, I grew up on that stuff." (SI)
SI Note: "The faster, leaner Warriors wreaked havoc in the Boise State backfield with three sacks and six tackles for loss; they now have 37 sacks, seven more than they had in 14 games last year."
Regretting his somersault in the BSU game, Bess said:
"It was a way of expressing how I felt. I wasn't trying to showboat. I was trying to solidify me getting into the end zone and making a statement. I was disappointed because it was kind of selfish on my behalf, and I made my team back up when they kicked it off. It happens." (HA)
Note: Bess and Patek were named UH's top players in the BSU game.
Looking forward to playing in the Hula Bowl, Michael Lafaele said:
"I'm kind of looking forward to that one. When I got the invitation I was pretty excited." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hawaii wide receivers C.J. Hawthorne and Jason Rivers, defensive tackle Mike Lafaele, and guard Hercules Satele have committed to play in the Jan. 12 Hula Bowl."
Hula Bowl Executive director Neil Stratton said that more Warriors may be invited:
"We'd like to have 50 Warriors on the West squad, but of course we can't do that. Obviously Colt (quarterback Brennan) we'd love to have. We hope that he will be willing, but we have to be patient about it." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, which is considered the premier college football all-star game. It is rare for top prospects to play in more than one such game."
About why he chose Nebraska instead of his hometown Washington, LWJ said:
"They didn't know who the head coach was going to be, so that drew me away." (HA)
About not playing in the BSU game because JJ said he wanted his best 2 pass blocking RBs in the game, LWJ said:
"It was just the situation. I just have to wait." (HA)
About how he didn't celebrate much after the BSU game, Colt said:
"To be honest with you, the party was that game. It was awesome. I went out after I got some food after the game and I hit the wall and I had to go to bed. I think now we've got just one more week left and it's time to get ready for Washington." (HSB)
About the potential reward available if they beat Washington, Colt said:
"It's sky high with what's kind of in front of us right now. There's a lot of excitement going on." (HA)
About not overlooking Washington, Colt said;
"Considering that Washington has played the toughest schedule in football and they have the record they have, that's not bad. They can play with anyone in the country and I'm sure that they'll come out here ready to play. They have the talent to play with us, they have the talent to beat us. So it's really exciting because it's a big game for us and this is definitely a team that we cannot overlook." (HN, OL)
About how facing Washington is a good test for them, Colt said:
"It's a great steppingstone, probably, to the competition we'll have if we do beat Washington. I think it's set up really well. Washington is a good football team. They kind of remind me of our first year (in 2005). We had all the talent, but we just didn't put it together yet. We played with a lot of good teams that year. We've got to get this victory and then we can start thinking about what's in front of us and show what we can do." (HSB)
About how they need to beat Washington, Sol said:
"It feels good to start getting some (team) recognition. Then again we don't want to have a big party and this week lose to Washington. That's going to be embarrassing. That's just going to prove everybody right. 'Hawaii's not a great team, losing to a 4-8 Washington.' Their quarterback's a great quarterback and they've got a great running back. We were happy, but at the same time it can be gone in a second." (HSB)
About how they are focused on Washington, Sol said:
"Today. I think today is like 'We gotta play Washington now.' The coaches have their game faces on now. Every game from now is going to be the most important game of the season." (HSB)
Asked about the difference in their schedule and UH's schedule, Tyrone Willingham said:
"I don't know if I really measure the difference between the two. To me it's all football and regardless of what league you come out of, you've got to play your best and execute. I think some years ago there might have been a distinct difference between the teams, but I think right now it's all football, and everyone has some talented players and everyone has good athletes." (HN, OL)
"Regardless of what league you come out of, you gotta play your best and if you execute, you have a chance to do that. I think some years ago there might have been a distinct difference between the (conferences), but I think right now it's all football and everyone has talented players and good athletes." (HSB)
Asked about the irony of the team with one of the hardest schedules playing one with one of the easiest schedules, Willingham said:
"With the schedule that we had, I didn't have a chance to reflect on that." (HN, OL)
About how their team has a chance to beat a ranked team this week and spoil UH's season, Washington coach Ty Willingham said:
"It's a great role to be in. But I like every role; every role offers an opportunity. And the key is, can you embrace it, can you envision yourself being successful with it. And if you can, it's a lot of fun." (HSB)
"I think our guys felt like we left a little on the table Saturday and (this week) it's against a ranked team seeking something special and we have an opportunity to be involved in that." (SPI)
"It doesn't matter what title, what role you carry into this ball game. We're facing a very good football team and I think everyone knows that. I think our players know that. But if that helps get us to the end result that we desire, we'll try to use it and make good use of it." (AP)
"There is still a sense of challenge for us, because I think our guys feel we left a little bit on the table Saturday and we've got a ranked team that is seeking something special and we have an opportunity to be a part of that." (AP)
About how their leaders will have the team ready for UH, Willingham said:
"I think the leadership of our team will kind of get to our guys. Obviously, it is a different environment. I don't have a head count for the number of guys who this will be their first time out of the continental United States. So, it will have some of those. But hopefully the way we'll do things will allow them to focus on winning the football game first, then see the beauty of Hawaii." (HSB)
About facing UH, Willingham said:
"They're undefeated, playing very well, have one of the premier players in the country, so it would be the ultimate challenge for us, especially coming off a very tough loss last week and to an arch rival (42-35 to Washington State). But I think our young men have the character and the courage and the leadership from within their peers to get it done." (HSB)
About how the key to stopping UH is putting pressure on Colt, Willingham said:
"You don't have to worry about the run. You can think pass and go play. This one is just pretty much going to be pass." (SPI)
SPI Note: "The Huskies' worst games against the pass this season were against Arizona (510 yards) and Washington State (399), which are ranked eighth and 10th in rushing offense in the Pac-10, respectively."
About facing UH with their chance for a BCS spot on the line, Willingham said:
"This will be a championship environment for them. Hopefully this puts us in a mind-set that, with ranked opponents, this is the kind of environment we should be in, and that we should be playing these kinds of ball games." (SPI)
About how they have to put pressure on Colt, senior DT Wilson Afoa said:
"As a D-line, we have to get a fanatical pass rush." (SPI)
SPI Note: "Afoa is one of four Huskies players with ties to Hawaii and one of three born there. The Honolulu native said the atmosphere at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium could factor into the outcome. The game is sold out and tickets are going for as much as $800."
ST Note: "The other Huskies making a homecoming are sophomore defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim of Waikoloa, walk-on safety Jay Angotti of Honolulu and true freshman Kalani Aldrich of Hilo. It is the final college game for Afoa, who also finished his high-school career at Aloha Stadium. His Saint Louis High team played there to win a state title in 2002. Afoa, Aldrich and Te'o-Nesheim had scholarship offers from Hawaii but elected to come to Seattle."
About facing UH at Aloha Stadium, Afoa said:
"You're basically going against the entire state of Hawaii when you're in that stadium. Their fans are crazy. For us to go in there, we have to not fall for the hype and go play football." (SPI)
"Basically you are going against the state of Hawaii when you are in that stadium." (ST)
About turning down UH's scholarship offer, Afoa said:
"I wanted to get outside the islands and experience something new." (ST)
Afoa, who never got a chance to play in a bowl while at Washington, said about hoping to ruin UH's BCS chances:
"We have a chance to spoil their BCS bowl. And that's a goal for us." (ST)
About treating the Hawaii trip as a business trip, LB Dan Howell said:
"All of us are pretty well trained. Every trip is a business trip. We really expect no fun, to be honest with you, except for the game." (HA)
About how the jump in computer rankings (#22 to #14) got UH to #12 in the BCS, Karl Benson said:
"That (computer ranking jump) is what really got Hawaii to No. 12. Hawaii is not flying under the radar screen. The last three years they have been very successful. Obviously their offensive system is built around the quarterback. Timmy Chang started it, and Colt (Brennan) took advantage of that. Hawaii has a brand of its own." (NA)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Quotes about UH's facilities
http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/14698836/detail.html
ESPN announcer Sean McDonough criticized UH's facilities during the end of the national broadcast of the BSU game, saying:
"If you saw the practice field and their office buildings, you'd be amazed that they can have this kind of success with their facilities in, quite frankly, an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KITV4)
About the criticism of the facilities, JJ said:
"It's not anything that isn't known." (KITV4)
About how his players do not come to UH for the facilities, JJ said:
"They come here because it is a great place to live and because it is a great place to play football. And umm, if we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (KITV4)
About how getting to a BCS game should help them improve their facilities, JJ said:
"We get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletics department can get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field will get some Field Turf." (KITV4)
KITV4 Note: "The UH Athletics Department said Athletic Director Herman Frazier was not available to talk about the issue until his weekly press conference on Tuesday."
About how he doesn't show off their facilities to recruits, Solomon Elimimian said:
"You can't hide it. You know? But we try to take them away from the facilities and to Waikiki Beach." (KITV4)
ESPN announcer Sean McDonough criticized UH's facilities during the end of the national broadcast of the BSU game, saying:
"If you saw the practice field and their office buildings, you'd be amazed that they can have this kind of success with their facilities in, quite frankly, an embarrassing state of disrepair." (KITV4)
About the criticism of the facilities, JJ said:
"It's not anything that isn't known." (KITV4)
About how his players do not come to UH for the facilities, JJ said:
"They come here because it is a great place to live and because it is a great place to play football. And umm, if we were recruiting to facilities, we wouldn't get anybody. Those are the same dorms I lived in in 1973." (KITV4)
About how getting to a BCS game should help them improve their facilities, JJ said:
"We get to the big dance, it's going to help because the athletics department can get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field will get some Field Turf." (KITV4)
KITV4 Note: "The UH Athletics Department said Athletic Director Herman Frazier was not available to talk about the issue until his weekly press conference on Tuesday."
About how he doesn't show off their facilities to recruits, Solomon Elimimian said:
"You can't hide it. You know? But we try to take them away from the facilities and to Waikiki Beach." (KITV4)
Quotes from JJ's weekly press conference
About the BSU game, JJ said:
"I'm happy for the players. We are watching tape of the Boise State game today. Tomorrow, we'll begin focusing on Washington. The defense really played physically well. Blaze (Soares) had a big game. The D-line did a great job - (John) Fonoti played excellent. Jacob (Patek) had a really good game; he was our (defensive) player of the game." (UH Athletics)
Asked for one thing that stood out in the BSU game, JJ said:
"I think it was that we were able to run the ball and run out the clock. We threw one pass towards the end. The kids blocked well and David (Farmer) ran hard. We were able to move the chains a different way which says a lot. I told them to take a knee at the end (on the 6-inch line). I'm not into scoring as many points as you can. We had the game won. Yeah, I thought about the BCS, that's why I took the knee." (UH)
Asked what he ranked his team after the game, JJ said:
"I don't vote anymore. I used to, but they wanted it at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday night and I didn't even know who had won that night since we were playing. I just withdrew from voting." (UH)
Asked about Hawaii fans and their sellout, JJ said:
"The crowd was really into the game and hopefully they will be into the game again this week. It is obviously very helpful to the players to have that type of crowd to change momentum at critical times during a game." (UH)
Asked about Washington, JJ said:
"They've played the most difficult schedule in the country from what I read in the paper. They had SC; they were even with Ohio State at halftime - they're a really good football team. SC they lose by one, beat Cal at Cal who was either 1 or 2. They beat Boise probably more handily than we beat them. They can play. This guy (UW QB Jake Locker) is way faster than anybody we've played, including many running backs. He's a really good player. Their running back (Louis Rankin) is scary on tape." (UH)
Asked if he was concerned about a let down by his team, JJ said:
"No, I can tell it already in our meetings today that everyone understands. If we don't win the game (against Washington), it won't be because we weren't ready to play, I can tell you that." (UH)
Asked about WAC Players of the Week Colt and Sol, JJ said:
"They both played very well (against Boise State). Solomon has been our leading tackler in more than half our games and Colt played very well after coming back from a couple of adverse things early to have a strong game." (UH)
Asked about Colt's chances for the Heisman, JJ said:
"He's a competitive player. I'm happy for him, and it's good for us. Hopefully, if we win this week and he plays well, it will get him to New York. That would be huge." (UH)
Asked about being the last undefeated team in D-1A, JJ said:
"Well, it is hard to go undefeated. We've won 21 of our last 22 and the three loses last year were by a combined 18 points which says a lot. The kids believe in each other. They play with energy." (UH)
Asked about their seniors, JJ said:
"I think that the senior leadership started in the off-season last year and has been the difference in our team. In particular, Michael Lafaele and Hercules Satele have been accountable and demanding that the peer pressure be high for the rest of the group." (UH)
"I'm happy for the players. We are watching tape of the Boise State game today. Tomorrow, we'll begin focusing on Washington. The defense really played physically well. Blaze (Soares) had a big game. The D-line did a great job - (John) Fonoti played excellent. Jacob (Patek) had a really good game; he was our (defensive) player of the game." (UH Athletics)
Asked for one thing that stood out in the BSU game, JJ said:
"I think it was that we were able to run the ball and run out the clock. We threw one pass towards the end. The kids blocked well and David (Farmer) ran hard. We were able to move the chains a different way which says a lot. I told them to take a knee at the end (on the 6-inch line). I'm not into scoring as many points as you can. We had the game won. Yeah, I thought about the BCS, that's why I took the knee." (UH)
Asked what he ranked his team after the game, JJ said:
"I don't vote anymore. I used to, but they wanted it at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday night and I didn't even know who had won that night since we were playing. I just withdrew from voting." (UH)
Asked about Hawaii fans and their sellout, JJ said:
"The crowd was really into the game and hopefully they will be into the game again this week. It is obviously very helpful to the players to have that type of crowd to change momentum at critical times during a game." (UH)
Asked about Washington, JJ said:
"They've played the most difficult schedule in the country from what I read in the paper. They had SC; they were even with Ohio State at halftime - they're a really good football team. SC they lose by one, beat Cal at Cal who was either 1 or 2. They beat Boise probably more handily than we beat them. They can play. This guy (UW QB Jake Locker) is way faster than anybody we've played, including many running backs. He's a really good player. Their running back (Louis Rankin) is scary on tape." (UH)
Asked if he was concerned about a let down by his team, JJ said:
"No, I can tell it already in our meetings today that everyone understands. If we don't win the game (against Washington), it won't be because we weren't ready to play, I can tell you that." (UH)
Asked about WAC Players of the Week Colt and Sol, JJ said:
"They both played very well (against Boise State). Solomon has been our leading tackler in more than half our games and Colt played very well after coming back from a couple of adverse things early to have a strong game." (UH)
Asked about Colt's chances for the Heisman, JJ said:
"He's a competitive player. I'm happy for him, and it's good for us. Hopefully, if we win this week and he plays well, it will get him to New York. That would be huge." (UH)
Asked about being the last undefeated team in D-1A, JJ said:
"Well, it is hard to go undefeated. We've won 21 of our last 22 and the three loses last year were by a combined 18 points which says a lot. The kids believe in each other. They play with energy." (UH)
Asked about their seniors, JJ said:
"I think that the senior leadership started in the off-season last year and has been the difference in our team. In particular, Michael Lafaele and Hercules Satele have been accountable and demanding that the peer pressure be high for the rest of the group." (UH)
Quotes from Monday morning
About how he's just focused on winning and isn't going to worry about the rankings or BCS, JJ said:
"Nothing that anyone else says has meant anything to us. We knew from the beginning that if we didn't win every game, Colt (Brennan) would have no chance for the Heisman, and we would have no chance for the big dance." (HSB)
About how he didn't vote UH #1, former UH football coach Bob Wagner said:
"I'm probably a little more objective than some people think I should be." (HSB)
About how he moved UH "way up" after they beat BSU but wasn't the one who voted UH #1, former UH AD Hugh Yoshida said:
"I'm very happy for the team, but I have to keep a little bit of credibility." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another panelist who lives in Hawaii, Star-Bulletin sports writer Cindy Luis, said she voted the Warriors at No. 9."
About whether or not the Fiesta Bowl (HF used to be a Fiesta Bowl director and chairman) would pick UH or leave UH for the Sugar Bowl's last choice), Karl Benson said:
"(Frazier's) got great relationships there, but the Fiesta Bowl will do what's best for the Fiesta Bowl. Right now I think the BCS takes care of itself, and there's no lobbying to do there. It's a matter of which bowl believes that Hawaii's the best team for it." (HSB)
About how he hasn't picked which WAC teams would be in which bowl, Benson said:
"We predicate everything on trying to match up with the best possible opponents. And there's still a lot of uncertainty, especially if Hawaii loses." (HSB)
About the possibility of losing UH to a BCS Bowl, Hawaii Bowl honcho Jim Donovan said:
"We're hoping (the Warriors) go to the BCS. We want them to win that one remaining game." (HA)
About how beating Washington should give UH a 95% chance of making the final top 12 in the BCS, Sam Chi (BCSguru.com) said:
"If Hawai'i beats Washington that should be enough. I'd put it at about 95 percent. It should be a near slam-dunk now." (HA)
"The only scenario I can see for the Warriors not to get into the BCS is this: LSU beats Tennessee, Oklahoma beats Missouri and Boston College beats Virginia Tech, Hawai'i wins a sloppy game against Washington, or at least the final score is very close." (HA)
Last week Chi wrote on BCSguru:
"The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher." (HA)
Estimating a 90% chance for UH if it beats Washington, Jerry Palm (CollegeBCS.com), Palm had warned last month:
"Hawai'i's schedule is so bad that they might not crack the top 15 in the computers, even at 12-0." (HA)
About how Boston College or Tennessee could jump over UH in the BCS standings, Palm said:
"If either Boston College (over Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship) or Tennessee (over LSU in the Southeastern Conference championship) wins, but Virginia Tech or LSU stays above (UH) anyway. I'm not saying Virginia Tech or LSU would definitely not fall below them, just that they might not." (HA)
About how beating UH would make their season, Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said:
“We’ve got an opportunity to go play a football team that gives us an opportunity to recover some of the things that we’ve lost this year. We’ve got an opportunity to play a football game in December. When you start playing in December, usually good things are happening, and we want to start recognizing that.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About wanting to win the UH game for UW's seniors, QB Jake Locker said the UH game will be:
"a chance to send the seniors out right. There are a lot of really good relationships on this team. Everybody really cares about each other. So I think it will be important for us to send those guys out on the right note." (Seattle Times)
About the last time UH played Washington, former UH assistant coach and current President and General Manager of KGMB-TV Rich Blangiardi said:
"Back then (in Seattle in 1973), we turned on the TV and Jimmy the Greek, who was doing telecasts, said we were 50-point underdogs. That was the way people viewed it." (HA)
About how he feels UH will get into the BCS if they finish 12-0, Karl Benson said:
"They need to finish the way they have started." (HA)
Asked if there would be any way for UH not to make it into the BCS if they beat Washington, Benson said:
"Absolutely not." (HSB)
Benson added that:
"having back-to-back BCS (entrants) would validate the fact the WAC has established itself as a major player in college football." (HA)
About how it is harder to schedule teams now for UH, Karl Benson said:
“We’ve seen coaches make the decision that they would just as soon play 12 and not play that extra game. I know that the University of Hawaii went through scheduling challenges. … I think the decision that the Pac-10 made to play nine conference games is going to have an effect on our ability to schedule the Pac-10.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About how Hawaii fans travel well, Karl Benson said:
"Hawaii has historically had a great fan following when they play on the mainland. This year when they played UNLV in Las Vegas, they had 12-15,000 fans there and maybe only 2,000 made the trip from the state of Hawaii." (NY Sun)
About how Colt makes it easy for fans to cheer for UH, Benson said:
"Colt Brennan is a cult figure. It would be easy for fans to adopt Hawaii for the day. Put on an aloha shirt and go to the Superdome and root for the underdog." (NY Sun)
"Nothing that anyone else says has meant anything to us. We knew from the beginning that if we didn't win every game, Colt (Brennan) would have no chance for the Heisman, and we would have no chance for the big dance." (HSB)
About how he didn't vote UH #1, former UH football coach Bob Wagner said:
"I'm probably a little more objective than some people think I should be." (HSB)
About how he moved UH "way up" after they beat BSU but wasn't the one who voted UH #1, former UH AD Hugh Yoshida said:
"I'm very happy for the team, but I have to keep a little bit of credibility." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another panelist who lives in Hawaii, Star-Bulletin sports writer Cindy Luis, said she voted the Warriors at No. 9."
About whether or not the Fiesta Bowl (HF used to be a Fiesta Bowl director and chairman) would pick UH or leave UH for the Sugar Bowl's last choice), Karl Benson said:
"(Frazier's) got great relationships there, but the Fiesta Bowl will do what's best for the Fiesta Bowl. Right now I think the BCS takes care of itself, and there's no lobbying to do there. It's a matter of which bowl believes that Hawaii's the best team for it." (HSB)
About how he hasn't picked which WAC teams would be in which bowl, Benson said:
"We predicate everything on trying to match up with the best possible opponents. And there's still a lot of uncertainty, especially if Hawaii loses." (HSB)
About the possibility of losing UH to a BCS Bowl, Hawaii Bowl honcho Jim Donovan said:
"We're hoping (the Warriors) go to the BCS. We want them to win that one remaining game." (HA)
About how beating Washington should give UH a 95% chance of making the final top 12 in the BCS, Sam Chi (BCSguru.com) said:
"If Hawai'i beats Washington that should be enough. I'd put it at about 95 percent. It should be a near slam-dunk now." (HA)
"The only scenario I can see for the Warriors not to get into the BCS is this: LSU beats Tennessee, Oklahoma beats Missouri and Boston College beats Virginia Tech, Hawai'i wins a sloppy game against Washington, or at least the final score is very close." (HA)
Last week Chi wrote on BCSguru:
"The Warriors, at No. 15, may have already climbed to the top of Mauna Kea and can't go any higher." (HA)
Estimating a 90% chance for UH if it beats Washington, Jerry Palm (CollegeBCS.com), Palm had warned last month:
"Hawai'i's schedule is so bad that they might not crack the top 15 in the computers, even at 12-0." (HA)
About how Boston College or Tennessee could jump over UH in the BCS standings, Palm said:
"If either Boston College (over Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship) or Tennessee (over LSU in the Southeastern Conference championship) wins, but Virginia Tech or LSU stays above (UH) anyway. I'm not saying Virginia Tech or LSU would definitely not fall below them, just that they might not." (HA)
About how beating UH would make their season, Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said:
“We’ve got an opportunity to go play a football team that gives us an opportunity to recover some of the things that we’ve lost this year. We’ve got an opportunity to play a football game in December. When you start playing in December, usually good things are happening, and we want to start recognizing that.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About wanting to win the UH game for UW's seniors, QB Jake Locker said the UH game will be:
"a chance to send the seniors out right. There are a lot of really good relationships on this team. Everybody really cares about each other. So I think it will be important for us to send those guys out on the right note." (Seattle Times)
About the last time UH played Washington, former UH assistant coach and current President and General Manager of KGMB-TV Rich Blangiardi said:
"Back then (in Seattle in 1973), we turned on the TV and Jimmy the Greek, who was doing telecasts, said we were 50-point underdogs. That was the way people viewed it." (HA)
About how he feels UH will get into the BCS if they finish 12-0, Karl Benson said:
"They need to finish the way they have started." (HA)
Asked if there would be any way for UH not to make it into the BCS if they beat Washington, Benson said:
"Absolutely not." (HSB)
Benson added that:
"having back-to-back BCS (entrants) would validate the fact the WAC has established itself as a major player in college football." (HA)
About how it is harder to schedule teams now for UH, Karl Benson said:
“We’ve seen coaches make the decision that they would just as soon play 12 and not play that extra game. I know that the University of Hawaii went through scheduling challenges. … I think the decision that the Pac-10 made to play nine conference games is going to have an effect on our ability to schedule the Pac-10.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
About how Hawaii fans travel well, Karl Benson said:
"Hawaii has historically had a great fan following when they play on the mainland. This year when they played UNLV in Las Vegas, they had 12-15,000 fans there and maybe only 2,000 made the trip from the state of Hawaii." (NY Sun)
About how Colt makes it easy for fans to cheer for UH, Benson said:
"Colt Brennan is a cult figure. It would be easy for fans to adopt Hawaii for the day. Put on an aloha shirt and go to the Superdome and root for the underdog." (NY Sun)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Quotes from the Maui News about the BCS and UH
About the importance of the UH-BSU game, Karl Benson said:
"It is the biggest conference game – with two teams ranked this high this late in the season with so much at stake – that the WAC has ever had. It is a big stage. ESPN, as we know, has great power and it is a great vehicle to give exposure to two great football teams.’’ (MN)
Praising the star players in the game--Colt and Ian Johnson, Benson said during a break in the first half:
“Great players like Colt Brennan and (Boise State running back) Ian Johnson on the other side – as you saw he broke that 50-yarder (for a touchdown) – and Brennan comes back and responds. You know, our two showcase teams going into the season, our two showcase players, and thus far they have been the ones that have been the stars.’’ (MN)
About how the UH-BSU game showed that the WAC is the best non-BCS conference, Benson said:
“I think we felt there was the possibility that they both could be undefeated – and except for a little blip by Boise State at Washington – it would have been a little bit more hype. But this game is for all the marbles, the WAC championship, winning team continues on in the BCS drive.
I think this is validation of what Boise State did a year ago. You’ve got Hawaii on the verge, Boise State comes back strong. We are not just a one-team league, we are two-team league and Fresno State is getting better, Louisiana Tech is getting better, San Jose State’s getting better. So I think it goes a long way to kind of re-establish the WAC as credible conference.’’ (MN)
About how the $9 mil payout for a BCS bowl is split between the non-BCS conferences, Benson said:
“We are part of as consortium, a group of five – the WAC, Mountain West, Conference USA, Mid-American, and Sun Belt – and the $9 million goes to the five of us. We decided that of the $9 million, $6 million goes to the conference that put the team in.
Everyone gets a piece of it. The team that gets in gets the majority of it – Boise State last year received several million dollars. The participating team gets 70 percent of the $6 million that comes to the WAC. I’m sure that every athletic director who could get a windfall of $3 million, it would go a long way.’’ (MN)
About how they deserve a BCS spot, HF said right after the accepting the WAC championship trophy from Benson:
“There is no question we do. When you look at what has happened in college football the last couple of weeks and then you look at today – unranked Arkansas defeats top-ranked LSU, you see Texas go down to Texas A&M. Anybody can win on any given day, which means there is a lot of parity in college football. So to tell this team and this program that we are not in the top 12 is not justice to us. I think we have earned it after today’s win. Boise has been the (WAC) giants and today we knocked down the giants.’’ (MN)
Focusing on the Washington game now, Colt said:
“Now, the crazy thing is we went through all this this week to get up for Boise State, but the biggest game of the year is next week against Washington." (MN)
About how Colt should win the Heisman, JJ said:
“Colt Brennan is the best player in college football, he should have won the Heisman last year. And it would be a huge injustice, if he plays well next week and we go undefeated, if he doesn’t win it this year.’’ (MN)
"It is the biggest conference game – with two teams ranked this high this late in the season with so much at stake – that the WAC has ever had. It is a big stage. ESPN, as we know, has great power and it is a great vehicle to give exposure to two great football teams.’’ (MN)
Praising the star players in the game--Colt and Ian Johnson, Benson said during a break in the first half:
“Great players like Colt Brennan and (Boise State running back) Ian Johnson on the other side – as you saw he broke that 50-yarder (for a touchdown) – and Brennan comes back and responds. You know, our two showcase teams going into the season, our two showcase players, and thus far they have been the ones that have been the stars.’’ (MN)
About how the UH-BSU game showed that the WAC is the best non-BCS conference, Benson said:
“I think we felt there was the possibility that they both could be undefeated – and except for a little blip by Boise State at Washington – it would have been a little bit more hype. But this game is for all the marbles, the WAC championship, winning team continues on in the BCS drive.
I think this is validation of what Boise State did a year ago. You’ve got Hawaii on the verge, Boise State comes back strong. We are not just a one-team league, we are two-team league and Fresno State is getting better, Louisiana Tech is getting better, San Jose State’s getting better. So I think it goes a long way to kind of re-establish the WAC as credible conference.’’ (MN)
About how the $9 mil payout for a BCS bowl is split between the non-BCS conferences, Benson said:
“We are part of as consortium, a group of five – the WAC, Mountain West, Conference USA, Mid-American, and Sun Belt – and the $9 million goes to the five of us. We decided that of the $9 million, $6 million goes to the conference that put the team in.
Everyone gets a piece of it. The team that gets in gets the majority of it – Boise State last year received several million dollars. The participating team gets 70 percent of the $6 million that comes to the WAC. I’m sure that every athletic director who could get a windfall of $3 million, it would go a long way.’’ (MN)
About how they deserve a BCS spot, HF said right after the accepting the WAC championship trophy from Benson:
“There is no question we do. When you look at what has happened in college football the last couple of weeks and then you look at today – unranked Arkansas defeats top-ranked LSU, you see Texas go down to Texas A&M. Anybody can win on any given day, which means there is a lot of parity in college football. So to tell this team and this program that we are not in the top 12 is not justice to us. I think we have earned it after today’s win. Boise has been the (WAC) giants and today we knocked down the giants.’’ (MN)
Focusing on the Washington game now, Colt said:
“Now, the crazy thing is we went through all this this week to get up for Boise State, but the biggest game of the year is next week against Washington." (MN)
About how Colt should win the Heisman, JJ said:
“Colt Brennan is the best player in college football, he should have won the Heisman last year. And it would be a huge injustice, if he plays well next week and we go undefeated, if he doesn’t win it this year.’’ (MN)
Quotes from the local papers
About all the congratulatory calls he has been getting (his cell phone stopped taking messages), Colt said:
"My phone's been going off." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan said he received text messages from across the country. Several came from Boston. More from Chicago, where a former Colorado teammate watched Friday's telecast of UH's 39-27 victory over Boise State."
About the text messages from Chicago, Colt said:
"He said the game was on every single TV in the bar, and the place was going nuts cheering for us. That was really awesome." (HA)
About their first outright WAC title, Colt said:
"Being out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we're isolated from the rest of the United States. We're all we have out here. This is for everyone here." (HA)
About how this championship builds on all of JJ's past teams at UH, Colt said:
"I don't think this championship is solely for this team. It goes to so many teams, ever since coach Jones got here. All of those teams built up this standard, and now we've taken it to the next level." (HA)
HA Note: "The core of the team — Brennan, slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins, linebackers Elimimian and Adam Leonard, defensive tackles Lafaele and Fale Laeli, and kicker Dan Kelly — joined or emerged in 2005. Although that team finished 5-7 — only one of two losing seasons during Jones' tenure — it established an identity."
About the 2005 recruiting class, JJ said:
"That was a special group. It just continued to grow. We reaped what we sowed." (HA)
About the leaders on the 2005 team, Colt said:
"There were tremendous leaders on that (2005) team, like Lono Manners and Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and Brandon Eaton and Derek Fa'avi. I remember how disappointed I was because we couldn't give them a great senior year. That was one thing we wanted to give Sam (Satele) and Nate (Ilaoa) and Mel (Purcell) last year." (HA)
That is why Colt says:
"whatever success we have this year is definitely dedicated to all of the guys who have been here the last couple of years, especially last year. It's dedicated to the guys on the 5-7 team. Those guys were a part of this. We set out to do great things when we played with them. The lessons we learned (in 2005) helped us last year and made us what we are this year." (HA)
About how he broke their final stretch into a 4-game season after the SJSU game, JJ said:
"It's a four-game playoff, and we won the third. We have to win the fourth to get to our Super Bowl. Everybody knows what's at stake. We've been talking about it for so long. Everybody knows we have to win one more." (HA)
About finally beating BSU to win the WAC, Colt said:
"Now that we've done that, there's new life on our team. We got that big monkey off our back. Now we can focus on going out and making a great statement." (HA)
About how they got confidence from their previous road comebacks, Colt said:
"We could be down by 14 or 20 points in the fourth quarter, and we still believe we're still in that football game. That's the difference in this football team, and that's the difference between winning and losing. That's what a lot of analysts don't realize about what football is and what winning is." (HA)
Asked if his play vs. BSU would get him into Heisman consideration, Colt said:
"I think it helps. It was a great win for our school, a great win for the team." (HSB)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He was the best college football player in America last year and still is this year." (HSB)
Hoping that going undefeated is enough to get into a BCS game, Colt said:
"Hopefully we win next week (at home against Washington) and an undefeated season is enough to get us in a BCS game." (HSB)
About how the BSU game doesn't help Colt that much for the Heisman, Ted Lewis (national college football writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune) said:
"It was late Friday night, so a lot of people didn't see it. The fact that they beat Nevada without him works against him, too. It adds to the idea of him being a system quarterback." (HSB)
About how UH is still "an unknown quantity as a team", Lewis said that UH should be in the BCS:
"An undefeated team deserves to be rewarded." (HSB)
"My phone's been going off." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan said he received text messages from across the country. Several came from Boston. More from Chicago, where a former Colorado teammate watched Friday's telecast of UH's 39-27 victory over Boise State."
About the text messages from Chicago, Colt said:
"He said the game was on every single TV in the bar, and the place was going nuts cheering for us. That was really awesome." (HA)
About their first outright WAC title, Colt said:
"Being out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we're isolated from the rest of the United States. We're all we have out here. This is for everyone here." (HA)
About how this championship builds on all of JJ's past teams at UH, Colt said:
"I don't think this championship is solely for this team. It goes to so many teams, ever since coach Jones got here. All of those teams built up this standard, and now we've taken it to the next level." (HA)
HA Note: "The core of the team — Brennan, slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins, linebackers Elimimian and Adam Leonard, defensive tackles Lafaele and Fale Laeli, and kicker Dan Kelly — joined or emerged in 2005. Although that team finished 5-7 — only one of two losing seasons during Jones' tenure — it established an identity."
About the 2005 recruiting class, JJ said:
"That was a special group. It just continued to grow. We reaped what we sowed." (HA)
About the leaders on the 2005 team, Colt said:
"There were tremendous leaders on that (2005) team, like Lono Manners and Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and Brandon Eaton and Derek Fa'avi. I remember how disappointed I was because we couldn't give them a great senior year. That was one thing we wanted to give Sam (Satele) and Nate (Ilaoa) and Mel (Purcell) last year." (HA)
That is why Colt says:
"whatever success we have this year is definitely dedicated to all of the guys who have been here the last couple of years, especially last year. It's dedicated to the guys on the 5-7 team. Those guys were a part of this. We set out to do great things when we played with them. The lessons we learned (in 2005) helped us last year and made us what we are this year." (HA)
About how he broke their final stretch into a 4-game season after the SJSU game, JJ said:
"It's a four-game playoff, and we won the third. We have to win the fourth to get to our Super Bowl. Everybody knows what's at stake. We've been talking about it for so long. Everybody knows we have to win one more." (HA)
About finally beating BSU to win the WAC, Colt said:
"Now that we've done that, there's new life on our team. We got that big monkey off our back. Now we can focus on going out and making a great statement." (HA)
About how they got confidence from their previous road comebacks, Colt said:
"We could be down by 14 or 20 points in the fourth quarter, and we still believe we're still in that football game. That's the difference in this football team, and that's the difference between winning and losing. That's what a lot of analysts don't realize about what football is and what winning is." (HA)
Asked if his play vs. BSU would get him into Heisman consideration, Colt said:
"I think it helps. It was a great win for our school, a great win for the team." (HSB)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He was the best college football player in America last year and still is this year." (HSB)
Hoping that going undefeated is enough to get into a BCS game, Colt said:
"Hopefully we win next week (at home against Washington) and an undefeated season is enough to get us in a BCS game." (HSB)
About how the BSU game doesn't help Colt that much for the Heisman, Ted Lewis (national college football writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune) said:
"It was late Friday night, so a lot of people didn't see it. The fact that they beat Nevada without him works against him, too. It adds to the idea of him being a system quarterback." (HSB)
About how UH is still "an unknown quantity as a team", Lewis said that UH should be in the BCS:
"An undefeated team deserves to be rewarded." (HSB)
Feature story on Ikaika
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/SPORTS01/711250596
About how he still feels so fortunate to be in the NFL, Ikaika said:
"Never in a million years, never in a million years," Lions rookie defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis said. "I still pinch myself a lot of times, like what am I doing here? Just the road I chose with basketball and different sports, and I fell in love with the game of football." (Detroit Free Press)
About how JJ approached him while he worked out with UH's football team one day during his freshman year, despite how he never played football in high school, Ikaika said:
"I'm thinking, is this guy crazy or what's going on? He comes out of nowhere to come play football. I was just like about 200 pounds. I'm like, 'Me, a football player?' And especially a defensive lineman? Oh, man. I was like, 'Who I got to go against?' And they point at the 300-pound guys and I'm like, 'Am I ready for this?' " (DFP)
About what JJ said to him, Ikaika said:
"He's like, 'You should try to come out.' At the time he's like, 'If you give it all, you're going to be in the NFL.' " (DFP)
About the feeling of his first game, Ikaika said:
"I got into my first game of my first year. I loved the feeling of the crowd behind you, hitting somebody. I liked everything about it. So I decided to give everything I had to it." (DFP)
About what he saw in Ikaika, Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli said:
"Great athlete and he's tough, he'll hit. He's a great kid. He wants to please. He's the perfect guy you like in terms of 'want to, desire, smart.' He's got all the things you want to coach. He's going to be a house. He's big as a house right now. He's gonna get bigger. I just think he's so raw and so talented and such a good person." (DFP)
About how he need to perfect his technique and be consistent, Ikaika said:
"In the NFL everybody's good and it's all about you're going to be going up against someone who's just as equal as you are. But it's all about technique and how you're fluid, play-in and play-out. And being consistent is a good word that a lot of people use, so every day I work on trying to be consistent every play and every down and every game." (DFP)
DFP Note: "Alama-Francis has played in only two games this season, the last on Sept. 30 against Chicago when he made his only tackle of the season. Marinelli said he likely would have played against the New York Giants Nov. 18, but a hamstring strain in practice two days earlier kept him out. Staying motivated to work while waiting on the sidelines is what Marinelli sees as the biggest challenge for Alama-Francis."
About how Ikaika has to stay motivated in practice to improve despite not getting playing time, Marinelli said:
"You have to go out and practice and improve every day, and he's got to learn to do that. And you know what, he had a lull I thought there for a while. And the last month, I thought the last three or four weeks, he's really picked up and really kept catching my eye and he's gotten better. He's got a great attitude. He's just a great kid, great attitude." (DFP)
About how he welcomes the pressure and attention from his head coach, who used to be a top DL coach in the NFL, Ikaika said:
"When you're handpicked by a defensive line coach and a head coach, there's a lot of pressure there, but I embrace it." (DFP)
About how he still feels so fortunate to be in the NFL, Ikaika said:
"Never in a million years, never in a million years," Lions rookie defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis said. "I still pinch myself a lot of times, like what am I doing here? Just the road I chose with basketball and different sports, and I fell in love with the game of football." (Detroit Free Press)
About how JJ approached him while he worked out with UH's football team one day during his freshman year, despite how he never played football in high school, Ikaika said:
"I'm thinking, is this guy crazy or what's going on? He comes out of nowhere to come play football. I was just like about 200 pounds. I'm like, 'Me, a football player?' And especially a defensive lineman? Oh, man. I was like, 'Who I got to go against?' And they point at the 300-pound guys and I'm like, 'Am I ready for this?' " (DFP)
About what JJ said to him, Ikaika said:
"He's like, 'You should try to come out.' At the time he's like, 'If you give it all, you're going to be in the NFL.' " (DFP)
About the feeling of his first game, Ikaika said:
"I got into my first game of my first year. I loved the feeling of the crowd behind you, hitting somebody. I liked everything about it. So I decided to give everything I had to it." (DFP)
About what he saw in Ikaika, Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli said:
"Great athlete and he's tough, he'll hit. He's a great kid. He wants to please. He's the perfect guy you like in terms of 'want to, desire, smart.' He's got all the things you want to coach. He's going to be a house. He's big as a house right now. He's gonna get bigger. I just think he's so raw and so talented and such a good person." (DFP)
About how he need to perfect his technique and be consistent, Ikaika said:
"In the NFL everybody's good and it's all about you're going to be going up against someone who's just as equal as you are. But it's all about technique and how you're fluid, play-in and play-out. And being consistent is a good word that a lot of people use, so every day I work on trying to be consistent every play and every down and every game." (DFP)
DFP Note: "Alama-Francis has played in only two games this season, the last on Sept. 30 against Chicago when he made his only tackle of the season. Marinelli said he likely would have played against the New York Giants Nov. 18, but a hamstring strain in practice two days earlier kept him out. Staying motivated to work while waiting on the sidelines is what Marinelli sees as the biggest challenge for Alama-Francis."
About how Ikaika has to stay motivated in practice to improve despite not getting playing time, Marinelli said:
"You have to go out and practice and improve every day, and he's got to learn to do that. And you know what, he had a lull I thought there for a while. And the last month, I thought the last three or four weeks, he's really picked up and really kept catching my eye and he's gotten better. He's got a great attitude. He's just a great kid, great attitude." (DFP)
About how he welcomes the pressure and attention from his head coach, who used to be a top DL coach in the NFL, Ikaika said:
"When you're handpicked by a defensive line coach and a head coach, there's a lot of pressure there, but I embrace it." (DFP)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Quotes from the UH-BSU Game
HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press
IS = Idaho Statesman
MN = Maui News
VTH = Vallejo Times-Herald
Quotes from UH's coaches
About the win and the WAC title, JJ said:
"I'm happy. I'm happy for the state of Hawai'i, and I'm happy for my team. These players are very committed, and they did a hell of a job all year." (HA)
About how their team believes in each other, JJ said:
"There's a real strong trust, a strong belief in each other. They believe that they're doing this for a reason." (HSB)
“We know how to win. There is a real strong trust, a real strong belief in each other. We believe we are doing this for a reason and it is pretty awesome to watch." (MN)
Praising Colt and supporting his Heisman chances, JJ said:
"He was the best college football player in America last year and he still is this year. If he plays good next week and we win it, he should win the Heisman Trophy." (AP)
"I would say that Colt Brennan is the best college football player in the country. He was last year. It would be an injustice if he plays well next week and we win and he doesn't win (the Heisman Trophy) this year." (HSB)
Praising their D, JJ said:
"Our defensive staff, coaches, guys did a great job. The trick plays, we seemed to have them all covered." (HSB)
About not going for the TD at the end of the game, JJ said:
"I'm not into stats, I'm not into all that stuff." (HSB)
About how special teams had cost them in previous BSU games, JJ said:
“Special teams have cost us against these guys the last two years, but they are very good at them. They do it to everybody. We did a pretty good job on kick coverage, and I was happy with that, we did some good things. They played great on special teams, but we won and that is why we play the game.’’ (MN)
About the first extra point that was blocked, to leave the score at UH 13 BSU 7, JJ said:
"Obviously, I was concerned about the special teams. It was a bad omen." (HSB)
About how their offense responded to the challenge of facing BSU, Dan Morrison said:
"Ryan, and Davone, and Colt, all of them, they rise to games. Any time a game gets tougher, they get better, and they've always been that way. That was again evident tonight." (HSB)
About their performance in this game, GM said:
"I was tired of seeing them (the Broncos) put up 40, 50 points. To tell you the truth, we should have held them to 17." (HA)
"We were more disciplined in the second half, but in the end it came down to the players making plays. And they made the plays." (HSB)
"The guys played their responsibilities and played hard. They were throwing the ball a little bit (in the first half) and we made some adjustments in the second half, blitzed more, tried to put more pressure on (BSU quarterback Taylor Tharp) and our guys made plays. It's not schemes, players make plays." (HSB)
About how their seniors led their young D, GM said:
"We have a young defense. The seniors have given us great leadership and paved the way for some of these other kids to start making plays." (HSB)
HSB Note: "McMackin has stressed "quick change" drives all season and how his defense needs to limit the opposition to field goals instead of touchdowns. At the end of the first half and early in the third quarter, two Colt Brennan interceptions forced the Hawaii defense to take the field in its own territory. On both drives, Boise State immediately went three and out and only converted three points off both turnovers."
About how they used Blaze in this game, GM said:
"We started blitzing him from the outside. He's a great player. He brings so much intensity." (HA)
"We blitzed about 50 percent in the second half. We figured we needed to get pressure on (Tharp). Blaze is a great blitzer." (HA)
About Ian Johnson's TD in the 1st quarter, GM said:
"He got away from us in that first quarter. But I thought we did a great job after that." (HA)
"We missed a gap in that first quarter. So after that, we just made sure the guys kept their responsibilities and hit the gaps. And then we had some guys who really made plays." (HA)
"We gave up that (50-yard run), and made an adjustment. We just missed the backside gap, the cutback. The guys worked hard on playing the run." (HA)
"We gave up that one run because we missed the gap, but after that we played really disciplined and guys did a good job of adjusting at halftime. They're a great champion, and we had to fight like a mother to take the championship from them." (HA)
"I'm just glad everybody saw we're not bad against the run." (HSB)
Note: Ian had a 50-yard TD in the 1st quarter, and just 36 yards on his other 21 carries.
About JJ deciding for them to NOT try to score when they were at the 1 at the end of the game, Rich Miano said:
"The (New England) Patriots would have gone for the points. But June has too much respect for Boise for something like that." (HA)
Praising their DL for splitting playing time and all contributing, Jeff Reinbold said:
"The group of kids we have, they all love one another and there's no selfishness there. They don't care about who's getting the most snaps or the most tackles. All they care about is winning." (HA)
HA Note: "UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said tackles Michael Lafaele, Fale Laeli, Keala Watson, Siave Seti, Rocky Savaiigaea and Joshua Leonard all contributed, along with defensive ends David Veikune, Karl Noa, Amani Purcell and John Fonoti."
Quotes from UH's players
About their doubters, Colt said:
"That's three weeks in a row the so-called experts and critics out there said we were going to lose and we didn't. Obviously they need to re-check what they're doing because they're wrong." (AP)
"We proved something tonight to all the so-called experts who picked Boise to beat us. I guess they just don't know what they're talking about." (IS)
Colt said that their camaraderie and close victories:
"got me completely convinced there's somebody special watching over us, and all we've got to do is keep doing things right. ... We set off this season to do things right. We weren't going to be cocky or arrogant. We just wanted to win football games and be humble. That's the way we set out to do it, and that's why we're 11-0. It's amazing when you install this much cohesion and togetherness. The power. Talk about people coming together and having power. This is one of those examples. This team comes together so crazy that it makes it just so explosive on the football field." (HA)
"We believe in ourselves. Boise is one of the most opportunistic teams I have ever played. They know how to get points out of nothing. We knew they would try to play ball control, which they did early. But when we went up, we took them out of the run mode, forcing them to throw more." (HSB)
About their 3 TDs in the 3rd quarter, Colt said:
"When your rolling like that against a Boise State team, you know things are good. We knew right then and there, we were in good shape." (AP)
About how he predicted the TD bomb to Hawthorne, Colt said:
"I walked to the line and said, 'We've got a touchdown here, block it up. C.J., this is me and you.' And sure enough, touchdown." (HSB)
About how BSU took a 27-26 lead after they scored and got a FG after the intercepted him, Colt said:
"When they went back down and scored and I threw that pick I just remembered saying, 'This is Boise, there's a reason why they've done what they've done for the last six years. And if we want to win tonight, it's going to take all four quarters." (HSB)
About how he was nervous before the game, Colt said:
"I puked. It was before the game even started. I knew if I kept my composure and kept myself calm, I would be fine. Once we started scoring some touchdowns, everything felt great." (HA)
About how he responded well to his mistakes, Colt said:
"I made some mistakes, but I didn't let it affect me. I bounced back really well when I made mistakes." (HA)
About how they weren't going to let their mistakes cost them this game, Colt said:
“We weren’t going to let any little faux pas beat us. We were determined to score more points than they could imagine.’’ (MN)
About how he overthrew RGM on 3rd down during their first drive, Colt said:
"I saw him wide open and I wanted to give him an easy ball and it kind of just floated on me." (HA)
About Hawthorne's adjustment on a 41-yard pass during their next drive, Colt said:
"I was a little worried if I under-threw it too much. But he came up, high-pointed it, and made a great play." (HA)
About breaking the TD pass record on the next play, with a TD pass to RGM, Colt said:
"I'm glad it happened early and get that over with and move on with the game. It felt great, but watching my receivers play the way they did and our line, you could see ... that it's not just me." (HA)
About the countdown at the end of the game, Colt said:
"I couldn't believe it. I was getting goose bumps." (HA)
About how the fans rushed the field, Colt said:
"What I was excited about was all of the jumping around and people rushing the field. You only see that with the best schools across the nation — the SCs, the Michigans, the Ohio States. Now Hawai'i is right there. It's unreal." (HA)
About the win, Colt said:
"To be here 11-0 with a ring and the WAC championship, I mean it seems like a fairy tale." (AP)
"It's the best feeling I've ever had. I'm speechless." (AP)
"There was just an understanding that we weren't going to be beat today." (HA)
“To be here 11-0 with a ring and the WAC championship, it seems like a fairy tale." (AP)
About the importance of the Washington game, Colt said:
"Next week just became the biggest game of the season." (AP)
Not worried about how his stats are worse this year, Colt said:
“If it means I throw 20 touchdowns to go undefeated, that's what I'll do. It wasn't about stats and it didn't matter tonight. We were going to win no matter what.” (AP)
About not going for a TD at the end of the game, Colt said:
"I think by us taking a knee at the 1 it showed what kind of character this team has." (HSB)
About their faith in their team, Colt said:
"We believed. That was our motto." (HA)
About the sermon yesterday on David and Goliath at their chapel service yesterday, Colt said:
"It couldn't have been a better analogy for the day. It was exactly what we needed to hear to go out and take down this giant." (HA)
About the pastor's sermon on David and Goliath during their chapel service yesterday, Michael Lafaele said:
"All of the armies were scared of Goliath. This young boy came out and called him out in the name of God. The pastor painted that picture for us. If you believe, giants will fall. Giants do fall. That was the message in chapel." (HA)
About stopping BSU's running game, Lafaele said:
"Take away the run, and you stop them." (HA)
"When we stopped the run, the game was over. We tried to dominate the line of scrimmage." (HA)
About the win, Bess said:
"It definitely was a signature win and hopefully we will continue to roll." (AP)
"I'm almost speechless. We busted our butt all summer and fall. We've been through adversity. We've been through ups and downs. This is the outcome. We're thankful." (HA)
About how they cannot be satisfied with this win, Bess said:
"We stepped up, and busted our butt all summer and all fall and this is the reward of it. But, there's still unfinished business. This is a great steppingstone to celebrate." (HSB)
About his UH-record 15 passes for 181 yards and 2 TDs, Bess credited his teammates:
"I'm so happy, I'm speechless. I give all the credit to my teammates. Without the line blocking, and without Colt (Brennan) throwing me the ball, I'm nothing." (HA)
About his sommersault into the end zone that resulted in a costly penalty, Bess said:
"It was just me showing my emotion. I was thinking about getting into the end zone, that's all. I wasn't trying to show off or anything like that. I saw the goal line and wanted to get there so bad." (HA)
About how JJ talked with him after that TD, Bess said:
"Coach said I should know better, and I should. He said that I'm smarter than that. He wasn't yelling, but it fired me up, I tell you that. I was really focused the rest of the game." (HA)
About the records that he's set at UH, Bess said:
"I'm definitely honored, don't get me wrong. But I give all my teammates the credit." (HA)
About how special teams have cost them against BSU, Bess said:
“All week long we emphasized special teams. My freshman and sophomore years we had troubles with the kicking game against them. We wanted to make sure that didn’t happen this year. The guys on the line did a really, really good job of taking care of their assignments, just executing on special teams and it paid off.’’ (MN)
MN Note: "Boise State’s rugby-style punter, freshman Kyle Brotzman, pinned UH inside its own 20-yard line three times in the first three quarters, but the Warriors responded with a pair of touchdown drives that covered 95 and 85 yards, the second of which capped the scoring late in the third quarter after the Broncos had gone in front 27-26 midway through the period."
About not being able to catch the punts from BSU due to the unusual kicking motion, Bess said:
“Somewhat, it is hard to deal with but at the same time we just wanted to do our part. We didn’t give up any fakes and that was our main goal. We stayed poised and we executed and it worked out.’’ (MN)
MN Note: "Bess did not catch any of the four punts, which each rolled for several more yards. UH never started from beyond its own 24-yard line after Brotzman punts – there were also possessions that began at the 5, 3 and 15."
About how some of their special teams problems from past games against BSU showed up in this game, Bess said:
“We saw a glimpse of it early in the game. We went into the locker room and readjusted and we are thankful that it didn’t go further than that. It worked and we came through. We came through and got the win, thanks to our special teams, our whole team actually.’’ (MN)
About how they have pointed to this game ever since the offseason, Jason Rivers said:
"We all talked about how it would come down to this game for the championship. We knew that we would go undefeated (up to this game). We believed ... we won." (HSB)
About how they respond to the challenge of playing big name teams, Rivers said:
"This is what we do. We win, whoever we play. We don't care who they are. When teams with big names show up here we're ready for them." (HSB)
About about the points that they could have scored at the end of the game, Rivers said:
"Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who we play. Win by inches, win by a mile. It's a W baby." (HSB)
RGM hugged Rivers after the game and said:
"We ain't done yet. Two more." (HSB)
About his 38-yard TD catch, Hawthorne said:
"I knew Colt was coming to me. He told me that in the huddle. I just needed to get open. It was just a great throw. We did that same play earlier, and I was wide open. I ran the route, and Colt made a great throw. Don't give me too much credit." (HA)
"I walked to the line and said, 'We've got a touchdown here, block it up. C.J., this is me and you.'" (HSB)
"He made a great throw and there was good blocking from the lineman. I was blessed to come down with it. I'm just so thankful." (HA)
"There was just joy in my heart. I'm so thankful." (HSB)
About how they scored TDs on 3 straight drives after not scoring the first time they had the ball, Hawthorne said:
"That snowball began to build up momentum for our team. We began to make plays and plays and plays. That first series, we were dead. But after that, we were blessed." (HA)
About how their WRs all share the ball, Hawthorne said:
"We all take turns — we've been doing that all season. Davone made some huge catches on third down, Jason came up with some big catches, Ryan did his part, and I did mine." (HA)
Feeling that the whole team did well, Hawthorne said:
"I think we all played great. Not just the receivers, the O-linemen, Colt, the defense, everybody." (HA)
After the game, Hercules yelled:
"This is for all the UH teams before us, all the guys who wanted to be here." (HA)
About how they beat BSU 20-10 in the 2nd half, despite BSU outscoring its opponents 111-27 in the 2nd half in their other games this season, Hercules said:
"When we went into halftime the momentum shifted to Boise and we just calmed everybody down and we just took over. We had to prove that we could fire on all cylinders. They were a second-half team, but after those (road wins this season), we're a second-half team also." (HSB)
About how they stopped Ian Johnson, Solomon Elimimian said:
"He got that one big run to hurt us, but we knew our defensive line was bigger than their offensive line. We were confident we were going to stop the run." (HA)
About how they proved themselves to their detractors, Sol said:
"We showed the whole nation that we are the real deal." (AP)
About how they stopped BSU's offense, Adam Leonard said:
"We stuffed them, especially in the second half. That's what we expect to do every time we play." (HSB)
About how that since they have now won the WAC they can think about the BCS, Adam said:
"Since last spring and into the summer, all we have preached is being WAC champs. Now that we got it, we can start focusing on the BCS." (HSB)
About how they wanted to beat BSU to win the WAC, Adam said:
"It's the way you want to do things. If you want to be the WAC champs, you've got to go through the WAC champs." (IS)
About winning the WAC title outright, Gerard Lewis said:
"We're undefeated champs. We're not sharing anything." (HSB)
About their weak schedule, Lewis said:
"It is what it is. Everyone has an opinion, but we're the ones actually out here playing. Other teams have lost and we're still undefeated." (HSB)
About how people wondered why he committed to UH, Ryan Mouton said:
"When I signed, people asked, 'Why Hawai'i?' The reason is these guys around here. This is what a team's about — love, family, and competing and fighting to win games." (HA)
About having to skip his 2-year-old niece's birthday party yesterday, John Fonoti said:
"My niece, Italia, she had her birthday party today, and I wish I could have been there. I was thinking of her." (HA)
About sacking Tharp on BSU's last possession and causing a fumble, Fonoti said:
"I was just trying to do something out there, make something happen. If they made that first down, whew, anything could have happened." (HA)
About how he beat BSU's Ryan Clady for the sack, where Clady is 6'6" 315 pounds and an All-America candidate while Fonoti is 6'3" and 250 pounds, Fonoti said:
"He's tough, he's good. So I came up and did a little fake inside and then went outside. Once I saw the quarterback, I just went for the ball." (HA)
About how they speak of love as their break their defensive huddle, Timo Paepule said:
"As long as we have love for each other, we believe. We stuck to it, man." (HA)
"Before we break any huddle, we say 'We love each other. I love you, I love you back.' When they (the Broncos) were driving, we had love for each other. We believe." (HA)
About how their team believed they would win and played with heart, Paepule said:
"The team played with heart, from the first snap to the last. We believed. This is exciting." (HA)
About playing with his injuries, Blaze (7 tackles, team-high 3 for losses) said:
"Football, you have to play through pain. Not only me. Michael Lafaele, Karl Noa. Everybody's battling through pain. A little shoulder injury, my shin. That ain't going to stop me." (HA)
"Every time I hit somebody, my shoulder goes out. But you know what? You gotta have heart." (HA)
About how GM showed them a tape of Mel Kiper bashing their D on ESPN during halftime, Blaze said:
"They called us a cupcake defense. We ain't no cupcake defense, we showed it right here." (HSB)
"I want to thank ESPN and Mel Kiper. He called us a cupcake defense. Well, how do you like these cupcakes? Have some for breakfast." (HSB)
About how they wanted to prove their doubters wrong, Siave Seti said:
"ESPN has doubted us all along. Mel Kiper called us cupcakes. We didn't deserve that." (HSB)
About the win despite their 2 blocked PATs, Dan Kelly said:
"It's satisfying. It wasn't a perfect game, but we were able to overcome a nonperfect game, which shows a lot of character about this team." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Last night, the Broncos twice got a hand on Kelly's kicks in the second quarter, first by Kyle Wilson and the second by Orlando Scandrick, who had quite a career against UH in the kicking game. The Warriors were able, though, to corral the Broncos after the blocks before they turned into 2-point runbacks for Boise State, unlike the previous two meetings."
About the scene on the field right at the end of the game, Kelly said:
"Surreal, crazy. It's just a well-deserved championship." (HSB)
About playing in this game after missing 2 games with a torn MCL in his knee, Rustin Saole said:
"I didn't care, I just wanted to play. Even if it hurt I was going to say it didn't hurt so I could be out there." (HSB)
About playing despite his injured ribs, Fale Laeli said:
"We're Warriors. This is biggest game of our lives. We're not going to miss it. Everyone is banged up." (HSB)
About how they will have 2 days to rest their bodies before getting ready for Washington, Laeli said:
"Celebrate tonight, rest tomorrow, rest Sunday, back to work Monday." (HSB)
Quotes from BSU
Proud of his players, BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"You would like to play in these kind of games where both teams could win (the WAC title). To go to something like the Fiesta Bowl last year was great, but our goals is to go to a bowl game. We'll give them a week off and then get after it again." (AP)
About how losing a big game like this hurts, Petersen said:
"You like to play these types of games. It's for all the marbles. It's the last game of the season. It's that type of situation where both teams can win it outright. That's what you work so hard to play for, and it hurts when you can't get it done." (HA)
Praising UH, Petersen said:
"You've got to give credit to Hawai'i. They've got good players and they play hard. We had our opportunities, but they're an excellent team and we knew it." (HA)
"You've got to give credit to Hawaii. They've got good players, they played hard. They're a heck of a team, and we knew it." (IS)
About how it is difficult to play a team like UH, Petersen said:
"(The Warriors) are a physical team and sometimes you don't pick guys up as cleanly and your quarterback can't see and you drop a few balls here and there. When you play a team of this caliber, you've got to get it done — on special teams, on defense, on offense. You've got to work together and feed off each other and that didn't happen tonight." (HA)
"They're physical, a physical team. When they bring it, they bring it and mean it." (IS)
"They're physical. When they bring it, they bring it." (HSB)
Praising UH's defense, Petersen said:
"They were just playing with their heads on fire." (IS)
About how UH should be invited to a BCS bowl if they go undefeated, Petersen said:
"They're a heck of a team. They've got great energy and great momentum going now, and if they win out, I do think they ought to go." (HA)
About how they only got 1 FG after INTs let them start 2 drives deep in Hawaii territory, Petersen said:
"No question, it worked against us that we couldn't cash in." (HSB)
About how they went away from their running game, Petersen said:
"Would I have liked to run the ball more, yeah." (HSB)
About how they had a lot of people miss all or part of the game due to injury, Petersen said:
"That's a lot of firepower to be missing. Guys stepped up and they battled hard, but that's a lot of guys to lose." (IS)
About how winning on special teams wasn't enough in this game, Petersen said:
“They just had a little too much of both – offense and defense. They were scoring points and we weren’t doing anything in the second half on offense, so it was a combination. We couldn’t get a stop when we needed it. Hawaii is a heck of a team and they deserved to win.’’ (MN)
“Oh yeah, special teams are important, they always are. It would have been nice to get a big kick return or something like that. We blocked a couple kicks, we won a few field position battles, but we needed a little bit more.’’ (MN)
About how UH got a lot of pressure on him, Tharp said:
"They were bringing some heat. I had a little hard time getting enough time to throw the ball. It's a credit to them." (HA)
About how their D did their job by getting turnovers deep in UH's territory, Tharp said:
"Our D did a lot of what we asked them to do - get us some turnovers. And we just couldn't take advantage of some of those opportunities. We needed to put seven points on the board as opposed to three or none, like what happened a couple times." (IS)
About how they went away from the run when they got in a shoot-out, Ian Johnson said:
"We knew if we kept pounding them, we could break them. But we ended up having to keep scoring when they scored, so we got away from the run. That's really difficult because when you run the ball, you want to hit them, hit them, hit them until they pop. When you slow down the run, and run once and then pass, you can't pound them like that." (HA)
"They (Hawaii) kept scoring, so we needed to pass more. We wanted to continue to pound the ball, like we did in the first half. Try to wear their defense down. But all we could come up with (in the second half) was possession runs of 3 or 4 yards, just to keep the chains moving. Maybe we abandoned our game plan a little too early." (HSB)
About being able to smile and act normally after the game, Ian said:
"You've got to be able to control what you can. If you do something great, you can't get too excited. If something bad happens to you, you can't mope. You've got to keep that level-headedness. If you mope, then one or two weeks will go by with you moping and not using that time to practice and improve." (HSB)
About how the loss won't prevent hiim from taking his long-delayed honeymoon in Hawaii, Ian (who is staying in Hawaii until Wednesday) said:
"I still get the girl." (HSB)
Impressed by the Warriors, Ian said:
"We already knew that Hawaii was amazing at home, but over the last three years, they've done so much. I have nothing but respect for them. They have intensity and their fans have intensity. They had this place sold out and they've put together quite a season." (HSB)
Praising UH's D, Ian said:
"They were just playing with their heads on fire and doing an awesome job and sometimes winning one-on-one battles." (IS)
About losing out on the WAC title, Ian said:
"You get that feeling that you have one empty finger now. (Winning the WAC) is something this program's used to. Now it's going to be more clear in everyone's mind that, hey, we've got to work hard, we've got to work together and we've got to get it all done on the field every single week, and then you get the ring. You don't just show up and get the ring." (IS)
About losing out on the WAC title, safety Marty Tadman said:
"It's our one goal we have all season - above all - is to win the WAC and we didn't do that. It's what we play for all season." (IS)
Praising UH, Tadman said:
"We played our hearts out, but they earned it. They belong in the BCS. We showed the WAC champion deserves to be there and they are the champs now." (HA)
About how every defender has to do their jobs correctly or UH takes advantage of them, Tadman said:
"If one of us misses one assignment, they'll exploit us. That's what happened." (IS)
BSU's President Robert Kustra said that they are intent upon:
"improving the quality of the Western Athletic Conference." (HA)
About how he wrote to every MWC President to try to gauge their interest in BSU, Kustra said:
"Frankly, there is no (expansion) talk in the Mountain West that I know of. So, we are completely comfortable continuing to play in the WAC, especially playing teams like Hawai'i. It is a great rivalry (with UH) and one that, one way or the other, I hope can go on for many years no matter what conference we're in." (HA)
"I approached them (MWC presidents), I wrote them well over a year ago. I heard from a couple of them but I've heard no serious discussions about that. So, I think we go about our business of improving the quality of the WAC. We certainly appreciate the role the WAC has played in promoting Boise State. On the other hand, we're in Boise, Idaho, we're in the intermountain region and, needless to say, the Mountain West has always been a conference that has interested our fans and has interested those of us that are concerned about how far our student-athletes have to travel." (HA)
Praising the Hawaii fans at the game, Kustra said:
"Coming into the stadium today we were greeted by a lot of well-wishers from Hawai'i and the Warriors, and some fine sportsmanship." (HA)
Quotes from Others
HA Note: "The turnstile attendance for last night's game was announced at 49,651 — the largest ever for a UH home game. The previous record was 49,139 against Brigham Young in 1980. A game against USC in 1978 drew 48,767. Thousands of the fans also ran onto the field after the victory. It is the first time in the history of Aloha Stadium that such a celebration took place with the fans on the field."
HA Note: "Local entertainer Willie K. performed the national anthem before the game and provided some comic relief when he nearly walked off the field before singing Hawai'i Pono'i. "Eh, they told me only one song," he said after running back on the field."
About the Warriors, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"I'm overwhelmed and ecstatic. This isn't just a football team. They've taken on an aura." (HA)
"This is unbelievable for our state and city. I've always said that our people can compete with the best and that's what they did tonight." (HSB)
About the win, Artie Wilson said:
"This is bigger (than the Fabulous Five times) because there's just so many more people involved." (HA)
KHNL-TV anchor (and former UH baseball player who played in the College World Series national championship game) said that these Warriors:
"are bigger, way bigger. And this is a big-time atmosphere." (HA)
Hoping that this game will get UH the votes it needs to make it into the BCS, Karl Benson said:
"I would hope this performance will validate (in the poll voters' eyes) the season Hawai'i has had so far and that it will be reflected in the polls (tomorrow)." (HA)
Praising BSU, Benson said:
"I don't see any reason that they don't continue to be a Top 20 program. All the pieces are in place. The foundation is laid. They have clearly established themselves as one of the top programs in the West." (IS)
IS Note: "And with that elevated stature comes increased expectations. Fans talk about the WAC as if it's the Broncos birthright. The university's president openly discusses dreams of moving to another - presumably more competitive - league. Each title increases the size of the bulls-eye on the Broncos' chest, something they openly discuss."
Praising BSU, HF said:
"Boise State is a championship program. They kept changing coaches over the last few years, but the program kept sustaining itself. That shows that they're a quality program. Today we were lucky because we knocked off the giant." (HA)
Honolulu Police Department's Steve Ariola, the coordinating sergeant on the field said that things went well at the stadium last night:
"Like anything, improvements can be made, but I heard from the Boise crowd that they felt safer tonight. We just wanted to make sure we had a peaceful, good, celebratory ending to a good game." (HA)
About how their officers were yawning at the lack of work they had during the game, officer Brant Pia said:
"It's a good crowd." (HA)
About how he expected to face some "issues" when he wore a BSU game uniform to the game, Brooks Aberg said:
"Everybody has been really good. We talk back and forth. I was tailgating all day surrounded by Hawai'i fans and we just traded stories and drinks. You all are gracious hosts and we'll definitely be back." (HA)
About how they were treated well at the game, BSU fan Jennifer Smith said:
"I think as long as you're respectful, you'll be treated the same way. I don't think I'm concerned at all." (HA)
About how he can't figure out what the concern over the crowd was about, BSU fan Mark Mooney said:
"These are some of the nicest fans I've ever seen." (HA)
About how he was prepared for some ribbing due to his BSU fan-hood, Al Andrade said:
"In my experience of the game, people are passionate about their team. They're going to interact and they're going to yell for their team and that's fine. We don't worry about that at all." (HA)
Praising UH fans, BSU fan Don Best said after the game:
"They have been the nicest people in the world. I'm having a lot of fun." (IS)
IS Note: "As he was talking, a Hawaii fan came up to him to tell him and his wife, "Good game." "
Best replied:
"The best team won." (IS)
About how it is good for Hawaii when UH does so well, Earl Everett said:
"It's a good thing for Hawaii to see them do so well. It brings about a lot of good spirit in Hawaii. It keeps everybody talking not only in the stadium, but in the workplace, at home and in church." (IS)
About how he didn't notice any adversarial behavior before the game despite wearing bright orange, Boise resident Wayne Crosby said:
"It takes two to tango. We're not really into that. We just want to see a good hard football game." (IS)
About how he would not want BSU fans to wear shirts like the "Buck Foise" shirts he saw around, Crosby said:
"I would not want to see Boise fans using profanity in reference to other teams. I would say something to that (Boise) State fan." (IS)
Palolo resident and UH fan Ivan Nakasone said that his "Buck Foise" shirt was a gift from a friend:
"I wasn't going to wear it. I think it's offensive." (IS)
IS Note: "But after shopping for another green shirt, he couldn't find one before the game, so he wore a Buti Groove shirt. Boise fans laughed about the shirt, he said."
About how Oahu-born UH grad Fred Haines tailgated with his wife, Boise resident Kari Haines, Kari (married to Fred for 7 years, Fred moved to Boise for her) said:
"We kinda argue sometimes. He can't get rid of the Hawaii roots." (IS)
About how they normally spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii anyway, Kari said:
"We usually spend Thanksgiving here anyway. It just worked out perfect that the game was on Thanksgiving weekend." (IS)
About how they didn't have a problem with UH fans, Kari said:
"It's a little intimidating. But Fred is running into his friends all the time, and everyone's been real nice." (IS)
John Filler, who attends fire academy as a firefighter through BSU said about the UH fans:
"They're proud of their team, we're proud of ours. The fans have been great. They give us crap, we give them crap back. It's been a lot of fun, otherwise I wouldn't park here." (IS)
Filler enjoyed the "Buck Foise" shirts:
"I gotta get me one of those. I would take one home. How would you do one for Hawaii? You can't. That was good." (IS)
IS Note: "Hawaii tailgaters offered food to Boise visitors, and vice versa. Filler, who brought his wife, in-laws and two sons for their first Hawaii visit, said he hopes to come back again soon. The family had a turkey dinner two weeks ago but celebrated Thanksgiving at a luau."
About their game day preparation, Leslie Filler said:
"Today we banned the leis, we banned the shells, we banned anything Hawaii. Today we are just Boise State fans." (IS)
Aiea resident Steven Kegley said he was happy to see Boise State and UH fans getting along, and he never doubted the overall conduct of Hawaii fans.
Aiea resident Steven Kegley said that he was happy to see BSU and UH fans getting along, saying:
"It's just a handful of people spoiling it for everybody." (IS)
IS Note: "Steven Kegley has been a UH fan for 20 years, tailgating at Aloha Stadium for just as long. It's a tradition he had to uphold, despite the holidays and Black Friday shopping."
About not missing this game despite being tired and skipping Black Friday, Kegley said:
"Last night was Thanksgiving so we're a little tired, so no shopping. We just came right here at 9:30. We just want to be a part of it. We're with you when you lost all of your games. We'd like to be here when you win all of them." (IS)
Quotes about Desmond Thomas from before the game
About how their season has gone, Desmond said:
"Oh man, this year has just been a blessing. Just how everything is happening right now. Our team is winning, we're doing pretty good. And I'm just blessed that I can add a piece of that. (That) I can contribute." (VTH)
About switching from WR to S, Desmond said:
"It was pretty much just no playing time; (I) just wanted to get on the field as fast as I could. The defensive coaches, they all liked me from high school." (VTH)
About how he enjoys being at free safety now, calling it his "true position", Desmond said:
"I like it a lot. I've alwasy played free safety since I was little, and receiver, but coaches like the way I came up and hit." (VTH)
About how their D is ready for BSU, Desmond said:
"We're focused. There's a tenacity, just hunger ready for (today). Everybody knows, even the scout guys. ... We came this far, we've got to go all the way." (VTH)
About how their goal is to be WAC champions, Desmond said:
"Man, I'm honored to play with these guys. I'm just very blessed to participate and contribute to this team. Every day at practice we break and we say, 'WAC champs.' " (VTH)
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
AP = Associated Press
IS = Idaho Statesman
MN = Maui News
VTH = Vallejo Times-Herald
Quotes from UH's coaches
About the win and the WAC title, JJ said:
"I'm happy. I'm happy for the state of Hawai'i, and I'm happy for my team. These players are very committed, and they did a hell of a job all year." (HA)
About how their team believes in each other, JJ said:
"There's a real strong trust, a strong belief in each other. They believe that they're doing this for a reason." (HSB)
“We know how to win. There is a real strong trust, a real strong belief in each other. We believe we are doing this for a reason and it is pretty awesome to watch." (MN)
Praising Colt and supporting his Heisman chances, JJ said:
"He was the best college football player in America last year and he still is this year. If he plays good next week and we win it, he should win the Heisman Trophy." (AP)
"I would say that Colt Brennan is the best college football player in the country. He was last year. It would be an injustice if he plays well next week and we win and he doesn't win (the Heisman Trophy) this year." (HSB)
Praising their D, JJ said:
"Our defensive staff, coaches, guys did a great job. The trick plays, we seemed to have them all covered." (HSB)
About not going for the TD at the end of the game, JJ said:
"I'm not into stats, I'm not into all that stuff." (HSB)
About how special teams had cost them in previous BSU games, JJ said:
“Special teams have cost us against these guys the last two years, but they are very good at them. They do it to everybody. We did a pretty good job on kick coverage, and I was happy with that, we did some good things. They played great on special teams, but we won and that is why we play the game.’’ (MN)
About the first extra point that was blocked, to leave the score at UH 13 BSU 7, JJ said:
"Obviously, I was concerned about the special teams. It was a bad omen." (HSB)
About how their offense responded to the challenge of facing BSU, Dan Morrison said:
"Ryan, and Davone, and Colt, all of them, they rise to games. Any time a game gets tougher, they get better, and they've always been that way. That was again evident tonight." (HSB)
About their performance in this game, GM said:
"I was tired of seeing them (the Broncos) put up 40, 50 points. To tell you the truth, we should have held them to 17." (HA)
"We were more disciplined in the second half, but in the end it came down to the players making plays. And they made the plays." (HSB)
"The guys played their responsibilities and played hard. They were throwing the ball a little bit (in the first half) and we made some adjustments in the second half, blitzed more, tried to put more pressure on (BSU quarterback Taylor Tharp) and our guys made plays. It's not schemes, players make plays." (HSB)
About how their seniors led their young D, GM said:
"We have a young defense. The seniors have given us great leadership and paved the way for some of these other kids to start making plays." (HSB)
HSB Note: "McMackin has stressed "quick change" drives all season and how his defense needs to limit the opposition to field goals instead of touchdowns. At the end of the first half and early in the third quarter, two Colt Brennan interceptions forced the Hawaii defense to take the field in its own territory. On both drives, Boise State immediately went three and out and only converted three points off both turnovers."
About how they used Blaze in this game, GM said:
"We started blitzing him from the outside. He's a great player. He brings so much intensity." (HA)
"We blitzed about 50 percent in the second half. We figured we needed to get pressure on (Tharp). Blaze is a great blitzer." (HA)
About Ian Johnson's TD in the 1st quarter, GM said:
"He got away from us in that first quarter. But I thought we did a great job after that." (HA)
"We missed a gap in that first quarter. So after that, we just made sure the guys kept their responsibilities and hit the gaps. And then we had some guys who really made plays." (HA)
"We gave up that (50-yard run), and made an adjustment. We just missed the backside gap, the cutback. The guys worked hard on playing the run." (HA)
"We gave up that one run because we missed the gap, but after that we played really disciplined and guys did a good job of adjusting at halftime. They're a great champion, and we had to fight like a mother to take the championship from them." (HA)
"I'm just glad everybody saw we're not bad against the run." (HSB)
Note: Ian had a 50-yard TD in the 1st quarter, and just 36 yards on his other 21 carries.
About JJ deciding for them to NOT try to score when they were at the 1 at the end of the game, Rich Miano said:
"The (New England) Patriots would have gone for the points. But June has too much respect for Boise for something like that." (HA)
Praising their DL for splitting playing time and all contributing, Jeff Reinbold said:
"The group of kids we have, they all love one another and there's no selfishness there. They don't care about who's getting the most snaps or the most tackles. All they care about is winning." (HA)
HA Note: "UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said tackles Michael Lafaele, Fale Laeli, Keala Watson, Siave Seti, Rocky Savaiigaea and Joshua Leonard all contributed, along with defensive ends David Veikune, Karl Noa, Amani Purcell and John Fonoti."
Quotes from UH's players
About their doubters, Colt said:
"That's three weeks in a row the so-called experts and critics out there said we were going to lose and we didn't. Obviously they need to re-check what they're doing because they're wrong." (AP)
"We proved something tonight to all the so-called experts who picked Boise to beat us. I guess they just don't know what they're talking about." (IS)
Colt said that their camaraderie and close victories:
"got me completely convinced there's somebody special watching over us, and all we've got to do is keep doing things right. ... We set off this season to do things right. We weren't going to be cocky or arrogant. We just wanted to win football games and be humble. That's the way we set out to do it, and that's why we're 11-0. It's amazing when you install this much cohesion and togetherness. The power. Talk about people coming together and having power. This is one of those examples. This team comes together so crazy that it makes it just so explosive on the football field." (HA)
"We believe in ourselves. Boise is one of the most opportunistic teams I have ever played. They know how to get points out of nothing. We knew they would try to play ball control, which they did early. But when we went up, we took them out of the run mode, forcing them to throw more." (HSB)
About their 3 TDs in the 3rd quarter, Colt said:
"When your rolling like that against a Boise State team, you know things are good. We knew right then and there, we were in good shape." (AP)
About how he predicted the TD bomb to Hawthorne, Colt said:
"I walked to the line and said, 'We've got a touchdown here, block it up. C.J., this is me and you.' And sure enough, touchdown." (HSB)
About how BSU took a 27-26 lead after they scored and got a FG after the intercepted him, Colt said:
"When they went back down and scored and I threw that pick I just remembered saying, 'This is Boise, there's a reason why they've done what they've done for the last six years. And if we want to win tonight, it's going to take all four quarters." (HSB)
About how he was nervous before the game, Colt said:
"I puked. It was before the game even started. I knew if I kept my composure and kept myself calm, I would be fine. Once we started scoring some touchdowns, everything felt great." (HA)
About how he responded well to his mistakes, Colt said:
"I made some mistakes, but I didn't let it affect me. I bounced back really well when I made mistakes." (HA)
About how they weren't going to let their mistakes cost them this game, Colt said:
“We weren’t going to let any little faux pas beat us. We were determined to score more points than they could imagine.’’ (MN)
About how he overthrew RGM on 3rd down during their first drive, Colt said:
"I saw him wide open and I wanted to give him an easy ball and it kind of just floated on me." (HA)
About Hawthorne's adjustment on a 41-yard pass during their next drive, Colt said:
"I was a little worried if I under-threw it too much. But he came up, high-pointed it, and made a great play." (HA)
About breaking the TD pass record on the next play, with a TD pass to RGM, Colt said:
"I'm glad it happened early and get that over with and move on with the game. It felt great, but watching my receivers play the way they did and our line, you could see ... that it's not just me." (HA)
About the countdown at the end of the game, Colt said:
"I couldn't believe it. I was getting goose bumps." (HA)
About how the fans rushed the field, Colt said:
"What I was excited about was all of the jumping around and people rushing the field. You only see that with the best schools across the nation — the SCs, the Michigans, the Ohio States. Now Hawai'i is right there. It's unreal." (HA)
About the win, Colt said:
"To be here 11-0 with a ring and the WAC championship, I mean it seems like a fairy tale." (AP)
"It's the best feeling I've ever had. I'm speechless." (AP)
"There was just an understanding that we weren't going to be beat today." (HA)
“To be here 11-0 with a ring and the WAC championship, it seems like a fairy tale." (AP)
About the importance of the Washington game, Colt said:
"Next week just became the biggest game of the season." (AP)
Not worried about how his stats are worse this year, Colt said:
“If it means I throw 20 touchdowns to go undefeated, that's what I'll do. It wasn't about stats and it didn't matter tonight. We were going to win no matter what.” (AP)
About not going for a TD at the end of the game, Colt said:
"I think by us taking a knee at the 1 it showed what kind of character this team has." (HSB)
About their faith in their team, Colt said:
"We believed. That was our motto." (HA)
About the sermon yesterday on David and Goliath at their chapel service yesterday, Colt said:
"It couldn't have been a better analogy for the day. It was exactly what we needed to hear to go out and take down this giant." (HA)
About the pastor's sermon on David and Goliath during their chapel service yesterday, Michael Lafaele said:
"All of the armies were scared of Goliath. This young boy came out and called him out in the name of God. The pastor painted that picture for us. If you believe, giants will fall. Giants do fall. That was the message in chapel." (HA)
About stopping BSU's running game, Lafaele said:
"Take away the run, and you stop them." (HA)
"When we stopped the run, the game was over. We tried to dominate the line of scrimmage." (HA)
About the win, Bess said:
"It definitely was a signature win and hopefully we will continue to roll." (AP)
"I'm almost speechless. We busted our butt all summer and fall. We've been through adversity. We've been through ups and downs. This is the outcome. We're thankful." (HA)
About how they cannot be satisfied with this win, Bess said:
"We stepped up, and busted our butt all summer and all fall and this is the reward of it. But, there's still unfinished business. This is a great steppingstone to celebrate." (HSB)
About his UH-record 15 passes for 181 yards and 2 TDs, Bess credited his teammates:
"I'm so happy, I'm speechless. I give all the credit to my teammates. Without the line blocking, and without Colt (Brennan) throwing me the ball, I'm nothing." (HA)
About his sommersault into the end zone that resulted in a costly penalty, Bess said:
"It was just me showing my emotion. I was thinking about getting into the end zone, that's all. I wasn't trying to show off or anything like that. I saw the goal line and wanted to get there so bad." (HA)
About how JJ talked with him after that TD, Bess said:
"Coach said I should know better, and I should. He said that I'm smarter than that. He wasn't yelling, but it fired me up, I tell you that. I was really focused the rest of the game." (HA)
About the records that he's set at UH, Bess said:
"I'm definitely honored, don't get me wrong. But I give all my teammates the credit." (HA)
About how special teams have cost them against BSU, Bess said:
“All week long we emphasized special teams. My freshman and sophomore years we had troubles with the kicking game against them. We wanted to make sure that didn’t happen this year. The guys on the line did a really, really good job of taking care of their assignments, just executing on special teams and it paid off.’’ (MN)
MN Note: "Boise State’s rugby-style punter, freshman Kyle Brotzman, pinned UH inside its own 20-yard line three times in the first three quarters, but the Warriors responded with a pair of touchdown drives that covered 95 and 85 yards, the second of which capped the scoring late in the third quarter after the Broncos had gone in front 27-26 midway through the period."
About not being able to catch the punts from BSU due to the unusual kicking motion, Bess said:
“Somewhat, it is hard to deal with but at the same time we just wanted to do our part. We didn’t give up any fakes and that was our main goal. We stayed poised and we executed and it worked out.’’ (MN)
MN Note: "Bess did not catch any of the four punts, which each rolled for several more yards. UH never started from beyond its own 24-yard line after Brotzman punts – there were also possessions that began at the 5, 3 and 15."
About how some of their special teams problems from past games against BSU showed up in this game, Bess said:
“We saw a glimpse of it early in the game. We went into the locker room and readjusted and we are thankful that it didn’t go further than that. It worked and we came through. We came through and got the win, thanks to our special teams, our whole team actually.’’ (MN)
About how they have pointed to this game ever since the offseason, Jason Rivers said:
"We all talked about how it would come down to this game for the championship. We knew that we would go undefeated (up to this game). We believed ... we won." (HSB)
About how they respond to the challenge of playing big name teams, Rivers said:
"This is what we do. We win, whoever we play. We don't care who they are. When teams with big names show up here we're ready for them." (HSB)
About about the points that they could have scored at the end of the game, Rivers said:
"Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who we play. Win by inches, win by a mile. It's a W baby." (HSB)
RGM hugged Rivers after the game and said:
"We ain't done yet. Two more." (HSB)
About his 38-yard TD catch, Hawthorne said:
"I knew Colt was coming to me. He told me that in the huddle. I just needed to get open. It was just a great throw. We did that same play earlier, and I was wide open. I ran the route, and Colt made a great throw. Don't give me too much credit." (HA)
"I walked to the line and said, 'We've got a touchdown here, block it up. C.J., this is me and you.'" (HSB)
"He made a great throw and there was good blocking from the lineman. I was blessed to come down with it. I'm just so thankful." (HA)
"There was just joy in my heart. I'm so thankful." (HSB)
About how they scored TDs on 3 straight drives after not scoring the first time they had the ball, Hawthorne said:
"That snowball began to build up momentum for our team. We began to make plays and plays and plays. That first series, we were dead. But after that, we were blessed." (HA)
About how their WRs all share the ball, Hawthorne said:
"We all take turns — we've been doing that all season. Davone made some huge catches on third down, Jason came up with some big catches, Ryan did his part, and I did mine." (HA)
Feeling that the whole team did well, Hawthorne said:
"I think we all played great. Not just the receivers, the O-linemen, Colt, the defense, everybody." (HA)
After the game, Hercules yelled:
"This is for all the UH teams before us, all the guys who wanted to be here." (HA)
About how they beat BSU 20-10 in the 2nd half, despite BSU outscoring its opponents 111-27 in the 2nd half in their other games this season, Hercules said:
"When we went into halftime the momentum shifted to Boise and we just calmed everybody down and we just took over. We had to prove that we could fire on all cylinders. They were a second-half team, but after those (road wins this season), we're a second-half team also." (HSB)
About how they stopped Ian Johnson, Solomon Elimimian said:
"He got that one big run to hurt us, but we knew our defensive line was bigger than their offensive line. We were confident we were going to stop the run." (HA)
About how they proved themselves to their detractors, Sol said:
"We showed the whole nation that we are the real deal." (AP)
About how they stopped BSU's offense, Adam Leonard said:
"We stuffed them, especially in the second half. That's what we expect to do every time we play." (HSB)
About how that since they have now won the WAC they can think about the BCS, Adam said:
"Since last spring and into the summer, all we have preached is being WAC champs. Now that we got it, we can start focusing on the BCS." (HSB)
About how they wanted to beat BSU to win the WAC, Adam said:
"It's the way you want to do things. If you want to be the WAC champs, you've got to go through the WAC champs." (IS)
About winning the WAC title outright, Gerard Lewis said:
"We're undefeated champs. We're not sharing anything." (HSB)
About their weak schedule, Lewis said:
"It is what it is. Everyone has an opinion, but we're the ones actually out here playing. Other teams have lost and we're still undefeated." (HSB)
About how people wondered why he committed to UH, Ryan Mouton said:
"When I signed, people asked, 'Why Hawai'i?' The reason is these guys around here. This is what a team's about — love, family, and competing and fighting to win games." (HA)
About having to skip his 2-year-old niece's birthday party yesterday, John Fonoti said:
"My niece, Italia, she had her birthday party today, and I wish I could have been there. I was thinking of her." (HA)
About sacking Tharp on BSU's last possession and causing a fumble, Fonoti said:
"I was just trying to do something out there, make something happen. If they made that first down, whew, anything could have happened." (HA)
About how he beat BSU's Ryan Clady for the sack, where Clady is 6'6" 315 pounds and an All-America candidate while Fonoti is 6'3" and 250 pounds, Fonoti said:
"He's tough, he's good. So I came up and did a little fake inside and then went outside. Once I saw the quarterback, I just went for the ball." (HA)
About how they speak of love as their break their defensive huddle, Timo Paepule said:
"As long as we have love for each other, we believe. We stuck to it, man." (HA)
"Before we break any huddle, we say 'We love each other. I love you, I love you back.' When they (the Broncos) were driving, we had love for each other. We believe." (HA)
About how their team believed they would win and played with heart, Paepule said:
"The team played with heart, from the first snap to the last. We believed. This is exciting." (HA)
About playing with his injuries, Blaze (7 tackles, team-high 3 for losses) said:
"Football, you have to play through pain. Not only me. Michael Lafaele, Karl Noa. Everybody's battling through pain. A little shoulder injury, my shin. That ain't going to stop me." (HA)
"Every time I hit somebody, my shoulder goes out. But you know what? You gotta have heart." (HA)
About how GM showed them a tape of Mel Kiper bashing their D on ESPN during halftime, Blaze said:
"They called us a cupcake defense. We ain't no cupcake defense, we showed it right here." (HSB)
"I want to thank ESPN and Mel Kiper. He called us a cupcake defense. Well, how do you like these cupcakes? Have some for breakfast." (HSB)
About how they wanted to prove their doubters wrong, Siave Seti said:
"ESPN has doubted us all along. Mel Kiper called us cupcakes. We didn't deserve that." (HSB)
About the win despite their 2 blocked PATs, Dan Kelly said:
"It's satisfying. It wasn't a perfect game, but we were able to overcome a nonperfect game, which shows a lot of character about this team." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Last night, the Broncos twice got a hand on Kelly's kicks in the second quarter, first by Kyle Wilson and the second by Orlando Scandrick, who had quite a career against UH in the kicking game. The Warriors were able, though, to corral the Broncos after the blocks before they turned into 2-point runbacks for Boise State, unlike the previous two meetings."
About the scene on the field right at the end of the game, Kelly said:
"Surreal, crazy. It's just a well-deserved championship." (HSB)
About playing in this game after missing 2 games with a torn MCL in his knee, Rustin Saole said:
"I didn't care, I just wanted to play. Even if it hurt I was going to say it didn't hurt so I could be out there." (HSB)
About playing despite his injured ribs, Fale Laeli said:
"We're Warriors. This is biggest game of our lives. We're not going to miss it. Everyone is banged up." (HSB)
About how they will have 2 days to rest their bodies before getting ready for Washington, Laeli said:
"Celebrate tonight, rest tomorrow, rest Sunday, back to work Monday." (HSB)
Quotes from BSU
Proud of his players, BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"You would like to play in these kind of games where both teams could win (the WAC title). To go to something like the Fiesta Bowl last year was great, but our goals is to go to a bowl game. We'll give them a week off and then get after it again." (AP)
About how losing a big game like this hurts, Petersen said:
"You like to play these types of games. It's for all the marbles. It's the last game of the season. It's that type of situation where both teams can win it outright. That's what you work so hard to play for, and it hurts when you can't get it done." (HA)
Praising UH, Petersen said:
"You've got to give credit to Hawai'i. They've got good players and they play hard. We had our opportunities, but they're an excellent team and we knew it." (HA)
"You've got to give credit to Hawaii. They've got good players, they played hard. They're a heck of a team, and we knew it." (IS)
About how it is difficult to play a team like UH, Petersen said:
"(The Warriors) are a physical team and sometimes you don't pick guys up as cleanly and your quarterback can't see and you drop a few balls here and there. When you play a team of this caliber, you've got to get it done — on special teams, on defense, on offense. You've got to work together and feed off each other and that didn't happen tonight." (HA)
"They're physical, a physical team. When they bring it, they bring it and mean it." (IS)
"They're physical. When they bring it, they bring it." (HSB)
Praising UH's defense, Petersen said:
"They were just playing with their heads on fire." (IS)
About how UH should be invited to a BCS bowl if they go undefeated, Petersen said:
"They're a heck of a team. They've got great energy and great momentum going now, and if they win out, I do think they ought to go." (HA)
About how they only got 1 FG after INTs let them start 2 drives deep in Hawaii territory, Petersen said:
"No question, it worked against us that we couldn't cash in." (HSB)
About how they went away from their running game, Petersen said:
"Would I have liked to run the ball more, yeah." (HSB)
About how they had a lot of people miss all or part of the game due to injury, Petersen said:
"That's a lot of firepower to be missing. Guys stepped up and they battled hard, but that's a lot of guys to lose." (IS)
About how winning on special teams wasn't enough in this game, Petersen said:
“They just had a little too much of both – offense and defense. They were scoring points and we weren’t doing anything in the second half on offense, so it was a combination. We couldn’t get a stop when we needed it. Hawaii is a heck of a team and they deserved to win.’’ (MN)
“Oh yeah, special teams are important, they always are. It would have been nice to get a big kick return or something like that. We blocked a couple kicks, we won a few field position battles, but we needed a little bit more.’’ (MN)
About how UH got a lot of pressure on him, Tharp said:
"They were bringing some heat. I had a little hard time getting enough time to throw the ball. It's a credit to them." (HA)
About how their D did their job by getting turnovers deep in UH's territory, Tharp said:
"Our D did a lot of what we asked them to do - get us some turnovers. And we just couldn't take advantage of some of those opportunities. We needed to put seven points on the board as opposed to three or none, like what happened a couple times." (IS)
About how they went away from the run when they got in a shoot-out, Ian Johnson said:
"We knew if we kept pounding them, we could break them. But we ended up having to keep scoring when they scored, so we got away from the run. That's really difficult because when you run the ball, you want to hit them, hit them, hit them until they pop. When you slow down the run, and run once and then pass, you can't pound them like that." (HA)
"They (Hawaii) kept scoring, so we needed to pass more. We wanted to continue to pound the ball, like we did in the first half. Try to wear their defense down. But all we could come up with (in the second half) was possession runs of 3 or 4 yards, just to keep the chains moving. Maybe we abandoned our game plan a little too early." (HSB)
About being able to smile and act normally after the game, Ian said:
"You've got to be able to control what you can. If you do something great, you can't get too excited. If something bad happens to you, you can't mope. You've got to keep that level-headedness. If you mope, then one or two weeks will go by with you moping and not using that time to practice and improve." (HSB)
About how the loss won't prevent hiim from taking his long-delayed honeymoon in Hawaii, Ian (who is staying in Hawaii until Wednesday) said:
"I still get the girl." (HSB)
Impressed by the Warriors, Ian said:
"We already knew that Hawaii was amazing at home, but over the last three years, they've done so much. I have nothing but respect for them. They have intensity and their fans have intensity. They had this place sold out and they've put together quite a season." (HSB)
Praising UH's D, Ian said:
"They were just playing with their heads on fire and doing an awesome job and sometimes winning one-on-one battles." (IS)
About losing out on the WAC title, Ian said:
"You get that feeling that you have one empty finger now. (Winning the WAC) is something this program's used to. Now it's going to be more clear in everyone's mind that, hey, we've got to work hard, we've got to work together and we've got to get it all done on the field every single week, and then you get the ring. You don't just show up and get the ring." (IS)
About losing out on the WAC title, safety Marty Tadman said:
"It's our one goal we have all season - above all - is to win the WAC and we didn't do that. It's what we play for all season." (IS)
Praising UH, Tadman said:
"We played our hearts out, but they earned it. They belong in the BCS. We showed the WAC champion deserves to be there and they are the champs now." (HA)
About how every defender has to do their jobs correctly or UH takes advantage of them, Tadman said:
"If one of us misses one assignment, they'll exploit us. That's what happened." (IS)
BSU's President Robert Kustra said that they are intent upon:
"improving the quality of the Western Athletic Conference." (HA)
About how he wrote to every MWC President to try to gauge their interest in BSU, Kustra said:
"Frankly, there is no (expansion) talk in the Mountain West that I know of. So, we are completely comfortable continuing to play in the WAC, especially playing teams like Hawai'i. It is a great rivalry (with UH) and one that, one way or the other, I hope can go on for many years no matter what conference we're in." (HA)
"I approached them (MWC presidents), I wrote them well over a year ago. I heard from a couple of them but I've heard no serious discussions about that. So, I think we go about our business of improving the quality of the WAC. We certainly appreciate the role the WAC has played in promoting Boise State. On the other hand, we're in Boise, Idaho, we're in the intermountain region and, needless to say, the Mountain West has always been a conference that has interested our fans and has interested those of us that are concerned about how far our student-athletes have to travel." (HA)
Praising the Hawaii fans at the game, Kustra said:
"Coming into the stadium today we were greeted by a lot of well-wishers from Hawai'i and the Warriors, and some fine sportsmanship." (HA)
Quotes from Others
HA Note: "The turnstile attendance for last night's game was announced at 49,651 — the largest ever for a UH home game. The previous record was 49,139 against Brigham Young in 1980. A game against USC in 1978 drew 48,767. Thousands of the fans also ran onto the field after the victory. It is the first time in the history of Aloha Stadium that such a celebration took place with the fans on the field."
HA Note: "Local entertainer Willie K. performed the national anthem before the game and provided some comic relief when he nearly walked off the field before singing Hawai'i Pono'i. "Eh, they told me only one song," he said after running back on the field."
About the Warriors, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"I'm overwhelmed and ecstatic. This isn't just a football team. They've taken on an aura." (HA)
"This is unbelievable for our state and city. I've always said that our people can compete with the best and that's what they did tonight." (HSB)
About the win, Artie Wilson said:
"This is bigger (than the Fabulous Five times) because there's just so many more people involved." (HA)
KHNL-TV anchor (and former UH baseball player who played in the College World Series national championship game) said that these Warriors:
"are bigger, way bigger. And this is a big-time atmosphere." (HA)
Hoping that this game will get UH the votes it needs to make it into the BCS, Karl Benson said:
"I would hope this performance will validate (in the poll voters' eyes) the season Hawai'i has had so far and that it will be reflected in the polls (tomorrow)." (HA)
Praising BSU, Benson said:
"I don't see any reason that they don't continue to be a Top 20 program. All the pieces are in place. The foundation is laid. They have clearly established themselves as one of the top programs in the West." (IS)
IS Note: "And with that elevated stature comes increased expectations. Fans talk about the WAC as if it's the Broncos birthright. The university's president openly discusses dreams of moving to another - presumably more competitive - league. Each title increases the size of the bulls-eye on the Broncos' chest, something they openly discuss."
Praising BSU, HF said:
"Boise State is a championship program. They kept changing coaches over the last few years, but the program kept sustaining itself. That shows that they're a quality program. Today we were lucky because we knocked off the giant." (HA)
Honolulu Police Department's Steve Ariola, the coordinating sergeant on the field said that things went well at the stadium last night:
"Like anything, improvements can be made, but I heard from the Boise crowd that they felt safer tonight. We just wanted to make sure we had a peaceful, good, celebratory ending to a good game." (HA)
About how their officers were yawning at the lack of work they had during the game, officer Brant Pia said:
"It's a good crowd." (HA)
About how he expected to face some "issues" when he wore a BSU game uniform to the game, Brooks Aberg said:
"Everybody has been really good. We talk back and forth. I was tailgating all day surrounded by Hawai'i fans and we just traded stories and drinks. You all are gracious hosts and we'll definitely be back." (HA)
About how they were treated well at the game, BSU fan Jennifer Smith said:
"I think as long as you're respectful, you'll be treated the same way. I don't think I'm concerned at all." (HA)
About how he can't figure out what the concern over the crowd was about, BSU fan Mark Mooney said:
"These are some of the nicest fans I've ever seen." (HA)
About how he was prepared for some ribbing due to his BSU fan-hood, Al Andrade said:
"In my experience of the game, people are passionate about their team. They're going to interact and they're going to yell for their team and that's fine. We don't worry about that at all." (HA)
Praising UH fans, BSU fan Don Best said after the game:
"They have been the nicest people in the world. I'm having a lot of fun." (IS)
IS Note: "As he was talking, a Hawaii fan came up to him to tell him and his wife, "Good game." "
Best replied:
"The best team won." (IS)
About how it is good for Hawaii when UH does so well, Earl Everett said:
"It's a good thing for Hawaii to see them do so well. It brings about a lot of good spirit in Hawaii. It keeps everybody talking not only in the stadium, but in the workplace, at home and in church." (IS)
About how he didn't notice any adversarial behavior before the game despite wearing bright orange, Boise resident Wayne Crosby said:
"It takes two to tango. We're not really into that. We just want to see a good hard football game." (IS)
About how he would not want BSU fans to wear shirts like the "Buck Foise" shirts he saw around, Crosby said:
"I would not want to see Boise fans using profanity in reference to other teams. I would say something to that (Boise) State fan." (IS)
Palolo resident and UH fan Ivan Nakasone said that his "Buck Foise" shirt was a gift from a friend:
"I wasn't going to wear it. I think it's offensive." (IS)
IS Note: "But after shopping for another green shirt, he couldn't find one before the game, so he wore a Buti Groove shirt. Boise fans laughed about the shirt, he said."
About how Oahu-born UH grad Fred Haines tailgated with his wife, Boise resident Kari Haines, Kari (married to Fred for 7 years, Fred moved to Boise for her) said:
"We kinda argue sometimes. He can't get rid of the Hawaii roots." (IS)
About how they normally spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii anyway, Kari said:
"We usually spend Thanksgiving here anyway. It just worked out perfect that the game was on Thanksgiving weekend." (IS)
About how they didn't have a problem with UH fans, Kari said:
"It's a little intimidating. But Fred is running into his friends all the time, and everyone's been real nice." (IS)
John Filler, who attends fire academy as a firefighter through BSU said about the UH fans:
"They're proud of their team, we're proud of ours. The fans have been great. They give us crap, we give them crap back. It's been a lot of fun, otherwise I wouldn't park here." (IS)
Filler enjoyed the "Buck Foise" shirts:
"I gotta get me one of those. I would take one home. How would you do one for Hawaii? You can't. That was good." (IS)
IS Note: "Hawaii tailgaters offered food to Boise visitors, and vice versa. Filler, who brought his wife, in-laws and two sons for their first Hawaii visit, said he hopes to come back again soon. The family had a turkey dinner two weeks ago but celebrated Thanksgiving at a luau."
About their game day preparation, Leslie Filler said:
"Today we banned the leis, we banned the shells, we banned anything Hawaii. Today we are just Boise State fans." (IS)
Aiea resident Steven Kegley said he was happy to see Boise State and UH fans getting along, and he never doubted the overall conduct of Hawaii fans.
Aiea resident Steven Kegley said that he was happy to see BSU and UH fans getting along, saying:
"It's just a handful of people spoiling it for everybody." (IS)
IS Note: "Steven Kegley has been a UH fan for 20 years, tailgating at Aloha Stadium for just as long. It's a tradition he had to uphold, despite the holidays and Black Friday shopping."
About not missing this game despite being tired and skipping Black Friday, Kegley said:
"Last night was Thanksgiving so we're a little tired, so no shopping. We just came right here at 9:30. We just want to be a part of it. We're with you when you lost all of your games. We'd like to be here when you win all of them." (IS)
Quotes about Desmond Thomas from before the game
About how their season has gone, Desmond said:
"Oh man, this year has just been a blessing. Just how everything is happening right now. Our team is winning, we're doing pretty good. And I'm just blessed that I can add a piece of that. (That) I can contribute." (VTH)
About switching from WR to S, Desmond said:
"It was pretty much just no playing time; (I) just wanted to get on the field as fast as I could. The defensive coaches, they all liked me from high school." (VTH)
About how he enjoys being at free safety now, calling it his "true position", Desmond said:
"I like it a lot. I've alwasy played free safety since I was little, and receiver, but coaches like the way I came up and hit." (VTH)
About how their D is ready for BSU, Desmond said:
"We're focused. There's a tenacity, just hunger ready for (today). Everybody knows, even the scout guys. ... We came this far, we've got to go all the way." (VTH)
About how their goal is to be WAC champions, Desmond said:
"Man, I'm honored to play with these guys. I'm just very blessed to participate and contribute to this team. Every day at practice we break and we say, 'WAC champs.' " (VTH)
Friday, November 23, 2007
UH-BSU Pre-game Quotes
Asked if he had taken some time to enjoy their success so far this season, JJ said:
"You don't really have time to do that. You're getting ready for Boise State. I'm sure I'll do that after Washington, before the bowl game. Right now you're just getting plugged into what you're doing." (HSB)
About how they have to beat BSU to win the WAC, JJ said:
"If we wanted to win the WAC, we knew we had to beat Boise and that's where we're at. They do a great job executing. They're good in all phases of the game and we're going to have to play our best game to beat them." (HSB)
"If you want to win the WAC, you have to go through Boise to do it. Until you can beat them, there's not much to say." (HA)
About how their team is focused on this game, JJ said:
"The kids have been really focused and we've had two, three really good days of concentration, meetings, everything. They're staying focused pretty good." (HSB)
Asked about building on their 6 consecutive WAC titles, BSU coach Petersen said:
"We're just worried about (now). We're not gonna get caught up in all the other stuff that doesn't really concern us or help us play better. We're just directing all of our attention right to Hawaii." (HSB)
About how he didn't care about not winning the WAC coach of the year award last year, Petersen said:
"It's all about Boise State, the recognition that Boise State football gets. It's not about me, it's not about any one player or any one coach. It's about all of us. I think Boise State's been well recognized." (HSB)
About their reaction to their 6-hour wait to leave Boise after their charter flight was delayed twice after their loss to BSU last year, Colt said:
"We circled the (Boise State) game on the calendar. We did it right when we got stuck in the Boise airport for all that time." (HA)
About how Colt has only thrown incomplete passes twice in 3 years on bubble plays and swing routes, Bess said:
"It looks easy, but it's hard. I don't know how he does it." (HA)
About his efficiency with bubble plays and swing passes, Colt said:
"Anything where a guy is parallel to you moving downhill is a hard throw. If you throw it straight, the ball is going to be thrown behind him. It's a very awkward pass because you're throwing it out and in front. It's a quick throw, too, so you can't really put a lot of mustard on it." (HA)
About how he can throw the quick passes quicker because he doesn't have to grip the lace, as most QBs pause to turn the football to the laces on shotgun snaps, Colt said:
"I realized if I don't care about the laces and just get the ball there, it makes it easier when I do get the laces." (HA)
About his confidence in their offense, Colt said:
"When I walk in there, I feel like this is my offense, my squad, and we are confident. We feel we can play against anyone." (HSB)
About having a YAC of 9.6 vs. Nevada after having an average of 2.3 in their first 9 games, Hawthorne said:
"It's starting to come on." (HA)
About the lack of glory for the loser of the game, Dennis McKnight said:
"The loser goes home from the prom with his sister. You don't get points for second place." (HA)
Praising BSU (who has scored more points and won more games than any other D-IA team this decade), McKnight said:
"They're not only the defending champs, they're worthy champs. They're a solid football team. They come off as nice guys, and they respect everybody. But when you watch the film (of Bronco games), they're the type of team that wants to punish you. They want to embarrass you." (HA)
"They're a dynasty, flat out and simple. They don't make mistakes, and they capitalize on every mistake you make. They pounce on it. They're like Navy SEALs. Nobody steps on a trip wire. Nobody steps on a land mine. Nobody drops a candy wrapper so the enemy finds out you've been there. They're a fine-tuned, well-oiled machine. When you go up against them, you know you're going up against the best." (HA)
Asked if he had regrets about coming back to UH for his senior season, Colt pointed to his teammates and said:
"None. This" — he pointed to his teammates — "is why I decided to come back." (HA)
Colt said about this game:
"It's the biggest I've ever played." (HA)
About facing BSU, Colt said:
"This is one of the few times where I really get into a chess match with defenses. Boise is that good. They know us that well. Sometimes it works to our advantage, sometimes it doesn't. It's a lot of fun playing them, especially with everything on the line." (HA)
Asked about BSU's concerns, defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox named Colt's:
"feet, arm, head ... pretty much everything. I've coached against some great quarterbacks in my short time, and he's every bit as good as any of them." (HA)
About how they rely on Schlekeway, Wilcox said:
"He's kind of the grit of the group. He's not really a vocal guy, but he plays really hard, and the guys respond to him." (HA)
About how he knew BSU's secondary leader Tadman back when his JC team practiced at Tadman's high school, and Tadman got an INT for a TD on his in Colt's first season at UH, Colt said:
"I really got to know him after that." (HA)
Asked what was the key to stopping BSU, Adam Leonard said:
"Stop Ian Johnson. That's the guy. He's a scoring machine." (HSB)
Praising QB Taylor Tharp, Adam said:
"He's going to put his team in the best position by not making mistakes and he's going to find the open man. He's real accurate and we know we're going to have our hands full with him." (HSB)
Ryan Keomaka, who hopes to be a firefighter or personal trainer after this senior season, said:
"I can't explain how important this is to seniors who don't play much. Some of us won't play football again after the season ends. This is our last hurrah. After this, you move on to life. This can be a game to remember." (HA)
About how his injuries will not keep him from this game, Michael Lafaele said:
"I can't sit out. I sat out one game, and it was hurting me inside. I'm all beat up right now. But it's not going to stop me from playing in this game." (HA)
HA Note: "Lafaele should be the symbol for the Rehab Hospital of the Pacific. His right hand is fractured; his left wrist is sprained. He also has a strained right knee and sore left quadriceps. After every practice, he sits in an exhausted heap, a scarecrow with unraveling athletic tape hanging from every limb."
Nopping towards David Veikune with his left shoulder tightly wrapped, Lafaele said:
"A lot of guys on the team are beat up. By being out here, I know that inspires a lot of guys." (HA)
Praising David Veikune, who has a team-high 6 sacks and 7.5 of his 28 tackles are for loss, Jeff Reinbold said:
"When you look at production per play, he might be our best player. He's got great balance, a great first step, and a relentless motor." (HA)
About how he often thinks about his close friend Fale Laeli, Lafaele said:
"Fale came out and practiced, even though he shouldn't be practicing. But we're working hard for a WAC ring. That's all that matters." (HA)
About how this game could help erase his BYU frustration (he never beat BYU as a player for UH), Rich Miano said:
"You don't circle any particular game on your calendar, but this is a game that has the anxiety and anticipation of the BYU thing." (HA)
About the importance of this championship game, Jason Rivers said:
"I've never beaten them. That's why it's great to be in a championship game. A lot of people won't experience this again. It's a chance of a lifetime. We expect to take advantage of it." (HA)
About how Ingram, Grasso, and Kelly have been solid this season, JJ said that there was a point last year when:
"we couldn't catch the ball, we couldn't put it down. Those three guys (Ingram, Grasso, Kelly) have done a very nice job this year." (HA)
HA Note: "During the practice periods when the offense is at one end of the field and the defense is at the other, Ingram and Grasso will play "dream team" in which one is the quarterback and the other the receiver. What appears to be silliness, in fact, is a useful training exercise that helps Ingram's throwing and Grasso's catching on placekick attempts. It is part of the reason the Warriors believe they can avoid the snap-hold problems that sabotaged last year's game against Boise State."
About how he relies on positive thinking, Ingram said:
"Why be nervous? If you're nervous, you're worrying about something that is going to happen. If you go out and do your job, it's not going to happen." (HA)
About Grasso's holding ability, who has an all-state WR at Utah's Davis High, Dan Kelly said:
Grasso, an all-state receiver at Utah's Davis High, is a sure-handed holder. "He's really attuned to giving me exactly what I want. After a kick, he's like, 'How was that hold?' Those two guys are always seeking perfection." (HA)
34-year UH trainer Okasaki said about the game:
"You can't help but have a strong interest." (HA)
Okasaki said that if UH make a BCS game, it would help the athletic department:
"move in the direction where it feels it needs to move." (HA)
John Wade, the pilot of the Hawaiian Airlines jet that brought in several BSU fans announced during their flight:
"Please remove all blue and orange items. The flight attendants will hold them until we land." (HA)
While taxiing the plane to the Honolulu Airport terminal, Wade announced:
"Colt Brennan is healthy and he'll play." (HA)
Feeling that this game is the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Hawaii in terms of fan interest, Les Keiter said:
"When you say magnitude, there's nothing else. I know we've had some great boxing matches, volleyball, basketball and baseball games, but nothing that has caught fire with everybody like this. What they've done so far is unbelievable." (HSB)
About naming his 20-month-old son Brennan after Colt Brennan, Chance Sing Chow said:
"We knew he was something special. We wanted to come down here and wish them luck. It's a big game." (HA)
Mike Prater wrote in the Idaho Statesman about JJ:
"Here's my deal with Jones: His teams always seem to underachieve and he still walks around with that smug look on his face. The gruff demeanor is part of his personality and it's not fair to criticize a man's persona as long as he's not doing anything wrong. But Jones carries an ego that doesn't match his resume. He's won (65) percent of his games but Hawai'i has finished fourth, fifth, fifth and second in the WAC the past four seasons. That's nothing to get worked up about. Maybe it's because Jones spent so many seasons in the NFL." (HA)
About hiring Bob Rose (former sports informatino director at Stanford) to promote the WAC, Karl Benson said:
"He (Rose) has been bird-dogging (media) people making sure they don't overlook WAC teams and the seasons they are having. It is part of a combined effort (with UH and BSU) to try and position our teams, and I think we've seen some positive results." (HA)
"You don't really have time to do that. You're getting ready for Boise State. I'm sure I'll do that after Washington, before the bowl game. Right now you're just getting plugged into what you're doing." (HSB)
About how they have to beat BSU to win the WAC, JJ said:
"If we wanted to win the WAC, we knew we had to beat Boise and that's where we're at. They do a great job executing. They're good in all phases of the game and we're going to have to play our best game to beat them." (HSB)
"If you want to win the WAC, you have to go through Boise to do it. Until you can beat them, there's not much to say." (HA)
About how their team is focused on this game, JJ said:
"The kids have been really focused and we've had two, three really good days of concentration, meetings, everything. They're staying focused pretty good." (HSB)
Asked about building on their 6 consecutive WAC titles, BSU coach Petersen said:
"We're just worried about (now). We're not gonna get caught up in all the other stuff that doesn't really concern us or help us play better. We're just directing all of our attention right to Hawaii." (HSB)
About how he didn't care about not winning the WAC coach of the year award last year, Petersen said:
"It's all about Boise State, the recognition that Boise State football gets. It's not about me, it's not about any one player or any one coach. It's about all of us. I think Boise State's been well recognized." (HSB)
About their reaction to their 6-hour wait to leave Boise after their charter flight was delayed twice after their loss to BSU last year, Colt said:
"We circled the (Boise State) game on the calendar. We did it right when we got stuck in the Boise airport for all that time." (HA)
About how Colt has only thrown incomplete passes twice in 3 years on bubble plays and swing routes, Bess said:
"It looks easy, but it's hard. I don't know how he does it." (HA)
About his efficiency with bubble plays and swing passes, Colt said:
"Anything where a guy is parallel to you moving downhill is a hard throw. If you throw it straight, the ball is going to be thrown behind him. It's a very awkward pass because you're throwing it out and in front. It's a quick throw, too, so you can't really put a lot of mustard on it." (HA)
About how he can throw the quick passes quicker because he doesn't have to grip the lace, as most QBs pause to turn the football to the laces on shotgun snaps, Colt said:
"I realized if I don't care about the laces and just get the ball there, it makes it easier when I do get the laces." (HA)
About his confidence in their offense, Colt said:
"When I walk in there, I feel like this is my offense, my squad, and we are confident. We feel we can play against anyone." (HSB)
About having a YAC of 9.6 vs. Nevada after having an average of 2.3 in their first 9 games, Hawthorne said:
"It's starting to come on." (HA)
About the lack of glory for the loser of the game, Dennis McKnight said:
"The loser goes home from the prom with his sister. You don't get points for second place." (HA)
Praising BSU (who has scored more points and won more games than any other D-IA team this decade), McKnight said:
"They're not only the defending champs, they're worthy champs. They're a solid football team. They come off as nice guys, and they respect everybody. But when you watch the film (of Bronco games), they're the type of team that wants to punish you. They want to embarrass you." (HA)
"They're a dynasty, flat out and simple. They don't make mistakes, and they capitalize on every mistake you make. They pounce on it. They're like Navy SEALs. Nobody steps on a trip wire. Nobody steps on a land mine. Nobody drops a candy wrapper so the enemy finds out you've been there. They're a fine-tuned, well-oiled machine. When you go up against them, you know you're going up against the best." (HA)
Asked if he had regrets about coming back to UH for his senior season, Colt pointed to his teammates and said:
"None. This" — he pointed to his teammates — "is why I decided to come back." (HA)
Colt said about this game:
"It's the biggest I've ever played." (HA)
About facing BSU, Colt said:
"This is one of the few times where I really get into a chess match with defenses. Boise is that good. They know us that well. Sometimes it works to our advantage, sometimes it doesn't. It's a lot of fun playing them, especially with everything on the line." (HA)
Asked about BSU's concerns, defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox named Colt's:
"feet, arm, head ... pretty much everything. I've coached against some great quarterbacks in my short time, and he's every bit as good as any of them." (HA)
About how they rely on Schlekeway, Wilcox said:
"He's kind of the grit of the group. He's not really a vocal guy, but he plays really hard, and the guys respond to him." (HA)
About how he knew BSU's secondary leader Tadman back when his JC team practiced at Tadman's high school, and Tadman got an INT for a TD on his in Colt's first season at UH, Colt said:
"I really got to know him after that." (HA)
Asked what was the key to stopping BSU, Adam Leonard said:
"Stop Ian Johnson. That's the guy. He's a scoring machine." (HSB)
Praising QB Taylor Tharp, Adam said:
"He's going to put his team in the best position by not making mistakes and he's going to find the open man. He's real accurate and we know we're going to have our hands full with him." (HSB)
Ryan Keomaka, who hopes to be a firefighter or personal trainer after this senior season, said:
"I can't explain how important this is to seniors who don't play much. Some of us won't play football again after the season ends. This is our last hurrah. After this, you move on to life. This can be a game to remember." (HA)
About how his injuries will not keep him from this game, Michael Lafaele said:
"I can't sit out. I sat out one game, and it was hurting me inside. I'm all beat up right now. But it's not going to stop me from playing in this game." (HA)
HA Note: "Lafaele should be the symbol for the Rehab Hospital of the Pacific. His right hand is fractured; his left wrist is sprained. He also has a strained right knee and sore left quadriceps. After every practice, he sits in an exhausted heap, a scarecrow with unraveling athletic tape hanging from every limb."
Nopping towards David Veikune with his left shoulder tightly wrapped, Lafaele said:
"A lot of guys on the team are beat up. By being out here, I know that inspires a lot of guys." (HA)
Praising David Veikune, who has a team-high 6 sacks and 7.5 of his 28 tackles are for loss, Jeff Reinbold said:
"When you look at production per play, he might be our best player. He's got great balance, a great first step, and a relentless motor." (HA)
About how he often thinks about his close friend Fale Laeli, Lafaele said:
"Fale came out and practiced, even though he shouldn't be practicing. But we're working hard for a WAC ring. That's all that matters." (HA)
About how this game could help erase his BYU frustration (he never beat BYU as a player for UH), Rich Miano said:
"You don't circle any particular game on your calendar, but this is a game that has the anxiety and anticipation of the BYU thing." (HA)
About the importance of this championship game, Jason Rivers said:
"I've never beaten them. That's why it's great to be in a championship game. A lot of people won't experience this again. It's a chance of a lifetime. We expect to take advantage of it." (HA)
About how Ingram, Grasso, and Kelly have been solid this season, JJ said that there was a point last year when:
"we couldn't catch the ball, we couldn't put it down. Those three guys (Ingram, Grasso, Kelly) have done a very nice job this year." (HA)
HA Note: "During the practice periods when the offense is at one end of the field and the defense is at the other, Ingram and Grasso will play "dream team" in which one is the quarterback and the other the receiver. What appears to be silliness, in fact, is a useful training exercise that helps Ingram's throwing and Grasso's catching on placekick attempts. It is part of the reason the Warriors believe they can avoid the snap-hold problems that sabotaged last year's game against Boise State."
About how he relies on positive thinking, Ingram said:
"Why be nervous? If you're nervous, you're worrying about something that is going to happen. If you go out and do your job, it's not going to happen." (HA)
About Grasso's holding ability, who has an all-state WR at Utah's Davis High, Dan Kelly said:
Grasso, an all-state receiver at Utah's Davis High, is a sure-handed holder. "He's really attuned to giving me exactly what I want. After a kick, he's like, 'How was that hold?' Those two guys are always seeking perfection." (HA)
34-year UH trainer Okasaki said about the game:
"You can't help but have a strong interest." (HA)
Okasaki said that if UH make a BCS game, it would help the athletic department:
"move in the direction where it feels it needs to move." (HA)
John Wade, the pilot of the Hawaiian Airlines jet that brought in several BSU fans announced during their flight:
"Please remove all blue and orange items. The flight attendants will hold them until we land." (HA)
While taxiing the plane to the Honolulu Airport terminal, Wade announced:
"Colt Brennan is healthy and he'll play." (HA)
Feeling that this game is the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Hawaii in terms of fan interest, Les Keiter said:
"When you say magnitude, there's nothing else. I know we've had some great boxing matches, volleyball, basketball and baseball games, but nothing that has caught fire with everybody like this. What they've done so far is unbelievable." (HSB)
About naming his 20-month-old son Brennan after Colt Brennan, Chance Sing Chow said:
"We knew he was something special. We wanted to come down here and wish them luck. It's a big game." (HA)
Mike Prater wrote in the Idaho Statesman about JJ:
"Here's my deal with Jones: His teams always seem to underachieve and he still walks around with that smug look on his face. The gruff demeanor is part of his personality and it's not fair to criticize a man's persona as long as he's not doing anything wrong. But Jones carries an ego that doesn't match his resume. He's won (65) percent of his games but Hawai'i has finished fourth, fifth, fifth and second in the WAC the past four seasons. That's nothing to get worked up about. Maybe it's because Jones spent so many seasons in the NFL." (HA)
About hiring Bob Rose (former sports informatino director at Stanford) to promote the WAC, Karl Benson said:
"He (Rose) has been bird-dogging (media) people making sure they don't overlook WAC teams and the seasons they are having. It is part of a combined effort (with UH and BSU) to try and position our teams, and I think we've seen some positive results." (HA)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
AP article on the UH-BSU game
About the BSU game, Colt said:
"Obviously, we're playing for a lot. It almost seems like the situation is bigger than us. All we can do is focus on the game itself and hopefully get that victory." (AP)
About the UH game, Ian Johnson said:
"This is, as we say every week, our bowl game right now." (AP)
About the UH-BSU game, Karl Benson said:
"It is the biggest game in WAC history. It has all the buzz and all the hype that we were expecting it to have." (AP)
Expecting to have to score a lot of points to win, BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"For us to compete, it's probably going to have to be (high scoring). They're a hard team to match in terms of points but we're going to have to get some things done on offense." (AP)
About how they have to beat BSU to win the WAC, JJ said:
"If we wanted to win the WAC, we knew we had to beat Boise and that's where we're at. They do a great job executing. They're good in all phases of the game and we're going to have to play our best game to beat them." (AP)
About how UH's defense is much better this year, Ian Johnson said:
"It's a huge reason they are 10-0. Their defense is making plays." (AP)
About how they learned to win close games, Colt said:
"We were 18 points from being undefeated last year. I think the lesson was learned. ... We've learned how to win and we've learned how to finish. ... We've come this far and it doesn't mean anything if we don't finish undefeated." (AP)
About what they have to do to quiet their critics, Colt said:
"The only time we'll be able to silence the critics is if were to go to a BCS bowl and play a big-time school and we win. Until then, we're still going to have people who hate us. It's just something we have to deal with." (AP)
Praising Colt, Petersen said:
"I think Colt is, if not the best, one of the best QBs in the country right now. The guy's a phenomenal player." (AP)
"Obviously, we're playing for a lot. It almost seems like the situation is bigger than us. All we can do is focus on the game itself and hopefully get that victory." (AP)
About the UH game, Ian Johnson said:
"This is, as we say every week, our bowl game right now." (AP)
About the UH-BSU game, Karl Benson said:
"It is the biggest game in WAC history. It has all the buzz and all the hype that we were expecting it to have." (AP)
Expecting to have to score a lot of points to win, BSU coach Chris Petersen said:
"For us to compete, it's probably going to have to be (high scoring). They're a hard team to match in terms of points but we're going to have to get some things done on offense." (AP)
About how they have to beat BSU to win the WAC, JJ said:
"If we wanted to win the WAC, we knew we had to beat Boise and that's where we're at. They do a great job executing. They're good in all phases of the game and we're going to have to play our best game to beat them." (AP)
About how UH's defense is much better this year, Ian Johnson said:
"It's a huge reason they are 10-0. Their defense is making plays." (AP)
About how they learned to win close games, Colt said:
"We were 18 points from being undefeated last year. I think the lesson was learned. ... We've learned how to win and we've learned how to finish. ... We've come this far and it doesn't mean anything if we don't finish undefeated." (AP)
About what they have to do to quiet their critics, Colt said:
"The only time we'll be able to silence the critics is if were to go to a BCS bowl and play a big-time school and we win. Until then, we're still going to have people who hate us. It's just something we have to deal with." (AP)
Praising Colt, Petersen said:
"I think Colt is, if not the best, one of the best QBs in the country right now. The guy's a phenomenal player." (AP)
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