http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/sports-34/119683631378940.xml&coll=1
Praising JJ, Bobby Hebert (QB with the Saints and then under JJ at Atlanta) said:
"I can only speak for myself. June Jones has the greatest offensive mind in the history of football. Ask Warren Moon, and he'll tell you the same thing. I spent four years under him in Atlanta, and he was the reason I made the Pro Bowl in '94. As far as the Sugar Bowl goes, I don't know how the Hawaii defense will do against Georgia. But I promise you, with a month to get ready, Hawaii is going to score a lot of points against the Bulldogs." (NOLA)
NOLA Note: " "It's the biggest thing since statehood," said a sun-tanned Warriors fan old enough to remember the day in 1959 when a group of volcanic and coral islands 2,400 miles west of San Francisco joined the Union as the 50th state."
NOLA Note: "Last Saturday, as the Warriors were winding up their regular season against Washington, there was a symphony in progress in downtown Honolulu. Finally, a timeout between numbers. Whereupon, the man holding the baton announced the score at the time. "21-0, Washington," he intoned. A groan from the audience. And then: "Do not worry," said the maestro. "There's plenty of time left." There was, just enough time for the Warriors to score the winning touchdown in the final 44 seconds."
NOLA Note: "When the Warriors defeated Washington, it was a matter of a school with a $2.2 million football budget defeating one with a budget of $13.8 million. And Georgia's is far, far larger than Washington's."
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Quotes about how Kauai has gone crazy for Warrior merchandise
KG = Kauai Garden Isle News
About the shipment of UH clothes they expect to get later this week, Jolynne Uyesono, manager for the Kauai Community College bookstore, said:
“We don’t know what the design is, we don’t know what colors are coming. All we know is they’re (Manoa) shipping us something, and we should have some BCS shirts in there.” (KG)
KG Note: "But those shirts are already spoken for, as Uyesono said there are waiting lists for Hawai‘i logowear."
About how their Warrior gear has been selling like crazy lately, Uyesono said:
“It started getting crazy about two or three weeks ago, and after Hawai‘i beat Boise for the Western Athletic Conference championship, it got nuts. We even had Boise parents in here buying Hawai‘i clothes.” (KG)
About the demand for UH clothes now, Uyesono said:
“People have been putting themselves on lists without even knowing what the shirts look like. We don’t want them to call because we don’t have any. All we know is Manoa will be sending us something, when they get around to it.” (KG)
About how some LSU parents bought UH clothes from them after the Washington game, Uyesono said:
“They were planning on going to the Sugar Bowl, but with the Saturday results and the BCS announcements Sunday, they’ve had to change their plans. But they’re happy for Hawai‘i and said the Sugar Bowl is one of the better bowl games to be participating in. Everyone waves tiny packets of sugar.” (KG)
About how things are hectic in Manoa now, Uyesono said:
“They don’t even have the BCS shirt posted on the Rainbowtique Web site yet. There’re no more black shirts for them to print on. It’s just crazy.” (KG)
About how things have been crazy at JJ's Broiler, Anchor Cove restaurant manager Diana Carinio said:
“We were packed Saturday night. I didn’t get home until after midnight.” (KG)
KG Note: "The staff at JJ’s Broiler are anticipating the arrival of University of Hawai‘i head coach June Jones this Sunday. Jones, who will be on an autograph tour to sign copies of Hawai‘i Warrior Football, is scheduled for appearances at Borders Books and Music and JJ’s."
About the shipment of UH clothes they expect to get later this week, Jolynne Uyesono, manager for the Kauai Community College bookstore, said:
“We don’t know what the design is, we don’t know what colors are coming. All we know is they’re (Manoa) shipping us something, and we should have some BCS shirts in there.” (KG)
KG Note: "But those shirts are already spoken for, as Uyesono said there are waiting lists for Hawai‘i logowear."
About how their Warrior gear has been selling like crazy lately, Uyesono said:
“It started getting crazy about two or three weeks ago, and after Hawai‘i beat Boise for the Western Athletic Conference championship, it got nuts. We even had Boise parents in here buying Hawai‘i clothes.” (KG)
About the demand for UH clothes now, Uyesono said:
“People have been putting themselves on lists without even knowing what the shirts look like. We don’t want them to call because we don’t have any. All we know is Manoa will be sending us something, when they get around to it.” (KG)
About how some LSU parents bought UH clothes from them after the Washington game, Uyesono said:
“They were planning on going to the Sugar Bowl, but with the Saturday results and the BCS announcements Sunday, they’ve had to change their plans. But they’re happy for Hawai‘i and said the Sugar Bowl is one of the better bowl games to be participating in. Everyone waves tiny packets of sugar.” (KG)
About how things are hectic in Manoa now, Uyesono said:
“They don’t even have the BCS shirt posted on the Rainbowtique Web site yet. There’re no more black shirts for them to print on. It’s just crazy.” (KG)
About how things have been crazy at JJ's Broiler, Anchor Cove restaurant manager Diana Carinio said:
“We were packed Saturday night. I didn’t get home until after midnight.” (KG)
KG Note: "The staff at JJ’s Broiler are anticipating the arrival of University of Hawai‘i head coach June Jones this Sunday. Jones, who will be on an autograph tour to sign copies of Hawai‘i Warrior Football, is scheduled for appearances at Borders Books and Music and JJ’s."
Quotes about the ticket problems
Karl Benson said that Sugar Bowl officials contacted him and UH officials before the Washington and asked if UH would give up 5,000 tickets to the Sugar Bowl:
"knowing that the LSU demand would be greater. Hawai'i was faced with making a decision, trying to estimate what their local demand might be and trying to accommodate the Sugar Bowl's request and made a decision that 12,500 tickets might be enough to satisfy the Hawai'i fan base. When LSU didn't get in and it was Georgia, the number was reduced by 1,000. So Hawai'i had 13,500 (tickets) and 4,000 shifted to Georgia." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials also worried they might get stuck with tickets they could not sell, Benson said. At $125 per ticket, UH would have been liable for $500,000 if it could not sell the 4,000 tickets it let go, Benson said. The value of the tickets would have come out of UH's Sugar Bowl earnings, he said."
UH asked the Sugar Bowl for extra tickets for Hawaii but were told no, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"We just said, 'Call us if any more tickets become available.' (HA)
HA Note: "Of the reduced allotment of 13,500 tickets, 5,000 were committed before sales even began Monday morning. The football team and university received commitments of 3,000 tickets, McNamara said, 1,500 went to travel packages and another 500 to UH corporate partners. As of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, UH season-ticket holders who didn't have Sugar Bowl seats were being put on a waiting list. Sales to non-season-ticket holders were scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow."
Offering to buy back tickets that UH fans don't need, McNamara said:
"If you're caught in that situation, we're willing to see what we can do to take your tickets back. ... We've already had people call us and say, 'Can I return my tickets?' We've taken them back." (HA)
HA Note: "There was no limit on Sugar Bowl tickets, McNamara said, and the average number of tickets purchased by individuals was between five and six."
UH fan David Loui said:
"I'm kind of sick right now. My stomach just turned. I thought it was maybe an Internet hoax. But I called the (UH) ticket office and they did confirm. They said the allotment was sold out." (HA)
HA Note: "Loui was one of 22,800 UH season-ticket holders this season who had an opportunity to buy Sugar Bowl tickets beginning Monday morning. But Loui held out for a friend who is a UH Koa Anuenue sport-package member who gets preferred Sugar Bowl seats in the Superdome. Late yesterday, Loui was frantically trying to reach his friend to see if he, indeed, purchased their tickets."
Hoping his friend got him a ticket, Loui said:
"I just put in a call right now. I don't think I can do anything about it." (HA)
About getting to New Orleans, Kevin Kaneshiro, sales and promotions manager for Vacations Hawaii said:
"There are no longer any nice connections to get there. Four connections, a horrendous schedule — overnight here, overnight there. But there's still availability. Every hour, more seats are being booked. It is just a lot more expensive during one of the busiest holidays of the year. It all calculates to an extremely expensive adventure." (HA)
HA Note: "Loui, who graduated from UH in 1978, spent hours looking at different travel Web sites for the best price with the fewest hassles to see his Warriors. On Sunday afternoon, he found a United Airlines flight through Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans for $900 but could not book a ticket. When he went back to the Web site, "the same ticket had gone up to $1,600," Loui said. He finally found a roundtrip flight for $1,300 that involved flying back home through Chicago, San Francisco and Maui."
Before he found out that UH had sold all of its Sugar Bowl tickets, Loui said:
"I don't think it's going to be a problem to get a game ticket. But if I miss this game, I would be crushed. We've come so far this year. I've got to see it to the end." (HA)
"knowing that the LSU demand would be greater. Hawai'i was faced with making a decision, trying to estimate what their local demand might be and trying to accommodate the Sugar Bowl's request and made a decision that 12,500 tickets might be enough to satisfy the Hawai'i fan base. When LSU didn't get in and it was Georgia, the number was reduced by 1,000. So Hawai'i had 13,500 (tickets) and 4,000 shifted to Georgia." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials also worried they might get stuck with tickets they could not sell, Benson said. At $125 per ticket, UH would have been liable for $500,000 if it could not sell the 4,000 tickets it let go, Benson said. The value of the tickets would have come out of UH's Sugar Bowl earnings, he said."
UH asked the Sugar Bowl for extra tickets for Hawaii but were told no, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"We just said, 'Call us if any more tickets become available.' (HA)
HA Note: "Of the reduced allotment of 13,500 tickets, 5,000 were committed before sales even began Monday morning. The football team and university received commitments of 3,000 tickets, McNamara said, 1,500 went to travel packages and another 500 to UH corporate partners. As of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, UH season-ticket holders who didn't have Sugar Bowl seats were being put on a waiting list. Sales to non-season-ticket holders were scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow."
Offering to buy back tickets that UH fans don't need, McNamara said:
"If you're caught in that situation, we're willing to see what we can do to take your tickets back. ... We've already had people call us and say, 'Can I return my tickets?' We've taken them back." (HA)
HA Note: "There was no limit on Sugar Bowl tickets, McNamara said, and the average number of tickets purchased by individuals was between five and six."
UH fan David Loui said:
"I'm kind of sick right now. My stomach just turned. I thought it was maybe an Internet hoax. But I called the (UH) ticket office and they did confirm. They said the allotment was sold out." (HA)
HA Note: "Loui was one of 22,800 UH season-ticket holders this season who had an opportunity to buy Sugar Bowl tickets beginning Monday morning. But Loui held out for a friend who is a UH Koa Anuenue sport-package member who gets preferred Sugar Bowl seats in the Superdome. Late yesterday, Loui was frantically trying to reach his friend to see if he, indeed, purchased their tickets."
Hoping his friend got him a ticket, Loui said:
"I just put in a call right now. I don't think I can do anything about it." (HA)
About getting to New Orleans, Kevin Kaneshiro, sales and promotions manager for Vacations Hawaii said:
"There are no longer any nice connections to get there. Four connections, a horrendous schedule — overnight here, overnight there. But there's still availability. Every hour, more seats are being booked. It is just a lot more expensive during one of the busiest holidays of the year. It all calculates to an extremely expensive adventure." (HA)
HA Note: "Loui, who graduated from UH in 1978, spent hours looking at different travel Web sites for the best price with the fewest hassles to see his Warriors. On Sunday afternoon, he found a United Airlines flight through Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans for $900 but could not book a ticket. When he went back to the Web site, "the same ticket had gone up to $1,600," Loui said. He finally found a roundtrip flight for $1,300 that involved flying back home through Chicago, San Francisco and Maui."
Before he found out that UH had sold all of its Sugar Bowl tickets, Loui said:
"I don't think it's going to be a problem to get a game ticket. But if I miss this game, I would be crushed. We've come so far this year. I've got to see it to the end." (HA)
Quotes about UH's #1 vote from an AP voter
About how he voted UH #1 in his AP ballot and will vote UH #1 after they play Georgia, El Paso Times sportswriter Bret Bloomquist said:
"I expect Hawaii to win. I think they could beat Ohio State. I think they can line up with anyone in the country. Their offense can score against anyone, and you win with quarterbacks." (HSB)
Note: Hal Mumme voted UH in the coaches' poll and retired sportswriter Larry Keech voted UH #1 in the Harris poll.
Bloomquist did not have UH very high in his rankings early in the season, but:
"once teams stared losing, I moved them up quickly." (HSB)
About how he saw got to watch several of UH's games on TV, Bloomquist said:
"I got to see a lot of highlights, too. I do take schedules into account. But winning is certainly the biggest thing." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Bloomquist said he received four e-mails regarding his No. 1 vote for the Warriors. Three (two of them from Hawaii) applauded his choice. One criticized it."
About how they appreciate the #1 votes they got, but they are focused on winning games, Solomon Elimimian said:
"It's humbling to know that they think we're that good. We are a great team, we played against Coach Hal Mumme, so he would know. At the same time I don't know how much we care. We know we have to win this upcoming game. (The BCS ranking) matters, but it doesn't. We did all we can do and we let the chips fall where they may." (HSB)
Asked if they deserved a shot at the national title if they beat Georgia, Sol said:
"Honestly I don't know. It's very complicated. A lot of people don't know how good a team we are. If we beat Georgia, more people will come around and understand that Hawaii is a great team. We know we're a great team, and we know Georgia is a great team." (HSB)
Asked if UH should be #1, Jason Rivers said:
"I would say no, because these other teams have been good for a long time. We just started being good. Just like they paid their dues, we gotta pay our dues, too. You can't just come out of nowhere and go straight to the top. You gotta go through the ranks. At least some people are giving us respect." (HSB)
About Hal Mumme's #1 vote, JJ said:
"Hal respects what we've done and how we've done it." (HSB)
Asked if they deserve to be ranked #1 if they beat Georgia, JJ said:
"I don't have any feelings either way on that. We're just going to try to play our best. We'll have our hands full." (HSB)
"I expect Hawaii to win. I think they could beat Ohio State. I think they can line up with anyone in the country. Their offense can score against anyone, and you win with quarterbacks." (HSB)
Note: Hal Mumme voted UH in the coaches' poll and retired sportswriter Larry Keech voted UH #1 in the Harris poll.
Bloomquist did not have UH very high in his rankings early in the season, but:
"once teams stared losing, I moved them up quickly." (HSB)
About how he saw got to watch several of UH's games on TV, Bloomquist said:
"I got to see a lot of highlights, too. I do take schedules into account. But winning is certainly the biggest thing." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Bloomquist said he received four e-mails regarding his No. 1 vote for the Warriors. Three (two of them from Hawaii) applauded his choice. One criticized it."
About how they appreciate the #1 votes they got, but they are focused on winning games, Solomon Elimimian said:
"It's humbling to know that they think we're that good. We are a great team, we played against Coach Hal Mumme, so he would know. At the same time I don't know how much we care. We know we have to win this upcoming game. (The BCS ranking) matters, but it doesn't. We did all we can do and we let the chips fall where they may." (HSB)
Asked if they deserved a shot at the national title if they beat Georgia, Sol said:
"Honestly I don't know. It's very complicated. A lot of people don't know how good a team we are. If we beat Georgia, more people will come around and understand that Hawaii is a great team. We know we're a great team, and we know Georgia is a great team." (HSB)
Asked if UH should be #1, Jason Rivers said:
"I would say no, because these other teams have been good for a long time. We just started being good. Just like they paid their dues, we gotta pay our dues, too. You can't just come out of nowhere and go straight to the top. You gotta go through the ranks. At least some people are giving us respect." (HSB)
About Hal Mumme's #1 vote, JJ said:
"Hal respects what we've done and how we've done it." (HSB)
Asked if they deserve to be ranked #1 if they beat Georgia, JJ said:
"I don't have any feelings either way on that. We're just going to try to play our best. We'll have our hands full." (HSB)
Quotes about Colt going to New York for the Heisman Ceremony
About Colt being invited to New York as a Heisman finalist, JJ said:
"This is great for the state and the school. When has that ever happened for our school? Never. It'll probably never happen again." (HA)
Declining to comment, Colt said:
"I haven't received an official invitation. It might come (today), but I don't want to say anything now to make the Heisman committee mad." (HA)
HA Note: "But the Downtown Athletic Club of New York has booked a round-trip ticket for Brennan, who will depart tomorrow night."
About how Colt deserved this trip to New York, Adam Leonard said:
"He deserved to go to New York last year after the season he had. It's been overdue." (HA)
About Colt staying at UH instead of going to the NFL and how it paid off for him, JJ said:
"This was part of the decision. I told him if he came back, we'd have a chance to go undefeated. If we did that, with our last three or four games on ESPN, he'd have a chance (to be a Heisman finalist). All of that is coming true." (HA)
About how Colt deserves to win the Heisman, JJ added:
"We don't know if he'll win it. But he deserves to win it. He's the best player in the nation." (HA)
About how he would represent the entire state if he went to New York, Colt said:
"I don't represent myself. I represent my team, my teammates, the University of Hawai'i and the state. This will be a good opportunity for all of us." (HA)
About how he knew that Colt would make a late push for the Heisman, JJ said:
"We knew if we got through the last two (regular-season) games undefeated that was the only way he'd have a shot to win it. We accomplished that. I said all of America will see him the last two games on national TV, and they did, and he will get a shot." (HA)
About Colt making a late charge for the Heisman, Karl Benson said:
"If LSU and Ohio State can come out of nowhere in the last couple of weeks to play in the national championship game, there isn't any reason that Colt can't have that type of a last-minute charge. Look at the statistics, and the fact that he led his team to 12 wins. And Saturday night against Washington, he took the team on his back, and got them there." (HA)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He was the best player last year, and he should be the best this year. If I had him, we would get to the next level no matter what league it was in, and we'd get there in a hurry." (HA)
About how Colt is much better than Timmy Chang, Ken Taylor said:
"I love Timmy to death, and I've known him since he was 6 years old. When it comes to pure passing, it's Colt hands down." (HA)
HA Note: "Ken Taylor knows Brennan and Tebow personally. Taylor's son, Rick, is a UH slotback. Taylor was an assistant coach when Tebow was a senior at Nease High in Florida."
Taylor said that without Tebow Florida would not have a winning record, but if Colt played in Florida's offense:
"he's the Heisman Trophy winner hands down." (HA)
Taylor said that COlt's:
"accuracy is amazing. I've never seen a quarterback more accurate than Colt Brennan." (HA)
Rick Taylor has caught passes from Tebow and Colt and said that Colt's passes:
"are not too hard, not too soft. They're right there." (HA)
Rick Taylor said that Tebow has more arm strength but if he had to decide between the QBs:
"I'm going to have to go with Colt. That's my guy right now. They're both great quarterbacks, but Colt's my guy right now." (HA)
About how he won't be at the Heisman Ceremony with Colt, JJ said:
"I'm not going. I talked to (ESPN's) Chris Fowler about it, and he told me it's usually not coaches, just parents. I'd love to be there to support him, but it's his time to shine and there's no need for me to be there." (HSB)
"This is great for the state and the school. When has that ever happened for our school? Never. It'll probably never happen again." (HA)
Declining to comment, Colt said:
"I haven't received an official invitation. It might come (today), but I don't want to say anything now to make the Heisman committee mad." (HA)
HA Note: "But the Downtown Athletic Club of New York has booked a round-trip ticket for Brennan, who will depart tomorrow night."
About how Colt deserved this trip to New York, Adam Leonard said:
"He deserved to go to New York last year after the season he had. It's been overdue." (HA)
About Colt staying at UH instead of going to the NFL and how it paid off for him, JJ said:
"This was part of the decision. I told him if he came back, we'd have a chance to go undefeated. If we did that, with our last three or four games on ESPN, he'd have a chance (to be a Heisman finalist). All of that is coming true." (HA)
About how Colt deserves to win the Heisman, JJ added:
"We don't know if he'll win it. But he deserves to win it. He's the best player in the nation." (HA)
About how he would represent the entire state if he went to New York, Colt said:
"I don't represent myself. I represent my team, my teammates, the University of Hawai'i and the state. This will be a good opportunity for all of us." (HA)
About how he knew that Colt would make a late push for the Heisman, JJ said:
"We knew if we got through the last two (regular-season) games undefeated that was the only way he'd have a shot to win it. We accomplished that. I said all of America will see him the last two games on national TV, and they did, and he will get a shot." (HA)
About Colt making a late charge for the Heisman, Karl Benson said:
"If LSU and Ohio State can come out of nowhere in the last couple of weeks to play in the national championship game, there isn't any reason that Colt can't have that type of a last-minute charge. Look at the statistics, and the fact that he led his team to 12 wins. And Saturday night against Washington, he took the team on his back, and got them there." (HA)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"He was the best player last year, and he should be the best this year. If I had him, we would get to the next level no matter what league it was in, and we'd get there in a hurry." (HA)
About how Colt is much better than Timmy Chang, Ken Taylor said:
"I love Timmy to death, and I've known him since he was 6 years old. When it comes to pure passing, it's Colt hands down." (HA)
HA Note: "Ken Taylor knows Brennan and Tebow personally. Taylor's son, Rick, is a UH slotback. Taylor was an assistant coach when Tebow was a senior at Nease High in Florida."
Taylor said that without Tebow Florida would not have a winning record, but if Colt played in Florida's offense:
"he's the Heisman Trophy winner hands down." (HA)
Taylor said that COlt's:
"accuracy is amazing. I've never seen a quarterback more accurate than Colt Brennan." (HA)
Rick Taylor has caught passes from Tebow and Colt and said that Colt's passes:
"are not too hard, not too soft. They're right there." (HA)
Rick Taylor said that Tebow has more arm strength but if he had to decide between the QBs:
"I'm going to have to go with Colt. That's my guy right now. They're both great quarterbacks, but Colt's my guy right now." (HA)
About how he won't be at the Heisman Ceremony with Colt, JJ said:
"I'm not going. I talked to (ESPN's) Chris Fowler about it, and he told me it's usually not coaches, just parents. I'd love to be there to support him, but it's his time to shine and there's no need for me to be there." (HSB)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
UH-Georgia Quotes from Tuesday night
AJC = Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FHT = Florida Herald Tribune
USA = USA Today
NOLA = New Orleans Times-Picayune
RAB = redandblack.com (Georgia's student newspaper)
SOA = Spirit of Aloha (Aloha Airlines' in-flight magazine)
About the importance of getting into a BCS Bowl, JJ said:
"This puts us on the map and says a lot about what we've been able to accomplish here. We've been to bowl games seven of the last nine years but never one like this. I'm really excited and proud for the entire state of Hawaii. Our kids have been on an unbelievable run and believe they can compete with anybody. Our team's success has allowed Colt Brennan a chance to win the Heisman Trophy, and that's a huge bonus." (USA)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"Colt Brennan was the best player in American last year, and he's the best player this year. What he did against Washington he's done all season." (USA)
About how they aren't afraid to play anybody and how JJ wishes there was a playoff after the bowl games, JJ said:
"Out kids believe they can beat anybody, and we would have liked to play (top-ranked) Ohio State. But that said, this is a tremendous opportunity for us. I kind of wish that after the championship game there was another game, so if you won your bowl you had a chance to play again. I think Boise would have been in that discussion last year, and maybe we could be this year." (USA)
Expecting a lot of fans at the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
Our whole state is going to be there. We'll have people from Chicago, Hawaiians from New York, from everywhere in the southeast they'll be coming to New Orleans. It's just going to be a great experience, not just for my kids, but for our whole state." (NOLA)
About their offense, Colt said:
"It's a one-of-a-kind offense." (RAB)
Colt added that he's been:
"blessed with by far the best receiving corps in the country." (RAB)
Praising the SEC, Colt said:
"Obviously the SEC talent across the board is superb - it's what they consider the best in college football. We're coming up against a monster ... I'm expecting a dogfight and for us to fight for everything we get." (RAB)
Praising Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, Colt said:
"He's awesome. He's got a quick release, he's accurate, he's got a big-time receiving corps. They're playing great." (RAB)
About how Boise State's win in the Fiesta Bowl last year help their BCS chances this year, Colt said:
"What (Boise State) did was a big stepping stone for all the mid-majors. There's no doubt in my mind that if they didn't do what they did last year and because of our schedule (this year), there's a good chance we may not have expected to be allowed into a BCS game. I think (BCS officials) are all right now with letting one mid-major team play with the big boys." (RAB)
About how the Pac-10 and SEC might have the best talent, but some of the best football is played in the WAC because they play as a team, Colt said:
"What makes a good football team is not the athletes, but how well you play as a team. Obviously the Pac-10s and the SECs of the nation have the best talent, but some of the best football is played in the WAC. There's no doubt about that." (RAB)
About UH's offense, Georgia coach Mark Richt said about his defensive coordinator Willie Martinez:
"I'm not sure coach Martinez will sleep. The numbers are very, very impressive and imposing even." (FHT)
About how UH will be hard to beat, Richt said:
“Teams that are used to winning are hard to beat.” (AJC)
About how he lobbied to get into the national title game, Richt said:
"I needed to say what I could say to try and sway the vote because it is a popularity contest. And it's kind of a beauty contest and politicking was the only thing I felt like I could do. If nothing else to the let the players know that I love them and care about them. I wanted the team and the Bulldog nation to know I was going to fight and try and get into that game because that's goal of everybody across this country. I know Coach Jones' team being undefeated feel like they could have and should have a chance to play for the national championship. Why not them? It's just one of those wacky years when everybody got a chance to filibuster a little bit. And we just didn't have enough to stand on." (NOLA)
About how his team will be ready for UH, Richt said:
"The guys are going to be extremely excited. My gosh, it's going to be a whole month before we play, and that's plenty of time to get jacked up about a ballgame." (USA)
About playing in their 3rd Sugar Bowl in 6 years, Richt said:
"I'm very excited about this opportunity, I know our team is. Gosh, Oct. 6 after Tennessee we didn't think we would even make it to a bowl game. We were hoping to get bowl eligible at that point. To kind of catch fire like we did was a tremendous thing for our program. Now we get the chance to play the only undefeated team in the United States." (NOLA)
Praising Colt, Richt joked that he:
"has thrown more touchdowns than anyone in the history of the world." (RAB)
Not sounding confident that they would sell out their 17,500 allocation, HF said:
"We expect a pretty good showing in New Orleans, even though it is far away from us. We will talk to the Sugar Bowl in the next couple days about how we should do with that allotment. To say that we are going to sell 17,500 could be a reach. But we certainly will talk to the Sugar Bowl on how we handle that." (NOLA)
About why he bonded right away with JJ when they met in 1977 when JJ was an NFL free agent QB, Leigh Steinberg said:
“June is my type of guy. He is a Leonardo-type man of all seasons. He reads books and newspapers. He had theories on economics and religion, sports and theology. He followed the stock market. He put me into investments, like the plastic eggs that hold prizes in vending machines, and we made a killing. He had a probing, intellectual mind. It could be opal mines in Brazil, plastic eggs, DMSO, which smelled god-awful … he is just a completely intriguing character.” (SOA)
SOA Note: "So in 1999 when June Jones turned to Leigh to help him with Hawai‘i football, he wasn’t knocking on the door of a super agent, he was merely seeking wisdom and counsel from a long-trusted friend."
About how JJ and he sold Hawaii to help turn their football team around, Steinberg said:
“Hawai‘i is a special place. The scent of flowers, the spirituality, the magic and the warmth you can instantly feel. These people are some of the most loving on the face of the earth. There are no strangers. It’s unlike anything else. The ocean, the birds, the land—the inner peace—this football team had to stand for all of those things.” (SOA)
About how they had to change the product of UH football to change the perception of the team, Steinberg said:
“We had to re-envision what the product could be. Any time you bring about change to the product, there’s always some resistance. But we were less concerned with stepping on toes and more concerned with what the football program and athletic program could be from a marketing standpoint. How could we re-energize the revenue sources? How could the Athletic Department become competitive with Mainland programs in the 21st century? How could it pull major corporate sponsors?” (SOA)
About how they decided on the process of change, Steinberg said:
“A sporting experience has a process. Watching a game live—how could we attract more fans in the stands? How could we improve the game experience? The process of watching it on TV—how can we make that a better experience for the television viewer or for the potential recruit? How can we take advantage of the positioning in the Pacific Rim? How can we bring in athletes from Japan and China to broaden our demographics? Can we have later start times that would enable us to have a Mainland TV package?” (SOA)
SOA Note: "Jones and Steinberg sketched out a plan. No longer would Hawaiian, Samoan and Polynesian players be the exception—they would become the rule. You play Hawai‘i, you play Hawai‘i. They pitched ESPN on a late-night TV package. ESPN loved the idea. Jones started lobbing political footballs to reduce or eliminate his million-dollar overhead at Aloha Stadium. Due to bureaucracy, that one would take some time. To develop a new brand, they turned to Kaua‘i native and Kapa‘a High School graduate Kurt Osaki. An award-winning designer, Osaki’s signature works included new logos and uniforms for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens."
About his meeting with JJ, Osaki said:
“When I asked June what his goals were for the program and the brand, he said, ‘To win a national championship at the University of Hawai‘i.’ I’ll never forget it.” (SOA)
SOA Note: "Everyone agreed the new brand should pupukahi i holomua—or unite and move forward. Over an eight-month period, Osaki’s firm interviewed more than 200 people who represented a cross-section of the University and the local community. First, they arrived at the “tapa,” where the three triangles represent “body, mind and spirit,” as well as teamwork. In Hawaiian culture, three symbolizes teamwork; if one stumbles, two remain to support a fallen comrade in the true spirit of ‘ohana.
Second, they settled on the “H,” which immediately embraced the entire state—outer islands included—as well as the program. Like the Tennessee “T” or the Michigan “M,” the “H” would be the traditional Hawai‘i monogram.
Third, they selected green as a color of growth and hope, in the same shade as the lush green valley of Mänoa. Silver was taken from the shimmering reflections of the daily rainfall. Black was added for accent and contrast, and the package was complete.
Next on the agenda was music. June had met five-time Grammy and Emmy award-winning composer Mike Post on the golf course, and he didn’t hesitate to call his friend. Post had owned property in Hawai‘i for nearly three decades, and he leapt at the opportunity to do something for the University. He produced theme songs for starting lineups, kickoffs and goal-line stands. The unmistakable beating of drums and warrior chants would now resonate through Aloha Stadium like thunder in support of the new Warriors.
Post donated his award-winning compositions (all of which can be heard on warriorsrespond.com) to the University at no charge."
About how he later added silver road helmets to extend the UH brand, JJ said aobut the changes:
“Recruits get off the plane wearing our stuff when they visit us. Overnight, we became one of the hottest properties in college sports.” (SOA)
About how other Universities called him to request that he help them with something "as powerful and recognizable" as what he had done for UH, Osaki said:
“It’s my proudest accomplishment." (SOA)
SOA Note: "Not everyone instantly agreed. Purists blasted Jones for discarding the once-beloved Rainbow. Local TV news anchor Joe Moore, livid after Jones scrapped the music from Hawai‘i Five-0, would chastise Jones early and often on the air. The definition of a pioneer, however, is a man with arrows in his back; Jones ignored his detractors and simply forged ahead."
Smiling as he thinks of JJ's accomplishments, Steinberg said:
“When he took the job, people simply overlooked the considerable resources June has. If we trace all the way back through this story, you have all of the people that June has worked with, like me, or coached, like Warren Moon, as part of the Hawai‘i package. They not only got a great coach, but they got the biggest names and marketing people in sports. We beat the drums. We changed the logo. We reshaped the literature. We re-branded the program. Jones epitomizes the pride of Hawai‘i. He took risks. He took criticism. But don’t forget—he made the right decisions, not necessarily the popular ones at those times.” (SOA)
FHT = Florida Herald Tribune
USA = USA Today
NOLA = New Orleans Times-Picayune
RAB = redandblack.com (Georgia's student newspaper)
SOA = Spirit of Aloha (Aloha Airlines' in-flight magazine)
About the importance of getting into a BCS Bowl, JJ said:
"This puts us on the map and says a lot about what we've been able to accomplish here. We've been to bowl games seven of the last nine years but never one like this. I'm really excited and proud for the entire state of Hawaii. Our kids have been on an unbelievable run and believe they can compete with anybody. Our team's success has allowed Colt Brennan a chance to win the Heisman Trophy, and that's a huge bonus." (USA)
Praising Colt, JJ said:
"Colt Brennan was the best player in American last year, and he's the best player this year. What he did against Washington he's done all season." (USA)
About how they aren't afraid to play anybody and how JJ wishes there was a playoff after the bowl games, JJ said:
"Out kids believe they can beat anybody, and we would have liked to play (top-ranked) Ohio State. But that said, this is a tremendous opportunity for us. I kind of wish that after the championship game there was another game, so if you won your bowl you had a chance to play again. I think Boise would have been in that discussion last year, and maybe we could be this year." (USA)
Expecting a lot of fans at the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
Our whole state is going to be there. We'll have people from Chicago, Hawaiians from New York, from everywhere in the southeast they'll be coming to New Orleans. It's just going to be a great experience, not just for my kids, but for our whole state." (NOLA)
About their offense, Colt said:
"It's a one-of-a-kind offense." (RAB)
Colt added that he's been:
"blessed with by far the best receiving corps in the country." (RAB)
Praising the SEC, Colt said:
"Obviously the SEC talent across the board is superb - it's what they consider the best in college football. We're coming up against a monster ... I'm expecting a dogfight and for us to fight for everything we get." (RAB)
Praising Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, Colt said:
"He's awesome. He's got a quick release, he's accurate, he's got a big-time receiving corps. They're playing great." (RAB)
About how Boise State's win in the Fiesta Bowl last year help their BCS chances this year, Colt said:
"What (Boise State) did was a big stepping stone for all the mid-majors. There's no doubt in my mind that if they didn't do what they did last year and because of our schedule (this year), there's a good chance we may not have expected to be allowed into a BCS game. I think (BCS officials) are all right now with letting one mid-major team play with the big boys." (RAB)
About how the Pac-10 and SEC might have the best talent, but some of the best football is played in the WAC because they play as a team, Colt said:
"What makes a good football team is not the athletes, but how well you play as a team. Obviously the Pac-10s and the SECs of the nation have the best talent, but some of the best football is played in the WAC. There's no doubt about that." (RAB)
About UH's offense, Georgia coach Mark Richt said about his defensive coordinator Willie Martinez:
"I'm not sure coach Martinez will sleep. The numbers are very, very impressive and imposing even." (FHT)
About how UH will be hard to beat, Richt said:
“Teams that are used to winning are hard to beat.” (AJC)
About how he lobbied to get into the national title game, Richt said:
"I needed to say what I could say to try and sway the vote because it is a popularity contest. And it's kind of a beauty contest and politicking was the only thing I felt like I could do. If nothing else to the let the players know that I love them and care about them. I wanted the team and the Bulldog nation to know I was going to fight and try and get into that game because that's goal of everybody across this country. I know Coach Jones' team being undefeated feel like they could have and should have a chance to play for the national championship. Why not them? It's just one of those wacky years when everybody got a chance to filibuster a little bit. And we just didn't have enough to stand on." (NOLA)
About how his team will be ready for UH, Richt said:
"The guys are going to be extremely excited. My gosh, it's going to be a whole month before we play, and that's plenty of time to get jacked up about a ballgame." (USA)
About playing in their 3rd Sugar Bowl in 6 years, Richt said:
"I'm very excited about this opportunity, I know our team is. Gosh, Oct. 6 after Tennessee we didn't think we would even make it to a bowl game. We were hoping to get bowl eligible at that point. To kind of catch fire like we did was a tremendous thing for our program. Now we get the chance to play the only undefeated team in the United States." (NOLA)
Praising Colt, Richt joked that he:
"has thrown more touchdowns than anyone in the history of the world." (RAB)
Not sounding confident that they would sell out their 17,500 allocation, HF said:
"We expect a pretty good showing in New Orleans, even though it is far away from us. We will talk to the Sugar Bowl in the next couple days about how we should do with that allotment. To say that we are going to sell 17,500 could be a reach. But we certainly will talk to the Sugar Bowl on how we handle that." (NOLA)
About why he bonded right away with JJ when they met in 1977 when JJ was an NFL free agent QB, Leigh Steinberg said:
“June is my type of guy. He is a Leonardo-type man of all seasons. He reads books and newspapers. He had theories on economics and religion, sports and theology. He followed the stock market. He put me into investments, like the plastic eggs that hold prizes in vending machines, and we made a killing. He had a probing, intellectual mind. It could be opal mines in Brazil, plastic eggs, DMSO, which smelled god-awful … he is just a completely intriguing character.” (SOA)
SOA Note: "So in 1999 when June Jones turned to Leigh to help him with Hawai‘i football, he wasn’t knocking on the door of a super agent, he was merely seeking wisdom and counsel from a long-trusted friend."
About how JJ and he sold Hawaii to help turn their football team around, Steinberg said:
“Hawai‘i is a special place. The scent of flowers, the spirituality, the magic and the warmth you can instantly feel. These people are some of the most loving on the face of the earth. There are no strangers. It’s unlike anything else. The ocean, the birds, the land—the inner peace—this football team had to stand for all of those things.” (SOA)
About how they had to change the product of UH football to change the perception of the team, Steinberg said:
“We had to re-envision what the product could be. Any time you bring about change to the product, there’s always some resistance. But we were less concerned with stepping on toes and more concerned with what the football program and athletic program could be from a marketing standpoint. How could we re-energize the revenue sources? How could the Athletic Department become competitive with Mainland programs in the 21st century? How could it pull major corporate sponsors?” (SOA)
About how they decided on the process of change, Steinberg said:
“A sporting experience has a process. Watching a game live—how could we attract more fans in the stands? How could we improve the game experience? The process of watching it on TV—how can we make that a better experience for the television viewer or for the potential recruit? How can we take advantage of the positioning in the Pacific Rim? How can we bring in athletes from Japan and China to broaden our demographics? Can we have later start times that would enable us to have a Mainland TV package?” (SOA)
SOA Note: "Jones and Steinberg sketched out a plan. No longer would Hawaiian, Samoan and Polynesian players be the exception—they would become the rule. You play Hawai‘i, you play Hawai‘i. They pitched ESPN on a late-night TV package. ESPN loved the idea. Jones started lobbing political footballs to reduce or eliminate his million-dollar overhead at Aloha Stadium. Due to bureaucracy, that one would take some time. To develop a new brand, they turned to Kaua‘i native and Kapa‘a High School graduate Kurt Osaki. An award-winning designer, Osaki’s signature works included new logos and uniforms for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens."
About his meeting with JJ, Osaki said:
“When I asked June what his goals were for the program and the brand, he said, ‘To win a national championship at the University of Hawai‘i.’ I’ll never forget it.” (SOA)
SOA Note: "Everyone agreed the new brand should pupukahi i holomua—or unite and move forward. Over an eight-month period, Osaki’s firm interviewed more than 200 people who represented a cross-section of the University and the local community. First, they arrived at the “tapa,” where the three triangles represent “body, mind and spirit,” as well as teamwork. In Hawaiian culture, three symbolizes teamwork; if one stumbles, two remain to support a fallen comrade in the true spirit of ‘ohana.
Second, they settled on the “H,” which immediately embraced the entire state—outer islands included—as well as the program. Like the Tennessee “T” or the Michigan “M,” the “H” would be the traditional Hawai‘i monogram.
Third, they selected green as a color of growth and hope, in the same shade as the lush green valley of Mänoa. Silver was taken from the shimmering reflections of the daily rainfall. Black was added for accent and contrast, and the package was complete.
Next on the agenda was music. June had met five-time Grammy and Emmy award-winning composer Mike Post on the golf course, and he didn’t hesitate to call his friend. Post had owned property in Hawai‘i for nearly three decades, and he leapt at the opportunity to do something for the University. He produced theme songs for starting lineups, kickoffs and goal-line stands. The unmistakable beating of drums and warrior chants would now resonate through Aloha Stadium like thunder in support of the new Warriors.
Post donated his award-winning compositions (all of which can be heard on warriorsrespond.com) to the University at no charge."
About how he later added silver road helmets to extend the UH brand, JJ said aobut the changes:
“Recruits get off the plane wearing our stuff when they visit us. Overnight, we became one of the hottest properties in college sports.” (SOA)
About how other Universities called him to request that he help them with something "as powerful and recognizable" as what he had done for UH, Osaki said:
“It’s my proudest accomplishment." (SOA)
SOA Note: "Not everyone instantly agreed. Purists blasted Jones for discarding the once-beloved Rainbow. Local TV news anchor Joe Moore, livid after Jones scrapped the music from Hawai‘i Five-0, would chastise Jones early and often on the air. The definition of a pioneer, however, is a man with arrows in his back; Jones ignored his detractors and simply forged ahead."
Smiling as he thinks of JJ's accomplishments, Steinberg said:
“When he took the job, people simply overlooked the considerable resources June has. If we trace all the way back through this story, you have all of the people that June has worked with, like me, or coached, like Warren Moon, as part of the Hawai‘i package. They not only got a great coach, but they got the biggest names and marketing people in sports. We beat the drums. We changed the logo. We reshaped the literature. We re-branded the program. Jones epitomizes the pride of Hawai‘i. He took risks. He took criticism. But don’t forget—he made the right decisions, not necessarily the popular ones at those times.” (SOA)
Quotes from Tuesday morning
About his comments comparing Colt and Tebow, JJ said:
"My quarterback is the best college football player in America. I did not add Tebow's team has three loses or is not in a BCS game. …The bottom line is I irritated them because they knew I was right. But I did get a whole bunch of emails and calls from Florida State people that said 'Thanks for finally saying that.'" (Tampa Tribune)
Clarifying his comments about Tebow, JJ said:
"I'll probably get a little more (heat). My intent was not to demean Tim Tebow in anyway. ... My point was my quarterback has been labeled a system player, for three years. (Brennan is) the best passer in college football history. Tim Tebow is in a system. The last quarterback that was in that system ... Alex Smith (was) talented, but I didn't see him in an NFL passing deal. Colt Brennan plays in an NFL passing game. You can dial it up and see it's not a system. And Tim Tebow's system is a college system. He's a great quarterback, probably win another national championship, he's competitive, he's all those things. But a lot of his stuff comes off little dive fakes and all different kinds of things that he's not going to do in the National Football League. That's my point." (HSB)
About the ESPN guys Herbstreit and Tirico were saying that Tebow set a record for being responsible for 53 TDs when Colt threw 58 TD passes and ran for 5 more last season, JJ said:
"I said, 'I got my point across, you guys ripped me a new one yesterday, but I'll say it again and stand by what I said.' I irritated them because they knew I was right." (HSB)
Asked if he would wear a coat and tie to the formal Heisman ceremony if Colt was invited, JJ said:
"I'll have to get fitted." (HSB)
As his phone buzzed when he was leaving the press conference, JJ said:
"More guys from Florida." (HSB)
About JJ's comments supporting him, Colt said:
"He's a good guy, you know, I think he might be the best coach in the nation. But I think Coach Jones is like that, he takes extreme pride. It's funny, I never heard him say face-to-face anything, really, like that. He's always been great to me, but he's always on me and always pushes me. It's cool when he goes out and does that stuff." (HSB)
About how JJ was trying to support him and not criticize Tebow, Colt said:
"I know he wasn't taking any shots at Tim Tebow. I've heard him say great things about Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow is a great quarterback, he most likely will win the Heisman Trophy. But I think Coach Jones is very strongly trying to take away that whole system thing (on me), and just let the players be players." (HSB)
Asked how he would do in the run-and-shoot, Tebow said:
“I ran it a little bit in high school, and my numbers weren’t too bad there. I don’t know, I guess it depends on your system.” (Tampa Tribune)
Calling Colt a system QB, Tebow said:
“I think he’s a good quarterback, and [he] runs a good system.” (Tampa Tribune)
TT Note: "Tebow used the word “system” three more times in the interview, putting a dab of extra mustard on the word each time he said it."
About how the WAC created (at his urging) a special award for their record-setting offense, Colt said:
"That is awesome, dude." (HA)
HA Note: "Eleven Warriors were named to the All-WAC first team: Brennan, slotbacks Ryan Grice-Mullins and Davone Bess, center John Estes, left guard Hercules Satele, defensive end David Veikune, defensive tackle Michael Lafaele, linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian, cornerback Myron Newberry, and kicker Dan Kelly. Left wideout Jason Rivers was the lone Warrior on the second team. June Jones was named Coach of the Year, and Brennan was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year."
About how he asked Karl Benson if he could share his Offensive Player of the Year award with the entire Warriors' offense, Colt said:
"I said, 'If there's any way we could collectively win this award, I'd really appreciate it.'" (HA)
About how Colt was to share the recognition with his teammates, John Estes said:
"Colt is so unselfish. He would do anything for this team." (HA)
HA Note: "The WAC, as it turned out, listened, creating an "Offensive Unit of the Year." Brennan and the starting receivers — Bess, Grice-Mullins, Rivers and right wideout C.J. Hawthorne — were mentioned specifically. The Warriors lead the nation in scoring, averaging 46.17 points per game."
About how he felt he got too much credit, Colt said:
"The way the game of football goes, the quarterback sometimes just gets too much love. I missed two games this year. I got knocked out of two games. Those are four games we won not because of me. There's no way I can honestly take a single award. I knew just because of the way the season went, the way it ended, people would want to give me a lot of credit. But the credit goes to the O-line and especially that receiving corps. And Tyler (Graunke, the backup quarterback) stepped in and won a game. They were the most valuable offensive unit in the WAC. I'm grateful the WAC recognized that, and glad they created the award." (HA)
About Colt lobbying to get an award for their offense, Bess said:
"We give a lot of credit to Colt. He lobbied for us to get the award. At the same time, we give a lot of credit to our teammates and our coaches for putting us in positions to make plays." (HA)
About their team-first attitude, RGM said:
"Everything we do, we do as a team." (HA)
About moving from RG last season to C this season, All-WAC sophomore C John Estes said:
"I think center is my natural position, anyway. I give a lot of credit to coach (Dennis) McKnight. He helped me out, and gave me a lot of great advice." (HA)
All-WAC senior G Hercules Satele talked about how their hard work paid off:
"All of the hard work from the summer has paid off. Look at our season. It's been a lot of fun." (HA)
After earning conference honors despite not starting their games (though he leads the Warriors with 7 sacks), Veikune credited their change to a 4-3 D under GM for making his success possible:
"I'm thankful for the recognition. This scheme gives me more opportunities to make plays." (HA)
Praising their DL for making their success possible, Solomon Elimimian said:
"The D-line does a great job of keeping guys off of (the linebackers)." (HA)
After being informed about his All-WAC first team recognition, Adam Leonard said:
"I feel blessed for the opportunity to make plays." (HA)
After getting All-WAC first team, Myron Newberry (tied with Adam for the team lead with 4 INTs, often isolated against the opponent's best WR) said:
"I set a goal for myself to get All-WAC. I guess it happened. It's a great honor. I worked my butt off all spring and all summer to try to get to where we are now." (HA)
Looking forward to playing in another big game, Jason Rivers said:
"It's the same thing when we played Arizona State and Washington. I'm anxious to go up there and see what they have to offer us as far as competition is concerned, the level of play they have. I know they're an excellent team ... just inches away from being in a national title game. It's going to be a good test for us." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In three Hawaii bowls, Rivers has 42 catches for 599 yards and six touchdowns. In three games against Pac-10 teams, he has 30 receptions for 487 yards and seven scores. After Saturday's four-TD, 14-reception, 167-yard effort against Washington, Rivers became UH's third 1,000-yard receiver this season, tying the NCAA record."
About how they won't have any problem getting up to prepare for Georgia, Rivers said:
"We get back to work today. I don't think anyone's going to gear down because there's just too much excitement and everybody's geared up for the game. Nobody's going to stop working now." (HSB)
About being able to end his UH career at the Sugar Bowl, just a 45-minute drive from his home, C.J. Hawthorne said:
"It's supernatural, I don't think anything will happen again ever like this. It's extraordinary." (HSB)
HSB Note: "His past is one many people would have trouble escaping, let alone returning to face. But the Warriors' unprecedented success has brought him back. It will be his first return home since the summer of 2006, when the Gulf Coast area still struggled to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. That hurricane was just a minor blip compared to other storms he's endured. Hawthorne's parents separated when he was 11, and his mother, Clemencia Williams, left the lives of C.J. and six of his seven siblings when he was in high school. His father, Jerry, died while C.J. was playing junior college ball along the Gulf Coast, and never got to see him play at the Division I level. Various tragedies have befallen several of his siblings over the years, as they were left to fend for themselves."
About how he'll cherish his Warrior career and being the first in his family to get a college degree, Hawthorne said:
"A lot of stuff happened, but I've been so blessed, and I'm going to be the first one (in the family) to graduate. Even this whole journey has given a lot of people back home hope."
He and his fellow offensive skill-position starters were named recipients of the Western Athletic Conference's first Offensive Unit of the Year Award yesterday (quarterback Colt Brennan, and receivers Hawthorne, Jason Rivers, Ryan Grice-Mullins and Davone Bess).
About the tough times Hawthorne has had in his life, Jason Rivers said:
"He's been over here, he's trusted in whatever he saw in our program to leave his life and come over here and share it with us. We've taken him in, and he talks about his family all the time. I'm sure it's very special and meaningful that he gets to play over there in front of his family and friends." (HSB)
Praising Hawthorne, Colt said:
"Here's a young man who had a rough childhood growing up, he's already married with his son, he's a college student. And he's really been nickel-and-diming his way through life for the past couple of years. For him to have this experience and this opportunity, it feels great for us guys who have had it a lot easier in life, to see him be rewarded and get something he deserves, we're just thankful that he gets to go home." (HSB)
HSB Note: "June Jones, the WAC Coach of the Year, said that Hawthorne would be able to take a personal day to visit family after the Sugar Bowl. Virtually all of Hawthorne's family still lives in Mississippi. Two of Hawthorne's brothers and one of his sisters will attend the game. He doesn't expect his mother to be there. She hasn't seen him play on national television yet."
About how his mother is proud of him, Hawthorne said:
"She's proud of me, I know she is. Football's not really her thing, you know. I've talked to her during the season, like, four times. It's all right though. A lot of times, people just go through so much. And when she sits down and thinks about it, I think she's real proud of me." (HSB)
About UH's undefeated season not giving them a chance to play for the championship, sportswriter and National Public Radio commentator John Feinstein said:
"There's no (other) sport in the world, including tiddlywinks, where you can go undefeated in something and not have the opportunity to play for a championship." (HSB)
"My quarterback is the best college football player in America. I did not add Tebow's team has three loses or is not in a BCS game. …The bottom line is I irritated them because they knew I was right. But I did get a whole bunch of emails and calls from Florida State people that said 'Thanks for finally saying that.'" (Tampa Tribune)
Clarifying his comments about Tebow, JJ said:
"I'll probably get a little more (heat). My intent was not to demean Tim Tebow in anyway. ... My point was my quarterback has been labeled a system player, for three years. (Brennan is) the best passer in college football history. Tim Tebow is in a system. The last quarterback that was in that system ... Alex Smith (was) talented, but I didn't see him in an NFL passing deal. Colt Brennan plays in an NFL passing game. You can dial it up and see it's not a system. And Tim Tebow's system is a college system. He's a great quarterback, probably win another national championship, he's competitive, he's all those things. But a lot of his stuff comes off little dive fakes and all different kinds of things that he's not going to do in the National Football League. That's my point." (HSB)
About the ESPN guys Herbstreit and Tirico were saying that Tebow set a record for being responsible for 53 TDs when Colt threw 58 TD passes and ran for 5 more last season, JJ said:
"I said, 'I got my point across, you guys ripped me a new one yesterday, but I'll say it again and stand by what I said.' I irritated them because they knew I was right." (HSB)
Asked if he would wear a coat and tie to the formal Heisman ceremony if Colt was invited, JJ said:
"I'll have to get fitted." (HSB)
As his phone buzzed when he was leaving the press conference, JJ said:
"More guys from Florida." (HSB)
About JJ's comments supporting him, Colt said:
"He's a good guy, you know, I think he might be the best coach in the nation. But I think Coach Jones is like that, he takes extreme pride. It's funny, I never heard him say face-to-face anything, really, like that. He's always been great to me, but he's always on me and always pushes me. It's cool when he goes out and does that stuff." (HSB)
About how JJ was trying to support him and not criticize Tebow, Colt said:
"I know he wasn't taking any shots at Tim Tebow. I've heard him say great things about Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow is a great quarterback, he most likely will win the Heisman Trophy. But I think Coach Jones is very strongly trying to take away that whole system thing (on me), and just let the players be players." (HSB)
Asked how he would do in the run-and-shoot, Tebow said:
“I ran it a little bit in high school, and my numbers weren’t too bad there. I don’t know, I guess it depends on your system.” (Tampa Tribune)
Calling Colt a system QB, Tebow said:
“I think he’s a good quarterback, and [he] runs a good system.” (Tampa Tribune)
TT Note: "Tebow used the word “system” three more times in the interview, putting a dab of extra mustard on the word each time he said it."
About how the WAC created (at his urging) a special award for their record-setting offense, Colt said:
"That is awesome, dude." (HA)
HA Note: "Eleven Warriors were named to the All-WAC first team: Brennan, slotbacks Ryan Grice-Mullins and Davone Bess, center John Estes, left guard Hercules Satele, defensive end David Veikune, defensive tackle Michael Lafaele, linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian, cornerback Myron Newberry, and kicker Dan Kelly. Left wideout Jason Rivers was the lone Warrior on the second team. June Jones was named Coach of the Year, and Brennan was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year."
About how he asked Karl Benson if he could share his Offensive Player of the Year award with the entire Warriors' offense, Colt said:
"I said, 'If there's any way we could collectively win this award, I'd really appreciate it.'" (HA)
About how Colt was to share the recognition with his teammates, John Estes said:
"Colt is so unselfish. He would do anything for this team." (HA)
HA Note: "The WAC, as it turned out, listened, creating an "Offensive Unit of the Year." Brennan and the starting receivers — Bess, Grice-Mullins, Rivers and right wideout C.J. Hawthorne — were mentioned specifically. The Warriors lead the nation in scoring, averaging 46.17 points per game."
About how he felt he got too much credit, Colt said:
"The way the game of football goes, the quarterback sometimes just gets too much love. I missed two games this year. I got knocked out of two games. Those are four games we won not because of me. There's no way I can honestly take a single award. I knew just because of the way the season went, the way it ended, people would want to give me a lot of credit. But the credit goes to the O-line and especially that receiving corps. And Tyler (Graunke, the backup quarterback) stepped in and won a game. They were the most valuable offensive unit in the WAC. I'm grateful the WAC recognized that, and glad they created the award." (HA)
About Colt lobbying to get an award for their offense, Bess said:
"We give a lot of credit to Colt. He lobbied for us to get the award. At the same time, we give a lot of credit to our teammates and our coaches for putting us in positions to make plays." (HA)
About their team-first attitude, RGM said:
"Everything we do, we do as a team." (HA)
About moving from RG last season to C this season, All-WAC sophomore C John Estes said:
"I think center is my natural position, anyway. I give a lot of credit to coach (Dennis) McKnight. He helped me out, and gave me a lot of great advice." (HA)
All-WAC senior G Hercules Satele talked about how their hard work paid off:
"All of the hard work from the summer has paid off. Look at our season. It's been a lot of fun." (HA)
After earning conference honors despite not starting their games (though he leads the Warriors with 7 sacks), Veikune credited their change to a 4-3 D under GM for making his success possible:
"I'm thankful for the recognition. This scheme gives me more opportunities to make plays." (HA)
Praising their DL for making their success possible, Solomon Elimimian said:
"The D-line does a great job of keeping guys off of (the linebackers)." (HA)
After being informed about his All-WAC first team recognition, Adam Leonard said:
"I feel blessed for the opportunity to make plays." (HA)
After getting All-WAC first team, Myron Newberry (tied with Adam for the team lead with 4 INTs, often isolated against the opponent's best WR) said:
"I set a goal for myself to get All-WAC. I guess it happened. It's a great honor. I worked my butt off all spring and all summer to try to get to where we are now." (HA)
Looking forward to playing in another big game, Jason Rivers said:
"It's the same thing when we played Arizona State and Washington. I'm anxious to go up there and see what they have to offer us as far as competition is concerned, the level of play they have. I know they're an excellent team ... just inches away from being in a national title game. It's going to be a good test for us." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In three Hawaii bowls, Rivers has 42 catches for 599 yards and six touchdowns. In three games against Pac-10 teams, he has 30 receptions for 487 yards and seven scores. After Saturday's four-TD, 14-reception, 167-yard effort against Washington, Rivers became UH's third 1,000-yard receiver this season, tying the NCAA record."
About how they won't have any problem getting up to prepare for Georgia, Rivers said:
"We get back to work today. I don't think anyone's going to gear down because there's just too much excitement and everybody's geared up for the game. Nobody's going to stop working now." (HSB)
About being able to end his UH career at the Sugar Bowl, just a 45-minute drive from his home, C.J. Hawthorne said:
"It's supernatural, I don't think anything will happen again ever like this. It's extraordinary." (HSB)
HSB Note: "His past is one many people would have trouble escaping, let alone returning to face. But the Warriors' unprecedented success has brought him back. It will be his first return home since the summer of 2006, when the Gulf Coast area still struggled to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. That hurricane was just a minor blip compared to other storms he's endured. Hawthorne's parents separated when he was 11, and his mother, Clemencia Williams, left the lives of C.J. and six of his seven siblings when he was in high school. His father, Jerry, died while C.J. was playing junior college ball along the Gulf Coast, and never got to see him play at the Division I level. Various tragedies have befallen several of his siblings over the years, as they were left to fend for themselves."
About how he'll cherish his Warrior career and being the first in his family to get a college degree, Hawthorne said:
"A lot of stuff happened, but I've been so blessed, and I'm going to be the first one (in the family) to graduate. Even this whole journey has given a lot of people back home hope."
He and his fellow offensive skill-position starters were named recipients of the Western Athletic Conference's first Offensive Unit of the Year Award yesterday (quarterback Colt Brennan, and receivers Hawthorne, Jason Rivers, Ryan Grice-Mullins and Davone Bess).
About the tough times Hawthorne has had in his life, Jason Rivers said:
"He's been over here, he's trusted in whatever he saw in our program to leave his life and come over here and share it with us. We've taken him in, and he talks about his family all the time. I'm sure it's very special and meaningful that he gets to play over there in front of his family and friends." (HSB)
Praising Hawthorne, Colt said:
"Here's a young man who had a rough childhood growing up, he's already married with his son, he's a college student. And he's really been nickel-and-diming his way through life for the past couple of years. For him to have this experience and this opportunity, it feels great for us guys who have had it a lot easier in life, to see him be rewarded and get something he deserves, we're just thankful that he gets to go home." (HSB)
HSB Note: "June Jones, the WAC Coach of the Year, said that Hawthorne would be able to take a personal day to visit family after the Sugar Bowl. Virtually all of Hawthorne's family still lives in Mississippi. Two of Hawthorne's brothers and one of his sisters will attend the game. He doesn't expect his mother to be there. She hasn't seen him play on national television yet."
About how his mother is proud of him, Hawthorne said:
"She's proud of me, I know she is. Football's not really her thing, you know. I've talked to her during the season, like, four times. It's all right though. A lot of times, people just go through so much. And when she sits down and thinks about it, I think she's real proud of me." (HSB)
About UH's undefeated season not giving them a chance to play for the championship, sportswriter and National Public Radio commentator John Feinstein said:
"There's no (other) sport in the world, including tiddlywinks, where you can go undefeated in something and not have the opportunity to play for a championship." (HSB)
Monday, December 3, 2007
Quotes from JJ's weekly press conference
About their team's WAC honors, JJ said:
"It (WAC Coach of the Year) is an honor. It comes with winning and is a team thing. I see a lot of Hawaii guys on the list - the kids deserve it - but it comes with winning. It did not surprise me that Colt (Brennan) was the Offensive Player of the Year. He has had a pretty good run for three years and capped it off (with this). (Colt) rolled the dice, took a chance by coming back for his last year and it paid off. Jason Rivers definitely deserved to be on the first team too but we can't get everyone on the first team. I'm glad to see Myron (Newberry) on there as well. Colt lobbied with me for three weeks not to nominate him. I told him I'd do what I can do. We thought David (Veikune) played as well as any defensive lineman we had and he wasn't a starter. He has the motor and makes a lot of plays." (UHAthletics.com)
About their schedule to prepare for the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
"We are taking some time off the next two weeks because of the last day of classes this week and finals next. We'll continue to lift and run during that time and start back up practicing on December 13th and get about a week in before heading down Christmas night to New Orleans." (UH)
Asked if everything is set in yet, JJ said:
"No it hasn't. It has been pretty much none stop since right after the game (Saturday night)." (UH)
Asked for his reaction to the big celebration on Sunday, JJ said:
"It was awesome. The first time in the BCS had a lot to do with that. But at the same time, there have been a lot of people who have been waiting for this for a long time. I certainly wanted to reap the enjoyment of it." (UH)
Asked if he's achieved the plan he had when he took the UH job, JJ said:
"Well I knew what Hawaii football and value in it. I did know that there was that kind of excitement here. I watched it in the middle `70s in basketball, and I knew football was bigger than basketball here. To answer your question, I didn't imagine fans rushing the field and filling up (the Stan Sheriff Center) for a BCS show like yesterday, but I knew football was big." (UH)
Asked if he knows Mark Richt at Georgia, JJ said:
"Yeah, I've met him. We have a common friend. My equipment guy with the Falcons was at Florida State when Mark was there. They are good friends. I have met him and followed him because he's an offensive guy. We watched him play all the time while we were with the Falcons. I've might have even stolen a few things off his tape that he has done over the years. He's a real class guy. I did see when his team got the 15-yard penalty (against Florida). It's like us doing the Haka. It's worth the 15." (UH)
Asked about his Tim Tebow comment on ESPN yesterday, JJ said:
"I did some national shows today. I may get some more (heat) from that. My intent on what I said was not to demean Tim Tebow in anyway. I said this on ESPN Today The media picks the Heisman Trophy winner. No longer will it go to a guy like it did years ago on a 3-8 team. It just doesn't happen. My point was that my quarterback has been labeled a `system quarterback' for three years. He is the best passer in college history. He is. There is no question about it. Tim Tebow is in a system. The last quarterback who was in that system, if you had asked me about Alex Smith, he was a system quarterback I thought when we were watching him. Talented. But I didn't see him in an NFL passing (system). Colt Brennan plays in an NFL passing game. You can dial it up and see that it is not a system. Tim Tebow's system is a college system. He is a great quarterback who'll probably win a national championship. He's competitive; he's all those things. But a lot of his stuff comes off little dives, fades, things he is not going to do in the National Football League. That's my point. I think Jake Locker (from Washington) is a great athlete. I'd love to be a part of coaching a kid like that. But I said what I said and I mean it. I said this too on national radio today and probably take some heat from it. (his phone rings) Look, here is an 847 area code right now. On ESPN GameDay, they are promoting Tim Tebow to win the Heisman, which he'll probably win. My quarterback is the best player, trust me. But they (ESPN GameDay) said, and we watch at the hotel and listening to it for last six weeks, they said as they were going off the air 'Tim Tebow has accounted for 53 touchdowns in one season, the most in college football history.' I said you guys just told a lie. Last year, my quarterback threw for 58 touchdowns and ran for another (five). I got my point across. You guys ripped me a knew one yesterday, and I'm going to say it again and stand by what I said, my quarterback is the best college football player in America. I did not add Tebow's team has three loses or is not in a BCS game. I wish I had that info, why didn't you call me? The bottom line is I irritated them because they knew I was right. But I did get a whole bunch of emails and calls from Florida State people that said 'Thanks for finally saying that.'" (UH)
Asked about Colt being invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, JJ said:
"I would be very surprised if he is not among the finalists. Hopefully, my comments yesterday will get him some publicity. I'll be honest with you. It would be a long shot (if Brennan won) because of the (national) media attention giving to other players. He not only deserves to be there, but he deserves to win it. Just look at what he has done." (UH)
"It (WAC Coach of the Year) is an honor. It comes with winning and is a team thing. I see a lot of Hawaii guys on the list - the kids deserve it - but it comes with winning. It did not surprise me that Colt (Brennan) was the Offensive Player of the Year. He has had a pretty good run for three years and capped it off (with this). (Colt) rolled the dice, took a chance by coming back for his last year and it paid off. Jason Rivers definitely deserved to be on the first team too but we can't get everyone on the first team. I'm glad to see Myron (Newberry) on there as well. Colt lobbied with me for three weeks not to nominate him. I told him I'd do what I can do. We thought David (Veikune) played as well as any defensive lineman we had and he wasn't a starter. He has the motor and makes a lot of plays." (UHAthletics.com)
About their schedule to prepare for the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
"We are taking some time off the next two weeks because of the last day of classes this week and finals next. We'll continue to lift and run during that time and start back up practicing on December 13th and get about a week in before heading down Christmas night to New Orleans." (UH)
Asked if everything is set in yet, JJ said:
"No it hasn't. It has been pretty much none stop since right after the game (Saturday night)." (UH)
Asked for his reaction to the big celebration on Sunday, JJ said:
"It was awesome. The first time in the BCS had a lot to do with that. But at the same time, there have been a lot of people who have been waiting for this for a long time. I certainly wanted to reap the enjoyment of it." (UH)
Asked if he's achieved the plan he had when he took the UH job, JJ said:
"Well I knew what Hawaii football and value in it. I did know that there was that kind of excitement here. I watched it in the middle `70s in basketball, and I knew football was bigger than basketball here. To answer your question, I didn't imagine fans rushing the field and filling up (the Stan Sheriff Center) for a BCS show like yesterday, but I knew football was big." (UH)
Asked if he knows Mark Richt at Georgia, JJ said:
"Yeah, I've met him. We have a common friend. My equipment guy with the Falcons was at Florida State when Mark was there. They are good friends. I have met him and followed him because he's an offensive guy. We watched him play all the time while we were with the Falcons. I've might have even stolen a few things off his tape that he has done over the years. He's a real class guy. I did see when his team got the 15-yard penalty (against Florida). It's like us doing the Haka. It's worth the 15." (UH)
Asked about his Tim Tebow comment on ESPN yesterday, JJ said:
"I did some national shows today. I may get some more (heat) from that. My intent on what I said was not to demean Tim Tebow in anyway. I said this on ESPN Today The media picks the Heisman Trophy winner. No longer will it go to a guy like it did years ago on a 3-8 team. It just doesn't happen. My point was that my quarterback has been labeled a `system quarterback' for three years. He is the best passer in college history. He is. There is no question about it. Tim Tebow is in a system. The last quarterback who was in that system, if you had asked me about Alex Smith, he was a system quarterback I thought when we were watching him. Talented. But I didn't see him in an NFL passing (system). Colt Brennan plays in an NFL passing game. You can dial it up and see that it is not a system. Tim Tebow's system is a college system. He is a great quarterback who'll probably win a national championship. He's competitive; he's all those things. But a lot of his stuff comes off little dives, fades, things he is not going to do in the National Football League. That's my point. I think Jake Locker (from Washington) is a great athlete. I'd love to be a part of coaching a kid like that. But I said what I said and I mean it. I said this too on national radio today and probably take some heat from it. (his phone rings) Look, here is an 847 area code right now. On ESPN GameDay, they are promoting Tim Tebow to win the Heisman, which he'll probably win. My quarterback is the best player, trust me. But they (ESPN GameDay) said, and we watch at the hotel and listening to it for last six weeks, they said as they were going off the air 'Tim Tebow has accounted for 53 touchdowns in one season, the most in college football history.' I said you guys just told a lie. Last year, my quarterback threw for 58 touchdowns and ran for another (five). I got my point across. You guys ripped me a knew one yesterday, and I'm going to say it again and stand by what I said, my quarterback is the best college football player in America. I did not add Tebow's team has three loses or is not in a BCS game. I wish I had that info, why didn't you call me? The bottom line is I irritated them because they knew I was right. But I did get a whole bunch of emails and calls from Florida State people that said 'Thanks for finally saying that.'" (UH)
Asked about Colt being invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, JJ said:
"I would be very surprised if he is not among the finalists. Hopefully, my comments yesterday will get him some publicity. I'll be honest with you. It would be a long shot (if Brennan won) because of the (national) media attention giving to other players. He not only deserves to be there, but he deserves to win it. Just look at what he has done." (UH)
Quotes about the Advertiser coverage
About their special 8-page preview section before the UW game and another 8-page special section after the game, HA Sports Editor Curtis Murayama said:
"You can't overcover a story of this magnitude. I try to put as many people as I can on this judging from the reaction I get from people on the streets, such as family, friends, parents on youth teams, etc. In my experience, the more you give readers, the more they want." (HA)
About how UH's story had to be covered in depth, Ferd Lewis said:
"When a story like this — or the Little Leaguers of a couple years ago — captures the imagination of a whole state, it is hard to overdo. I don't think we have reached the saturation point yet. In fact, more and more stories seem to come spinning out of it. We're just trying to keep up." (HA)
HA Note: "We have to cover every angle of this compelling story, not just in sports, but in other sections, as we did all this week with some Page One presence leading up to last night's big game. Selfishly, we know that the success of the teams sells papers and draws online hits. For example, 16 out of our Top 20 online stories between Nov. 18 and 26 were about UH football.
That week we had almost 140,000 page views for UH football stories, 166,000 for Stephen Tsai's Warrior Beat blog (including almost 1,200 comments the day of and after the Boise State game), 140,000 page views for football photo galleries and 26,000 video streams. In addition, we sold 8,500 extra newspapers the day after the game.
The work is not easy. Tsai, for example, worked 12 hours on Thanksgiving Day to write his stories, missing dinner with his family. On game days at home, he and Lewis write their stories as the action progresses. By the time the game ends, they have about 10 minutes to file for our Neighbor Island edition and about 40 minutes for our O'ahu edition. Lewis wrote more than 50 columns or stories in November. Tsai wrote more than 40 stories and about 40 blog entries, which drew more than 15,000 comments for the month.
Tsai hopes for close games so he can write them quickly. Lewis likes fast games and great storylines (Tyler Graunke filling in for an injured Colt Brennan or Dan Kelly's last-second field goal) so he has the makings of a compelling tale."
About how he was hoping UH would make it to a BCS bowl, Murayama said:
"Since they're this far, it would be a total bummer if UH doesn't advance to a BCS bowl. This is once-in-a-lifetime. I want a victory regardless of all the work that we have to put in. In our office, we all cheer for UH." (HA)
"You can't overcover a story of this magnitude. I try to put as many people as I can on this judging from the reaction I get from people on the streets, such as family, friends, parents on youth teams, etc. In my experience, the more you give readers, the more they want." (HA)
About how UH's story had to be covered in depth, Ferd Lewis said:
"When a story like this — or the Little Leaguers of a couple years ago — captures the imagination of a whole state, it is hard to overdo. I don't think we have reached the saturation point yet. In fact, more and more stories seem to come spinning out of it. We're just trying to keep up." (HA)
HA Note: "We have to cover every angle of this compelling story, not just in sports, but in other sections, as we did all this week with some Page One presence leading up to last night's big game. Selfishly, we know that the success of the teams sells papers and draws online hits. For example, 16 out of our Top 20 online stories between Nov. 18 and 26 were about UH football.
That week we had almost 140,000 page views for UH football stories, 166,000 for Stephen Tsai's Warrior Beat blog (including almost 1,200 comments the day of and after the Boise State game), 140,000 page views for football photo galleries and 26,000 video streams. In addition, we sold 8,500 extra newspapers the day after the game.
The work is not easy. Tsai, for example, worked 12 hours on Thanksgiving Day to write his stories, missing dinner with his family. On game days at home, he and Lewis write their stories as the action progresses. By the time the game ends, they have about 10 minutes to file for our Neighbor Island edition and about 40 minutes for our O'ahu edition. Lewis wrote more than 50 columns or stories in November. Tsai wrote more than 40 stories and about 40 blog entries, which drew more than 15,000 comments for the month.
Tsai hopes for close games so he can write them quickly. Lewis likes fast games and great storylines (Tyler Graunke filling in for an injured Colt Brennan or Dan Kelly's last-second field goal) so he has the makings of a compelling tale."
About how he was hoping UH would make it to a BCS bowl, Murayama said:
"Since they're this far, it would be a total bummer if UH doesn't advance to a BCS bowl. This is once-in-a-lifetime. I want a victory regardless of all the work that we have to put in. In our office, we all cheer for UH." (HA)
Quotes from Monday morning
About the BCS game, JJ said:
"It's not just about our team, it's about our whole state." (HSB)
About how the $4.5 mil BCS payout could help their facilities, JJ joked:
"Hopefully, it means we'll get some new carpet and new stuff in my office." (HSB)
"We're obviously, I'm sure, going to reap some of the benefits of the money that comes to our school, but I don't even know how it gets distributed to be perfectly honest. But, hopefully, that means we'll get some new carpet and some new stuff in my office so when we bring the recruits in that do come, we'll look like a first-class operation." (HA)
Hoping that their $50k recruiting budget will be increased significantly, JJ said:
"The identity, what's happened to us and how we do it, it's a little different. We haven't even made trips to the mainland to recruit because of the money situation. ESPN, Fox and all the TV exposure, which I knew would come as we got to winning with our offense, people would want our games on TV. We're getting calls from Atlanta, South Carolina, Florida. It brings us into a new arena." (HSB)
Thanking the fans for helping the team as the 12th man, JJ said to the SSC crowd yesterday:
"We're very appreciative of all of you coming and cheering. This season for me started before the 2006 season. They took it upon themselves to do some unbelievable things; I'm so proud of their effort. (This is) once in a lifetime and it's been a real special season." (HSB)
About how their fans (like my parents and me!) will make it to the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
"It'll be a challenge in the Superdome, with all those Bulldog fans, and I know how many come down there. It's going to be like a home crowd. We're hopefully going to have the whole state of Hawaii there proving they can equal (it)." (HSB)
"We're in for a tremendous challenge in the Superdome with a whole bunch of Bulldog fans and I know how many come down there." (HA)
"It is gonna be like a home crowd (for Georgia). We're, hopefully, going to have the whole state of Hawai'i there, too, to make it equal." (HA)
"We'll have people from Chicago, Hawaiians from New York." (HA)
Expecting UH to sell its 17,500 tickets, JJ said:
"I would anticipate that will happen, yes." (HA)
About how they deserved the BCS spot, JJ said on the nationally televised broadcast that they:
"don't feel like we have anything to prove. We have fun playing together, the kids love each other and play together for each other. We've beaten, since I've been here, Alabama, we've beaten Michigan State, we've beaten Oregon State, we've beaten Purdue ... we've beaten big teams, so it is not like we haven't done it before." (HA)
About the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
"We're excited to be there and, obviously, it is a big game for us." (HA)
About facing UH, Georgia's coach Mark Richt said:
"I've got a lot of respect for what you've done there, Coach, and look forward to seeing you here in New Orleans sometime. Our players are jacked. I just got done talking with them, and it's going to be a war, I know it. I was at the Hula Bowl (last season), coaching there, I got a little flavor of what the Hawaiian young men are all about. I tell you, they're tremendous physical specimens and tremendous competitors." (HSB)
About playing in the Sugar Bowl, Colt said:
"I haven't been to New Orleans and I'm excited about it, especially playing in that dome. So many great games have been played there. I can't imagine how this offense will run indoors." (HSB)
"We can't wait to have a happy new year." (HA)
"Oh, man, this is so surreal. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'll remember this feeling forever. To be a senior and end it like this, it's a tremendous honor. I feel so grateful, so blessed. It's so overwhelming it's almost scary. It's so cool and neat how everything worked out for us. We're so excited to play Georgia on the national scale." (HA)
About how this will be the biggest game in UH's history, Colt said:
"We don't want to lose focus on what's at hand. We're going to play one hell of a football team. We don't want to embarrass ourselves. We want to show everybody we're ready to go, and to win a football game. The last two games have been two of the biggest games in UH history. The Sugar Bowl will be the biggest game in UH history." (HA)
About how this season was possible because they learned from last season, Colt said:
"I think last year is the real reason we've won these close battles this year. Losses last year taught us how to win this year. And that's what football's all about." (HSB)
As the crowd cheered for him when he walked onto the SSC court before the TV broadcast, Colt pointed out:
"There's about 80 football players over here." (HSB)
About how they have gone beyond what they hoped to do for the community and state, Bess said:
"We always wanted to do something for the community and Hawai'i itself. This is way beyond what we imagined. We're thankful for the opportunity." (HA)
About their team, Bess said:
"We come from all different places. There are guys on our team who wouldn't even get to walk on at other schools. But they get their chance over here. That's what makes us so unique and different. We embrace people, and give them an opportunity to excel." (HA)
About how they were confident they would be one of the teams announced during the BCS selection broadcast, Keala Watson said:
"We were confident. It was fun leading up to the announcement." (HA)
Appreciating being able to see the fan support, Keala said:
"It was nice to experience this. During the games, we're so focused, we don't pay attention to what the fans are doing. This was nice to see our fans really support us. We appreciate it." (HA)
About their 7500 loud fans at the SSC cheering on the BCS Announcement telecast, Timo Paepule said:
"I've never experienced anything like this. Our fans have our back. It was loud." (HA)
About how they may not be as big as their opponents, but they have huge hearts, Jake Patek said:
"A lot of people might see we're not the biggest guys or the fastest guys. But one thing we do have is heart. It's almost like we all come together and play with one heartbeat. It's amazing. We build off each other. It's not our individual efforts. It's our efforts as a team that really helps us succeed." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl is the best choice for his family and friends to get to see him play, Jake Patek said:
"I've got a lot of family and friends who are going to try to make it. On the West Coast it might not have been that way." (HSB)
Praising how Mouton moved from CB to S during the UW game after Monteilh, Thomas, Porlas, and he were out with injury, Patek said:
"I've really got a lot of respect for Ryan going out there and playing out of position and making several tackles and making things happen. E-Rob and Ryan showed that no one is irreplaceable. Everyone's here to contribute to the team and you never know when it will be your time." (HSB)
About this amazing season, Mike Lau (former UH RB and father of Micah Lau) said:
"What these Warriors have done will be remembered for a lifetime. We're blessed." (HSB)
About facing Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Mike Lau said:
"We got tough work ahead but another chance to prove that we're worthy." (HSB)
About the BCS game, Colt's father Terry Brennan said:
"What a perfect situation for not only Colt, but for the team and for the state of Hawaii. As far as a priority, (a BCS bowl game) was probably not one of the top things that was on my mind." (HSB)
About the praise for Colt, Terry said:
"I'm not so sure we would have missed a beat with any of the other quarterbacks." (HSB)
About this season, Terry said:
"It's been fun. Whether it be a soccer game or volleyball game for your daughter or something, it's all fun. It's just great." (HSB)
Asked about the BCS payday, HF said:
"It's not about the money. It's about the prestige this brings to our school. So many times we get hung up on dollars. But this is worth so much more. You can't put a dollar value on this." (HA)
About how the WAC will help UH sell its tickets, including contacting fans in the Louisiana area to buy tickets, Karl Benson said:
"I don't think it will be a problem." (HA)
About how he's only taking 3 classes (1 is CPR) this semester because that is all he needed to graduate, Colt said:
“It definitely helps with football season. Basically, what your focus is on is Saturday and the game. The distractions are a lot less.” (NY Times)
NYT Note: "Brennan’s schedule was a bit more complicated. On top of the CPR class, he is taking a global communications course. Brennan said that he was attending class for only about 90 minutes a day, he was doing other work outside the classroom. That includes his senior thesis, a six-minute video documentary comparing the resources available to the sports programs at Hawaii with those of college programs on the mainland. Finishing up his degree in communications will be a relief for Brennan, who is playing for his third college in six years."
Looking forward to graduation, Colt said:
“I feel like I’ve been in college forever. I’m dying, barely getting through. But I graduate Dec. 12 if I get these classes passed.” (NYT)
"It's not just about our team, it's about our whole state." (HSB)
About how the $4.5 mil BCS payout could help their facilities, JJ joked:
"Hopefully, it means we'll get some new carpet and new stuff in my office." (HSB)
"We're obviously, I'm sure, going to reap some of the benefits of the money that comes to our school, but I don't even know how it gets distributed to be perfectly honest. But, hopefully, that means we'll get some new carpet and some new stuff in my office so when we bring the recruits in that do come, we'll look like a first-class operation." (HA)
Hoping that their $50k recruiting budget will be increased significantly, JJ said:
"The identity, what's happened to us and how we do it, it's a little different. We haven't even made trips to the mainland to recruit because of the money situation. ESPN, Fox and all the TV exposure, which I knew would come as we got to winning with our offense, people would want our games on TV. We're getting calls from Atlanta, South Carolina, Florida. It brings us into a new arena." (HSB)
Thanking the fans for helping the team as the 12th man, JJ said to the SSC crowd yesterday:
"We're very appreciative of all of you coming and cheering. This season for me started before the 2006 season. They took it upon themselves to do some unbelievable things; I'm so proud of their effort. (This is) once in a lifetime and it's been a real special season." (HSB)
About how their fans (like my parents and me!) will make it to the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
"It'll be a challenge in the Superdome, with all those Bulldog fans, and I know how many come down there. It's going to be like a home crowd. We're hopefully going to have the whole state of Hawaii there proving they can equal (it)." (HSB)
"We're in for a tremendous challenge in the Superdome with a whole bunch of Bulldog fans and I know how many come down there." (HA)
"It is gonna be like a home crowd (for Georgia). We're, hopefully, going to have the whole state of Hawai'i there, too, to make it equal." (HA)
"We'll have people from Chicago, Hawaiians from New York." (HA)
Expecting UH to sell its 17,500 tickets, JJ said:
"I would anticipate that will happen, yes." (HA)
About how they deserved the BCS spot, JJ said on the nationally televised broadcast that they:
"don't feel like we have anything to prove. We have fun playing together, the kids love each other and play together for each other. We've beaten, since I've been here, Alabama, we've beaten Michigan State, we've beaten Oregon State, we've beaten Purdue ... we've beaten big teams, so it is not like we haven't done it before." (HA)
About the Sugar Bowl, JJ said:
"We're excited to be there and, obviously, it is a big game for us." (HA)
About facing UH, Georgia's coach Mark Richt said:
"I've got a lot of respect for what you've done there, Coach, and look forward to seeing you here in New Orleans sometime. Our players are jacked. I just got done talking with them, and it's going to be a war, I know it. I was at the Hula Bowl (last season), coaching there, I got a little flavor of what the Hawaiian young men are all about. I tell you, they're tremendous physical specimens and tremendous competitors." (HSB)
About playing in the Sugar Bowl, Colt said:
"I haven't been to New Orleans and I'm excited about it, especially playing in that dome. So many great games have been played there. I can't imagine how this offense will run indoors." (HSB)
"We can't wait to have a happy new year." (HA)
"Oh, man, this is so surreal. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'll remember this feeling forever. To be a senior and end it like this, it's a tremendous honor. I feel so grateful, so blessed. It's so overwhelming it's almost scary. It's so cool and neat how everything worked out for us. We're so excited to play Georgia on the national scale." (HA)
About how this will be the biggest game in UH's history, Colt said:
"We don't want to lose focus on what's at hand. We're going to play one hell of a football team. We don't want to embarrass ourselves. We want to show everybody we're ready to go, and to win a football game. The last two games have been two of the biggest games in UH history. The Sugar Bowl will be the biggest game in UH history." (HA)
About how this season was possible because they learned from last season, Colt said:
"I think last year is the real reason we've won these close battles this year. Losses last year taught us how to win this year. And that's what football's all about." (HSB)
As the crowd cheered for him when he walked onto the SSC court before the TV broadcast, Colt pointed out:
"There's about 80 football players over here." (HSB)
About how they have gone beyond what they hoped to do for the community and state, Bess said:
"We always wanted to do something for the community and Hawai'i itself. This is way beyond what we imagined. We're thankful for the opportunity." (HA)
About their team, Bess said:
"We come from all different places. There are guys on our team who wouldn't even get to walk on at other schools. But they get their chance over here. That's what makes us so unique and different. We embrace people, and give them an opportunity to excel." (HA)
About how they were confident they would be one of the teams announced during the BCS selection broadcast, Keala Watson said:
"We were confident. It was fun leading up to the announcement." (HA)
Appreciating being able to see the fan support, Keala said:
"It was nice to experience this. During the games, we're so focused, we don't pay attention to what the fans are doing. This was nice to see our fans really support us. We appreciate it." (HA)
About their 7500 loud fans at the SSC cheering on the BCS Announcement telecast, Timo Paepule said:
"I've never experienced anything like this. Our fans have our back. It was loud." (HA)
About how they may not be as big as their opponents, but they have huge hearts, Jake Patek said:
"A lot of people might see we're not the biggest guys or the fastest guys. But one thing we do have is heart. It's almost like we all come together and play with one heartbeat. It's amazing. We build off each other. It's not our individual efforts. It's our efforts as a team that really helps us succeed." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl is the best choice for his family and friends to get to see him play, Jake Patek said:
"I've got a lot of family and friends who are going to try to make it. On the West Coast it might not have been that way." (HSB)
Praising how Mouton moved from CB to S during the UW game after Monteilh, Thomas, Porlas, and he were out with injury, Patek said:
"I've really got a lot of respect for Ryan going out there and playing out of position and making several tackles and making things happen. E-Rob and Ryan showed that no one is irreplaceable. Everyone's here to contribute to the team and you never know when it will be your time." (HSB)
About this amazing season, Mike Lau (former UH RB and father of Micah Lau) said:
"What these Warriors have done will be remembered for a lifetime. We're blessed." (HSB)
About facing Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Mike Lau said:
"We got tough work ahead but another chance to prove that we're worthy." (HSB)
About the BCS game, Colt's father Terry Brennan said:
"What a perfect situation for not only Colt, but for the team and for the state of Hawaii. As far as a priority, (a BCS bowl game) was probably not one of the top things that was on my mind." (HSB)
About the praise for Colt, Terry said:
"I'm not so sure we would have missed a beat with any of the other quarterbacks." (HSB)
About this season, Terry said:
"It's been fun. Whether it be a soccer game or volleyball game for your daughter or something, it's all fun. It's just great." (HSB)
Asked about the BCS payday, HF said:
"It's not about the money. It's about the prestige this brings to our school. So many times we get hung up on dollars. But this is worth so much more. You can't put a dollar value on this." (HA)
About how the WAC will help UH sell its tickets, including contacting fans in the Louisiana area to buy tickets, Karl Benson said:
"I don't think it will be a problem." (HA)
About how he's only taking 3 classes (1 is CPR) this semester because that is all he needed to graduate, Colt said:
“It definitely helps with football season. Basically, what your focus is on is Saturday and the game. The distractions are a lot less.” (NY Times)
NYT Note: "Brennan’s schedule was a bit more complicated. On top of the CPR class, he is taking a global communications course. Brennan said that he was attending class for only about 90 minutes a day, he was doing other work outside the classroom. That includes his senior thesis, a six-minute video documentary comparing the resources available to the sports programs at Hawaii with those of college programs on the mainland. Finishing up his degree in communications will be a relief for Brennan, who is playing for his third college in six years."
Looking forward to graduation, Colt said:
“I feel like I’ve been in college forever. I’m dying, barely getting through. But I graduate Dec. 12 if I get these classes passed.” (NYT)
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Quotes from the UH-Washington game
HA = Honolulu Advertiser
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
MN = Maui News
AP = Associated Press
CBS = CBSSports.com wire reports
ST = Seattle Times
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
HN = Everett HeraldNet
_____________________________________
Quotes from the UH Coaches
About the win, JJ said:
"What a win! It hasn't soaked in yet. (The team) was committed to getting a win tonight. They played hard and I can't be more proud of them. It's unbelievable. The (regular season) could not have ended better. I think the turning point in the game was the third TD (to Jason Rivers that was reversed by instant replay). That's when I knew we were going to win." (HSB, CBS, AP, ST)
About how Colt convinced him to change the play on the winning TD, JJ said:
"I had called a run play but Colt said he knew (UW) would be in man and wanted to call a 'go' route, so we went with it." (HA)
"I had called a run play, but Colt said that he knew (UW) would be in man and wanted to call a "go" route, so we went with it." (HSB)
About the win and the undefeated season, George Lumpkin said:
"It feels outstanding, what a relief. We know God has had his hand on this team from the beginning. I believe this team is special." (HSB)
About their undefeated regular season, GM said with tears of joy in his eyes:
“There is no better feeling than 12-0. I am so proud because we were down 21-0 and we held them to seven after that. I’m just really proud of our guys because all season they have believed. Our offense came back, special teams played big, but we had to do it the hard way. Even at the end we gave up those two big passes (as Washington reached the UH 4-yard line with 20 seconds to go), but that is the way it has been. It was a little too dramatic for me.’’ (MN)
About his defense, GM said:
"This was really a good (Washington) offense. I don't care what people think or what their (4-9) record is, (but) our guys made a play at the end, which they have all year long. They've come up with a play to get us out of trouble. You cannot believe how much I admire this total football team." (HSB)
"Players make plays, and these guys made plays." (HSB)
Note: It really is amazing that UW scored 28 points in the first 23 minutes and ZERO in the final 37 minutes.
Quotes from the UH Offense
About how their team's brotherhood is special, Colt said:
"This team is special. These guys are special. They play for each other. I've never been part of such a brotherhood, such camaraderie. It's so special I changed my whole perspective on life." (HA)
About the feeling he had when he stepped to the line of scrimmage with 3 seconds left (praying silently "just don't fumble"), Colt said:
"It's so hard to explain the feelings. Not just for me, but for this team, and for this state." (HA)
During the post-game celebration, Colt yelled about the BCS:
"No doubts, we're going to the BCS. We earned it." (HA)
After the game, Colt said to the crowd at Aloha Stadium:
“We are going to the BCS and a lot of it is due to the support you guys gave us. I can’t thank you guys enough for all the support. We will see you in New Orleans.’’ (MN)
About going to a BCS game and their big 4-game stretch, Colt said:
"We're going to the BCS, can you believe it? It's so exciting how we finished these last four games. I knew our season would really begin with Fresno State and end tonight. And that's exactly what happened." (HSB)
Hoping they get to play USC in the Rose Bowl, Colt said:
"I began my career against USC and I'd love to end it against them. I've got nothing but respect for SC. I'm a big fan of their program. I sure want to play them. We want to stay on the West Coast. I know Hawaii fans would fill that place. Of course, we'll go anywhere they send us. This team has persevered so much this season that I can't even put into words exactly how I feel. We never doubted we could come back." (HSB)
About how their past two wins have captivated an expanding network of fans, Colt said:
"With that, we captivated the state. We gave the people here what they wanted, a place in their hearts for the rest of their lives. But tonight was about stepping away and captivating the nation. There's something so special about the guys in this locker room. We wanted to show the nation how special this place is." (HA)
About how he expected a tough game from UW, Colt said:
"I had a feeling coming into this game it wasn't going to be easy. What's that saying? 'There's nothing scarier than a dying man.' As a team, they weren't in the greatest shape after (losing to in-state rival Washington State) last week. They were coming out here with an all-or-nothing approach. I knew they were coming out here with a strong punch." (HA)
"We knew they were going to come in here and play us tough. They had nothing to lose, so you knew they were going to leave it out there on the field. It's a great feeling. This is why I came back for my senior season, to be with the guys and accomplish something like this." (HSB)
About how Washington played a tough cover 4 defense for most of the game, Colt said:
"They were in an 88 most of the night, which is a cover 4. It looks like cover 2, but the corners sink. Then they went to three roll and at the end of the game they went to man free. That's when we just killed them." (HSB)
About how this win is special, Colt said:
"This is so special. You think something is going to spoil it, or it will be taken away from you. I don't want this feeling to go away. I want to hold on to it for a long time." (HA)
About their undefeated season, Colt said:
"It's a pretty good feeling right now. It's pretty much speechless. I just can't believe we got to this point and we did it." (HA)
"We just wanted a win." (HSB)
"It's just a surreal feeling and it's hard to believe. That's how this season has been, and now the focus goes to whoever we play in that big bowl game." (HSB)
"This was something we dreamed about and to be here and see what we've accomplished, and the perfect record, is just mind blowing." (CBS, AP)
Not worried about the Heisman, Colt said:
"It really doesn't matter when you're 12-0. If they invite me great, if not the joke's on them." (HSB)
About their faith in their team, Colt said:
"The theme of this team has been believe. What better test than to end the season on a game like that." (HA)
About his fumble, Colt said:
"That's how football goes. There's nothing really I could do. I went to look right and the guy came. I probably could've secured it better, I guess, but I didn't see him coming. We fumbled, we made our mistakes, but it's not about the mistakes. It's about how to bounce back and that's what we do." (HA)
About how he wasn't worried even when they were down, Colt said:
"We kept believing. The opportunity presented itself and we took it." (HA)
"We believed the whole time. We knew we were going to win if we kept believing ... I feel speechless. It's an awesome feeling." (CBS, AP)
About why he was down on the ground so long after a sack when they were down 14-0, Colt said:
"I got hit really good in my family jewels." (HA)
About what he thought when it was 21-0 to end the first quarter, Colt said:
"The only thing I could think about was that there was a lot of time left and if we could slowly tug away at the gap then maybe we can put ourselves in a spot to win this game and that's exactly what we did." (CBS, AP)
About their early struggles on offense, Colt said:
"What we were doing earlier was working, but we were fumbling and not executing fully. We went back to what we knew we could do and we threw some touchdowns." (HSB)
About their game-winning TD, Colt said:
"We knew they were playing a lot of man and we knew that we could execute it. Ryan did a good job. He gave me an angle. I threw the ball right there and Ryan got it in. Perfect execution." (HA)
About how he convinced JJ to change the play on the winning TD, Colt said:
"Coach Jones trusted me on that call. I told coach, 'We got 'em,' so I changed it to a pass play because I knew they were going to be in man (to man defense). I've got the most talented receiving corps in the nation. People can't play us man-to-man." (HA, ST)
"Coach Jones trusted me on that last call. I told coach, 'We got 'em,' so I changed it to a pass play. ... I've got the most talented receiving corps in the nation. People can't play us man-to-man." (HSB)
"I saw they were in man free and decided to go for the pass. I told Coach (June Jones) that the play was there for the taking. He agreed with me and the rest is history." (HSB)
About how he knew UW would come back to try to tie the game at the end, Colt said:
"I knew they were going to come back; I sensed it. But our defense has come up big time and time again this season. And they did it again when we needed it most. This is a team. We believed in ourselves all season, and now we're 12-0. On that last play, I just tried to block everything out of my mind and just execute the play. You could feel the crowd lifting us up the entire game. They never stopped believing and neither did we." (HSB)
About Jason Rivers' huge game, Colt said:
"Jason showed up tonight. He's a senior. This is the kind of game he needed for an ending note in this stadium." (HA)
"We just call plays and read it and whoever's open is open. It just so happened to be Jason Rivers was open a lot tonight." (HSB)
Praising their play calling, Jason Rivers said:
"Football is like a chess match. You have to make the right call at the right time. Coach (June) Jones did a good job of that." (HA)
After his 14 catches for 167 yards and 4 TDs, Rivers said:
"I expect nothing less from myself and my teammates. Me being a senior, I wanted to do something special." (HA)
About his first TD, which was initially ruled out of bounds but overturned on replay, Rivers said:
"I knew I was in because when I turned ... I knew I was way inside. Colt (Brennan) did a good job of finding me." (HA)
About how they had set up his 40-yard TD to tie the score, Rivers said:
"We were waiting for that call." (HA)
"They were giving us a lot of stuff underneath. So we took it. But we knew it would open up later, and it did. I just ran straight and Colt got it to me." (HA)
About his huge game in his final game at Aloha Stadium as a Warrior, Rivers said:
"It means a lot. I don't know if I'm ever going to play in front of my family and friends again. It means a lot to go out on this kind of note." (HA)
About how they believed they would come back to win the game, Rivers said:
"It's the same quote we've been saying all year. We believe, we believe. For us that didn't matter. First thing that came to mind when it was 21-0 was we've been in this position before. We've been behind in bad weather, we've had to overcome all kinds of adversity." (HSB)
"The first thing that came to everyone's mind was we've been in this position before. We've been down, we've been in harder positions ... Everybody had confidence and believed in each other. I'm blessed to be part of this team." (HSB)
About the game-winning TD, Ryan Grice-Mullins said:
"Colt trusted me. The team trusted me. Colt put it right there, and I just made the play. I was thinking touchdown all the way. Nobody was going to stop me that close." (HA)
"Basically, I had a flat route and I just had to beat my guy. All the other receivers did a good job running their routes. It make it easier for me to beat my guy." (HA)
So happy they won for the seniors, the team, and the state, RGM said:
"Mostly, I felt good to do it for these seniors. We had a very emotional night last night at the hotel. The seniors said their last speech and everything. Guys shed tears because of the love on this team. It felt good just to get this win, first of all for the seniors, second of all for the team and third of all for this island. All I can say is it's beautiful." (HA)
About how they never gave up, RGM said:
"It just showed what kind of team we have and that we never give up, we never stop." (CBS, AP)
After his 82 yards rushing on 10 carries, Daniel Libre said that his teammates helped him get over the fumble:
"What helped me was my teammates picking me up after the fumble. That helped me come back. It was a crazy ride. I love these guys. They made my job really easy." (HA)
After his 82 yards rusing and 61 yards receiving (on 6 receptions) in the game, Libre said:
"To be honest with you, I had no idea what was coming for me. I didn't even know if I was going to play." (HA)
"I can't even put it into words. My team needed me and I'm happy I could step up." (HSB)
Happy to be at RB instead of slotback, Libre said:
"There's so many good slotbacks on this team. So I'm just glad I got a chance at running back; that's a more natural position for me." (HA)
Hoping to get more reps next year, his senior season, Libre said:
"Tonight was all about the seniors and I wanted to do what I could to help them win this game. And hopefully I can be in the same position next year, getting more reps from the start." (HA)
About going rom Kanawaena to Menlo College to a BCS game soon, Libre said:
"It's been a crazy long road and I'm just happy I could do it with these guys." (HSB)
About how they never gave up in the game, Hercules Satele said:
"We left everything out there. Most teams would have given up. We were down 21 points to Washington. But this team, we never give up. We never stop fighting." (HA)
About his final game at Aloha Stadium, Hercules said:
"This is my last game in Aloha Stadium and what a way to go out. We're 12-0. I'm never going to forget this." (HA)
About how their poor pass protection contributed to their 21-0 deficit, Hercules said:
"We take all the blame. We're here to protect the quarterback, and we didn't do a good job. We had some screw ups and the coaches got on us." (HA)
About how JJ came on the field to lecture the OL during a timeout, Hercules said:
"He just said to pick it up. We all looked at each other and said that's it. We're not going to let this team beat us in our house." (HA)
Not worried what BCS game they go to, Hercules said:
"I don't care where we go, anyplace. This team has been through so much adversity, we deserve to go." (HA)
Quotes from the UH Defense
About how they knew they would win, Michael Lafaele said:
"We knew we'd win. We just had to fight through it. God put his grace on it." (HA)
About how they knew they had time to come back in the game, Adam Leonard said:
"We said at the end of the first quarter, 'It doesn't matter!' Once that's over, it's over. We played three good quarters of football." (HSB)
"We knew we had time. Our defense did a great job of playing three great quarters." (HA)
About how Rankin went rom 104 yards in the first half to 41 in the 2nd half, Adam said:
"We just kept him inside and tried to contain as best we could." (HA)
About deflecting UW's final pass in the end zone, Gerard Lewis said:
"I just tried to make a play." (HA)
About making the INT off the deflection to seal the win, Ryan Mouton said:
"Gerard made a great play to break it up. I saw the ball float in the air. I grabbed it. I wasn't going to let it go." (HA)
"Everybody's giving me the credit, but Gerard made the play. He had the man covered and the ball kicked off his foot. I just happened to be there to catch it." (HA)
About how he was playing safety on that play with backup saety Erik Robinson because Patek and Desmond Thomas (and Keao Monteilh) were out with injury, Mouton said:
"We just communicated with each other all across the field. As a whole defense we communicated and adjusted." (HSB)
About shifting to safety from his CB spot, Mouton said:
"Everyone has to know what everyone does, in case we have to fill in or whatever. We know we can get the job done no matter who's out there." (HSB)
About sliding to the turf instead of trying to score on the INT, Mouton said:
"The game was over. I didn't want to risk anything." (HA)
About coming to UH for a chance to go to a BCS game (I don't think anyone has said that before!), Mouton said:
"This is why I came here, because I knew we had a chance to go to a BCS game. I think with this win, it feels good, they'll put us in there." (HSB)
About how he had to play after their starting safeties were injured during the first UW drive, Erik Robinson said:
"A couple of guys went down and I had some reps this week, so it was my time to step up. I was kind of nervous when I went in, but I just had to settle down and get right." (HSB)
About their slow start in the game, Blaze said:
"We came out flat, we came out real flat. I think we came out too complacent. Then we all talked to each other and asked who wanted it more." (HSB)
About how they deserve to be in the National Championship game, Josh Leonard said:
“Why not? We are the only unbeaten team left in the nation. Now, we have to prove against someone who will get us respect with the rest of the nation.’’ (MN)
Quotes from Washington
About the loss, Tyrone Willingham said:
"It's a real disappointment because our young men played a heck of a football game. It's that old football circumstance that one more play would have won the football game. We just did not make one more play." (HA)
"The truth is we didn't do well enough. I think we played a heck of a game on both sides because that is a very talented offense. They do a lot of things very well." (HA)
"We just didn't make one more play." (HSB)
“This was a real disappointment because our young men played a heck of a football game. It’s that old football circumstance that one more play and we win a football. We just did not make the one more play.” (HN, ST, SPI)
“A play here, a play there." (HN)
"This was a real disappointing loss. Our young men played a heckuva football game. We just didn't make that one more play. But the truth is, we didn't do well enough on both sides of the ball. That's the tale of the tape. And we played against a very talented offense." (HSB)
"This was real disappointing because our young men played a heck of a football game." (CBS, AP)
Asked if UH should get a BCS bid, Willingham said:
"The polls will determine that." (HA)
Praising Jason Rivers, Willingham said:
"He was just good. That last one (Rivers' fourth TD), we tried to stay on top of him, but he just got by us." (HSB)
About Jake Locker and Louis Rankin, Willingham said:
"A lot of growth took place (for Locker this season). He has shown the ability to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. And Louis has been criticized, but he's proving the critics wrong. He ran hard and makes plays that only a few backs can make. I'm proud of the year he had." (HSB)
Praising Rankin, Willingham said:
"He ran hard. He made plays only a few backs could make and I honestly was very proud of the year he had." (SPI)
"Louis has proved the critics wrong. It was a credit to his hard work and a credit to our offensive line. Our coaches did a nice job of coaching the offense and him so he could be successful." (SPI)
About how their travel delay had no impact on the game, Willingham said:
"Our guys played a heck of a football game. The travel did nothing. The travel was a heck of an opportunity for our guys to do a little more bonding. They sit around, had fun, played cards. It's not the ideal location playing in the airport terminal, but our guys are resourceful, they know how to handle themselves and they made a good situation out of it.'' (ST)
"The travel was a great opportunity for our guys to do a little more bonding. It didn't make a difference because I think our team played well." (SPI)
Asked about their defense, Willingham said:
"The truth is we didn't do well enough. That was the tale of the tape. We didn't do well enough offensively, we didn't do well enough defensively, even though I think we played a heck of a football game on both sides because that is a very talented offense. They do a lot of things very well.'' (ST)
"It was the yards after catch -- it was the thing that really triggered everything. When they have the ability to catch it and run for 20 yards. ... You can't do that. You can't allow them to do that because that is when they are at their best." (SPI)
About how they missed too many tackles, Willingham said at halftime:
"We knew this was an explosive offense, what we had to do was tackle, tackle, tackle ... don't give up the big runs after the catch. Unfortunately we have allowed that to happen.'' (ST)
Happy with their running game, Willingham said at halftime:
"We've got to keep our defense off the field and the best way to do that is for the offense to stay on the field and score.'' (ST)
Unhappy with how UH successfully challenged calls by the refs, Willingham said:
"To play a game like they played and to have some things surrounding that kind of shape the football game, that (makes me) angry, because things shouldn't be like that." (HA)
About UH's early turnovers, Willingham said:
"Anytime (the other team) turns the ball over like that, you have opportunities to put points up." (HA)
About the first down they lost when Locker was ruled to have passed the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball, Willingham said:
"I couldn't see it but it was probably fitting for all the calls we had tonight." (HA, ST, SPI)
“Honestly I couldn’t see it. But it was probably fitting for all of the calls that we had all night.” (HN)
At halftime, Willingham complained about the refs:
"my biggest complaint is they are screwing it up. This is a hell of a football game and it is not being done the way it needs to be done.'' (ST)
After the game, Willingham was still upset about the refs:
"You hate to have a football game where your team plays the way we played and have things surrounding that kind of shape this football game. That's angry x the game shouldn't be like that." (SPI)
About how they knew that the refs were going to favor Hawaii, offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said:
"We knew that was coming. We all knew that was coming." (ST)
"We knew it coming in. We expected that. It's all WAC. You knew that coming in." (SPI)
About how they made a lot of progress during this 4-9 season, Lappano said:
"I think we've made a lot of progress. This program's a lot better now that it was when we got here. It is. I know there aren't enough wins yet, but I think we've done some pretty good things. … We played a good football team in here. Some people thought we were going to get blown out of there, and we played out tails off for the most part.'' (ST)
About how UH deserves to go to a BCS game, RB coach Trent Miles (who coached at UH under Bob Wagner and Fred VonAppen said:
"Of course they deserve to go. They went 12-0. You can only play who they give you. They did everything they were asked to do. You can't take that away from them." (HA)
About the rumors that Willingham's job is in jeopardy, QB Jake Locker said:
"We're all behind him. We all have a lot of respect for him." (HSB, ST)
About the first down called back because he was flagged for passing beyond the line of scrimmage, Locker said:
"A lot of people thought I didn't, but that's what he saw and he made the call and you can't change that." (CBS, AP)
About how he thought they could score on their final drive, Locker said:
"I was fully confident we could get down the field and score when we started the drive." (HA)
About the INT in the end zone, Locker said:
"He got (his hands) on it, but I didn't throw it far enough to the outside. I saw it bounce off his foot and all of a sudden it was going the other way. But we really didn't lose the game on that one play." (HSB)
"It was just bad luck. It's just kind of how the year has gone." (SPI)
About how he dropped their final pass into the end zone that was deflected to Mouton, senior WR Marcel Reece said:
"It was a close call, you know. I tried to go up and get it and I thought I had it in my hands, but I don't know where it went. It's always disappointing to not hold onto the ball. I always say that no matter what the defender does, I've got to come down with that ball. I was in the end zone and I didn't make the catch. I'm the playmaker on this team and I didn't make the play. It hurts. That one will stick with me for a long time." (HSB)
“I just wish I could have delivered for my team. My teammates deserved it, my coaching staff deserved it, I myself deserved and the fans did too. I apologize to everybody in Seattle for that one.” (HN)
“It’s always disappointing when you’re not able to hold onto a pass as a receiver. That’s our job. No matter where the ball is or what the defender does, the receiver has to catch the ball and then run after it. No matter how many plays I’ve made all year, that one’s going to stay with me forever. It hurts. It hurts when you’re looked on as a leader and a playmaker on the team and you don’t make a play the last play of the game.” (HN)
"I was in the end zone, I didn't score the touchdown, and we lost a game we shouldn't have lost. I had my hands on it and I don't know what happened after that. No matter how many plays I made all year, that is one that will stick with me forever.'' (ST)
"I apologize to the city of Seattle for that one'' (ST)
HN Note: "Willingham and offensive coordinator Tim Lappano indicated after the game that the Huskies would have gone for two points and the win had they scored at the end of the game."
About the loss, Rankin (who finished with 145 rushing yards) said:
“It was disappointing that we couldn’t finish up with a win like we wanted to. We moved the ball pretty good but we just didn’t finish.” (HN)
Blaming the refs, safety Nate Williams said:
"You can't play against two teams. We can't play against Hawai'i and the referees." (HA)
About how they keep losing games in the 4th quarter, Nate Williams said:
"It (happens) over and over and over and over." (SPI)
Asked where UH would finish in the Pac-10, Roy Lewis said:
"probably last. To really be honest. They're a good team for the conference that they are in, but the Pac-10, I think there are just too many heavy hitters. Once teams get their number and have the right plays called, that system, like all systems, can be broken. You can find glitches in the system. They run their system very well, don't get me wrong, but there are some glitches that can be put out there." (ST)
Quotes from Others
Asked if the Athletic Department will keep the BCS money, Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"We're going to talk about it." (HA)
UH President David McClain said that while:
"they are UH's team, the state's team, they come under the Manoa chancellor's office." (HA)
Happy about the win and the BCS spot, HF said:
"I'm so happy for our student-athletes and for June and his coaching staff. You know, we captured the imagination of the entire state. Everybody screamed about our schedule. We don't want to talk about our schedule anymore. All we want to talk about now is we're going to the BCS." (HSB)
About how there is no doubt that they will be in a BCS bowl, HF said:
“This one was for all the marbles. Last week was to stay in the race and for the WAC championship. Of course, now this gets us there with the big boys and very few people have that opportunity.’’ (MN)
“Absolutely, especially with number one (Missouri) and two (West Virginia) going down and then also with the number 11 (Boston College) going down. After number 11 went down, I was worried about Arizona State against Arizona and maybe them jumping us on strength of schedule, but we will pick up more strength-of-schedule points as well because of the win over Washington. It looks like it will be the Sugar Bowl against LSU, who clinched their spot there today – that is unless they move up into the national championship game. I have talked to a few Sugar Bowl officials and I will be waiting for their call (today).’’ (MN)
About the BCS gathering at the Stan Sheriff Center today, HF said:
"This will be an incredible atmosphere with members of the football team, cheerleaders, pep band and enthusiastic fns participating. We want to show the nation the fantastic support that our Warriors receive from the entire Hawai'i ohana." (HA)
About playing 2 I-AA teams, HF said:
“We took some heat for playing two I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) teams, but that was the only option we had. All I’m going to say is it worked out for the best.’’ (MN)
About how Saturday was his 56th birthday and he was hoping for a UH win, Karl Benson said:
"I think you know what I'd like to see for my birthday." (HA)
About UH's win, Benson said:
"What a great comeback. You know, I said this was a team of destiny a month ago. I saw the San Jose State game and the Nevada game, and to see this game, what a great finish for a great team. It validates our league in such a big way. Unfortunately, we've got to turn our attention to one more game and hope they can do it again. This is a team that has proved they can do it. We're going to another BCS game." (HSB)
About showing UH's BCS celebration at the Stan Sheriff Center during their BCS announcement broadcast, Fox spokesman Dan Bell said:
"They are an exciting team that we want America to get to know better, and what better way than when you have a prime-time BCS selection show? Not only are they a tremendous story, they have one of the best players in the country in Colt Brennan, one of the most exciting offenses and best teams in the country." (HA)
HSB = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
MN = Maui News
AP = Associated Press
CBS = CBSSports.com wire reports
ST = Seattle Times
SPI = Seattle Post-Intelligencer
HN = Everett HeraldNet
_____________________________________
Quotes from the UH Coaches
About the win, JJ said:
"What a win! It hasn't soaked in yet. (The team) was committed to getting a win tonight. They played hard and I can't be more proud of them. It's unbelievable. The (regular season) could not have ended better. I think the turning point in the game was the third TD (to Jason Rivers that was reversed by instant replay). That's when I knew we were going to win." (HSB, CBS, AP, ST)
About how Colt convinced him to change the play on the winning TD, JJ said:
"I had called a run play but Colt said he knew (UW) would be in man and wanted to call a 'go' route, so we went with it." (HA)
"I had called a run play, but Colt said that he knew (UW) would be in man and wanted to call a "go" route, so we went with it." (HSB)
About the win and the undefeated season, George Lumpkin said:
"It feels outstanding, what a relief. We know God has had his hand on this team from the beginning. I believe this team is special." (HSB)
About their undefeated regular season, GM said with tears of joy in his eyes:
“There is no better feeling than 12-0. I am so proud because we were down 21-0 and we held them to seven after that. I’m just really proud of our guys because all season they have believed. Our offense came back, special teams played big, but we had to do it the hard way. Even at the end we gave up those two big passes (as Washington reached the UH 4-yard line with 20 seconds to go), but that is the way it has been. It was a little too dramatic for me.’’ (MN)
About his defense, GM said:
"This was really a good (Washington) offense. I don't care what people think or what their (4-9) record is, (but) our guys made a play at the end, which they have all year long. They've come up with a play to get us out of trouble. You cannot believe how much I admire this total football team." (HSB)
"Players make plays, and these guys made plays." (HSB)
Note: It really is amazing that UW scored 28 points in the first 23 minutes and ZERO in the final 37 minutes.
Quotes from the UH Offense
About how their team's brotherhood is special, Colt said:
"This team is special. These guys are special. They play for each other. I've never been part of such a brotherhood, such camaraderie. It's so special I changed my whole perspective on life." (HA)
About the feeling he had when he stepped to the line of scrimmage with 3 seconds left (praying silently "just don't fumble"), Colt said:
"It's so hard to explain the feelings. Not just for me, but for this team, and for this state." (HA)
During the post-game celebration, Colt yelled about the BCS:
"No doubts, we're going to the BCS. We earned it." (HA)
After the game, Colt said to the crowd at Aloha Stadium:
“We are going to the BCS and a lot of it is due to the support you guys gave us. I can’t thank you guys enough for all the support. We will see you in New Orleans.’’ (MN)
About going to a BCS game and their big 4-game stretch, Colt said:
"We're going to the BCS, can you believe it? It's so exciting how we finished these last four games. I knew our season would really begin with Fresno State and end tonight. And that's exactly what happened." (HSB)
Hoping they get to play USC in the Rose Bowl, Colt said:
"I began my career against USC and I'd love to end it against them. I've got nothing but respect for SC. I'm a big fan of their program. I sure want to play them. We want to stay on the West Coast. I know Hawaii fans would fill that place. Of course, we'll go anywhere they send us. This team has persevered so much this season that I can't even put into words exactly how I feel. We never doubted we could come back." (HSB)
About how their past two wins have captivated an expanding network of fans, Colt said:
"With that, we captivated the state. We gave the people here what they wanted, a place in their hearts for the rest of their lives. But tonight was about stepping away and captivating the nation. There's something so special about the guys in this locker room. We wanted to show the nation how special this place is." (HA)
About how he expected a tough game from UW, Colt said:
"I had a feeling coming into this game it wasn't going to be easy. What's that saying? 'There's nothing scarier than a dying man.' As a team, they weren't in the greatest shape after (losing to in-state rival Washington State) last week. They were coming out here with an all-or-nothing approach. I knew they were coming out here with a strong punch." (HA)
"We knew they were going to come in here and play us tough. They had nothing to lose, so you knew they were going to leave it out there on the field. It's a great feeling. This is why I came back for my senior season, to be with the guys and accomplish something like this." (HSB)
About how Washington played a tough cover 4 defense for most of the game, Colt said:
"They were in an 88 most of the night, which is a cover 4. It looks like cover 2, but the corners sink. Then they went to three roll and at the end of the game they went to man free. That's when we just killed them." (HSB)
About how this win is special, Colt said:
"This is so special. You think something is going to spoil it, or it will be taken away from you. I don't want this feeling to go away. I want to hold on to it for a long time." (HA)
About their undefeated season, Colt said:
"It's a pretty good feeling right now. It's pretty much speechless. I just can't believe we got to this point and we did it." (HA)
"We just wanted a win." (HSB)
"It's just a surreal feeling and it's hard to believe. That's how this season has been, and now the focus goes to whoever we play in that big bowl game." (HSB)
"This was something we dreamed about and to be here and see what we've accomplished, and the perfect record, is just mind blowing." (CBS, AP)
Not worried about the Heisman, Colt said:
"It really doesn't matter when you're 12-0. If they invite me great, if not the joke's on them." (HSB)
About their faith in their team, Colt said:
"The theme of this team has been believe. What better test than to end the season on a game like that." (HA)
About his fumble, Colt said:
"That's how football goes. There's nothing really I could do. I went to look right and the guy came. I probably could've secured it better, I guess, but I didn't see him coming. We fumbled, we made our mistakes, but it's not about the mistakes. It's about how to bounce back and that's what we do." (HA)
About how he wasn't worried even when they were down, Colt said:
"We kept believing. The opportunity presented itself and we took it." (HA)
"We believed the whole time. We knew we were going to win if we kept believing ... I feel speechless. It's an awesome feeling." (CBS, AP)
About why he was down on the ground so long after a sack when they were down 14-0, Colt said:
"I got hit really good in my family jewels." (HA)
About what he thought when it was 21-0 to end the first quarter, Colt said:
"The only thing I could think about was that there was a lot of time left and if we could slowly tug away at the gap then maybe we can put ourselves in a spot to win this game and that's exactly what we did." (CBS, AP)
About their early struggles on offense, Colt said:
"What we were doing earlier was working, but we were fumbling and not executing fully. We went back to what we knew we could do and we threw some touchdowns." (HSB)
About their game-winning TD, Colt said:
"We knew they were playing a lot of man and we knew that we could execute it. Ryan did a good job. He gave me an angle. I threw the ball right there and Ryan got it in. Perfect execution." (HA)
About how he convinced JJ to change the play on the winning TD, Colt said:
"Coach Jones trusted me on that call. I told coach, 'We got 'em,' so I changed it to a pass play because I knew they were going to be in man (to man defense). I've got the most talented receiving corps in the nation. People can't play us man-to-man." (HA, ST)
"Coach Jones trusted me on that last call. I told coach, 'We got 'em,' so I changed it to a pass play. ... I've got the most talented receiving corps in the nation. People can't play us man-to-man." (HSB)
"I saw they were in man free and decided to go for the pass. I told Coach (June Jones) that the play was there for the taking. He agreed with me and the rest is history." (HSB)
About how he knew UW would come back to try to tie the game at the end, Colt said:
"I knew they were going to come back; I sensed it. But our defense has come up big time and time again this season. And they did it again when we needed it most. This is a team. We believed in ourselves all season, and now we're 12-0. On that last play, I just tried to block everything out of my mind and just execute the play. You could feel the crowd lifting us up the entire game. They never stopped believing and neither did we." (HSB)
About Jason Rivers' huge game, Colt said:
"Jason showed up tonight. He's a senior. This is the kind of game he needed for an ending note in this stadium." (HA)
"We just call plays and read it and whoever's open is open. It just so happened to be Jason Rivers was open a lot tonight." (HSB)
Praising their play calling, Jason Rivers said:
"Football is like a chess match. You have to make the right call at the right time. Coach (June) Jones did a good job of that." (HA)
After his 14 catches for 167 yards and 4 TDs, Rivers said:
"I expect nothing less from myself and my teammates. Me being a senior, I wanted to do something special." (HA)
About his first TD, which was initially ruled out of bounds but overturned on replay, Rivers said:
"I knew I was in because when I turned ... I knew I was way inside. Colt (Brennan) did a good job of finding me." (HA)
About how they had set up his 40-yard TD to tie the score, Rivers said:
"We were waiting for that call." (HA)
"They were giving us a lot of stuff underneath. So we took it. But we knew it would open up later, and it did. I just ran straight and Colt got it to me." (HA)
About his huge game in his final game at Aloha Stadium as a Warrior, Rivers said:
"It means a lot. I don't know if I'm ever going to play in front of my family and friends again. It means a lot to go out on this kind of note." (HA)
About how they believed they would come back to win the game, Rivers said:
"It's the same quote we've been saying all year. We believe, we believe. For us that didn't matter. First thing that came to mind when it was 21-0 was we've been in this position before. We've been behind in bad weather, we've had to overcome all kinds of adversity." (HSB)
"The first thing that came to everyone's mind was we've been in this position before. We've been down, we've been in harder positions ... Everybody had confidence and believed in each other. I'm blessed to be part of this team." (HSB)
About the game-winning TD, Ryan Grice-Mullins said:
"Colt trusted me. The team trusted me. Colt put it right there, and I just made the play. I was thinking touchdown all the way. Nobody was going to stop me that close." (HA)
"Basically, I had a flat route and I just had to beat my guy. All the other receivers did a good job running their routes. It make it easier for me to beat my guy." (HA)
So happy they won for the seniors, the team, and the state, RGM said:
"Mostly, I felt good to do it for these seniors. We had a very emotional night last night at the hotel. The seniors said their last speech and everything. Guys shed tears because of the love on this team. It felt good just to get this win, first of all for the seniors, second of all for the team and third of all for this island. All I can say is it's beautiful." (HA)
About how they never gave up, RGM said:
"It just showed what kind of team we have and that we never give up, we never stop." (CBS, AP)
After his 82 yards rushing on 10 carries, Daniel Libre said that his teammates helped him get over the fumble:
"What helped me was my teammates picking me up after the fumble. That helped me come back. It was a crazy ride. I love these guys. They made my job really easy." (HA)
After his 82 yards rusing and 61 yards receiving (on 6 receptions) in the game, Libre said:
"To be honest with you, I had no idea what was coming for me. I didn't even know if I was going to play." (HA)
"I can't even put it into words. My team needed me and I'm happy I could step up." (HSB)
Happy to be at RB instead of slotback, Libre said:
"There's so many good slotbacks on this team. So I'm just glad I got a chance at running back; that's a more natural position for me." (HA)
Hoping to get more reps next year, his senior season, Libre said:
"Tonight was all about the seniors and I wanted to do what I could to help them win this game. And hopefully I can be in the same position next year, getting more reps from the start." (HA)
About going rom Kanawaena to Menlo College to a BCS game soon, Libre said:
"It's been a crazy long road and I'm just happy I could do it with these guys." (HSB)
About how they never gave up in the game, Hercules Satele said:
"We left everything out there. Most teams would have given up. We were down 21 points to Washington. But this team, we never give up. We never stop fighting." (HA)
About his final game at Aloha Stadium, Hercules said:
"This is my last game in Aloha Stadium and what a way to go out. We're 12-0. I'm never going to forget this." (HA)
About how their poor pass protection contributed to their 21-0 deficit, Hercules said:
"We take all the blame. We're here to protect the quarterback, and we didn't do a good job. We had some screw ups and the coaches got on us." (HA)
About how JJ came on the field to lecture the OL during a timeout, Hercules said:
"He just said to pick it up. We all looked at each other and said that's it. We're not going to let this team beat us in our house." (HA)
Not worried what BCS game they go to, Hercules said:
"I don't care where we go, anyplace. This team has been through so much adversity, we deserve to go." (HA)
Quotes from the UH Defense
About how they knew they would win, Michael Lafaele said:
"We knew we'd win. We just had to fight through it. God put his grace on it." (HA)
About how they knew they had time to come back in the game, Adam Leonard said:
"We said at the end of the first quarter, 'It doesn't matter!' Once that's over, it's over. We played three good quarters of football." (HSB)
"We knew we had time. Our defense did a great job of playing three great quarters." (HA)
About how Rankin went rom 104 yards in the first half to 41 in the 2nd half, Adam said:
"We just kept him inside and tried to contain as best we could." (HA)
About deflecting UW's final pass in the end zone, Gerard Lewis said:
"I just tried to make a play." (HA)
About making the INT off the deflection to seal the win, Ryan Mouton said:
"Gerard made a great play to break it up. I saw the ball float in the air. I grabbed it. I wasn't going to let it go." (HA)
"Everybody's giving me the credit, but Gerard made the play. He had the man covered and the ball kicked off his foot. I just happened to be there to catch it." (HA)
About how he was playing safety on that play with backup saety Erik Robinson because Patek and Desmond Thomas (and Keao Monteilh) were out with injury, Mouton said:
"We just communicated with each other all across the field. As a whole defense we communicated and adjusted." (HSB)
About shifting to safety from his CB spot, Mouton said:
"Everyone has to know what everyone does, in case we have to fill in or whatever. We know we can get the job done no matter who's out there." (HSB)
About sliding to the turf instead of trying to score on the INT, Mouton said:
"The game was over. I didn't want to risk anything." (HA)
About coming to UH for a chance to go to a BCS game (I don't think anyone has said that before!), Mouton said:
"This is why I came here, because I knew we had a chance to go to a BCS game. I think with this win, it feels good, they'll put us in there." (HSB)
About how he had to play after their starting safeties were injured during the first UW drive, Erik Robinson said:
"A couple of guys went down and I had some reps this week, so it was my time to step up. I was kind of nervous when I went in, but I just had to settle down and get right." (HSB)
About their slow start in the game, Blaze said:
"We came out flat, we came out real flat. I think we came out too complacent. Then we all talked to each other and asked who wanted it more." (HSB)
About how they deserve to be in the National Championship game, Josh Leonard said:
“Why not? We are the only unbeaten team left in the nation. Now, we have to prove against someone who will get us respect with the rest of the nation.’’ (MN)
Quotes from Washington
About the loss, Tyrone Willingham said:
"It's a real disappointment because our young men played a heck of a football game. It's that old football circumstance that one more play would have won the football game. We just did not make one more play." (HA)
"The truth is we didn't do well enough. I think we played a heck of a game on both sides because that is a very talented offense. They do a lot of things very well." (HA)
"We just didn't make one more play." (HSB)
“This was a real disappointment because our young men played a heck of a football game. It’s that old football circumstance that one more play and we win a football. We just did not make the one more play.” (HN, ST, SPI)
“A play here, a play there." (HN)
"This was a real disappointing loss. Our young men played a heckuva football game. We just didn't make that one more play. But the truth is, we didn't do well enough on both sides of the ball. That's the tale of the tape. And we played against a very talented offense." (HSB)
"This was real disappointing because our young men played a heck of a football game." (CBS, AP)
Asked if UH should get a BCS bid, Willingham said:
"The polls will determine that." (HA)
Praising Jason Rivers, Willingham said:
"He was just good. That last one (Rivers' fourth TD), we tried to stay on top of him, but he just got by us." (HSB)
About Jake Locker and Louis Rankin, Willingham said:
"A lot of growth took place (for Locker this season). He has shown the ability to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. And Louis has been criticized, but he's proving the critics wrong. He ran hard and makes plays that only a few backs can make. I'm proud of the year he had." (HSB)
Praising Rankin, Willingham said:
"He ran hard. He made plays only a few backs could make and I honestly was very proud of the year he had." (SPI)
"Louis has proved the critics wrong. It was a credit to his hard work and a credit to our offensive line. Our coaches did a nice job of coaching the offense and him so he could be successful." (SPI)
About how their travel delay had no impact on the game, Willingham said:
"Our guys played a heck of a football game. The travel did nothing. The travel was a heck of an opportunity for our guys to do a little more bonding. They sit around, had fun, played cards. It's not the ideal location playing in the airport terminal, but our guys are resourceful, they know how to handle themselves and they made a good situation out of it.'' (ST)
"The travel was a great opportunity for our guys to do a little more bonding. It didn't make a difference because I think our team played well." (SPI)
Asked about their defense, Willingham said:
"The truth is we didn't do well enough. That was the tale of the tape. We didn't do well enough offensively, we didn't do well enough defensively, even though I think we played a heck of a football game on both sides because that is a very talented offense. They do a lot of things very well.'' (ST)
"It was the yards after catch -- it was the thing that really triggered everything. When they have the ability to catch it and run for 20 yards. ... You can't do that. You can't allow them to do that because that is when they are at their best." (SPI)
About how they missed too many tackles, Willingham said at halftime:
"We knew this was an explosive offense, what we had to do was tackle, tackle, tackle ... don't give up the big runs after the catch. Unfortunately we have allowed that to happen.'' (ST)
Happy with their running game, Willingham said at halftime:
"We've got to keep our defense off the field and the best way to do that is for the offense to stay on the field and score.'' (ST)
Unhappy with how UH successfully challenged calls by the refs, Willingham said:
"To play a game like they played and to have some things surrounding that kind of shape the football game, that (makes me) angry, because things shouldn't be like that." (HA)
About UH's early turnovers, Willingham said:
"Anytime (the other team) turns the ball over like that, you have opportunities to put points up." (HA)
About the first down they lost when Locker was ruled to have passed the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball, Willingham said:
"I couldn't see it but it was probably fitting for all the calls we had tonight." (HA, ST, SPI)
“Honestly I couldn’t see it. But it was probably fitting for all of the calls that we had all night.” (HN)
At halftime, Willingham complained about the refs:
"my biggest complaint is they are screwing it up. This is a hell of a football game and it is not being done the way it needs to be done.'' (ST)
After the game, Willingham was still upset about the refs:
"You hate to have a football game where your team plays the way we played and have things surrounding that kind of shape this football game. That's angry x the game shouldn't be like that." (SPI)
About how they knew that the refs were going to favor Hawaii, offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said:
"We knew that was coming. We all knew that was coming." (ST)
"We knew it coming in. We expected that. It's all WAC. You knew that coming in." (SPI)
About how they made a lot of progress during this 4-9 season, Lappano said:
"I think we've made a lot of progress. This program's a lot better now that it was when we got here. It is. I know there aren't enough wins yet, but I think we've done some pretty good things. … We played a good football team in here. Some people thought we were going to get blown out of there, and we played out tails off for the most part.'' (ST)
About how UH deserves to go to a BCS game, RB coach Trent Miles (who coached at UH under Bob Wagner and Fred VonAppen said:
"Of course they deserve to go. They went 12-0. You can only play who they give you. They did everything they were asked to do. You can't take that away from them." (HA)
About the rumors that Willingham's job is in jeopardy, QB Jake Locker said:
"We're all behind him. We all have a lot of respect for him." (HSB, ST)
About the first down called back because he was flagged for passing beyond the line of scrimmage, Locker said:
"A lot of people thought I didn't, but that's what he saw and he made the call and you can't change that." (CBS, AP)
About how he thought they could score on their final drive, Locker said:
"I was fully confident we could get down the field and score when we started the drive." (HA)
About the INT in the end zone, Locker said:
"He got (his hands) on it, but I didn't throw it far enough to the outside. I saw it bounce off his foot and all of a sudden it was going the other way. But we really didn't lose the game on that one play." (HSB)
"It was just bad luck. It's just kind of how the year has gone." (SPI)
About how he dropped their final pass into the end zone that was deflected to Mouton, senior WR Marcel Reece said:
"It was a close call, you know. I tried to go up and get it and I thought I had it in my hands, but I don't know where it went. It's always disappointing to not hold onto the ball. I always say that no matter what the defender does, I've got to come down with that ball. I was in the end zone and I didn't make the catch. I'm the playmaker on this team and I didn't make the play. It hurts. That one will stick with me for a long time." (HSB)
“I just wish I could have delivered for my team. My teammates deserved it, my coaching staff deserved it, I myself deserved and the fans did too. I apologize to everybody in Seattle for that one.” (HN)
“It’s always disappointing when you’re not able to hold onto a pass as a receiver. That’s our job. No matter where the ball is or what the defender does, the receiver has to catch the ball and then run after it. No matter how many plays I’ve made all year, that one’s going to stay with me forever. It hurts. It hurts when you’re looked on as a leader and a playmaker on the team and you don’t make a play the last play of the game.” (HN)
"I was in the end zone, I didn't score the touchdown, and we lost a game we shouldn't have lost. I had my hands on it and I don't know what happened after that. No matter how many plays I made all year, that is one that will stick with me forever.'' (ST)
"I apologize to the city of Seattle for that one'' (ST)
HN Note: "Willingham and offensive coordinator Tim Lappano indicated after the game that the Huskies would have gone for two points and the win had they scored at the end of the game."
About the loss, Rankin (who finished with 145 rushing yards) said:
“It was disappointing that we couldn’t finish up with a win like we wanted to. We moved the ball pretty good but we just didn’t finish.” (HN)
Blaming the refs, safety Nate Williams said:
"You can't play against two teams. We can't play against Hawai'i and the referees." (HA)
About how they keep losing games in the 4th quarter, Nate Williams said:
"It (happens) over and over and over and over." (SPI)
Asked where UH would finish in the Pac-10, Roy Lewis said:
"probably last. To really be honest. They're a good team for the conference that they are in, but the Pac-10, I think there are just too many heavy hitters. Once teams get their number and have the right plays called, that system, like all systems, can be broken. You can find glitches in the system. They run their system very well, don't get me wrong, but there are some glitches that can be put out there." (ST)
Quotes from Others
Asked if the Athletic Department will keep the BCS money, Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"We're going to talk about it." (HA)
UH President David McClain said that while:
"they are UH's team, the state's team, they come under the Manoa chancellor's office." (HA)
Happy about the win and the BCS spot, HF said:
"I'm so happy for our student-athletes and for June and his coaching staff. You know, we captured the imagination of the entire state. Everybody screamed about our schedule. We don't want to talk about our schedule anymore. All we want to talk about now is we're going to the BCS." (HSB)
About how there is no doubt that they will be in a BCS bowl, HF said:
“This one was for all the marbles. Last week was to stay in the race and for the WAC championship. Of course, now this gets us there with the big boys and very few people have that opportunity.’’ (MN)
“Absolutely, especially with number one (Missouri) and two (West Virginia) going down and then also with the number 11 (Boston College) going down. After number 11 went down, I was worried about Arizona State against Arizona and maybe them jumping us on strength of schedule, but we will pick up more strength-of-schedule points as well because of the win over Washington. It looks like it will be the Sugar Bowl against LSU, who clinched their spot there today – that is unless they move up into the national championship game. I have talked to a few Sugar Bowl officials and I will be waiting for their call (today).’’ (MN)
About the BCS gathering at the Stan Sheriff Center today, HF said:
"This will be an incredible atmosphere with members of the football team, cheerleaders, pep band and enthusiastic fns participating. We want to show the nation the fantastic support that our Warriors receive from the entire Hawai'i ohana." (HA)
About playing 2 I-AA teams, HF said:
“We took some heat for playing two I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) teams, but that was the only option we had. All I’m going to say is it worked out for the best.’’ (MN)
About how Saturday was his 56th birthday and he was hoping for a UH win, Karl Benson said:
"I think you know what I'd like to see for my birthday." (HA)
About UH's win, Benson said:
"What a great comeback. You know, I said this was a team of destiny a month ago. I saw the San Jose State game and the Nevada game, and to see this game, what a great finish for a great team. It validates our league in such a big way. Unfortunately, we've got to turn our attention to one more game and hope they can do it again. This is a team that has proved they can do it. We're going to another BCS game." (HSB)
About showing UH's BCS celebration at the Stan Sheriff Center during their BCS announcement broadcast, Fox spokesman Dan Bell said:
"They are an exciting team that we want America to get to know better, and what better way than when you have a prime-time BCS selection show? Not only are they a tremendous story, they have one of the best players in the country in Colt Brennan, one of the most exciting offenses and best teams in the country." (HA)
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Pregame quotes for the UH-Washington game
About how his hometown UW didn't offer him a scholarship, Adam Leonard said:
"U-Dub is a great program, especially in the '90s. It was an option I would have loved to look into, but they never offered me a scholarship." (HSB)
No regrets for how UW didn't recruit him, Adam said:
"I don't regret anything that happened. I look at it as a blessing for me to go out here and have this opportunity, which nobody in America has, to go undefeated." (HSB)
After the BSU game, Adam Leonard said:
"This is a great victory for the state of Hawaii. But we've got a lot more left to accomplish." (HSB)
Happy to be with UH, Adam said:
"I'm just happy to be here. I'm excited to be on the only undefeated team in the nation this year." (HSB)
About how he gets a chance to hit Locker tonight, when he had to sit out with injury while Locker led his high school team over his in the 3A Washington state tournament his senior season, Adam said:
"He's a baller," Leonard said. "But I'm gonna try." (HSB)
About the importance of this game to UH, Rich Miano said:
"I've been here for 30 years. I can't imagine any game that has had more magnitude for the future, the past or the present of this program. I hope to live to be a centenarian, but I'm not sure — and that's not being negative — that there will be another chance to go to a BCS game. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It's here. It's now." (HA)
About how their season is important for more than just their team, Cal Lee said:
"The big part of this whole thing is it's for the whole state." (HA)
About how he won 14 straight Hawaii High School titles when he coached St. Louis, Cal Lee said:
"Half the people liked you, half the people didn't. How does it feel when everybody loves you? That's what's happening now to these players. This is pretty special." (HA)
About how they know the importance of what they are doing, Michael Lafaele said:
"We know how long people have waited for this." (HA)
HA Note: "Linebacker Adam Leonard has a fractured right hand that makes it difficult to hold a pen. Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins has 90 receptions despite a fractured finger on his right hand. Which finger? "This one," he said, laughing, as he gives the finger to a reporter. Lafaele has a fracture in his right hand, a sprained left wrist, a strained right knee and tightness in his left quadriceps."
About what he's been doing this season, Lafaele said:
"It's hard to do all of these things during the biggest season in school history. It's kind of hard with three kids, and trying to be all I can be for this team. But this is an important season, and I want to do my best to make history and memories for a lot of people." (HA)
HA Note: "Lafaele, who is married with three children, is intent on graduating this month. He is taking six classes this semester. He leaves his home in the Pearlridge area at 5:10 every morning. After meetings, practice, classes and more meetings, he returns home to take care of his children. He doesn't do his homework until 10 p.m."
About how his relatives in Samoa and the mainland weren't happy with his play vs. BSU, Keith AhSoon said:
"They weren't happy with the way I played. They were like, 'What's wrong with you?' " (HA)
HA Note: "What they did not know was AhSoon played last week's game with a 101-degree fever. He started to feel poorly the day before the Boise State game. He barely slept that night in the Waikiki hotel where the Warriors stay before home games. The morning of the game, he begged teammates for help. Defensive tackle Fale Laeli soaked a towel in a bucket of iced water, then applied the towel to AhSoon's head and neck."
About AhSoon's fever, Laele said:
"His head was burning." (HA)
About how he tried to just get through the game, AhSoon said:
"Know when your body is giving up on you? It was like that. I just prayed that whole day. 'Just give me two hours of strength.' " (HA)
"I felt so sick. Every single down, I told myself, 'This is for the championship. I've got to fight.' I kept going." (HA)
Asked if it was worth it, AhSoon said:
"Of course. This season means so much to us. It doesn't matter if we're hurt or sick. We're just going to go out there and fight." (HA)
JJ praised UW, saying they:
"are the best team on our schedule." (HSB)
JJ praised Jake Locker:
"He's a good player ... very much so. He's just a freshman and once he gets more plugged into their scheme of everything, and they get better around him, he's in a new league." (HSB)
About facing UH, Locker said:
"They are a very physical team, play really hard, always flying around the ball. That's something we need to be able to match, their intensity and aggressiveness, and that's going to be one of the major keys to the game. We're gonna get hit, and we're going to have to hit them, so it'll be a good old-fashioned physical game I think." (HSB)
About how he's very familiar with UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano, working with him on 2 NFL coaching staffs, GM said:
"He's a very exceptional coach. I think he's a head coach. The type of guy who is very fundamental, mentally tough. I have no doubt he'll want to run the football, but he'll pass in the right situations. I've been with him quite a few years. I have nothing but respect for him. He's a great coach and he's going to be a big challenge." (HSB)
Not looking past UW, Colt said:
"People keep saying, 'BCS, BCS, BCS.' We're not thinking that. We're thinking we need to do our best against a very good Washington team. We need a great performance by everybody — the players, the coaches and, especially, the fans." (HA)
"Everyone is real excited about the possibilities in front of us, but everyone, the whole state, needs to focus on Washington right now because we have got to win this football game." (HSB)
"Everyone I know is saying, 'BCS, BCS.' If everyone really wants that to be a reality, all the fans, everyone out there, they really need to focus on Washington. Washington is a good football team. We have another war this Saturday and we're going to need another great performance by everybody, players included." (HSB)
About how they represent the hopes of a lot of the non-BCS-conference teams, Bess said:
"I know a lot of people across the country are looking to us, wishing us well for what it means." (HA)
About how they represent non-BCS-conference teams, Jeff Reinbold said:
"Any time one of us has a chance to rise up and compete with the the big boys, it speaks well for all of us." (HA)
Supporting UH, Tulane President Scott Cowen said:
"I would tell Hawai'i to beat whomever they play to prove once again that parity is a reality in college football." (HA)
Note: Washington has a $13.8 mil football operating budget, UH has a $2.2 mil football operating budget.
About the chances that BCS-conference teams get, Adam Leonard said:
"Look at teams like UCLA (6-5) that still have an opportunity to play in the BCS. It is kind of a slap in the face of a lot of other teams that have great records and won their games." (HA)
About how this will be a tough game, Colt said:
"They're going to be ready for us. It's not going to be easy." (HA)
Rich Miano praised Jake Locker and said he:
"is a phenomenal athlete. His running speed, quickness, and his ability to make people miss, those are the reasons he's a great quarterback." (HA)
About Locker's elusiveness, Locker said:
"He's a heartbreaker. Just when you think he's trapped, he breaks away." (HA)
About Locker's arm strength (his baseball fastball was measured at 96 mph), GM said:
"He's got a rocket. He throws, to me, like John Elway, and he runs like Carl Lewis. He's like a greyhound chasing those rabbits. He's so dang fast." (HA)
Praising UW's defensive line, OL coach Dennis McKnight said:
"We've faced some great defensive lineman in our conference this year. But as a group this defensive line is the best. They flat-out go after it." (HA)
About Te'o-Neshiem, McKnight said:
"There's a term we use for a relentless player - 'he has a motor' - and that guy has that type of skill. If you get into a fight with him in an alley and knock him out, you'd better make sure he's definitely out. He won't stop. He plays the play longer than the opponent, and that's what you want. Our offense totally respects him." (HA)
About how he is hard to tackle due to his shiftiness, Pilares said:
"When you're young, you always practice your lateral moves. I guess it's paying off. I'll do whatever I have to do. Sometimes you can't always go to the outside." (HA)
About Colt on shovel passes, Dan Morrison said:
"Colt has a very good feel for different backs." (HA)
About how he has to trust his blockers on shovel passes because he catches it with his back to the defense, Pilares said:
"We do about a hundred of those a week in practice. It's easy to trust." (HA)
Note: Pilares' 15.14 YAC on shovel passes is better than Nate's YAC from last season!
About his concentration on out routes, Jason Rivers said:
"I concentrate like the ball's my baby. I don't want people to snatch my baby from me." (HA)
About how he forgets about his injured shoulder during the game, Blaze said:
"The adrenaline rush is awesome. It's a great high. If you ever see me in the locker room, I'm hurting. But in the game, when I see my teammates hurt, it inspires me to play even harder." (HA)
About the big hits that he and Blaze make, Timo Paepule said:
"Its a Kane'ohe thing. Me and Blaze, we always tell each other that when we make a big hit, it's, 'Yeah, K-Town Boys.' " (HA)
About how he's earned one of the kick returner spots, Keenan Jones said:
"I'm getting a lot more comfortable back there. I'm ready to fill in and make the best of it." (HA)
About how UH's basketball team will get together to watch the football game together, UH coach Bob Nash said:
"We'll try to get in a good practice in the morning, then rest, get some dinner, and then try to get together as a team to watch the football game. We're all a part of the same university, the same athletic department, so we're all friends and we're rooting for them." (HA)
About how they will watch the game instead of practice at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, Bob Nash said:
"They're going for one of the highest honors ever for this university. That's something you can't put a premium on. We got kids we're trying to recruit to play basketball for us who are talking about the football team, so it's affecting us, too." (HA)
About how they cheer for the football team, UH center Stephen Verwers said:
"We have a lot of friends on the football team. We root them on, and they root us on." (HA)
About how they have to prepare for their basketball game too, Verwers said:
"We love watching the football team, but when it comes down to it, we know we have to take care of our business before everything else." (HA)
About the challenge of facing UH's offense, safety Darin Harris said:
"Proving (the doubters) wrong would be a good thing. Especially in the secondary. They say we're the weak point of the defense and that kind of stuff. So it's a great challenge for us, and we accept the challenge." (HN)
About UH's passing game, Fresno State coach Pat Hill said:
"The passing game is all about timing and spacing, and their timing and spacing is excellent. Also, don't ever underestimate the speed of the Hawaii receivers. Oregon's a good football team with very good receivers. Hawaii might not be as big as their receivers, but I felt they were a lot faster. They can really run. That's the thing about them. Those receivers can run, they know what they're doing, they've been together for two and three years, and they've stayed healthy. Colt's got a great release. It's very hard to get to them, because they get the ball out so quickly. They have got big-time speed." (HN)
About how they need to pressure Colt, DT Jordan Reffet said:
"We plan on getting to that quarterback, because he obviously throws the ball pretty well. We've got to get to him, we've got to take some shots at him and see if we can get him rattled." (HN)
Asked about UW's defense, Colt said they look forward to playing every game:
"We're licking our chops every week. That could be one of two things. That means that there's a good chance that they could give up some big yards to us, or it could mean that they're going to tighten all the nuts and bolts and play us really tough this week. They're very talented, they've got all the athletes, they just haven't put it all together yet as a team. Being the last game of the season, hopefully they don't come out and do that, but they just might." (HN)
About how this is a chance for them to prove their doubters wrong, safety Nate Williams said:
"It is a chance for us to prove a lot of people wrong. For the whole year people have questioned the secondary, and that's always been something that we've tried to do: prove all of the critics wrong. This is definitely a good week for us to do that." (HN)
"U-Dub is a great program, especially in the '90s. It was an option I would have loved to look into, but they never offered me a scholarship." (HSB)
No regrets for how UW didn't recruit him, Adam said:
"I don't regret anything that happened. I look at it as a blessing for me to go out here and have this opportunity, which nobody in America has, to go undefeated." (HSB)
After the BSU game, Adam Leonard said:
"This is a great victory for the state of Hawaii. But we've got a lot more left to accomplish." (HSB)
Happy to be with UH, Adam said:
"I'm just happy to be here. I'm excited to be on the only undefeated team in the nation this year." (HSB)
About how he gets a chance to hit Locker tonight, when he had to sit out with injury while Locker led his high school team over his in the 3A Washington state tournament his senior season, Adam said:
"He's a baller," Leonard said. "But I'm gonna try." (HSB)
About the importance of this game to UH, Rich Miano said:
"I've been here for 30 years. I can't imagine any game that has had more magnitude for the future, the past or the present of this program. I hope to live to be a centenarian, but I'm not sure — and that's not being negative — that there will be another chance to go to a BCS game. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It's here. It's now." (HA)
About how their season is important for more than just their team, Cal Lee said:
"The big part of this whole thing is it's for the whole state." (HA)
About how he won 14 straight Hawaii High School titles when he coached St. Louis, Cal Lee said:
"Half the people liked you, half the people didn't. How does it feel when everybody loves you? That's what's happening now to these players. This is pretty special." (HA)
About how they know the importance of what they are doing, Michael Lafaele said:
"We know how long people have waited for this." (HA)
HA Note: "Linebacker Adam Leonard has a fractured right hand that makes it difficult to hold a pen. Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins has 90 receptions despite a fractured finger on his right hand. Which finger? "This one," he said, laughing, as he gives the finger to a reporter. Lafaele has a fracture in his right hand, a sprained left wrist, a strained right knee and tightness in his left quadriceps."
About what he's been doing this season, Lafaele said:
"It's hard to do all of these things during the biggest season in school history. It's kind of hard with three kids, and trying to be all I can be for this team. But this is an important season, and I want to do my best to make history and memories for a lot of people." (HA)
HA Note: "Lafaele, who is married with three children, is intent on graduating this month. He is taking six classes this semester. He leaves his home in the Pearlridge area at 5:10 every morning. After meetings, practice, classes and more meetings, he returns home to take care of his children. He doesn't do his homework until 10 p.m."
About how his relatives in Samoa and the mainland weren't happy with his play vs. BSU, Keith AhSoon said:
"They weren't happy with the way I played. They were like, 'What's wrong with you?' " (HA)
HA Note: "What they did not know was AhSoon played last week's game with a 101-degree fever. He started to feel poorly the day before the Boise State game. He barely slept that night in the Waikiki hotel where the Warriors stay before home games. The morning of the game, he begged teammates for help. Defensive tackle Fale Laeli soaked a towel in a bucket of iced water, then applied the towel to AhSoon's head and neck."
About AhSoon's fever, Laele said:
"His head was burning." (HA)
About how he tried to just get through the game, AhSoon said:
"Know when your body is giving up on you? It was like that. I just prayed that whole day. 'Just give me two hours of strength.' " (HA)
"I felt so sick. Every single down, I told myself, 'This is for the championship. I've got to fight.' I kept going." (HA)
Asked if it was worth it, AhSoon said:
"Of course. This season means so much to us. It doesn't matter if we're hurt or sick. We're just going to go out there and fight." (HA)
JJ praised UW, saying they:
"are the best team on our schedule." (HSB)
JJ praised Jake Locker:
"He's a good player ... very much so. He's just a freshman and once he gets more plugged into their scheme of everything, and they get better around him, he's in a new league." (HSB)
About facing UH, Locker said:
"They are a very physical team, play really hard, always flying around the ball. That's something we need to be able to match, their intensity and aggressiveness, and that's going to be one of the major keys to the game. We're gonna get hit, and we're going to have to hit them, so it'll be a good old-fashioned physical game I think." (HSB)
About how he's very familiar with UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano, working with him on 2 NFL coaching staffs, GM said:
"He's a very exceptional coach. I think he's a head coach. The type of guy who is very fundamental, mentally tough. I have no doubt he'll want to run the football, but he'll pass in the right situations. I've been with him quite a few years. I have nothing but respect for him. He's a great coach and he's going to be a big challenge." (HSB)
Not looking past UW, Colt said:
"People keep saying, 'BCS, BCS, BCS.' We're not thinking that. We're thinking we need to do our best against a very good Washington team. We need a great performance by everybody — the players, the coaches and, especially, the fans." (HA)
"Everyone is real excited about the possibilities in front of us, but everyone, the whole state, needs to focus on Washington right now because we have got to win this football game." (HSB)
"Everyone I know is saying, 'BCS, BCS.' If everyone really wants that to be a reality, all the fans, everyone out there, they really need to focus on Washington. Washington is a good football team. We have another war this Saturday and we're going to need another great performance by everybody, players included." (HSB)
About how they represent the hopes of a lot of the non-BCS-conference teams, Bess said:
"I know a lot of people across the country are looking to us, wishing us well for what it means." (HA)
About how they represent non-BCS-conference teams, Jeff Reinbold said:
"Any time one of us has a chance to rise up and compete with the the big boys, it speaks well for all of us." (HA)
Supporting UH, Tulane President Scott Cowen said:
"I would tell Hawai'i to beat whomever they play to prove once again that parity is a reality in college football." (HA)
Note: Washington has a $13.8 mil football operating budget, UH has a $2.2 mil football operating budget.
About the chances that BCS-conference teams get, Adam Leonard said:
"Look at teams like UCLA (6-5) that still have an opportunity to play in the BCS. It is kind of a slap in the face of a lot of other teams that have great records and won their games." (HA)
About how this will be a tough game, Colt said:
"They're going to be ready for us. It's not going to be easy." (HA)
Rich Miano praised Jake Locker and said he:
"is a phenomenal athlete. His running speed, quickness, and his ability to make people miss, those are the reasons he's a great quarterback." (HA)
About Locker's elusiveness, Locker said:
"He's a heartbreaker. Just when you think he's trapped, he breaks away." (HA)
About Locker's arm strength (his baseball fastball was measured at 96 mph), GM said:
"He's got a rocket. He throws, to me, like John Elway, and he runs like Carl Lewis. He's like a greyhound chasing those rabbits. He's so dang fast." (HA)
Praising UW's defensive line, OL coach Dennis McKnight said:
"We've faced some great defensive lineman in our conference this year. But as a group this defensive line is the best. They flat-out go after it." (HA)
About Te'o-Neshiem, McKnight said:
"There's a term we use for a relentless player - 'he has a motor' - and that guy has that type of skill. If you get into a fight with him in an alley and knock him out, you'd better make sure he's definitely out. He won't stop. He plays the play longer than the opponent, and that's what you want. Our offense totally respects him." (HA)
About how he is hard to tackle due to his shiftiness, Pilares said:
"When you're young, you always practice your lateral moves. I guess it's paying off. I'll do whatever I have to do. Sometimes you can't always go to the outside." (HA)
About Colt on shovel passes, Dan Morrison said:
"Colt has a very good feel for different backs." (HA)
About how he has to trust his blockers on shovel passes because he catches it with his back to the defense, Pilares said:
"We do about a hundred of those a week in practice. It's easy to trust." (HA)
Note: Pilares' 15.14 YAC on shovel passes is better than Nate's YAC from last season!
About his concentration on out routes, Jason Rivers said:
"I concentrate like the ball's my baby. I don't want people to snatch my baby from me." (HA)
About how he forgets about his injured shoulder during the game, Blaze said:
"The adrenaline rush is awesome. It's a great high. If you ever see me in the locker room, I'm hurting. But in the game, when I see my teammates hurt, it inspires me to play even harder." (HA)
About the big hits that he and Blaze make, Timo Paepule said:
"Its a Kane'ohe thing. Me and Blaze, we always tell each other that when we make a big hit, it's, 'Yeah, K-Town Boys.' " (HA)
About how he's earned one of the kick returner spots, Keenan Jones said:
"I'm getting a lot more comfortable back there. I'm ready to fill in and make the best of it." (HA)
About how UH's basketball team will get together to watch the football game together, UH coach Bob Nash said:
"We'll try to get in a good practice in the morning, then rest, get some dinner, and then try to get together as a team to watch the football game. We're all a part of the same university, the same athletic department, so we're all friends and we're rooting for them." (HA)
About how they will watch the game instead of practice at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, Bob Nash said:
"They're going for one of the highest honors ever for this university. That's something you can't put a premium on. We got kids we're trying to recruit to play basketball for us who are talking about the football team, so it's affecting us, too." (HA)
About how they cheer for the football team, UH center Stephen Verwers said:
"We have a lot of friends on the football team. We root them on, and they root us on." (HA)
About how they have to prepare for their basketball game too, Verwers said:
"We love watching the football team, but when it comes down to it, we know we have to take care of our business before everything else." (HA)
About the challenge of facing UH's offense, safety Darin Harris said:
"Proving (the doubters) wrong would be a good thing. Especially in the secondary. They say we're the weak point of the defense and that kind of stuff. So it's a great challenge for us, and we accept the challenge." (HN)
About UH's passing game, Fresno State coach Pat Hill said:
"The passing game is all about timing and spacing, and their timing and spacing is excellent. Also, don't ever underestimate the speed of the Hawaii receivers. Oregon's a good football team with very good receivers. Hawaii might not be as big as their receivers, but I felt they were a lot faster. They can really run. That's the thing about them. Those receivers can run, they know what they're doing, they've been together for two and three years, and they've stayed healthy. Colt's got a great release. It's very hard to get to them, because they get the ball out so quickly. They have got big-time speed." (HN)
About how they need to pressure Colt, DT Jordan Reffet said:
"We plan on getting to that quarterback, because he obviously throws the ball pretty well. We've got to get to him, we've got to take some shots at him and see if we can get him rattled." (HN)
Asked about UW's defense, Colt said they look forward to playing every game:
"We're licking our chops every week. That could be one of two things. That means that there's a good chance that they could give up some big yards to us, or it could mean that they're going to tighten all the nuts and bolts and play us really tough this week. They're very talented, they've got all the athletes, they just haven't put it all together yet as a team. Being the last game of the season, hopefully they don't come out and do that, but they just might." (HN)
About how this is a chance for them to prove their doubters wrong, safety Nate Williams said:
"It is a chance for us to prove a lot of people wrong. For the whole year people have questioned the secondary, and that's always been something that we've tried to do: prove all of the critics wrong. This is definitely a good week for us to do that." (HN)
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