About being named one of the 7 finalists for the Bear Bryant College Coach of the Year, JJ said:
"It is truly an honor to be recognized amongst the top coaches in the country. I was lucky to grow up during that era. Bear was not only a legend, but a real man." (HA, HSB)
Praising Georgia's D, JJ said:
"They look like the Baltimore Ravens. They've got a whole bunch of guys and they're good at everything. Every one of those guys looks like he will play in the NFL." (HSB)
Asked if he expected any problems with player eligibility for the Sugar Bowl due to academics, JJ said:
"We're OK." (HSB)
Proud of how hard they have been working on D, GM said:
"I'm proud of how hard our coaches and players have worked." (HA)
HA Note: "But the 11-day break was lost on the coaches, who have worked daily since the Warriors completed an unbeaten regular season with a victory over Washington. The defensive staff, in particular, has not rested. Terry "Duff" Duffield, the quality-control coach for the defense, apologized for including an extra tight end in a play drawing. Duffield was excused. After all, he drew the play at midnight. Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, meanwhile, has charts of all of Georgia's 807 offensive plays this season."
About how they have improved in every defensive category they target, GM said:
"Our goals are to get the offense back on the field, because we have such a great offense and we don't want them to stand on the sidelines. Getting the offense back on the field is our job." (HA)
HA Note: "Because the number of defensive plays varies among teams, McMackin said, a true measurement of efficiency is to break it down by play. This season, UH opponents are averaging 3.43 yards per rush and 4.72 yards per play. Last year, opponents gained 3.93 yards per rush and 5.68 yards per play. In 2005, the averages were 5.39 per rush and 6.14 per play. UH is ranked 16th nationally in turnovers gained with 19 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. They ranked 17th last season, 61st in 2005, and 40th in 2004. This season, opposing offenses converted 28.7 percent of their third-down plays. They were successful on 39.3 percent of third-down plays in 2006 and 48.5 percent in 2005."
About their improvement on D, GM said:
"I give the other (assistant) coaches real credit for that. I sort of introduce everything and teach it to the coaches, and they teach it to the players. I can't ask for a better job they've done." (HA)
HA Note: "This year, McMackin implemented the 4-3 as the base defensive formation. But UH also has an Oky scheme (3-3-5) and two types of nickel defenses (4-2-5) involving different personnel. Including the different blitz plans, the Warriors have used about 140 defensive schemes this season."
About how their players have learned so many different schemes on D, GM said:
"These guys have picked up a pro package, and done it really well." (HA)
About how they were able to learn a pro defense despite only having the time a college team has to work on things, GM said:
"They're a real smart bunch of guys. You learn that when you go through spring (training). We've gone way beyond what we gave the first group when we were here (in 1999). ... This is a very smart football team. We've been able to take them to a lot of places that some college teams couldn't do because of their football intelligence and their willingness to work at it and learn it." (HA)
About how he'll be recovered enough to make the travel roster for the Sugar Bowl, Kiran Kepo'o said:
"I'm doing fine." (HSB)
HSB Note: "On Sept. 18, Kepo'o was in a bicycle accident on lower campus and ended up with serious head trauma and requiring surgery for a fractured cheek. Kepo'o has recovered enough to probably start running this week."
About how his goal is to return to active duty with the team by spring practice, Kiran said:
"That's what I'm hoping." (HSB)
About how his accident and later complications caused him to miss 3 weeks of school, Kiran said:
"It took me a while to get back to normal at school because of the trauma to my head. At first I had a tough time focusing and my vision was blurry at first. It was very hard to see at lectures." (HSB)
About how his sinus headaches and congestion last month forced him to stop all football work, Kiran said:
"I tried to get back into the (football) flow. But when I got sick I missed a week and a half and haven't been down there recently. I know they're busy." (HSB)
About getting to go to the Sugar Bowl, Kiran said:
"It's really exciting. I was happy for how this team has done so far. Even though I haven't been there, I've been with them spiritually and watched the games on TV when I could." (HSB)
About how he wasn't aware that the UH soccer camp had to be cancelled, HF said:
"I haven't even been focused in on that, that's the first I've heard of it." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The University of Hawaii's winter soccer camp was canceled because the Boise State football and UH baseball teams are using UH's soccer practice field next week. The Broncos will be here for the Dec. 23 Hawaii Bowl and UH offered its facilities to its Western Athletic Conference rivals. The BSU football team arrives Sunday to begin preparing for its game against East Carolina. Boise State will practice in the morning, and the Rainbows baseball team is scheduled to use the field in the afternoon because Les Murakami Stadium is being resurfaced. The Warriors will be using their football practice field, getting ready for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl. The soccer camp had been set for Dec. 21-23, but the camp's mailing list of 130 was notified last week it was canceled."
HSB Note: "Some of the profits from the camps for youngsters go to UH assistant coaches Josh Fouts and Derick Kato, and UH Wahine soccer players get paid for working as instructors."
About how they had been hoping for a good turnout for the camp, Fouts said:
"Since we won the WAC, we were hoping for a really good turnout and to celebrate our seniors. The kids really look up to the players. I totally understand the situation and by no means are we upset with UH or the powers that be. We could've tried to do it somewhere else." (HSB)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Quotes from Jacob Bower
About how he cannot sign with a MWC school, top QB prospect Jacob Bower said:
“I found out that I can’t really sign with a Mountain West school. Since I was at BYU and then I left, if I were to go back to a Mountain West school, I would have to sit out one more year and I can’t do that so I had to start looking at some other schools. It’s pretty frustrating because teams like San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah and TCU were all recruiting me pretty hard, but with me having to sit out, I just can’t do that.” (JCFootball.com)
JCF Note: "This coming weekend, Bower was scheduled to visit Hawaii, but there’s a chance that head coach June Jones could be headed to another school and that’s put the visit to the islands on hold."
About delaying his recruiting visit to UH, Bower said:
“They told me they wanted to make sure things were all in place before I was to go visit over there. They want to bring in two JC quarterbacks, so it sounds like they would have room for both of us (Bower and Mt. San Antonio’s Kevin Craft). If coach Jones goes somewhere else I might look there, but I’m just keeping my options open to any school that wants to recruit me.” (JCF)
About his recruiting visit to Troy, Bower said:
"They play Ohio State and LSU next year so you’d be playing against some big-time programs and some great players there. Boise State started recruiting me again this past week and so they are another school I’m going to look at.” (JCF)
About Norm Chow possibly getting a college head coaching job, Bower said:
“He’s been a family friend for a long time so I would feel really comfortable with him if he was able to bring me in somewhere." (JCF)
“I found out that I can’t really sign with a Mountain West school. Since I was at BYU and then I left, if I were to go back to a Mountain West school, I would have to sit out one more year and I can’t do that so I had to start looking at some other schools. It’s pretty frustrating because teams like San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah and TCU were all recruiting me pretty hard, but with me having to sit out, I just can’t do that.” (JCFootball.com)
JCF Note: "This coming weekend, Bower was scheduled to visit Hawaii, but there’s a chance that head coach June Jones could be headed to another school and that’s put the visit to the islands on hold."
About delaying his recruiting visit to UH, Bower said:
“They told me they wanted to make sure things were all in place before I was to go visit over there. They want to bring in two JC quarterbacks, so it sounds like they would have room for both of us (Bower and Mt. San Antonio’s Kevin Craft). If coach Jones goes somewhere else I might look there, but I’m just keeping my options open to any school that wants to recruit me.” (JCF)
About his recruiting visit to Troy, Bower said:
"They play Ohio State and LSU next year so you’d be playing against some big-time programs and some great players there. Boise State started recruiting me again this past week and so they are another school I’m going to look at.” (JCF)
About Norm Chow possibly getting a college head coaching job, Bower said:
“He’s been a family friend for a long time so I would feel really comfortable with him if he was able to bring me in somewhere." (JCF)
Feature on Colt by AOL Sports
Asked if playing at Hawaii was a disadvantage when it came to the Heisman Trophy, Colt said:
"It sure seems like it. I mean, considering everything that went down the past two years? Everyone talks about my schedule this year. Last year, I played Arizona State, Alabama, Oregon State Purdue and a 13-0 Boise State, had the best statistical career in the history of college football and I didn't get invited (to the Heisman ceremony) or win any awards. This year I don’t have as tough of a schedule, I put up less numbers but we're undefeated so I'm headed to New York? It's hard to understand what's right and what's wrong, right now. It just seems like the integrity of where awards should go and who's the best team in college football is all messed up." (AOL)
Asked who can compare with him since he owns 20 NCAA passing records, passed for more yards, TDs, and completions, and are undefeated and in a BCS game, Colt said:
"I didn't win the Heisman but there's not one Heisman finalist who can say he experienced what I've experienced this year or had the year I've had. To have the two biggest games in our school's history at the end of the year and to win both those games and get ourselves into a BCS Bowl Game? There's not one person in college football who got to experience what I experienced in Hawaii this year." (AOL)
About how the NY Times said that for him just getting invited to NY was equivalent to winning the award, Colt was asked if that is how he felt about it and said:
"In my case, yeah. I mean when Coach (June) Jones called Tim Tebow a "system quarterback," ESPN brought on 50 analysts and created their own segment just to defend Tim Tebow. I’ve been called a system quarterback for three years. Last week, some guy put together my stats against BCS opponents and against WAC opponents and I had better stats against BCS opponents. It just seems like nobody has taken the time to watch me over my career. No one has taken the time to sit down to make a good, legitimate decision as to what type of player I am and it's been frustrating. It really feels like I've been at a disadvantage compared to every other kid out there. Really, it's not very fair but that's the way it goes and the only thing I can do is win football games." (AOL)
About how they are the only undefeated team and asked how anyone can say that they are not #1, Colt said:
"Because of our conference, we don't get the respect or the credit to get the number one spot. We understand that. We've had some close games against conference teams. But everybody knows when you plan in your conference it's tougher because everybody knows you. So when we play in the WAC, teams know how to play us a little better. That's why we had some tough games this year. But the fact is, no matter what, we got the victory. No matter how many points we were down or what situation we were in, we got the victory. And that says a lot about the character of this team." (AOL)
When it was pointed out that Stanford beat USC and Washington beat Stanford and UH beat Washington, Colt was asked if they would get the same lack of respect if they were Pac-10 champs:
"Look at last year! We barely lost to Oregon State and that was the only team USC lost to. Our only losses were to Boise St. Alabama and Oregon State, and we could barely get in the Top 25." (AOL)
When it was pointed out that BSU beat Oklahoma and Utah and Fresno St. won their games against much larger schools and UH beat Arizona State, Colt said:
"I truly believe that better football is played in the mid-major conferences. The talent is definitely in the BCS conferences but I don’t think their football is as good. Look at Boise St. they got trick plays, they're doing fake punts. That's what we see all year, a genuine throwback style of football. Whereas when you go play a BCS team they just line-up and beat you with their athletes. Or at least that's what they try to do. And I think that's the balance that's coming out in college football now. It's not just the talent that matters. It's how you come together and play as a team. Those mid-major conference teams out there are showing they can play with the big boys." (AOL)
Asked about how the BCS rewards blowouts more than regular wins and if it is recognizing the wrong things, Colt said:
"I think so. But it's not a question of whether the BCS is working or not, it’s a question of what do we do with it now. I look at last year. Ohio State didn’t have trouble with anybody. So I wonder how good the Big Ten was last year considering their top two teams got blown out in their bowl games. Is that right? Just because of their football tradition certain teams get to go to bigger bowl games instead of looking at who actually is the better football team? Ohio State cruised through their schedule last year and Florida won seven games by three points or less and they smashed Ohio State. We gotta start looking at what is a better football team, what makes a better football team and not let the traditions be such a factor anymore." (AOL)
Asked about how teams with 6 wins are playing in bowl games and how Indiana is 7-5 and playing in a game on New Year's Eve, Colt said:
"It’s tough. All you can do is hope the mid-majors -- the Utahs and Boise State’s and Hawaii’s -- go up there and prove something needs to be done." (AOL)
When his 559 passing yards in the Hawaii Bowl set the NCAA highest single game passing total, Colt was asked if he feels good about this year's Sugar Bowl and said:
"We definitely feel good about the opportunity in front of us. But we understand what's in front of us and that’s one tough football team -- a team that was up for national championship contention. We need get to work and make sure we represent ourselves and Hawaii right and not become just some fluke." (AOL)
Asked if they win there should be a final game to see if someone can beat them, Colt said:
"A small playoff could be the right thing to determine who the outright national champion should be. Playing one or two less regular season games and playing a few playoffs games sound like a good idea to me." (AOL)
Asked if he would accept a tie for the title, Colt said:
"That's gonna be real hard to see happening the way the rules are set up.We really don't know right now who the best football team in the nation is. Maybe a tie is what's right. There’s a lot teams that deserve recognition and it's not right to leave teams out. It's probably better to give more credit than less credit." (AOL)
Asked where he would be without Jason Rivers and the rest of his fine WRs, Colt said:
"This season I missed two games due to injury and was knocked out a few games. That’s four victories I only played so much of a part in. When I think about what happened and what developed in those games, it was outstanding play by the receivers, the O-line and running backs and having Tyler Graunke step in and do some big things. I really think Tyler had the confidence he did because he knew the talent he had around him.There's no doubt in my mind that the best receiving corps hands down, without a doubt, in the nation is at the University of Hawaii. I don't even think it's close. What they accomplish collectively, nobody can touch 'em." (AOL)
Asked about how he calls audibles in Samoan, Colt said:
"(laughs) Last year, four out of our five O-lineman were Samoan. There’s a foreign language requirement at Hawaii and there’s a great relationship between the Sports Department and the Samoan Department because there’s a lot of kids that are from Samoa who plays sports. Since there are so many Samoan football players I figured “Why not go check it out?” After a couple semesters I got good at it, started having fun with guys on the practice field. Then before you knew it they were implementing audibles in Samoan. We do it a little bit this year but last year last we did a lot of it." (AOL)
Asked if it is true that he and his WRs decide most plays silently at the line of scrimmage just before the ball is snapped, Colt said:
"It's basically about understanding the offense and repetition. Coach Jones' offense is extremely easy to run. Getting good at is the key. It helps that we’ve all been in the offense for a couple years now, established a relationship and had success. So by now there's an understanding without words that we have with one another. Now more than ever we'll walk up to a defense and everybody on offense knows what we're gonna do before the snap of the ball. We’re on the same page. When we keep that chemistry going and we're on fire during a game, it doesn't seem like anybody can stop us." (AOL)
Asked about how Hawaii would be tough to leave and if Hawaii got an NFL team, Colt said:
"That’d be interesting. I don't know how realistic it is considering the travel. Would NFL teams be alright coming out to a Hawaii on a given week? I think that it could happen but we need all the right pieces to come together. What's great right now is that the university represents for Hawaii what professional sports represent in other cities. I'm doing a thesis project right now on being a student athlete. Listening to the women's soccer and volleyball teams talk about their experiences -- they get five times more fans compared to the mainland teams. It's just funny how things work out there. People really take the pride in the university and come out to see all the sports. Because of the success in the football this year, the fan and community support has been sky high." (AOL)
Asked if the healthiest sugar in the world, Turbinado sugar, is from Hawaii, Colt said:
"Ha! You know I never really thought about that. We do produce a lot of sugar and sugar cane. It's a really good point. I'm gonna start bringing that up." (AOL)
"It sure seems like it. I mean, considering everything that went down the past two years? Everyone talks about my schedule this year. Last year, I played Arizona State, Alabama, Oregon State Purdue and a 13-0 Boise State, had the best statistical career in the history of college football and I didn't get invited (to the Heisman ceremony) or win any awards. This year I don’t have as tough of a schedule, I put up less numbers but we're undefeated so I'm headed to New York? It's hard to understand what's right and what's wrong, right now. It just seems like the integrity of where awards should go and who's the best team in college football is all messed up." (AOL)
Asked who can compare with him since he owns 20 NCAA passing records, passed for more yards, TDs, and completions, and are undefeated and in a BCS game, Colt said:
"I didn't win the Heisman but there's not one Heisman finalist who can say he experienced what I've experienced this year or had the year I've had. To have the two biggest games in our school's history at the end of the year and to win both those games and get ourselves into a BCS Bowl Game? There's not one person in college football who got to experience what I experienced in Hawaii this year." (AOL)
About how the NY Times said that for him just getting invited to NY was equivalent to winning the award, Colt was asked if that is how he felt about it and said:
"In my case, yeah. I mean when Coach (June) Jones called Tim Tebow a "system quarterback," ESPN brought on 50 analysts and created their own segment just to defend Tim Tebow. I’ve been called a system quarterback for three years. Last week, some guy put together my stats against BCS opponents and against WAC opponents and I had better stats against BCS opponents. It just seems like nobody has taken the time to watch me over my career. No one has taken the time to sit down to make a good, legitimate decision as to what type of player I am and it's been frustrating. It really feels like I've been at a disadvantage compared to every other kid out there. Really, it's not very fair but that's the way it goes and the only thing I can do is win football games." (AOL)
About how they are the only undefeated team and asked how anyone can say that they are not #1, Colt said:
"Because of our conference, we don't get the respect or the credit to get the number one spot. We understand that. We've had some close games against conference teams. But everybody knows when you plan in your conference it's tougher because everybody knows you. So when we play in the WAC, teams know how to play us a little better. That's why we had some tough games this year. But the fact is, no matter what, we got the victory. No matter how many points we were down or what situation we were in, we got the victory. And that says a lot about the character of this team." (AOL)
When it was pointed out that Stanford beat USC and Washington beat Stanford and UH beat Washington, Colt was asked if they would get the same lack of respect if they were Pac-10 champs:
"Look at last year! We barely lost to Oregon State and that was the only team USC lost to. Our only losses were to Boise St. Alabama and Oregon State, and we could barely get in the Top 25." (AOL)
When it was pointed out that BSU beat Oklahoma and Utah and Fresno St. won their games against much larger schools and UH beat Arizona State, Colt said:
"I truly believe that better football is played in the mid-major conferences. The talent is definitely in the BCS conferences but I don’t think their football is as good. Look at Boise St. they got trick plays, they're doing fake punts. That's what we see all year, a genuine throwback style of football. Whereas when you go play a BCS team they just line-up and beat you with their athletes. Or at least that's what they try to do. And I think that's the balance that's coming out in college football now. It's not just the talent that matters. It's how you come together and play as a team. Those mid-major conference teams out there are showing they can play with the big boys." (AOL)
Asked about how the BCS rewards blowouts more than regular wins and if it is recognizing the wrong things, Colt said:
"I think so. But it's not a question of whether the BCS is working or not, it’s a question of what do we do with it now. I look at last year. Ohio State didn’t have trouble with anybody. So I wonder how good the Big Ten was last year considering their top two teams got blown out in their bowl games. Is that right? Just because of their football tradition certain teams get to go to bigger bowl games instead of looking at who actually is the better football team? Ohio State cruised through their schedule last year and Florida won seven games by three points or less and they smashed Ohio State. We gotta start looking at what is a better football team, what makes a better football team and not let the traditions be such a factor anymore." (AOL)
Asked about how teams with 6 wins are playing in bowl games and how Indiana is 7-5 and playing in a game on New Year's Eve, Colt said:
"It’s tough. All you can do is hope the mid-majors -- the Utahs and Boise State’s and Hawaii’s -- go up there and prove something needs to be done." (AOL)
When his 559 passing yards in the Hawaii Bowl set the NCAA highest single game passing total, Colt was asked if he feels good about this year's Sugar Bowl and said:
"We definitely feel good about the opportunity in front of us. But we understand what's in front of us and that’s one tough football team -- a team that was up for national championship contention. We need get to work and make sure we represent ourselves and Hawaii right and not become just some fluke." (AOL)
Asked if they win there should be a final game to see if someone can beat them, Colt said:
"A small playoff could be the right thing to determine who the outright national champion should be. Playing one or two less regular season games and playing a few playoffs games sound like a good idea to me." (AOL)
Asked if he would accept a tie for the title, Colt said:
"That's gonna be real hard to see happening the way the rules are set up.We really don't know right now who the best football team in the nation is. Maybe a tie is what's right. There’s a lot teams that deserve recognition and it's not right to leave teams out. It's probably better to give more credit than less credit." (AOL)
Asked where he would be without Jason Rivers and the rest of his fine WRs, Colt said:
"This season I missed two games due to injury and was knocked out a few games. That’s four victories I only played so much of a part in. When I think about what happened and what developed in those games, it was outstanding play by the receivers, the O-line and running backs and having Tyler Graunke step in and do some big things. I really think Tyler had the confidence he did because he knew the talent he had around him.There's no doubt in my mind that the best receiving corps hands down, without a doubt, in the nation is at the University of Hawaii. I don't even think it's close. What they accomplish collectively, nobody can touch 'em." (AOL)
Asked about how he calls audibles in Samoan, Colt said:
"(laughs) Last year, four out of our five O-lineman were Samoan. There’s a foreign language requirement at Hawaii and there’s a great relationship between the Sports Department and the Samoan Department because there’s a lot of kids that are from Samoa who plays sports. Since there are so many Samoan football players I figured “Why not go check it out?” After a couple semesters I got good at it, started having fun with guys on the practice field. Then before you knew it they were implementing audibles in Samoan. We do it a little bit this year but last year last we did a lot of it." (AOL)
Asked if it is true that he and his WRs decide most plays silently at the line of scrimmage just before the ball is snapped, Colt said:
"It's basically about understanding the offense and repetition. Coach Jones' offense is extremely easy to run. Getting good at is the key. It helps that we’ve all been in the offense for a couple years now, established a relationship and had success. So by now there's an understanding without words that we have with one another. Now more than ever we'll walk up to a defense and everybody on offense knows what we're gonna do before the snap of the ball. We’re on the same page. When we keep that chemistry going and we're on fire during a game, it doesn't seem like anybody can stop us." (AOL)
Asked about how Hawaii would be tough to leave and if Hawaii got an NFL team, Colt said:
"That’d be interesting. I don't know how realistic it is considering the travel. Would NFL teams be alright coming out to a Hawaii on a given week? I think that it could happen but we need all the right pieces to come together. What's great right now is that the university represents for Hawaii what professional sports represent in other cities. I'm doing a thesis project right now on being a student athlete. Listening to the women's soccer and volleyball teams talk about their experiences -- they get five times more fans compared to the mainland teams. It's just funny how things work out there. People really take the pride in the university and come out to see all the sports. Because of the success in the football this year, the fan and community support has been sky high." (AOL)
Asked if the healthiest sugar in the world, Turbinado sugar, is from Hawaii, Colt said:
"Ha! You know I never really thought about that. We do produce a lot of sugar and sugar cane. It's a really good point. I'm gonna start bringing that up." (AOL)
Quotes from Steven Christian, new Warrior commitment
About how he accepted a scholarship offer to UH, 6'1", 175-pound CB Steven Christian said:
"Yes, I'm going to be a Warrior." (HA)
HA Note: "Christian, who can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, made 91 tackles in 10 games during his senior season. Christian was named to the Sacramento All-Metro first team.
He was an inadvertent UH recruit. During an unofficial recruiting visit to the University of Nevada last month, he attended the Warriors' 28-26 victory over the host Wolf Pack. After the game, he approached UH defensive assistant Terry "Duff" Duffield and defensive coordinator Greg McMackin."
About how his interest in UH started from the game at Nevada, Christian said:
"It started from there." (HA)
About how he watched the Washington game during his UH recruiting visit, Christian said:
"That was a great game." (HA)
Impressed with the family environment the Warriors have, Christian said:
"I liked the whole feel of the team. It's such a great environment. It seems like they're a family." (HA)
About how he enjoyed Hawaii's laid-back lifestyle, Christian said:
"It was relaxing. Nobody was stressed out at all. It was a lot of fun." (HA)
HA Note: "Christian is an excellent student. His cumulative grade-point average is 3.8, and he scored 1,590 on the SAT. Christian completed his core studies as a junior, and took AP classes as a senior. He originally committed to Stanford, but was told his SAT was not high enough to gain admittance. By choosing UH, he turned down offers from Vanderbilt, Villanova, Nevada and Cornell."
"Yes, I'm going to be a Warrior." (HA)
HA Note: "Christian, who can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, made 91 tackles in 10 games during his senior season. Christian was named to the Sacramento All-Metro first team.
He was an inadvertent UH recruit. During an unofficial recruiting visit to the University of Nevada last month, he attended the Warriors' 28-26 victory over the host Wolf Pack. After the game, he approached UH defensive assistant Terry "Duff" Duffield and defensive coordinator Greg McMackin."
About how his interest in UH started from the game at Nevada, Christian said:
"It started from there." (HA)
About how he watched the Washington game during his UH recruiting visit, Christian said:
"That was a great game." (HA)
Impressed with the family environment the Warriors have, Christian said:
"I liked the whole feel of the team. It's such a great environment. It seems like they're a family." (HA)
About how he enjoyed Hawaii's laid-back lifestyle, Christian said:
"It was relaxing. Nobody was stressed out at all. It was a lot of fun." (HA)
HA Note: "Christian is an excellent student. His cumulative grade-point average is 3.8, and he scored 1,590 on the SAT. Christian completed his core studies as a junior, and took AP classes as a senior. He originally committed to Stanford, but was told his SAT was not high enough to gain admittance. By choosing UH, he turned down offers from Vanderbilt, Villanova, Nevada and Cornell."
Quotes from HF
About how no school has contacted him about JJ, HF said:
"In most of these types of situations, (they'll) call the athletic director. You don't have to give them permission, but they'll at least call you and talk to you." (HA)
About how JJ will be in demand, HF said:
"Who wouldn't want to talk to June Jones? He's an outstanding football coach. He's done a terrific job here in the state of Hawai'i and when you have success like we've had these things are always going to pop up." (HA)
About how JJ's name would still pop up if he had an extension, HF said:
"If he had a contract extension or not, his name's going to pop up. Chris Petersen did a terrific job at Boise (State) last year. Just signed a new contract and his name pops up. When you sustain that kind of excellence in your sport, that's going to happen. If you do the job you're supposed to do, your name is going to pop up." (HA)
HF said that he will not:
"negotiate June's contract through the media." (HA)
About the AD opening at Washington, HF said:
"I don't think the ink is dry on the email for anyone to even be discussing who's going to go to Washington." (HA)
Denying that he went to NY for the Heisman ceremony to pursue another job, HF said:
"Absolutely false. Absolutely did not interview for any jobs in New York." (HA)
About the earlier rumors that he'd be leaving UH, HF said:
"When I was on the Olympic Committee, everybody had me going to the committee as a full-time employee. I came off the Olympic Committee board and that stopped. I don't know that there are any other AD jobs open other than the one that opened today (in Washington). I'm not looking for a position. I've got several years left on my contract here and it's been fun." (HA)
About surveying season ticket holders to check on interest in Sugar Bowl tickets, HF said:
"You can do the survey, but how sound is it? I'm sure if I did a survey everybody would say, 'Yeah, I want to go.' But everybody can't go. You aren't going to find many people who are going to say no on a survey, especially when they're as enthusiastic as they've been." (HA)
About how they will get enough tickets for the season ticket holders on their waiting list, HF said:
"A decision was made and it wasn't very popular, but it was made. It's one that we have rebounded from in some respects by being able to have over 15,000 seats that have been allocated toward the University of Hawai'i. Being able to rebound with that kind of number makes us feel a whole lot better. I think the demand was unbelievable for people wanting to go to the game. At the end of the day, it looks like we're going to be able to service all of the people who were involved in this from a season-ticket point of view who put their names on the lists that were compiled." (HA)
"In most of these types of situations, (they'll) call the athletic director. You don't have to give them permission, but they'll at least call you and talk to you." (HA)
About how JJ will be in demand, HF said:
"Who wouldn't want to talk to June Jones? He's an outstanding football coach. He's done a terrific job here in the state of Hawai'i and when you have success like we've had these things are always going to pop up." (HA)
About how JJ's name would still pop up if he had an extension, HF said:
"If he had a contract extension or not, his name's going to pop up. Chris Petersen did a terrific job at Boise (State) last year. Just signed a new contract and his name pops up. When you sustain that kind of excellence in your sport, that's going to happen. If you do the job you're supposed to do, your name is going to pop up." (HA)
HF said that he will not:
"negotiate June's contract through the media." (HA)
About the AD opening at Washington, HF said:
"I don't think the ink is dry on the email for anyone to even be discussing who's going to go to Washington." (HA)
Denying that he went to NY for the Heisman ceremony to pursue another job, HF said:
"Absolutely false. Absolutely did not interview for any jobs in New York." (HA)
About the earlier rumors that he'd be leaving UH, HF said:
"When I was on the Olympic Committee, everybody had me going to the committee as a full-time employee. I came off the Olympic Committee board and that stopped. I don't know that there are any other AD jobs open other than the one that opened today (in Washington). I'm not looking for a position. I've got several years left on my contract here and it's been fun." (HA)
About surveying season ticket holders to check on interest in Sugar Bowl tickets, HF said:
"You can do the survey, but how sound is it? I'm sure if I did a survey everybody would say, 'Yeah, I want to go.' But everybody can't go. You aren't going to find many people who are going to say no on a survey, especially when they're as enthusiastic as they've been." (HA)
About how they will get enough tickets for the season ticket holders on their waiting list, HF said:
"A decision was made and it wasn't very popular, but it was made. It's one that we have rebounded from in some respects by being able to have over 15,000 seats that have been allocated toward the University of Hawai'i. Being able to rebound with that kind of number makes us feel a whole lot better. I think the demand was unbelievable for people wanting to go to the game. At the end of the day, it looks like we're going to be able to service all of the people who were involved in this from a season-ticket point of view who put their names on the lists that were compiled." (HA)
Quotes from Wednesday morning
About being 2nd team SI All-America and 3rd team AP All-America, Colt said:
"Obviously, it's a great honor. I'm really excited. Anytime you get recognition it's nice." (HA)
Colt said that his stats were down, but before injuries forced him to miss basically 3 games:
"I was on track. There were a lot of kids who had great years out there. Any recognition is good." (HA)
About trying to finish up his schoolwork so that he can graduate on Sunday, Colt said:
"There's nothing normal about my life right now. I'm trying to get my thesis done." (HA)
Happy that his teammates received All-America recognition, Colt said:
"I thought it was nice that a couple different publications chose different guys instead of one guy. There's three guys who deserved first- or second-team All-American. Their numbers and the way they play warrant it. But because of where we play and the system being stereotyped, it's hard to get recognition. And Herc's definitely a guy that deserves it, too." (HSB)
About his 2nd team All-America honor from Sports Illustrated, RGM said:
"My goal was never to get any individual awards, but just help the team win. Whatever comes after that is icing on the cake." (HSB)
"I'm happy. It's a pretty good accomplishment. I definitely worked hard, but it was never my goal to be on an all-star team. It was to do what we did as a team. That was the most important thing." (HA)
About being named 3rd team AP All-America, Bess said:
"I'm thankful. I give praise to my coaches and teammates. I'm going to try to work my way to second or first team next year." (HA)
About how he's on the travel roster but cannot play in the Sugar Bowl, Keao Monteilh said:
"I told (the coaches) if they let me suit up I wouldn't sneak into the game, but I guess they didn't believe me." (HSB)
About how the demand for Sugar Bowl tickets have been so strong that the online prices are about what last year's Sugar Bowl had between LSU and Notre Dame, Mark Hodes, senior VP for TickestNow.com said:
"That does surprise me, that does offer some level of surprise for most people. I'm sure the folks at the Sugar Bowl are quite happy." (HA)
HA Note: "Hodes said the average online price for the Jan. 1 game is $263, ranking behind only the Bowl Championship Series title game (LSU vs. Ohio State) at $1,615 and the Rose Bowl (pairing Southern California and Illinois) at $522. Last season, Hodes said, tickets for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, featuring LSU playing in its home state, sold for an average of $279. By comparison with this season's Sugar Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl (Oklahoma vs. West Virginia) and Orange Bowl (Virginia Tech vs. Kansas) are selling for an average of $206 and $188 apiece."
About how the expectation for the UH-Georgia matchup was that ticket demand:
"would probably be in the lower tier next to the Orange Bowl, below $200 in average ticket price, but that obviously doesn't seem to be happening. Hawai'i having not been in a BCS bowl in their history is one of those uncertain dynamics that came into the market, the demand, I think, is indicative of the draw that is coming from Hawai'i and the fact they had a quarterback in the Heisman race. That is obviously a big draw. That and the record that Hawai'i is boasting this year is speaking for itself. And Georgia is in close proximity to New Orleans, relatively speaking, but you would think the ability for Hawai'i to be a strong travel team would be kind of depressing the market, but that doesn't seem to be happening." (HA)
HA Note: "Hodes said he expects both TicketsNow's supply and the game to be sellouts."
TicketsNow has 350 Sugar Bowl tickets remaining, Hodes said they range in price:
"from $150 to nearly $1,000." (HA)
HA Note: "Also available was a luxury box seating 44. The price: $70,000."
About how they settled on the 13,500 number after a discussion among a small group of UH officials and consultants, HF said:
"The original number provided to me on what we needed was much less than what we took. And we said, 'No, there's no way, we need more than that,' which is why we settled on the 13,500." (HSB)
About how season ticket holders were not supposed to be able to buy large blocks of seats, HF said:
"I think there was some internal miscommunication." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another miscommunication apparently has occurred regarding the number of tickets reserved for team and university use. Last week, a UH official said the university had 3,000 tickets reserved from the initial 13,500 allotment. But Frazier said yesterday that number was inflated. The actual amount is closer to 1,250, with 1,000 tickets for the team and 250 for administrators. Of the 1,000 tickets allotted for the team, a total of 114 student athletes who will travel to New Orleans were each offered six complimentary tickets, which amounts to 684 tickets. That leaves the remaining number of tickets for coaches, medical, equipment and ground transportation staff and others, Frazier said. Tickets provided to Gov. Linda Lingle, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and UH President David McClain came from the 250 tickets allocated to the administration, Frazier said."
Associate AD John McNamara said that the 3000 reserved ticket number he said last week was an:
"anticipated need. You hold the blocks until you know for sure what your needs are." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The athletic department is expected to receive a list of people who will represent the team and university in the Sugar Bowl by Friday to determine the exact need for tickets. An announcement will be made Monday on whether more tickets are available, McNamara said. If more tickets become available, they would be allocated to season-ticket holders through a lottery."
"Obviously, it's a great honor. I'm really excited. Anytime you get recognition it's nice." (HA)
Colt said that his stats were down, but before injuries forced him to miss basically 3 games:
"I was on track. There were a lot of kids who had great years out there. Any recognition is good." (HA)
About trying to finish up his schoolwork so that he can graduate on Sunday, Colt said:
"There's nothing normal about my life right now. I'm trying to get my thesis done." (HA)
Happy that his teammates received All-America recognition, Colt said:
"I thought it was nice that a couple different publications chose different guys instead of one guy. There's three guys who deserved first- or second-team All-American. Their numbers and the way they play warrant it. But because of where we play and the system being stereotyped, it's hard to get recognition. And Herc's definitely a guy that deserves it, too." (HSB)
About his 2nd team All-America honor from Sports Illustrated, RGM said:
"My goal was never to get any individual awards, but just help the team win. Whatever comes after that is icing on the cake." (HSB)
"I'm happy. It's a pretty good accomplishment. I definitely worked hard, but it was never my goal to be on an all-star team. It was to do what we did as a team. That was the most important thing." (HA)
About being named 3rd team AP All-America, Bess said:
"I'm thankful. I give praise to my coaches and teammates. I'm going to try to work my way to second or first team next year." (HA)
About how he's on the travel roster but cannot play in the Sugar Bowl, Keao Monteilh said:
"I told (the coaches) if they let me suit up I wouldn't sneak into the game, but I guess they didn't believe me." (HSB)
About how the demand for Sugar Bowl tickets have been so strong that the online prices are about what last year's Sugar Bowl had between LSU and Notre Dame, Mark Hodes, senior VP for TickestNow.com said:
"That does surprise me, that does offer some level of surprise for most people. I'm sure the folks at the Sugar Bowl are quite happy." (HA)
HA Note: "Hodes said the average online price for the Jan. 1 game is $263, ranking behind only the Bowl Championship Series title game (LSU vs. Ohio State) at $1,615 and the Rose Bowl (pairing Southern California and Illinois) at $522. Last season, Hodes said, tickets for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, featuring LSU playing in its home state, sold for an average of $279. By comparison with this season's Sugar Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl (Oklahoma vs. West Virginia) and Orange Bowl (Virginia Tech vs. Kansas) are selling for an average of $206 and $188 apiece."
About how the expectation for the UH-Georgia matchup was that ticket demand:
"would probably be in the lower tier next to the Orange Bowl, below $200 in average ticket price, but that obviously doesn't seem to be happening. Hawai'i having not been in a BCS bowl in their history is one of those uncertain dynamics that came into the market, the demand, I think, is indicative of the draw that is coming from Hawai'i and the fact they had a quarterback in the Heisman race. That is obviously a big draw. That and the record that Hawai'i is boasting this year is speaking for itself. And Georgia is in close proximity to New Orleans, relatively speaking, but you would think the ability for Hawai'i to be a strong travel team would be kind of depressing the market, but that doesn't seem to be happening." (HA)
HA Note: "Hodes said he expects both TicketsNow's supply and the game to be sellouts."
TicketsNow has 350 Sugar Bowl tickets remaining, Hodes said they range in price:
"from $150 to nearly $1,000." (HA)
HA Note: "Also available was a luxury box seating 44. The price: $70,000."
About how they settled on the 13,500 number after a discussion among a small group of UH officials and consultants, HF said:
"The original number provided to me on what we needed was much less than what we took. And we said, 'No, there's no way, we need more than that,' which is why we settled on the 13,500." (HSB)
About how season ticket holders were not supposed to be able to buy large blocks of seats, HF said:
"I think there was some internal miscommunication." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Another miscommunication apparently has occurred regarding the number of tickets reserved for team and university use. Last week, a UH official said the university had 3,000 tickets reserved from the initial 13,500 allotment. But Frazier said yesterday that number was inflated. The actual amount is closer to 1,250, with 1,000 tickets for the team and 250 for administrators. Of the 1,000 tickets allotted for the team, a total of 114 student athletes who will travel to New Orleans were each offered six complimentary tickets, which amounts to 684 tickets. That leaves the remaining number of tickets for coaches, medical, equipment and ground transportation staff and others, Frazier said. Tickets provided to Gov. Linda Lingle, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and UH President David McClain came from the 250 tickets allocated to the administration, Frazier said."
Associate AD John McNamara said that the 3000 reserved ticket number he said last week was an:
"anticipated need. You hold the blocks until you know for sure what your needs are." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The athletic department is expected to receive a list of people who will represent the team and university in the Sugar Bowl by Friday to determine the exact need for tickets. An announcement will be made Monday on whether more tickets are available, McNamara said. If more tickets become available, they would be allocated to season-ticket holders through a lottery."
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Colt knew he wasn't going to win the Heisman even before it was official
About how he and Chase Daniel knew that they weren't going to be announced as the Heisman winner, Colt said:
"It was funny because as the night progressed, me and Chase Daniels, we have a great relationship. We're sitting there going, I think I already know who's going to win this. Because the guy would come out and kind of prep you, and they'd tell you OK if you win, and when they talked to us they'd only talk to Tim. And then right at the announcement they would have all the camera's come down and focus on Tim. So we were like, oh he's going to win it." (Warriors' Ha'a)
"It was funny because as the night progressed, me and Chase Daniels, we have a great relationship. We're sitting there going, I think I already know who's going to win this. Because the guy would come out and kind of prep you, and they'd tell you OK if you win, and when they talked to us they'd only talk to Tim. And then right at the announcement they would have all the camera's come down and focus on Tim. So we were like, oh he's going to win it." (Warriors' Ha'a)
Quote from Sean Tesoro about why he chose UNLV over UH
About how UH wanted him to grayshirt but he wanted to play right away, Tesoro said:
“UNLV, they want me to come in and try to start next year. Yeah, I’m relieved. I can just concentrate on school and getting better grades. (UH) wanted me to greyshirt, but I wanted to play as soon as possible.’’ (Maui News)
“UNLV, they want me to come in and try to start next year. Yeah, I’m relieved. I can just concentrate on school and getting better grades. (UH) wanted me to greyshirt, but I wanted to play as soon as possible.’’ (Maui News)
Quotes from Tuesday morning
About getting to travel with the team and his parents to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, Brian Kajiyama said:
"Life was sweet, but just got even sweeter." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The university has arranged to have a wheelchair-accessible room and bus so Kajiyama can travel with the team in New Orleans. He does not know whether he will be allowed on the field during the game at the Superdome. At Aloha Stadium he is allowed on the field only before and after the game, apparently for safety reasons.
Kajiyama's duties for the team involve putting together the scouting report for each opponent for the defensive staff and editing coaching video. He said he did not travel with the team this season because he was more helpful in Honolulu, preparing material for the next opponent."
About how he didn't travel with the team on previous road trips, Brian said:
"I felt that this worked out for the best, as I was able to focus on my academics and help get things prepared for our next game." (HSB)
About how he worried that Brian would be left behind, Jeff Reinbold said before Brian got the invitation last week:
"He contributed to this 12-0 season. He had a big part in this whole magical season. It's always an issue whenever you've got the reality of being in a chair. There are certain things that are very difficult for Brian to be a part of just from a logistical standpoint." (HSB)
About how Brian would like to ride on the team's bus to Aloha Stadium, Reinbold said:
"He's never come out and made a big thing about it. I know for certain that would be a big deal to him." (HSB)
About how he would like to ride on the team bus, but he doesn't want to be a distraction from the team, Brian said:
"Sometimes being a part of a team requires sacrificing personal wants for the greater good of the team. That's all I'll say about this." (HSB)
Hoping that his experience in New Orleans will encourage employers to provide better accomodations for people with disabilities, Brian said:
"At times, people view accommodations as being something that will cost more or will involve tons of extra work. This is not the case. ... These accommodations just need to be requested." (HSB)
About how he hangs otu with Brian on and off the practice field, Reinbold said:
"Stuff that we take for granted in our day-to-day lives, they become hurdles for people with disabilities. We owe it to those with disabilities to try and make those hurdles low hurdles instead of high hurdles." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Kajiyama's presence at the Sugar Bowl will serve as an inspiration for young people with disabilities everywhere, he added. Indeed, Kajiyama has already been nominated for the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award for a person in college football who displays courage on or off the field. The award will be announced this month."
About the Brian's inspirational example, Reinbold said:
"This is not a fairy tale. You can do this. You can become a contributing part of a top-10 football team and so many other things if you just dream enough and chase your dreams. Now when we go to the Sugar Bowl and people will see Brian and see just what a great person he is ... and what a great job he does for this football team, I think that can serve as an inspiration for young people who have disabilities everywhere." (HSB)
About the 1000 additional tickets the Sugar Bowl sent to UH, HF said:
"The demand for tickets has been incredible and we thank our season-ticket holders for their patience and the Allstate Sugar Bowl for working with us to acquire additional seats." (HA, HSB)
"The additional tickets should accommodate most or all of the season-ticket holders currently on the waiting list." (HA, HSB)
About how UH fans have been buying up tickets from scalpers and reseller sites, UH associate AD of extrenal affairs John McNamara said:
"It really demonstrated the loyalty of the Hawai'i fans when you see the lengths at which they've gone to get to New Orleans." (HA)
HA Note: "McNamara said the returned tickets "are in different sections" than the original allotment, which were located in all levels of the east and southeast corners of the stadium, closest to the UH bench. He also was uncertain who or what groups previously held those tickets."
About this batch of 1000 tickets, McNamara said:
"I don't know where the tickets came from, our primary concern was getting our fans in the building." (HA)
Uncertain if there is a demand for more tickets, McNamara said:
"We've let the bowl office know if they're able to secure additional ones we'd be interested." (HA)
About how they will make a 2nd wait list for season-ticket holders if they still have tickets left over from this 1000, HF said:
"Our goal is to provide tickets for as many of our season-ticket holders as possible. The Allstate Sugar Bowl has been wonderful in helping us respond to the demand for tickets." (HA)
About how UH is still working on a list of those who will represent UH at the Sugar Bowl, UH spokesman Gregg Takayama said:
"We hope to have it done in the next few days." (HSB)
About how the entire amount that the boosters are raising for him will be given to the assistant coaches and to improving their facilities, JJ said:
"I want the money to go where it's needed." (HA)
HA Note: "The nine-assistant coaching staff has received one across-the-board raise in nine years. UH's athletic facilities, which include a condemned Cooke Field infield, were sharply criticized during the Nov. 23 national telecast of the UH-Boise State game."
About JJ turning over that money to help out the program, Jeff Reinbold said:
"I think that says an awful lot about the kind of guy June is. That's a window into June. He's very generous to make a gesture like that." (HA)
HA Note: "Last week, the group, led by retired First Hawaiian Bank chairman Walter Dods, sought donors to each contribute $2,000 as a show of support for Jones. As of yesterday, the group reportedly received $114,000 in pledges."
About how the boosters already passed their $100k goal and have raised $114k now, Reinbold said:
"It's an awful strong statement by the people who recognize what he's done here. Really, when you consider everything, he's probably done the greatest coaching job of all time. You compare our budget to the budgets of schools we compete against, and you see he's done an amazing job. Look at the facilities and budgets he's had to overcome." (HA)
About how JJ turned around the program after an 0-12 year, Reinbold said:
"Everybody talks about the great job the South Florida coach did in building a program. But June resurrected a program. If the program was a patient in the hospital, they would call the priest to give the last rites. He took it off life support. He breathed life into it, and gave it an identity.
When you're down, it's hard to get back up. Everyone is reminding your recruits how bad you are. You get slammed in every possible way. To take all of that stuff, and then build is very difficult. Look at all of the teams he's beaten — Purdue, Arizona State, Washington, Alabama, Michigan State. He's beaten teams from every major conference except the ACC. And he's doing it with essentially a Division II budget and facilities. That's amazing." (HA)
About how he's preparing to propose a bill that would declare the BCS as unconstitutional and call for a playoff system, Neil Abercrombie said about the non-BCS conference teams:
"They're being let in on sufferance. They're like distant cousins. 'If we're real nice, maybe they'll let us in the house for New Year's festivities.' And we're supposed to be grateful? We're supposed to say, 'Thank you?' For what? They earned their way in. Nobody beat them. It's like when people said to (boxer) Rocky Marciano when he retired undefeated: 'Oh, he just took on the bum of the month.' What are you talking about? He beat who was in front of him. That's all you can do is take on who's in front of you, especially when people won't get in front of you." (HA)
About how the current system denies non-BCS conference teams a chance at the national title, Abercrombie said:
"It's a way of saying there are 120 schools and we're all equal, except some are more equal than others. Remember from 'Animal Farm?' All pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal than others. There are special troughs for a few of the conferences, and the other conferences get to be on the outer edges of the farm. And sometime, maybe, if you're real good, we'll invite you up to the main trough. If you have a 120-school association, everyone ought to have their shot." (HA)
Abercrombie said that the BCS limiting automatic spots to just 6 conferences:
"is restraint of trade. The automatic qualifiers are still taking care of themselves. I'm saying regardless of what good intentions may be behind this, it's restraint of trade. It's illegal. It's unconstitutional." (HA)
About how a playoff system is needed, Abercrombie said:
"Do the Warriors work less hard than the (Ohio State) Buckeyes? I don't think so. Why should they be treated differently? Why shouldn't they have their turn?" (HA)
About how he'll get support from the representatives from states not in the national title game, Abercrombie said:
"I bet I can go to Kansas and Missouri. Ohio won't be so anxious. ... It depends on whose ox is getting gored. I think everyone sees the justice in this (proposal)." (HA)
About Hercules being named to the Football Writers Association of America's All-America team over the weekend (only 4 offensive lineman and a center made the team!), JJ said:
"That's pretty awesome. That's the first I've heard of it, but he's certainly deserving. He's had a great career, and he's played very well last year and this year. Pass-protected as well as anybody in the country." (HSB)
Expecting Hercules to get to the NFL just as Samson made it, JJ said:
"I would think Herc would certainly get his opportunity to prove what he can do, and I think he'll get better when he gets into run blocking and other schemes. He'll be a real powerful player. They're two very physical players, and you want 'em physical in a pass offense." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Satele and Central Florida running back Kevin Smith were the only non-BCS conference selections on the FWAA offense or defense teams, and Satele was the only player from the Western Athletic Conference. The FWAA, made up of media writers of each conference in Division I college football, only selects a first team."
About his hopes for Hercules when he signed with UH out of high school, JJ said:
"We felt like he was our kind of athletic lineman. We knew Samson was his (relative), so we kind of knew what we were getting. But still, there's a lot of ifs involved with a high school kid. You've gotta be dedicated, you've gotta work hard, and spend the time in the offseason to improve yourself. He did all those things." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Junior slot back Davone Bess was named to the Walter Camp All-American second team last week."
"Life was sweet, but just got even sweeter." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The university has arranged to have a wheelchair-accessible room and bus so Kajiyama can travel with the team in New Orleans. He does not know whether he will be allowed on the field during the game at the Superdome. At Aloha Stadium he is allowed on the field only before and after the game, apparently for safety reasons.
Kajiyama's duties for the team involve putting together the scouting report for each opponent for the defensive staff and editing coaching video. He said he did not travel with the team this season because he was more helpful in Honolulu, preparing material for the next opponent."
About how he didn't travel with the team on previous road trips, Brian said:
"I felt that this worked out for the best, as I was able to focus on my academics and help get things prepared for our next game." (HSB)
About how he worried that Brian would be left behind, Jeff Reinbold said before Brian got the invitation last week:
"He contributed to this 12-0 season. He had a big part in this whole magical season. It's always an issue whenever you've got the reality of being in a chair. There are certain things that are very difficult for Brian to be a part of just from a logistical standpoint." (HSB)
About how Brian would like to ride on the team's bus to Aloha Stadium, Reinbold said:
"He's never come out and made a big thing about it. I know for certain that would be a big deal to him." (HSB)
About how he would like to ride on the team bus, but he doesn't want to be a distraction from the team, Brian said:
"Sometimes being a part of a team requires sacrificing personal wants for the greater good of the team. That's all I'll say about this." (HSB)
Hoping that his experience in New Orleans will encourage employers to provide better accomodations for people with disabilities, Brian said:
"At times, people view accommodations as being something that will cost more or will involve tons of extra work. This is not the case. ... These accommodations just need to be requested." (HSB)
About how he hangs otu with Brian on and off the practice field, Reinbold said:
"Stuff that we take for granted in our day-to-day lives, they become hurdles for people with disabilities. We owe it to those with disabilities to try and make those hurdles low hurdles instead of high hurdles." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Kajiyama's presence at the Sugar Bowl will serve as an inspiration for young people with disabilities everywhere, he added. Indeed, Kajiyama has already been nominated for the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award for a person in college football who displays courage on or off the field. The award will be announced this month."
About the Brian's inspirational example, Reinbold said:
"This is not a fairy tale. You can do this. You can become a contributing part of a top-10 football team and so many other things if you just dream enough and chase your dreams. Now when we go to the Sugar Bowl and people will see Brian and see just what a great person he is ... and what a great job he does for this football team, I think that can serve as an inspiration for young people who have disabilities everywhere." (HSB)
About the 1000 additional tickets the Sugar Bowl sent to UH, HF said:
"The demand for tickets has been incredible and we thank our season-ticket holders for their patience and the Allstate Sugar Bowl for working with us to acquire additional seats." (HA, HSB)
"The additional tickets should accommodate most or all of the season-ticket holders currently on the waiting list." (HA, HSB)
About how UH fans have been buying up tickets from scalpers and reseller sites, UH associate AD of extrenal affairs John McNamara said:
"It really demonstrated the loyalty of the Hawai'i fans when you see the lengths at which they've gone to get to New Orleans." (HA)
HA Note: "McNamara said the returned tickets "are in different sections" than the original allotment, which were located in all levels of the east and southeast corners of the stadium, closest to the UH bench. He also was uncertain who or what groups previously held those tickets."
About this batch of 1000 tickets, McNamara said:
"I don't know where the tickets came from, our primary concern was getting our fans in the building." (HA)
Uncertain if there is a demand for more tickets, McNamara said:
"We've let the bowl office know if they're able to secure additional ones we'd be interested." (HA)
About how they will make a 2nd wait list for season-ticket holders if they still have tickets left over from this 1000, HF said:
"Our goal is to provide tickets for as many of our season-ticket holders as possible. The Allstate Sugar Bowl has been wonderful in helping us respond to the demand for tickets." (HA)
About how UH is still working on a list of those who will represent UH at the Sugar Bowl, UH spokesman Gregg Takayama said:
"We hope to have it done in the next few days." (HSB)
About how the entire amount that the boosters are raising for him will be given to the assistant coaches and to improving their facilities, JJ said:
"I want the money to go where it's needed." (HA)
HA Note: "The nine-assistant coaching staff has received one across-the-board raise in nine years. UH's athletic facilities, which include a condemned Cooke Field infield, were sharply criticized during the Nov. 23 national telecast of the UH-Boise State game."
About JJ turning over that money to help out the program, Jeff Reinbold said:
"I think that says an awful lot about the kind of guy June is. That's a window into June. He's very generous to make a gesture like that." (HA)
HA Note: "Last week, the group, led by retired First Hawaiian Bank chairman Walter Dods, sought donors to each contribute $2,000 as a show of support for Jones. As of yesterday, the group reportedly received $114,000 in pledges."
About how the boosters already passed their $100k goal and have raised $114k now, Reinbold said:
"It's an awful strong statement by the people who recognize what he's done here. Really, when you consider everything, he's probably done the greatest coaching job of all time. You compare our budget to the budgets of schools we compete against, and you see he's done an amazing job. Look at the facilities and budgets he's had to overcome." (HA)
About how JJ turned around the program after an 0-12 year, Reinbold said:
"Everybody talks about the great job the South Florida coach did in building a program. But June resurrected a program. If the program was a patient in the hospital, they would call the priest to give the last rites. He took it off life support. He breathed life into it, and gave it an identity.
When you're down, it's hard to get back up. Everyone is reminding your recruits how bad you are. You get slammed in every possible way. To take all of that stuff, and then build is very difficult. Look at all of the teams he's beaten — Purdue, Arizona State, Washington, Alabama, Michigan State. He's beaten teams from every major conference except the ACC. And he's doing it with essentially a Division II budget and facilities. That's amazing." (HA)
About how he's preparing to propose a bill that would declare the BCS as unconstitutional and call for a playoff system, Neil Abercrombie said about the non-BCS conference teams:
"They're being let in on sufferance. They're like distant cousins. 'If we're real nice, maybe they'll let us in the house for New Year's festivities.' And we're supposed to be grateful? We're supposed to say, 'Thank you?' For what? They earned their way in. Nobody beat them. It's like when people said to (boxer) Rocky Marciano when he retired undefeated: 'Oh, he just took on the bum of the month.' What are you talking about? He beat who was in front of him. That's all you can do is take on who's in front of you, especially when people won't get in front of you." (HA)
About how the current system denies non-BCS conference teams a chance at the national title, Abercrombie said:
"It's a way of saying there are 120 schools and we're all equal, except some are more equal than others. Remember from 'Animal Farm?' All pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal than others. There are special troughs for a few of the conferences, and the other conferences get to be on the outer edges of the farm. And sometime, maybe, if you're real good, we'll invite you up to the main trough. If you have a 120-school association, everyone ought to have their shot." (HA)
Abercrombie said that the BCS limiting automatic spots to just 6 conferences:
"is restraint of trade. The automatic qualifiers are still taking care of themselves. I'm saying regardless of what good intentions may be behind this, it's restraint of trade. It's illegal. It's unconstitutional." (HA)
About how a playoff system is needed, Abercrombie said:
"Do the Warriors work less hard than the (Ohio State) Buckeyes? I don't think so. Why should they be treated differently? Why shouldn't they have their turn?" (HA)
About how he'll get support from the representatives from states not in the national title game, Abercrombie said:
"I bet I can go to Kansas and Missouri. Ohio won't be so anxious. ... It depends on whose ox is getting gored. I think everyone sees the justice in this (proposal)." (HA)
About Hercules being named to the Football Writers Association of America's All-America team over the weekend (only 4 offensive lineman and a center made the team!), JJ said:
"That's pretty awesome. That's the first I've heard of it, but he's certainly deserving. He's had a great career, and he's played very well last year and this year. Pass-protected as well as anybody in the country." (HSB)
Expecting Hercules to get to the NFL just as Samson made it, JJ said:
"I would think Herc would certainly get his opportunity to prove what he can do, and I think he'll get better when he gets into run blocking and other schemes. He'll be a real powerful player. They're two very physical players, and you want 'em physical in a pass offense." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Satele and Central Florida running back Kevin Smith were the only non-BCS conference selections on the FWAA offense or defense teams, and Satele was the only player from the Western Athletic Conference. The FWAA, made up of media writers of each conference in Division I college football, only selects a first team."
About his hopes for Hercules when he signed with UH out of high school, JJ said:
"We felt like he was our kind of athletic lineman. We knew Samson was his (relative), so we kind of knew what we were getting. But still, there's a lot of ifs involved with a high school kid. You've gotta be dedicated, you've gotta work hard, and spend the time in the offseason to improve yourself. He did all those things." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Junior slot back Davone Bess was named to the Walter Camp All-American second team last week."
Monday, December 10, 2007
Interview with Dave Reardon
SMG = Sportsmediaguide.com
Asked if he was working in paradise or if it just seemed taht way to mainland journalists, Dave said:
"The Warriors made me work hard this year: two overtime games and two victories in the final seconds of regulation. I need them to schedule six or seven I-AAs instead of just two so I can make deadline more often." (SMG)
Asked how he got his job, Dave said:
"First I thought taking any assignment and not going away would work. Then I went to Gainesville and wrote a couple of sidebars at SEC games instead of WAC games and all of a sudden I was worldly. Actually, I got my current job because everyone thought the paper was going to shut down in 2000, severely thinning the applicant pool and I was crazy enough to jump on a sinking ship. Then the guy covering UH football became sports editor and I was given the beat by default. Also, I bartended to make ends meet while freelancing, and served in an anti-tank gun platoon in the Army reserve while in college. Thank goodness the Cold War didn't get hot." (SMG)
Asked how he would describe football weather in Honolulu, Dave said:
"Make sure you bring rain gear. Really." (SMG)
Asked how competitive his beat is, Dave said:
"UH football is the biggest news story going right now in the state, bar none, and even before this year it's been the biggest deal in local sports by far for three decades. Two of the most persistent reporters in the state - sports or whatever - cover UH football for our main competitor. Some days I feel like a pinata, every now and then I'm the kid with the stick and I connect." (SMG)
Asked if UH should be in the BCS championship game, Dave said:
"No, unless it plays the only other undefeated team I can think of, the New England Patriots." (SMG)
Asked how he's handicapping the UH-Georgia game, Dave said:
"I'll be handicapping myself on Bourbon Street. The game itself will come down to Moreno and Brennan and if either defense can stop them." (SMG)
Asked who and what he read in sports journalism, Dave said:
"Does Krakauer count as sports? Lots of blogs, good columns, anything without a cliche in the lead. Scott Ostler (SF Chronicle) was my favorite before he got too serious. Now it's homeboy Mike Wise (Washington Post) - I covered him when he was all-district high school hoopster on Oahu. I'll be reading the AJC and the Athens paper a lot in the coming weeks." (SMG)
Asked his opinion of sword dancing and Haka war chants at Warriors games, Dave said:
"OK, stay with me here: When we were at Alabama last year, I thought it was pretty funny during pre-game that the 'Bama fans and players were getting pumped up by a song, Sweet Home Alabama, written by guys from Jacksonville, Fla., while the Hawaii contingent did the same with a dance from New Zealand. By the way, 'Sweet Home' is used in Kentucky Fried Chicken commercials, too. Go figure." (SMG)
Asked what it would take to get him to change places with the guy who covers University of Alaska football, Dave said:
"For starters, six months paid vacation ... and a time-share here. Aloha." (SMG)
Asked if he was working in paradise or if it just seemed taht way to mainland journalists, Dave said:
"The Warriors made me work hard this year: two overtime games and two victories in the final seconds of regulation. I need them to schedule six or seven I-AAs instead of just two so I can make deadline more often." (SMG)
Asked how he got his job, Dave said:
"First I thought taking any assignment and not going away would work. Then I went to Gainesville and wrote a couple of sidebars at SEC games instead of WAC games and all of a sudden I was worldly. Actually, I got my current job because everyone thought the paper was going to shut down in 2000, severely thinning the applicant pool and I was crazy enough to jump on a sinking ship. Then the guy covering UH football became sports editor and I was given the beat by default. Also, I bartended to make ends meet while freelancing, and served in an anti-tank gun platoon in the Army reserve while in college. Thank goodness the Cold War didn't get hot." (SMG)
Asked how he would describe football weather in Honolulu, Dave said:
"Make sure you bring rain gear. Really." (SMG)
Asked how competitive his beat is, Dave said:
"UH football is the biggest news story going right now in the state, bar none, and even before this year it's been the biggest deal in local sports by far for three decades. Two of the most persistent reporters in the state - sports or whatever - cover UH football for our main competitor. Some days I feel like a pinata, every now and then I'm the kid with the stick and I connect." (SMG)
Asked if UH should be in the BCS championship game, Dave said:
"No, unless it plays the only other undefeated team I can think of, the New England Patriots." (SMG)
Asked how he's handicapping the UH-Georgia game, Dave said:
"I'll be handicapping myself on Bourbon Street. The game itself will come down to Moreno and Brennan and if either defense can stop them." (SMG)
Asked who and what he read in sports journalism, Dave said:
"Does Krakauer count as sports? Lots of blogs, good columns, anything without a cliche in the lead. Scott Ostler (SF Chronicle) was my favorite before he got too serious. Now it's homeboy Mike Wise (Washington Post) - I covered him when he was all-district high school hoopster on Oahu. I'll be reading the AJC and the Athens paper a lot in the coming weeks." (SMG)
Asked his opinion of sword dancing and Haka war chants at Warriors games, Dave said:
"OK, stay with me here: When we were at Alabama last year, I thought it was pretty funny during pre-game that the 'Bama fans and players were getting pumped up by a song, Sweet Home Alabama, written by guys from Jacksonville, Fla., while the Hawaii contingent did the same with a dance from New Zealand. By the way, 'Sweet Home' is used in Kentucky Fried Chicken commercials, too. Go figure." (SMG)
Asked what it would take to get him to change places with the guy who covers University of Alaska football, Dave said:
"For starters, six months paid vacation ... and a time-share here. Aloha." (SMG)
Quotes from Monday morning
Denying the LA Daily News report that he's a "candidate of interest" for the UCLA job, JJ said:
"That's an absolute lie. That's all I've got to say." (HA)
About how nobody stops their offense except for themselves, Colt said:
"If we're having success and we're doing things right, it really can put a defense in a bind, no matter who you are. The only thing we've learned over the last three years is that we've never been stopped. We've only stopped ourselves." (AJC)
Praising Colt and UH's WRs, Georgia coach Mark Richt said:
"People that have played them say their receivers are as good as any you'll see in the country, and the quarterback. They said the quarterback-receiver situation there, you won't go to any school in America and find a better bunch. We've talked to a couple who have played them, and they're like, 'You can count on that.' " (AJC)
About how their coaches are comparing Colt to Tebow, CB Bryan Evans said:
"There is a lot of talk they are trying to compare him to [Florida's Tim] Tebow. Anytime you play a person that they compare to Tebow the defense needs to come and bring their A game." (AJC)
AJC Note: "The rub is that the defense will have to bring its b, c, d even z packages. Hawaii uses as many as five receivers on one play. So say goodbye to strongside linebacker Akeem Dent and hello to five maybe even six defensive backs."
About how they are 9-deep in the secondary, which will come in handy against UH, Richt said:
"I would think we are going to rotate [to stay fresh]. I am thankful this year we have really rotated our defensive personnel. We have kept people pretty fresh." (AJC)
About UH's offense, CB Thomas Flowers said:
"[The Warriors] are going to get their yards. The key is to just play very aggressive and play smart. We have a lot of confidence and time to prepare our game plan." (JAC)
About how their offense allows them a chance to compete against superior athletes, Colt said:
"What's great about this offense is that it's so true that it takes mediocre talent and it makes it better. What's amazing is that coach Jones brought an offense to a school that doesn't get prime athletes. As the talent has gotten better over the years with the success, it's made the offense and the team that much better." (AJC)
"That's an absolute lie. That's all I've got to say." (HA)
About how nobody stops their offense except for themselves, Colt said:
"If we're having success and we're doing things right, it really can put a defense in a bind, no matter who you are. The only thing we've learned over the last three years is that we've never been stopped. We've only stopped ourselves." (AJC)
Praising Colt and UH's WRs, Georgia coach Mark Richt said:
"People that have played them say their receivers are as good as any you'll see in the country, and the quarterback. They said the quarterback-receiver situation there, you won't go to any school in America and find a better bunch. We've talked to a couple who have played them, and they're like, 'You can count on that.' " (AJC)
About how their coaches are comparing Colt to Tebow, CB Bryan Evans said:
"There is a lot of talk they are trying to compare him to [Florida's Tim] Tebow. Anytime you play a person that they compare to Tebow the defense needs to come and bring their A game." (AJC)
AJC Note: "The rub is that the defense will have to bring its b, c, d even z packages. Hawaii uses as many as five receivers on one play. So say goodbye to strongside linebacker Akeem Dent and hello to five maybe even six defensive backs."
About how they are 9-deep in the secondary, which will come in handy against UH, Richt said:
"I would think we are going to rotate [to stay fresh]. I am thankful this year we have really rotated our defensive personnel. We have kept people pretty fresh." (AJC)
About UH's offense, CB Thomas Flowers said:
"[The Warriors] are going to get their yards. The key is to just play very aggressive and play smart. We have a lot of confidence and time to prepare our game plan." (JAC)
About how their offense allows them a chance to compete against superior athletes, Colt said:
"What's great about this offense is that it's so true that it takes mediocre talent and it makes it better. What's amazing is that coach Jones brought an offense to a school that doesn't get prime athletes. As the talent has gotten better over the years with the success, it's made the offense and the team that much better." (AJC)
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Quotes from Sunday morning
ABN = Athens Banner-Herald
______________
Seeming to address HF's comment that their facilities were good, Colt said:
"I really do hope the school improves things, because it's a long time coming. We talk about the facilities and the way things are. But we have to stop fooling people by telling them our facilities are good -- they're not. We've got to start telling our recruits how good our facilities are going to be. Maybe not their freshman and sophomore years, but by their junior and senior years they'll have the best facilities we can provide." (HSB)
About how their facilities are am embarrassment, Colt said:
"It shouldn't be that place that you drive by on the H-1 and it's kind of falling apart. It should be a diamond that shoots out of Manoa's campus. That's where this step took us, and we need to get the whole school, the whole community to ride this momentum and take the school to the next level." (HSB)
About how their facilities did not improve during his 3 years at UH, Colt said:
"They stayed the same. Soap, that's all we got." (HSB)
About returning to Hawaii after the Heisman ceremony, Colt said:
"We live in paradise, so the joke's on you." (HSB)
About how all of the upsets this season helped them make it to a BCS game, Colt said:
"It's been a crazy college football year. That kind of helped us out, watching some of the teams get upset. Why not? Why not Hawaii going to a BCS bowl game? Winning every game, we really worked hard for that and I'm glad we got there." (HSB)
About their BCS money, Colt said that UH's program will grow if UH:
"does a great job and takes the money and the momentum and does what (it is) supposed to, and gives it to the students, and gives a reason for all of the student-athletes to really feel like it's a pleasure to go to Hawai'i. We have the talent and the attitude. We need the school to make it just as beautiful." (HA)
Colt said that the atmosphere in Hawaii:
"is college football at its best. It's a unique place with unique people. It's a diamond in the rough." (HA)
About how they would have to reduce the number of regular season games to have a playoff system like he would prefer, Colt said:
"You can't ask a student to play a ton of games." (HA)
About how they did the best they could have done with the schedule they were given, Colt said:
"Life's not fair, I learned a long time ago, and it's not meant to be fair. But Hawaii made the best with what we were given this year." (HSB)
About how their schedule prevented them from playing for a national title, Colt said:
"Right now, we're playing a (Georgia) team (in the Sugar Bowl) that was up for (consideration for) the national championship game, and we're an undefeated team. We're going to look to win this football game. It's tough. I understand the conference we came from. I understand the schedule we have this year. We really don't have a (regular-season) win that that really warrants us going to a big (national championship) game like that. But defeating Georgia would do that. Who knows who's really playing in a national championship game right now? I just know if we beat Georgia, we'll make that statement we've always tried to make for the last two years." (HA)
Happy to have made it to New York for the Heisman ceremony, even though he came in 3rd, Colt said:
"Just to be here was a wonderful experience." (HA)
About Tebow, Colt said:
"I'm a big fan of Tim Tebow. Anytime you see a quarterback running over linebackers that brings you joy." (HSB)
About how leading his team to a BCS spot meant more than winning the Heisman, Colt said:
"There's no college football player who got the experience of playing in the two biggest games in their schools' history and winning them at the end of the year at home. That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don't know if any other (finalist) tonight experienced it. For me to experience it and know where it brought the program, that's awesome." (HA)
About how he didn't expect to win, Colt said:
"I didn't think I was going to win. I'm kind of glad because my speech wasn't up to par." (HA)
Pulling out a post-it with his speech on it, Colt smiled and said:
"I wrote it on the way over. I wasn't planning on winning. It was just awesome to be in the experience." (HA)
About how he was representing well more than just himself, Colt said:
"I felt I was representing all of the mid-majors. It was a great honor to be here. Hopefully, (the next time) a kid in my position will have a lot less scrutiny and will be able to be thanked for who (he is)." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan received 54 No. 1 votes and 632 points. He had the highest finish for a player from a non-major conference since Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair placed third in 1994. UH competes in the Western Athletic Conference, which is not among the six Bowl Championship Series conferences."
Colt said that their undefeated season:
"says a lot about the team and how good (it is). Michigan State paid us $250,000 not to play us. Michigan didn't want to play us. They chose Appalachian State. There are plenty of other teams that decided not to play us. We had to play who we lined up against. We beat those teams ... now against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, it's a great opportunity for us to get some respect. We can talk after the game." (HA)
About how they had to travel at least 2,500 miles for each road game, Colt said:
"If LSU ... left on a Wednesday and had to play in Europe (on a Saturday), I'm sure they wouldn't be the same team when they walked out there. It's kind of funny how we don't have the same credit. That's the way it is. We live in paradise. The joke's on them." (HA)
Praising JJ, Colt said:
"I don't know of a better coach. ... He is, without a doubt, a pure genius on Saturdays. He should be given a lot of credit for what he's done." (HA)
About why he slept in yesterday, Colt said:
"I was a little jet-lagged." (HA)
About how he had lunch with more than 20 family and friends at an Italian restaurant, Colt said:
"We had a blast. I went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was the highlight of my day. I dipped into the Holy water, and got a feel for being a Catholic kid from a Catholic high school. Walking into that church, it brought some memories back to me." (HA)
Surprised by all of the pedestrian traffic, Colt said:
"I was trying to rush back (to the hotel). I had my cousins on my arm. I'm pushing through crowds of people to make it back to the Heisman in time. Just thinking about the normal things we did out here, but what we were actually doing and the reasons we were here, that was so cool." (HA)
"It was pretty tough, scrambling through the people today, the crowds, it's like the biggest shopping time of the year out here. They close down sidewalks just to make the sidewalk not so jammed. Boise's (defense is) probably just a little tougher." (HSB)
About the people who recognized him on the street, Colt said:
"It was crazy, it's amazing, to think you're all the way in New York and people know who you are. We stopped sometimes to take pictures, a great feeling, obviously." (HSB)
About how all of the Heisman finalists got along, Colt said:
"We were hanging out. There was no nervousness. All of the finalists were great guys. All we talked about was how much fun we were having." (HA)
About meeting 29 past Heisman winners at the ceremony, Colt said:
"When I sat down with them, the conversation went from first meeting to being cool. These guys started putting their arm around you, whispering stuff in your ear. You realize you kind of made it. I'm standing next to guys I watched while sitting on my couch as a kid. These are the guys I rooted for. To watch them come up to you and show you some respect, it's an honor, man. I felt like I won just by coming." (HA)
About starting practices up again on Thursday, Colt said:
"We understand that's a beast waiting for us down there." (HSB)
About facing Georgia, Colt said:
"Playing Georgia in the Sugar Bowl is a great opportunity for us to get some respect. When we played Alabama at Alabama (in 2006), we struggled. We didn't have that pop we come out with, that confidence. As the game progressed, we started to get it, but time ran out on us. If we can come out and limit mistakes and not turn it over, we're going to be a productive offense. We have to get ready for a war, a battle." (HSB)
About facing UH's offense, Georgia DT Geno Atkins said:
"The opportunity is real big. It's a new experience since they play a whole different offensive system compared to the SEC. It's going to be a really good challenge for us." (ABN)
ABN Note: "Georgia's 34 sacks are two more than SEC champion LSU, which played one more game. The Bulldogs rang up 25 sacks in their last six games after managing just nine in their first six. They jumped from 85th in the nation in sacks to 22nd."
About their 25 sacks in their last 6 games, DE Marcus Howard (7.5 sacks) said:
"We just basically found our swagger back like we did the first game of the season against Oklahoma State (when Georgia had five sacks)." (ABN)
About how Georgia's defense will be a big challenge for them, Colt said:
"We're going up against a great test and a great talent that no one can deny. I'm expecting a dogfight. I'm expecting a great defense to show up and make us earn everything." (ABN)
ABN Note: "Hawaii is 73rd in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up 2.25 per game."
Confident that their DL will be able to beat UH's OL, safety Kelin Johnson said:
"We have what, 34 sacks? We're leading the SEC. I'm sure their offensive line is going to have trouble with our D-linemen." (ABN)
About his success this year after they lost 2 DL to the NFL after last season, Howard said:
"They're giving me props. I told them I was going to do it when they left. We have a little friendly side bet. It's going good right now." (ABN)
About his quickness, Howard said:
"It surprises them a lot. They look at me before the game. Some of them might call me small. I'm a hard worker in the weight room and it just shows. I'm able to bull rush or get around. It helps me a lot." (ABN)
ABN Note: "Georgia closed the regular season with five sacks against both Kentucky and Georgia Tech. Against Auburn, Georgia was able to generate pressure with its front four. Against Kentucky, Howard's two sacks came with the Bulldogs blitzing, something defensive coordinator Willie Martinez picks and chooses when to do."
About how their D has had success, even though their last 4 opponents have passed at least 30 times per game, Martinez said:
"We're able to put more pressure on the quarterback because of the style of offenses that were watching and seeing. You get a guy like (Tennessee's Erik) Ainge, he's going to get rid of the ball quickly." (ABN)
About how Atkins has 4.5 sacks in his last 5 games, Ellerbe said:
"He gets a nice push. He's quick. Them boys aren't used to that. Geno is really quick off the ball. That's helping us out." (ABN)
About how he has caught passes from both Tebow and Colt, UH freshman slotback Rick Taylor said:
"Obviously, I'm pretty excited. It's not every day guys you play with are up for the Heisman." (HSB)
About how he was one of Tebow's favorite WRs at Nease High and is now with the Warriors, Rick Taylor said:
"As of right now, my loyalty is with Colt. He's my quarterback now, that's how it stands. Any way it goes, though, I'll be happy." (HSB)
Asked to compare Colt and Tebow, Rick Taylor said:
"Colt is the most pinpoint accurate I've ever seen. Timmy is more of a power arm kind of guy. His arm strength is out of this world." (HSB)
Ken Taylor, Rick's father, coached defensive backs at Nease and has been an observer at many UH games and practices.
Rick's father Ken Taylor coached DBs at Nease High and has been to many UH games and practices and said about Colt and Tebow:
"The attribute both of them have is they become magical on the field. That's what sets them apart." (HSB)
About his conversations with Colt during the summer about whether or not he should leave for the NFL early, junior QB Chase Daniel said:
"We talked about that at the Elite Eleven camp (in the offseason). I'm glad I got to see him play this year. He said enjoy your time here and being in college. He's a great guy." (HSB)
Asked if they considered buying out their home opener next year vs. UH, Florida AD Jeremy Foley said:
"No, never tried to at all." (HSB)
______________
Seeming to address HF's comment that their facilities were good, Colt said:
"I really do hope the school improves things, because it's a long time coming. We talk about the facilities and the way things are. But we have to stop fooling people by telling them our facilities are good -- they're not. We've got to start telling our recruits how good our facilities are going to be. Maybe not their freshman and sophomore years, but by their junior and senior years they'll have the best facilities we can provide." (HSB)
About how their facilities are am embarrassment, Colt said:
"It shouldn't be that place that you drive by on the H-1 and it's kind of falling apart. It should be a diamond that shoots out of Manoa's campus. That's where this step took us, and we need to get the whole school, the whole community to ride this momentum and take the school to the next level." (HSB)
About how their facilities did not improve during his 3 years at UH, Colt said:
"They stayed the same. Soap, that's all we got." (HSB)
About returning to Hawaii after the Heisman ceremony, Colt said:
"We live in paradise, so the joke's on you." (HSB)
About how all of the upsets this season helped them make it to a BCS game, Colt said:
"It's been a crazy college football year. That kind of helped us out, watching some of the teams get upset. Why not? Why not Hawaii going to a BCS bowl game? Winning every game, we really worked hard for that and I'm glad we got there." (HSB)
About their BCS money, Colt said that UH's program will grow if UH:
"does a great job and takes the money and the momentum and does what (it is) supposed to, and gives it to the students, and gives a reason for all of the student-athletes to really feel like it's a pleasure to go to Hawai'i. We have the talent and the attitude. We need the school to make it just as beautiful." (HA)
Colt said that the atmosphere in Hawaii:
"is college football at its best. It's a unique place with unique people. It's a diamond in the rough." (HA)
About how they would have to reduce the number of regular season games to have a playoff system like he would prefer, Colt said:
"You can't ask a student to play a ton of games." (HA)
About how they did the best they could have done with the schedule they were given, Colt said:
"Life's not fair, I learned a long time ago, and it's not meant to be fair. But Hawaii made the best with what we were given this year." (HSB)
About how their schedule prevented them from playing for a national title, Colt said:
"Right now, we're playing a (Georgia) team (in the Sugar Bowl) that was up for (consideration for) the national championship game, and we're an undefeated team. We're going to look to win this football game. It's tough. I understand the conference we came from. I understand the schedule we have this year. We really don't have a (regular-season) win that that really warrants us going to a big (national championship) game like that. But defeating Georgia would do that. Who knows who's really playing in a national championship game right now? I just know if we beat Georgia, we'll make that statement we've always tried to make for the last two years." (HA)
Happy to have made it to New York for the Heisman ceremony, even though he came in 3rd, Colt said:
"Just to be here was a wonderful experience." (HA)
About Tebow, Colt said:
"I'm a big fan of Tim Tebow. Anytime you see a quarterback running over linebackers that brings you joy." (HSB)
About how leading his team to a BCS spot meant more than winning the Heisman, Colt said:
"There's no college football player who got the experience of playing in the two biggest games in their schools' history and winning them at the end of the year at home. That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don't know if any other (finalist) tonight experienced it. For me to experience it and know where it brought the program, that's awesome." (HA)
About how he didn't expect to win, Colt said:
"I didn't think I was going to win. I'm kind of glad because my speech wasn't up to par." (HA)
Pulling out a post-it with his speech on it, Colt smiled and said:
"I wrote it on the way over. I wasn't planning on winning. It was just awesome to be in the experience." (HA)
About how he was representing well more than just himself, Colt said:
"I felt I was representing all of the mid-majors. It was a great honor to be here. Hopefully, (the next time) a kid in my position will have a lot less scrutiny and will be able to be thanked for who (he is)." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan received 54 No. 1 votes and 632 points. He had the highest finish for a player from a non-major conference since Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair placed third in 1994. UH competes in the Western Athletic Conference, which is not among the six Bowl Championship Series conferences."
Colt said that their undefeated season:
"says a lot about the team and how good (it is). Michigan State paid us $250,000 not to play us. Michigan didn't want to play us. They chose Appalachian State. There are plenty of other teams that decided not to play us. We had to play who we lined up against. We beat those teams ... now against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, it's a great opportunity for us to get some respect. We can talk after the game." (HA)
About how they had to travel at least 2,500 miles for each road game, Colt said:
"If LSU ... left on a Wednesday and had to play in Europe (on a Saturday), I'm sure they wouldn't be the same team when they walked out there. It's kind of funny how we don't have the same credit. That's the way it is. We live in paradise. The joke's on them." (HA)
Praising JJ, Colt said:
"I don't know of a better coach. ... He is, without a doubt, a pure genius on Saturdays. He should be given a lot of credit for what he's done." (HA)
About why he slept in yesterday, Colt said:
"I was a little jet-lagged." (HA)
About how he had lunch with more than 20 family and friends at an Italian restaurant, Colt said:
"We had a blast. I went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was the highlight of my day. I dipped into the Holy water, and got a feel for being a Catholic kid from a Catholic high school. Walking into that church, it brought some memories back to me." (HA)
Surprised by all of the pedestrian traffic, Colt said:
"I was trying to rush back (to the hotel). I had my cousins on my arm. I'm pushing through crowds of people to make it back to the Heisman in time. Just thinking about the normal things we did out here, but what we were actually doing and the reasons we were here, that was so cool." (HA)
"It was pretty tough, scrambling through the people today, the crowds, it's like the biggest shopping time of the year out here. They close down sidewalks just to make the sidewalk not so jammed. Boise's (defense is) probably just a little tougher." (HSB)
About the people who recognized him on the street, Colt said:
"It was crazy, it's amazing, to think you're all the way in New York and people know who you are. We stopped sometimes to take pictures, a great feeling, obviously." (HSB)
About how all of the Heisman finalists got along, Colt said:
"We were hanging out. There was no nervousness. All of the finalists were great guys. All we talked about was how much fun we were having." (HA)
About meeting 29 past Heisman winners at the ceremony, Colt said:
"When I sat down with them, the conversation went from first meeting to being cool. These guys started putting their arm around you, whispering stuff in your ear. You realize you kind of made it. I'm standing next to guys I watched while sitting on my couch as a kid. These are the guys I rooted for. To watch them come up to you and show you some respect, it's an honor, man. I felt like I won just by coming." (HA)
About starting practices up again on Thursday, Colt said:
"We understand that's a beast waiting for us down there." (HSB)
About facing Georgia, Colt said:
"Playing Georgia in the Sugar Bowl is a great opportunity for us to get some respect. When we played Alabama at Alabama (in 2006), we struggled. We didn't have that pop we come out with, that confidence. As the game progressed, we started to get it, but time ran out on us. If we can come out and limit mistakes and not turn it over, we're going to be a productive offense. We have to get ready for a war, a battle." (HSB)
About facing UH's offense, Georgia DT Geno Atkins said:
"The opportunity is real big. It's a new experience since they play a whole different offensive system compared to the SEC. It's going to be a really good challenge for us." (ABN)
ABN Note: "Georgia's 34 sacks are two more than SEC champion LSU, which played one more game. The Bulldogs rang up 25 sacks in their last six games after managing just nine in their first six. They jumped from 85th in the nation in sacks to 22nd."
About their 25 sacks in their last 6 games, DE Marcus Howard (7.5 sacks) said:
"We just basically found our swagger back like we did the first game of the season against Oklahoma State (when Georgia had five sacks)." (ABN)
About how Georgia's defense will be a big challenge for them, Colt said:
"We're going up against a great test and a great talent that no one can deny. I'm expecting a dogfight. I'm expecting a great defense to show up and make us earn everything." (ABN)
ABN Note: "Hawaii is 73rd in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up 2.25 per game."
Confident that their DL will be able to beat UH's OL, safety Kelin Johnson said:
"We have what, 34 sacks? We're leading the SEC. I'm sure their offensive line is going to have trouble with our D-linemen." (ABN)
About his success this year after they lost 2 DL to the NFL after last season, Howard said:
"They're giving me props. I told them I was going to do it when they left. We have a little friendly side bet. It's going good right now." (ABN)
About his quickness, Howard said:
"It surprises them a lot. They look at me before the game. Some of them might call me small. I'm a hard worker in the weight room and it just shows. I'm able to bull rush or get around. It helps me a lot." (ABN)
ABN Note: "Georgia closed the regular season with five sacks against both Kentucky and Georgia Tech. Against Auburn, Georgia was able to generate pressure with its front four. Against Kentucky, Howard's two sacks came with the Bulldogs blitzing, something defensive coordinator Willie Martinez picks and chooses when to do."
About how their D has had success, even though their last 4 opponents have passed at least 30 times per game, Martinez said:
"We're able to put more pressure on the quarterback because of the style of offenses that were watching and seeing. You get a guy like (Tennessee's Erik) Ainge, he's going to get rid of the ball quickly." (ABN)
About how Atkins has 4.5 sacks in his last 5 games, Ellerbe said:
"He gets a nice push. He's quick. Them boys aren't used to that. Geno is really quick off the ball. That's helping us out." (ABN)
About how he has caught passes from both Tebow and Colt, UH freshman slotback Rick Taylor said:
"Obviously, I'm pretty excited. It's not every day guys you play with are up for the Heisman." (HSB)
About how he was one of Tebow's favorite WRs at Nease High and is now with the Warriors, Rick Taylor said:
"As of right now, my loyalty is with Colt. He's my quarterback now, that's how it stands. Any way it goes, though, I'll be happy." (HSB)
Asked to compare Colt and Tebow, Rick Taylor said:
"Colt is the most pinpoint accurate I've ever seen. Timmy is more of a power arm kind of guy. His arm strength is out of this world." (HSB)
Ken Taylor, Rick's father, coached defensive backs at Nease and has been an observer at many UH games and practices.
Rick's father Ken Taylor coached DBs at Nease High and has been to many UH games and practices and said about Colt and Tebow:
"The attribute both of them have is they become magical on the field. That's what sets them apart." (HSB)
About his conversations with Colt during the summer about whether or not he should leave for the NFL early, junior QB Chase Daniel said:
"We talked about that at the Elite Eleven camp (in the offseason). I'm glad I got to see him play this year. He said enjoy your time here and being in college. He's a great guy." (HSB)
Asked if they considered buying out their home opener next year vs. UH, Florida AD Jeremy Foley said:
"No, never tried to at all." (HSB)
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Kynan Fornie talks about UH
About the success of the Warriors, Atlanta Falcons guard Kynan Forney (on JJ's 1999 UH team) said:
"Being 12-0 and going to a BCS game, do you imagine what that's going to do for recruiting with people wanting to come to Hawaii? We have the best-looking uniforms in college football. We can't be touched right now." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
About how he's trying to get his teammates from Georgia (Tony Taylor, Martrez Milner and D.J. Shockley) to place a "friendsly" bet on the game, Forney said:
"They are kind of running from me right now. After the game, I was asking them what kind of action you want to do on the game? They were hemming and hawing. They all had to get back to me. I don't know if they've got a star player over there hurt or something, or if they saw that Hawaii game this past Saturday night. They are not the ones that have to play. So you can imagine how the Bulldog Nation down in Athens is feeling." (AJC)
"Being 12-0 and going to a BCS game, do you imagine what that's going to do for recruiting with people wanting to come to Hawaii? We have the best-looking uniforms in college football. We can't be touched right now." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
About how he's trying to get his teammates from Georgia (Tony Taylor, Martrez Milner and D.J. Shockley) to place a "friendsly" bet on the game, Forney said:
"They are kind of running from me right now. After the game, I was asking them what kind of action you want to do on the game? They were hemming and hawing. They all had to get back to me. I don't know if they've got a star player over there hurt or something, or if they saw that Hawaii game this past Saturday night. They are not the ones that have to play. So you can imagine how the Bulldog Nation down in Athens is feeling." (AJC)
Quotes about Colt
About how Colt is representing all of the current and past UH football players at the Heisman Ceremmony, Nick Rolovich said:
"Everybody who played, whether they were a backup defensive lineman or special teams player, feels a part of this. But as a quarterback, you feel like you have a foot on that stage (today) with Colt." (HA)
About how he'd rather beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl than win the Heisman, Colt said:
"Definitely. With all of the negative talk by so many analysts, and everybody out there so quick to try and dog us, if we go out and beat Georgia and have a great game and win that bowl game, it'll be bigger than the Heisman Trophy." (HA)
About his favorite status, Tebow said:
"Who knows what will happen. I'm here to enjoy the experience." (HA)
About how Tebow should be the favorite, especially since he won all of the other awards, Colt said:
"Watching how the football awards have gone, it's hard to imagine they'd give a Maxwell Award, a Johnny Unitas Award and a Davey O'Brien Award, and then (another) guy would win the Heisman over that guy. Considering how many awards went (to Tebow), I'm happy to be here." (HA)
About how he doesn't expect to win, Colt said:
"I'm really excited to be a part of it. There's always a possibility. But considering the fact that I didn't get invited to the Johnny Unitas or the Maxwell or the Camp (award shows), watching the way the awards have gone the past week, I'm just grateful to be here. I'm not too optimistic about me winning anything tomorrow." (HSB)
Asked if there is a chance for an upset, Colt said:
"There's always a chance. But if there's any integrity, there's a good chance I probably won't get the award." (HA)
HA Note: "To be sure, Brennan was a popular figure yesterday, proving the aloha spirit was alive, well and carrying a Sharpie. Several autograph seekers greeted Brennan at the Newark International Airport luggage area. Later, fans swarmed the stretch limousine carrying Brennan when it pulled into the driveway of the Midtown Manhattan hotel. Security was summoned to help Brennan exit the limo."
About the autograph seekers hounding Colt, UH sports media relations director Derek Inouchi said:
"It's been crazy." (HA)
About being invited to New York for the ceremony, Colt said:
"I'm here, but I don't exactly know the magnitude of why. That's probably a good thing. I'm really grateful to be here. Honestly, with the way this year went, I'm really thankful. It's a great honor." (HA)
About how the 4 candidates got a chance to spend some time together yesterday, Tebow said:
"We had a chance to really get to know each other. We're having fun. We're having a good time with it. It's a great experience to be here with all of these great athletes. I'm having a great time." (HA)
About meeting the other Heisman finalists, Colt said:
"It's neat when I walk around with these guys. It's kind of like, 'these are the Heisman candidates, and I'm one of them?' It's way cool." (HA)
About how he went shopping and sightseeing after lunch yesterday, Colt said:
"St. Patrick's Cathedral is probably the coolest sight I've seen so far. I'm having fun and enjoying this whole experience." (HA)
About his long but enjoyable day, Colt said:
"It was a fun day." (HA)
Impressed by the reaction he got from New Yorkers to the UH sweatshirt he wore during the bus tour of New York, Colt said:
"It's crazy to see how far Hawai'i has come. Not just me, but as a team. It's crazy to see the recognition out here." (HA)
About how there was no tension between Tebow and him despite the "system QB" debate earlier in the week, Colt said:
"It was very casual, very friendly, a good time. We understand the game we play and all the media and all the hype. I've got a ton of respect for Tim and I hope he's got a ton of respect for me." (HSB)
About how the talk about him has been much more positive over the past few days (too bad voting ended on Wednesday), Colt said:
"I definitely see a lot of people coming around the last few days, and you can make any case you want. This was a much better year and we did a lot better things." (HSB)
About how Colt accomplished a lot just by being invited to the Heisman Ceremony, Terry Brennan said:
"It doesn't matter. He already hit a home run by being here. Now it's just a matter of seeing if he hit a two-run homer or maybe a grand slam." (HSB)
About getting to spend more time with Chase Daniel, Colt said:
"I had a chance to hang out with (Daniel) this summer at the Elite Eleven football camp. I think he's a character, he's a real funny kid." (HSB)
HSB Note: "A Brennan fan from Queens, who followed the UH quarterback around all day, said he should have been a finalist last year. "Just watching his highlights from the past. I mean, last year I believe he deserved the Heisman more. This year I believe they invited him for the mistake they made last year," said the man, who did not want to give his name. "Brennan has a good chance of winning, but I think it will be Tebow because he did something no one else did with 20 touchdown passes and 20 running.""
"Everybody who played, whether they were a backup defensive lineman or special teams player, feels a part of this. But as a quarterback, you feel like you have a foot on that stage (today) with Colt." (HA)
About how he'd rather beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl than win the Heisman, Colt said:
"Definitely. With all of the negative talk by so many analysts, and everybody out there so quick to try and dog us, if we go out and beat Georgia and have a great game and win that bowl game, it'll be bigger than the Heisman Trophy." (HA)
About his favorite status, Tebow said:
"Who knows what will happen. I'm here to enjoy the experience." (HA)
About how Tebow should be the favorite, especially since he won all of the other awards, Colt said:
"Watching how the football awards have gone, it's hard to imagine they'd give a Maxwell Award, a Johnny Unitas Award and a Davey O'Brien Award, and then (another) guy would win the Heisman over that guy. Considering how many awards went (to Tebow), I'm happy to be here." (HA)
About how he doesn't expect to win, Colt said:
"I'm really excited to be a part of it. There's always a possibility. But considering the fact that I didn't get invited to the Johnny Unitas or the Maxwell or the Camp (award shows), watching the way the awards have gone the past week, I'm just grateful to be here. I'm not too optimistic about me winning anything tomorrow." (HSB)
Asked if there is a chance for an upset, Colt said:
"There's always a chance. But if there's any integrity, there's a good chance I probably won't get the award." (HA)
HA Note: "To be sure, Brennan was a popular figure yesterday, proving the aloha spirit was alive, well and carrying a Sharpie. Several autograph seekers greeted Brennan at the Newark International Airport luggage area. Later, fans swarmed the stretch limousine carrying Brennan when it pulled into the driveway of the Midtown Manhattan hotel. Security was summoned to help Brennan exit the limo."
About the autograph seekers hounding Colt, UH sports media relations director Derek Inouchi said:
"It's been crazy." (HA)
About being invited to New York for the ceremony, Colt said:
"I'm here, but I don't exactly know the magnitude of why. That's probably a good thing. I'm really grateful to be here. Honestly, with the way this year went, I'm really thankful. It's a great honor." (HA)
About how the 4 candidates got a chance to spend some time together yesterday, Tebow said:
"We had a chance to really get to know each other. We're having fun. We're having a good time with it. It's a great experience to be here with all of these great athletes. I'm having a great time." (HA)
About meeting the other Heisman finalists, Colt said:
"It's neat when I walk around with these guys. It's kind of like, 'these are the Heisman candidates, and I'm one of them?' It's way cool." (HA)
About how he went shopping and sightseeing after lunch yesterday, Colt said:
"St. Patrick's Cathedral is probably the coolest sight I've seen so far. I'm having fun and enjoying this whole experience." (HA)
About his long but enjoyable day, Colt said:
"It was a fun day." (HA)
Impressed by the reaction he got from New Yorkers to the UH sweatshirt he wore during the bus tour of New York, Colt said:
"It's crazy to see how far Hawai'i has come. Not just me, but as a team. It's crazy to see the recognition out here." (HA)
About how there was no tension between Tebow and him despite the "system QB" debate earlier in the week, Colt said:
"It was very casual, very friendly, a good time. We understand the game we play and all the media and all the hype. I've got a ton of respect for Tim and I hope he's got a ton of respect for me." (HSB)
About how the talk about him has been much more positive over the past few days (too bad voting ended on Wednesday), Colt said:
"I definitely see a lot of people coming around the last few days, and you can make any case you want. This was a much better year and we did a lot better things." (HSB)
About how Colt accomplished a lot just by being invited to the Heisman Ceremony, Terry Brennan said:
"It doesn't matter. He already hit a home run by being here. Now it's just a matter of seeing if he hit a two-run homer or maybe a grand slam." (HSB)
About getting to spend more time with Chase Daniel, Colt said:
"I had a chance to hang out with (Daniel) this summer at the Elite Eleven football camp. I think he's a character, he's a real funny kid." (HSB)
HSB Note: "A Brennan fan from Queens, who followed the UH quarterback around all day, said he should have been a finalist last year. "Just watching his highlights from the past. I mean, last year I believe he deserved the Heisman more. This year I believe they invited him for the mistake they made last year," said the man, who did not want to give his name. "Brennan has a good chance of winning, but I think it will be Tebow because he did something no one else did with 20 touchdown passes and 20 running.""
Ticket comparison for University use for UH and Georgia
Asked who will get the tickets UH reserved for the team and university use, associate AD Carl Clapp said:
"We're still working on that. We'll be able to confirm those numbers soon." (HSB)
Note: UH set aside 3000 tickets and Georgia set aside 1370 tickets.
About how UH is trying to figure out if they can give more tickets to the season ticket holders from their 3000 on reserve for the University, UH spokesman Gregg Takayama said:
"I know everyone involved is trying to resolve this as quickly as possible." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In an e-mail sent yesterday, Christopher Lakos, associate sports communication director for UGA, said the team and players are allotted 770 tickets, and another 600 tickets are dedicated for university use, including allocations for university President Michael Adams, his staff and the athletic department staff. UH also set aside 500 tickets for its corporate sponsors, while UGA set aside 310 tickets for its corporate sponsors."
About how they are trying to find tickets for their people on the waiting list, McNamara said:
"We want to accommodate as many people as we can." (HSB)
"We're still working on that. We'll be able to confirm those numbers soon." (HSB)
Note: UH set aside 3000 tickets and Georgia set aside 1370 tickets.
About how UH is trying to figure out if they can give more tickets to the season ticket holders from their 3000 on reserve for the University, UH spokesman Gregg Takayama said:
"I know everyone involved is trying to resolve this as quickly as possible." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In an e-mail sent yesterday, Christopher Lakos, associate sports communication director for UGA, said the team and players are allotted 770 tickets, and another 600 tickets are dedicated for university use, including allocations for university President Michael Adams, his staff and the athletic department staff. UH also set aside 500 tickets for its corporate sponsors, while UGA set aside 310 tickets for its corporate sponsors."
About how they are trying to find tickets for their people on the waiting list, McNamara said:
"We want to accommodate as many people as we can." (HSB)
Interview with Ikaika
Noting that his Dad was a backup QB behind Bart Starr for the Packers, Ikaika was asked if he grew up as a big Packers fan and if he had memories of visiting Lambeau Field, and he responded:
"Actually, no. I didn’t really get into football until college. My dad, he’s a very quiet person, very humble. He wouldn’t say much. But as I started playing, then more stories, he’d tell me and I’d ask more questions about it. I’ve learned a lot from him ever since I started playing football and that’s helped me out to be the player I am today." (Detroit Free Press)
Noting that his high school team won a Hawaii state title and he walked on to the UH basketball team, Ikaika was asked what position he played and he said:
"I was a three position, which is like a small forward/shooting guard type. I was a little bit lighter than I am now. I was about 200 pounds, so I could jump a little bit higher. But I put on the weight and now I’m a football player?" (DFP)
Asked if he was the best basketball player in the locker room, Ikaika said:
"I would like to say that. I’ve dunked on Corey Smith a couple times (nudging Smith sitting next to him). I don’t know what kind of talent this locker room’s got but I’ll take anybody one-on-one." (DFP)
Asked if he ever played pickup games at the gym with his teammates, Ikaika said:
"I’m kind of young yet, but I’ll tell you what, wherever the games are in the off-season I’m going to try to get in as many as I can. Stay in good shape with cardio, but of course be smart with it because I know football is No. 1." (DFP)
About how he 7 tackles and a sack of his current teammate Drew Stanton when UH played Michigan State in 2005, Ikaika was asked if he talked about that with Drew and said:
"I always talk about it. But he talks about how they whooped on us that game. But I told him how we beat them the year before that. So it goes back and forth. You can use it as locker-room talk. I keep reminding him how I sacked him that day." (DFP)
Asked what he missed the most about growing up in Hawaii, Ikaika said:
"The weather. I actually like cold weather." (DFP)
Asked why, Ikaika said:
"It’s different from Hawaii, that’s why. You don’t get to see snow. I understand why people want light in the winter because it’s always dark here. Geez, depressed people, I tell you. Depressed people everywhere in this place." (DFP)
Asked if he owned gloves or a winter coach before this year, Ikaika said:
"Heck no! I had a tank top, flip flops and shorts. I was walking around the other day in a tank top and everyone was like, “What are you doing?” It’s what I wear, man. But I wasn’t wearing it too long. I put a sweater on. I bought my first coat when I was here, that I did, that I did." (DFP)
"Actually, no. I didn’t really get into football until college. My dad, he’s a very quiet person, very humble. He wouldn’t say much. But as I started playing, then more stories, he’d tell me and I’d ask more questions about it. I’ve learned a lot from him ever since I started playing football and that’s helped me out to be the player I am today." (Detroit Free Press)
Noting that his high school team won a Hawaii state title and he walked on to the UH basketball team, Ikaika was asked what position he played and he said:
"I was a three position, which is like a small forward/shooting guard type. I was a little bit lighter than I am now. I was about 200 pounds, so I could jump a little bit higher. But I put on the weight and now I’m a football player?" (DFP)
Asked if he was the best basketball player in the locker room, Ikaika said:
"I would like to say that. I’ve dunked on Corey Smith a couple times (nudging Smith sitting next to him). I don’t know what kind of talent this locker room’s got but I’ll take anybody one-on-one." (DFP)
Asked if he ever played pickup games at the gym with his teammates, Ikaika said:
"I’m kind of young yet, but I’ll tell you what, wherever the games are in the off-season I’m going to try to get in as many as I can. Stay in good shape with cardio, but of course be smart with it because I know football is No. 1." (DFP)
About how he 7 tackles and a sack of his current teammate Drew Stanton when UH played Michigan State in 2005, Ikaika was asked if he talked about that with Drew and said:
"I always talk about it. But he talks about how they whooped on us that game. But I told him how we beat them the year before that. So it goes back and forth. You can use it as locker-room talk. I keep reminding him how I sacked him that day." (DFP)
Asked what he missed the most about growing up in Hawaii, Ikaika said:
"The weather. I actually like cold weather." (DFP)
Asked why, Ikaika said:
"It’s different from Hawaii, that’s why. You don’t get to see snow. I understand why people want light in the winter because it’s always dark here. Geez, depressed people, I tell you. Depressed people everywhere in this place." (DFP)
Asked if he owned gloves or a winter coach before this year, Ikaika said:
"Heck no! I had a tank top, flip flops and shorts. I was walking around the other day in a tank top and everyone was like, “What are you doing?” It’s what I wear, man. But I wasn’t wearing it too long. I put a sweater on. I bought my first coat when I was here, that I did, that I did." (DFP)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Tebow-Colt Discussion in the Athens Banner-Herald
Asked about the Tebow-Colt "system QB" debate, Georgia Coach Richt said:
"I'm not sure what a system quarterback is. I know while at Florida State that I coached Charlie Ward and he played within our system and I coached Chris Weinke within the same system. They are very, very different with how they went about their business." (ABH)
About Colt vs. Tebow, JJ said on Sunday:
"You guys talk about Colt being a system quarterback. Colt can run any system. I'm not sure Tim Tebow can run our system. He's not a natural passer." (ABH)
About how JJ has "tons of respect" for Tebow, Colt said:
"I think what he was trying to say is that the type of passes we throw and the type of execution we're asked to do, Tim Tebow isn't asked to do that in his offense, but then I'm not asked to run over 225-pound linebackers either." (ABH)
Cornerback Thomas Flowers played against Tebow and watched Brennan in a replay of Hawaii's win over Washington.
About JJ's comments regarding Colt/Tebow, Georgia CB Thomas Flowers said:
"I understand what he's saying, but Tebow is a great quarterback. You can't take anything away from that guy. Colt Brennan, that's a great quarterback. You can plug those guys in any system." (ABH)
About how coaches need to provide a system that will maximize a QB's skill, Richt said:
"I think if a quarterback is performing at a high level, it means their coach has done a great job of providing them the system where their skills could be maximized. That's the bottom line." (ABH)
About how he'd vote Tebow #1 for the Heisman, Richt said:
"I'm sure that will be Hawaii bulletin board (material). I hope it's not. I have a lot of respect for Colt and what he's done, but I think Tebow is unlike any player I've ever seen." (ABH)
"I'm not sure what a system quarterback is. I know while at Florida State that I coached Charlie Ward and he played within our system and I coached Chris Weinke within the same system. They are very, very different with how they went about their business." (ABH)
About Colt vs. Tebow, JJ said on Sunday:
"You guys talk about Colt being a system quarterback. Colt can run any system. I'm not sure Tim Tebow can run our system. He's not a natural passer." (ABH)
About how JJ has "tons of respect" for Tebow, Colt said:
"I think what he was trying to say is that the type of passes we throw and the type of execution we're asked to do, Tim Tebow isn't asked to do that in his offense, but then I'm not asked to run over 225-pound linebackers either." (ABH)
Cornerback Thomas Flowers played against Tebow and watched Brennan in a replay of Hawaii's win over Washington.
About JJ's comments regarding Colt/Tebow, Georgia CB Thomas Flowers said:
"I understand what he's saying, but Tebow is a great quarterback. You can't take anything away from that guy. Colt Brennan, that's a great quarterback. You can plug those guys in any system." (ABH)
About how coaches need to provide a system that will maximize a QB's skill, Richt said:
"I think if a quarterback is performing at a high level, it means their coach has done a great job of providing them the system where their skills could be maximized. That's the bottom line." (ABH)
About how he'd vote Tebow #1 for the Heisman, Richt said:
"I'm sure that will be Hawaii bulletin board (material). I hope it's not. I have a lot of respect for Colt and what he's done, but I think Tebow is unlike any player I've ever seen." (ABH)
Quotes about Colt
Despite predicting Tebow would win the Heisman, JJ said about Colt:
"He is the best passer in college history. He is. There is no question about it. My quarterback is the best player, trust me." (Orange County Register)
About going from tiny crowds watching his games at Saddleback College a few years ago to being a Heisman Finalist, Colt said:
"It's kind of a crazy story, and I'm sure there's a lot to be learned from it. I'm just trying to not mess things up." (OCR)
About his appreciation for Hawaii, Colt said:
"Hawaii, has inspired me to do a lot of great things." (OCR)
About not being nominated for any of the QBs awards this year, Colt said:
"Disappointing. I mean, how can you be up for the Heisman if you're not up for the other awards?" (HA)
About how he refused to believe he was getting a Heisman invigtation until received official word, Colt said:
"It was great when it finally went through. It was cool to know." (HA)
Colt's first football coach (when he was 9) Mike Harp remembered that in pass-league games:
"it wasn't unusual for Colt to go 9 of 10 or 10 of 10 on drives." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan was tried at safety, and then at running back until the replacement quarterback fumbled the snap four times in a game."
About how Colt was moved back to QB, Harp said:
"But he belonged at quarterback. He was so accurate. Even then, he did a great job of reading defenses. He was always 'Hollywood,' because he looked like a surfer kid." (HA)
About how the team was named the Irvine Big Blue Wave, Harp said:
"It fit." (HA)
About their 2 Heisman-winning QBs (John Huarte and Matt Leinart), Rose Bowl Hall of Fame QB Danny O'Neil, and record-setting QB Billy Blanton, Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said:
"You step back and go, 'Wow, this is some good stuff.' " (HA)
About how Colt was Matt Leinart's backup, with Leinart a year older, Rollinson said:
"He had to sit tight and bide his time, and he did." (HA)
About how Colt played well after he got his chance, Rollinson said:
"We liked his swagger. We liked his moxie. I knew he would be good because he was competitive." (HA)
"As a high school player, Colt hadn't grown into his body yet. He was still a little, I don't know, a little gangly, a little geeky, in the sense he didn't move well. He certainly wasn't going to scramble for any yardage. We used to admire the fact that as a competitor he'd hang on to that football and then he'd let it fly. If it was out late, he'd take the hit, and just get up and go, 'Let's do it again.'" (HA)
About how was impressed with Colt during the Washington game, Mater Dei offensive coordinator Dave Money said:
"I was really impressed with his demeanor and body language through adversity. They were down 21-0, and you would have never known that. That's one thing Colt's always had. We had a game where we played Fallbrook. We were down, 17-0, in the first half. He came back in the second half and led us to victory. It kind of reminded me of that watching him play the other night. No matter what the situation is, it won't affect him. He's always wanting to be positive." (HA)
About how he knew Colt would be a finalist, Christian Allen (Colt's roommate at Worcester Academy in 2003) said:
"I knew if they went with four finalists, he would be in there. His numbers were out of this world. He should have been there last year." (HA)
Christian Allen remembered when he was assigned to room with a:
"quarterback from California." (HA)
HA Note: "They formed an immediate bond. Allen, whose family owns property in Florida, is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed surfing. On weekends, they stayed with Allen's family in Boston, including Allen's parents Fran and Cindy and sisters Katie and Amanda."
About how Colt became close with his family, Christian Allen said:
"He became a part of my family's life." (HA)
About how they helped Colt adjust to life in Boston, Christian's father Fran Allen said:
"He was 3,000 miles away from home. We indoctrinated him to the ways of life in Boston much like he's been indoctrinated to the ways in Hawaii. We kept in touch, good times and bad. You could tell he had talent. The team was OK, and it was a tough league. He didn't have a great line, but he had some really good receivers." (HSB)
About his response when Terry Brennan called him to let him know that Colt wanted Christian and him to attend the Heisman Ceremony, Fran said:
"The answer was, 'absolutely.' Obviously in Boston as a sports fan we're really spoiled with the Red Sox, the Patriots and now even the Celtics. But all of that doesn't mean anything when you compare it to knowing somebody who's achieved what Colt has and being able to share it with him." (HSB)
About Colt inviting him and his father Fran to the Heisman ceremony with part of his 10 tickets, Christian Allen said:
"I was ecstatic when he called and said he would get me a ticket. This is great for the whole state out there." (HA)
About the Allen family, Terry said:
"They were good enough to adopt Colt." (HSB)
About the Allen family, Colt said that he:
"basically became a part of their family. We'd load up our dirty laundry, drive down to their house and his mom would take care of us and feed us and we'd hang out with his sisters and his friends. Since then our families have become even closer. The relationship has held up and become even stronger." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan's parents, Terry and Betsy, of Irvine, Calif., will be at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square, as will younger sister Chanel and grandmother Sharon Jefferies. So will Brennan's girlfriend, Shakti Stream. Athletic director Herman Frazier, media relations director Derek Inouchi and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw will officially represent UH. Assistant to the athletic director Chacha Kinilau and former media relations director Lois Manin will attend by invitation of Brennan, as will Brennan's family away from home when he went to prep school in Worcester, Mass. -- Fran and Christian Allen."
About Colt's older sister Carrera cannot attend the Heisman ceremony because she is expecting a baby in January, Terry Brennan joked:
"She's already mad at that kid." (HSB)
About trying to get to the Heisman Ceremony to support Colt, Lois Manin said:
"I enjoyed a great working relationship with Colt for two years at UH. When I decided to leave (to become deputy manager at Aloha Stadium) I promised I'd be in New York when he made it for the Heisman. He did his part, so I'm trying to do mine. He's done everything within his power to lift the program into the national spotlight and deserves everything he gets. Yet he's the first to tell you it's not about him, it's about the team first." (HSB)
HSB Note: "UH athletic director Herman Frazier, sports media relations director Derek Inouchi and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw will be at the Heisman ceremony in an official capacity. Assistant to the AD Chacha Kinilau is paying her own way. Inouchi's predecessor, Lois Manin, is also attempting to do so. Manin was on standby for a flight to New York yesterday, trying to make good on a promise."
About why he invited Kinilau and Manin, Colt said:
"I wanted to invite some people who helped me at UH, and Lois and Chacha did so much work and took so much stress off of me. Without Lois' work I'd never be a Heisman finalist. Chacha also did a lot of behind-the-scenes work, making sure I was at the right places at the right times for volunteer events, chaperoning me to charity events. It's hard because you can only invite so many people. I wanted to invite my teammates, but I guess you can't do that." (HSB)
About how he knew Colt was special, JJ said:
"I knew he was special the first time I saw him throw." (HA)
About watching a videotape of a Saddleback Community College game with Colt playing, JJ pointed to a chair in his office and said::
"I remember (former UH athletic director) Paul Durham was sitting right there. He said, 'What are you going to do next year after Timmy Chang?'" (HA)
HA Note: "Jones grabbed Saddleback's videotape, popped it into the recorder, and watched Durham watch the images on the wide-screen television."
JJ told Durham:
"Don't breathe a word of who that guy is. I don't want anybody to know." (HA)
The following year, after Colt led the country in passing and TD passes in his first year at UH, Durham said to JJ:
"You were right about that guy." (HA)
About how he was going to name his son Maverick (after his family's favorite TV show), but then saw Colton, CA in a map of Southern California, Terry Brennan said:
"I figured I couldn't mess that up too much." (HA)
About how they never pushed Colt to play, Terry said:
"We never pushed Colt. It was his choice to play. It wasn't me or his mom or his family. Colt has a real relationship with the game itself. It pushed him." (HA)
"He is the best passer in college history. He is. There is no question about it. My quarterback is the best player, trust me." (Orange County Register)
About going from tiny crowds watching his games at Saddleback College a few years ago to being a Heisman Finalist, Colt said:
"It's kind of a crazy story, and I'm sure there's a lot to be learned from it. I'm just trying to not mess things up." (OCR)
About his appreciation for Hawaii, Colt said:
"Hawaii, has inspired me to do a lot of great things." (OCR)
About not being nominated for any of the QBs awards this year, Colt said:
"Disappointing. I mean, how can you be up for the Heisman if you're not up for the other awards?" (HA)
About how he refused to believe he was getting a Heisman invigtation until received official word, Colt said:
"It was great when it finally went through. It was cool to know." (HA)
Colt's first football coach (when he was 9) Mike Harp remembered that in pass-league games:
"it wasn't unusual for Colt to go 9 of 10 or 10 of 10 on drives." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan was tried at safety, and then at running back until the replacement quarterback fumbled the snap four times in a game."
About how Colt was moved back to QB, Harp said:
"But he belonged at quarterback. He was so accurate. Even then, he did a great job of reading defenses. He was always 'Hollywood,' because he looked like a surfer kid." (HA)
About how the team was named the Irvine Big Blue Wave, Harp said:
"It fit." (HA)
About their 2 Heisman-winning QBs (John Huarte and Matt Leinart), Rose Bowl Hall of Fame QB Danny O'Neil, and record-setting QB Billy Blanton, Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said:
"You step back and go, 'Wow, this is some good stuff.' " (HA)
About how Colt was Matt Leinart's backup, with Leinart a year older, Rollinson said:
"He had to sit tight and bide his time, and he did." (HA)
About how Colt played well after he got his chance, Rollinson said:
"We liked his swagger. We liked his moxie. I knew he would be good because he was competitive." (HA)
"As a high school player, Colt hadn't grown into his body yet. He was still a little, I don't know, a little gangly, a little geeky, in the sense he didn't move well. He certainly wasn't going to scramble for any yardage. We used to admire the fact that as a competitor he'd hang on to that football and then he'd let it fly. If it was out late, he'd take the hit, and just get up and go, 'Let's do it again.'" (HA)
About how was impressed with Colt during the Washington game, Mater Dei offensive coordinator Dave Money said:
"I was really impressed with his demeanor and body language through adversity. They were down 21-0, and you would have never known that. That's one thing Colt's always had. We had a game where we played Fallbrook. We were down, 17-0, in the first half. He came back in the second half and led us to victory. It kind of reminded me of that watching him play the other night. No matter what the situation is, it won't affect him. He's always wanting to be positive." (HA)
About how he knew Colt would be a finalist, Christian Allen (Colt's roommate at Worcester Academy in 2003) said:
"I knew if they went with four finalists, he would be in there. His numbers were out of this world. He should have been there last year." (HA)
Christian Allen remembered when he was assigned to room with a:
"quarterback from California." (HA)
HA Note: "They formed an immediate bond. Allen, whose family owns property in Florida, is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed surfing. On weekends, they stayed with Allen's family in Boston, including Allen's parents Fran and Cindy and sisters Katie and Amanda."
About how Colt became close with his family, Christian Allen said:
"He became a part of my family's life." (HA)
About how they helped Colt adjust to life in Boston, Christian's father Fran Allen said:
"He was 3,000 miles away from home. We indoctrinated him to the ways of life in Boston much like he's been indoctrinated to the ways in Hawaii. We kept in touch, good times and bad. You could tell he had talent. The team was OK, and it was a tough league. He didn't have a great line, but he had some really good receivers." (HSB)
About his response when Terry Brennan called him to let him know that Colt wanted Christian and him to attend the Heisman Ceremony, Fran said:
"The answer was, 'absolutely.' Obviously in Boston as a sports fan we're really spoiled with the Red Sox, the Patriots and now even the Celtics. But all of that doesn't mean anything when you compare it to knowing somebody who's achieved what Colt has and being able to share it with him." (HSB)
About Colt inviting him and his father Fran to the Heisman ceremony with part of his 10 tickets, Christian Allen said:
"I was ecstatic when he called and said he would get me a ticket. This is great for the whole state out there." (HA)
About the Allen family, Terry said:
"They were good enough to adopt Colt." (HSB)
About the Allen family, Colt said that he:
"basically became a part of their family. We'd load up our dirty laundry, drive down to their house and his mom would take care of us and feed us and we'd hang out with his sisters and his friends. Since then our families have become even closer. The relationship has held up and become even stronger." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan's parents, Terry and Betsy, of Irvine, Calif., will be at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square, as will younger sister Chanel and grandmother Sharon Jefferies. So will Brennan's girlfriend, Shakti Stream. Athletic director Herman Frazier, media relations director Derek Inouchi and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw will officially represent UH. Assistant to the athletic director Chacha Kinilau and former media relations director Lois Manin will attend by invitation of Brennan, as will Brennan's family away from home when he went to prep school in Worcester, Mass. -- Fran and Christian Allen."
About Colt's older sister Carrera cannot attend the Heisman ceremony because she is expecting a baby in January, Terry Brennan joked:
"She's already mad at that kid." (HSB)
About trying to get to the Heisman Ceremony to support Colt, Lois Manin said:
"I enjoyed a great working relationship with Colt for two years at UH. When I decided to leave (to become deputy manager at Aloha Stadium) I promised I'd be in New York when he made it for the Heisman. He did his part, so I'm trying to do mine. He's done everything within his power to lift the program into the national spotlight and deserves everything he gets. Yet he's the first to tell you it's not about him, it's about the team first." (HSB)
HSB Note: "UH athletic director Herman Frazier, sports media relations director Derek Inouchi and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw will be at the Heisman ceremony in an official capacity. Assistant to the AD Chacha Kinilau is paying her own way. Inouchi's predecessor, Lois Manin, is also attempting to do so. Manin was on standby for a flight to New York yesterday, trying to make good on a promise."
About why he invited Kinilau and Manin, Colt said:
"I wanted to invite some people who helped me at UH, and Lois and Chacha did so much work and took so much stress off of me. Without Lois' work I'd never be a Heisman finalist. Chacha also did a lot of behind-the-scenes work, making sure I was at the right places at the right times for volunteer events, chaperoning me to charity events. It's hard because you can only invite so many people. I wanted to invite my teammates, but I guess you can't do that." (HSB)
About how he knew Colt was special, JJ said:
"I knew he was special the first time I saw him throw." (HA)
About watching a videotape of a Saddleback Community College game with Colt playing, JJ pointed to a chair in his office and said::
"I remember (former UH athletic director) Paul Durham was sitting right there. He said, 'What are you going to do next year after Timmy Chang?'" (HA)
HA Note: "Jones grabbed Saddleback's videotape, popped it into the recorder, and watched Durham watch the images on the wide-screen television."
JJ told Durham:
"Don't breathe a word of who that guy is. I don't want anybody to know." (HA)
The following year, after Colt led the country in passing and TD passes in his first year at UH, Durham said to JJ:
"You were right about that guy." (HA)
About how he was going to name his son Maverick (after his family's favorite TV show), but then saw Colton, CA in a map of Southern California, Terry Brennan said:
"I figured I couldn't mess that up too much." (HA)
About how they never pushed Colt to play, Terry said:
"We never pushed Colt. It was his choice to play. It wasn't me or his mom or his family. Colt has a real relationship with the game itself. It pushed him." (HA)
Other Friday morning quotes
About how e-mails were sent out to approximately 100 people, looking for 50 donors to each contribute $2,000 towards "furthering the team and coaching staff's efforts", seeking commitments from donors "right away", retired First Hawaiian Band chairman Walter Dods said that 40 were lined up in:
"less than 24 hours." (HA)
Dods, who is helping Grove Farm president Warren Haruki coordinate the effort said:
"this is the easiest fundraising job I've been a part of. Everybody knows the job June has done. It is how fast can you write the check." (HA)
HA Note: "The e-mail mentions the milestone accomplishments of this year's team — Heisman Trophy finalist, unbeaten season, Sugar Bowl berth — and notes, "what the football team's success has brought to light is the fact that all of this was done with a bare bones recruiting budget, outdated office furnishings and equipment and without the flexibility to reward assistant coaches and other key support staff with discretionary bonuses or incentives."
The campaign is separate of UH, which has yet to announce if athletics or football will share in the revenue from the Jan. 1 game in New Orleans. UH will receive at least $4.2 million from the bowl appearance, less expenses."
About how they will have a parade for the Warriors after the Sugar Bowl, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"The city will honor the entire Warrior football team with a parade after they return from the Sugar Bowl in January. Details are being worked out, but it will be a 'Parade of Champions.'" (HSB)
"less than 24 hours." (HA)
Dods, who is helping Grove Farm president Warren Haruki coordinate the effort said:
"this is the easiest fundraising job I've been a part of. Everybody knows the job June has done. It is how fast can you write the check." (HA)
HA Note: "The e-mail mentions the milestone accomplishments of this year's team — Heisman Trophy finalist, unbeaten season, Sugar Bowl berth — and notes, "what the football team's success has brought to light is the fact that all of this was done with a bare bones recruiting budget, outdated office furnishings and equipment and without the flexibility to reward assistant coaches and other key support staff with discretionary bonuses or incentives."
The campaign is separate of UH, which has yet to announce if athletics or football will share in the revenue from the Jan. 1 game in New Orleans. UH will receive at least $4.2 million from the bowl appearance, less expenses."
About how they will have a parade for the Warriors after the Sugar Bowl, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"The city will honor the entire Warrior football team with a parade after they return from the Sugar Bowl in January. Details are being worked out, but it will be a 'Parade of Champions.'" (HSB)
Friday morning ticket update
About the 500 extra tickets they will be getting from the Sugar Bowl, UH Associate AD of extrenal affairs John McNamara said:
"We have not received the (ticket) manifest yet. It will not be in the section where the initial allocation of tickets was." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials yesterday also closed the waiting list for Sugar Bowl tickets, which had 352 season ticket holders requesting a total of 1,500 tickets. Because of the demand for UH's 13,500 allotted tickets, no one except season-ticket holders will be able to buy Sugar Bowl tickets through UH.
Unsure where the seats will be, McNamara said they are:
"in the building. At this point, we're interested in getting people into the building." (HA)
HA Note: "The additional 500 tickets that Sugar Bowl officials released to UH yesterday had been set aside for corporate sponsors, community groups and others "that support their game annually," McNamara said."
Sugar Bowl officials plan to meet this weekend to see if their:
"anticipated need meets their exact need. If that number comes in lower, that frees up some more tickets. They understand our need and they're doing everything they can to help us." (HA)
About the season ticket holders on their waiting list, McNamara said:
"Some requested two, some requested four, some requested six. We'll go as deep into the waiting list as we possibly can." (HA)
About how UH offered to buy back tickets their fans bought already but can't use, McNamara said he didn't know how many fans have offered to sell back their tickets, and added:
"I don't know that that number is very high." (HA)
About how they aren't going to add anymore people to their waiting list for tickets, McNamara said:
"We don't want to add any more folks until we know we can accommodate those that are on it." (HSB)
Duane Lewis, spokesman for the Sugar Bowl, said the 500 seats are located somewhere in the lower level section and added that they are:
"continuing to work on getting more tickets for the UH fan base." (HSB)
About how UH had to make an early decision on giving back the 4000 tickets, Karl Benson said:
"There was a deadline." (HSB)
Season ticket holder David Loui said:
"I think the damage is already done. The 500 tickets is just a drop in the bucket. It was handled poorly from Day One. I think a lot of people had been forced to go to scalpers. They are not going to wait anymore." (HSB)
About how they are studying how many tickets they need from the 3000 for the team and University use, McNamara said:
"We're trying to take care of our fans first and our internal group second. Right now, all of our attention is focused on finding as many Sugar Bowl tickets to accommodate those season ticket holders who requested them." (HSB)
About how they contacted ticket brokers for ticket availability, McNamara said:
"We're evaluating every possible avenue to find additional tickets." (HSB)
"We have not received the (ticket) manifest yet. It will not be in the section where the initial allocation of tickets was." (HA)
HA Note: "UH officials yesterday also closed the waiting list for Sugar Bowl tickets, which had 352 season ticket holders requesting a total of 1,500 tickets. Because of the demand for UH's 13,500 allotted tickets, no one except season-ticket holders will be able to buy Sugar Bowl tickets through UH.
Unsure where the seats will be, McNamara said they are:
"in the building. At this point, we're interested in getting people into the building." (HA)
HA Note: "The additional 500 tickets that Sugar Bowl officials released to UH yesterday had been set aside for corporate sponsors, community groups and others "that support their game annually," McNamara said."
Sugar Bowl officials plan to meet this weekend to see if their:
"anticipated need meets their exact need. If that number comes in lower, that frees up some more tickets. They understand our need and they're doing everything they can to help us." (HA)
About the season ticket holders on their waiting list, McNamara said:
"Some requested two, some requested four, some requested six. We'll go as deep into the waiting list as we possibly can." (HA)
About how UH offered to buy back tickets their fans bought already but can't use, McNamara said he didn't know how many fans have offered to sell back their tickets, and added:
"I don't know that that number is very high." (HA)
About how they aren't going to add anymore people to their waiting list for tickets, McNamara said:
"We don't want to add any more folks until we know we can accommodate those that are on it." (HSB)
Duane Lewis, spokesman for the Sugar Bowl, said the 500 seats are located somewhere in the lower level section and added that they are:
"continuing to work on getting more tickets for the UH fan base." (HSB)
About how UH had to make an early decision on giving back the 4000 tickets, Karl Benson said:
"There was a deadline." (HSB)
Season ticket holder David Loui said:
"I think the damage is already done. The 500 tickets is just a drop in the bucket. It was handled poorly from Day One. I think a lot of people had been forced to go to scalpers. They are not going to wait anymore." (HSB)
About how they are studying how many tickets they need from the 3000 for the team and University use, McNamara said:
"We're trying to take care of our fans first and our internal group second. Right now, all of our attention is focused on finding as many Sugar Bowl tickets to accommodate those season ticket holders who requested them." (HSB)
About how they contacted ticket brokers for ticket availability, McNamara said:
"We're evaluating every possible avenue to find additional tickets." (HSB)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Quotes from Thursday morning
About how UH decided to take 4000 less tickets, Sugar Bowl spokesman Duane Lewis said:
"They chose not to take their full allotment. That was Hawaii's decision. We definitely didn't tell them not to take it, it was their choice." (AP)
About how they were concerned about scalping, which was a reason that UH took less tickets, Karl Benson said:
"No one in this business wants to see tickets dumped in the secondary market." (AP)
Note: This is simply spin. If UH was concerned about scalpers, they would have placed a limit on how many tickets people could buy. Those people buying 100+ tickets from UH are probably the source of the Craigslist and eBay adds for the game!
About how UH was concerned about losing bowl payout money, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"Georgia has been to multiple BCS games. They know what they're capable of doing. We had no frame of reference or history to fall back on." (AP)
About how they are trying to get more tickets for their season-ticket holders, McNamara said:
"We are trying to do everything we can to accommodate as many season-ticket holders as possible." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Loui said UH's decision might force fans to turn to scalpers. Some Sugar Bowl tickets offered on the Internet were listed at four times the original ticket price of $125 to $145. Some tickets offered on eBay.com were posted at between $175 and $569 each. The Louisiana Superdome has sold out its Sugar Bowl tickets but referred fans to a Ticketmaster Web site where tickets were available in the $256-to-$881 range. Loui, who has been a season-ticket holder since the 1970s, said he planned to purchase tickets through a Koa Anuenue booster club member because they are given top priority for tickets. But he found out late Tuesday there were sold out. "It made me sick. I was just devastated," he said."
About how the UH Athletic Department Administration showed a lack of faith into their fans season-ticket holder David Loui said:
"This is the first time. This is our first outright championship. There are so many firsts for this team. And to not have faith, not only to season-ticket holders, but to fans abroad, to make efforts to make it to the game upsets me greatly." (HSB)
About how schools trade ticket allocation all the time, HF said:
"There is always horse trading (of) tickets among schools for the bowls." (HSB)
About how it is not unusual for schools to trade ticket allocations, Karl Benson said:
"So that's what happened." (HSB)
About how they are trying to help UH get more tickets, Lewis said:
"We're looking to help them get more tickets. We understand there's great demand and we'll do everything we can." (AP)
Not surprised by the bad decision to not take the full ticket allocation, Colt said:
"Why did they do that?" You know what, it's no surprise to me." (AP)
"Why'd we do that? ... It's no surprise to me." (HSB)
Riverside Press-Enterprise Note: "By the way, for his senior thesis Brennan is said to be working on a video presentation detailing the differences in facilities and support between his school's program and other top-25 schools. That should be fun."
After being told by USA Today reporter Christine Brennan that she voted him #1 on her Heisman ballot, Colt said:
"I appreciate the vote. I've met a lot of Brennans over the past few years. It's a name people take a lot of pride in. I know I do." (USA)
Asked if he wished there were more voters named Brennan voting for the Heisman this year, Colt laughed and said:
"That would be nice." (USA)
USA Note: "If in fact my vote goes against the grain this year, it won't be the first time. Four years ago, hardly impressed by the choices in the 2003 voting, I gave my first-place vote to a quarterback from Miami of Ohio. I was in a distinct minority, one of only five out of 750 voters to choose Ben Roethlisberger first. Oklahoma quarterback Jason White won, followed by Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Roethlisberger finished ninth. At the time, a few vociferous readers let me know how ridiculous they thought my selection was. In hindsight, it doesn't look quite so bad."
About how the big TV games late in the season helped his Heisman candidacy, Colt said:
"I think (having two late TV games) helped; there's no doubt it helped." (HA)
Not surprised that their games got good ratings for ESPN, Colt said:
"We're a unique story. We were trying to break into the BCS and be the only team to go undefeated. I'm not surprised a lot of people tuned in." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors' Bowl Championship Series-clinching 35-28 victory over Washington Saturday had a 2.0 rating and was seen in 1.96 million households despite the 11:30 p.m. (Eastern) and 8:30 p.m. (Pacific) kickoff, an ESPN spokesman said. The week before, UH's 39-27 Western Athletic Conference championship-clinching win over Boise State was seen by 2.65 million households and had a 2.8 share, making it the biggest audience of any ESPN2 game and the largest of 14 Friday night games on the various ESPN properties. It had a 9 p.m. (Eastern) and 6 p.m. (Pacific) kickoff."
About having a Heisman Finalist is good for UH, Colt said:
"It gives credit to the school. It seems like all the players (in New York for the Heisman) come from the top football teams in the nation. For once, Hawai'i is up there with the best. And that is a great feeling." (HA)
About missing the final day of classes tomorrow to fly to New York for the Heisman ceremony, Colt said about his professors:
"I think they'll understand." (HA)
About Colt missing that day of classes, Terry Brennan said:
"We'll let him go to New York, but he'd better graduate. If he doesn't, he's going to be in a lot of trouble with me." (HA)
Proud of Colt's Heisman Finalist recognition, Terry said:
"We're very proud of him. This is a great and wonderful thing for Colt, and his teammates and coaches, and the state." (HA)
Feeling like his recognition is recognition for their team, Colt said:
"Considering the games I missed with my (sprained) ankle, and me getting knocked out of the (Fresno) game with a concussion, and watching the team get those victories, it just feels like it's cool because it feels like the team and everybody is part of this. It's not just me. It's a great feeling. And it's not like I'm the only one getting rewarded here. It feels like everybody who played with me this year is getting rewarded." (HA)
HA Note: "He led the Warriors to Division I-A's only unbeaten regular season despite playing on an injured right ankle that, he says, is as fat "as a tennis ball." "
About not being invited to New York last year was fine with him because they didn't beat Oregon State, Colt said:
"Being the prestigious award it is, you have to go up and beyond, and I was all right with not going last year." (HA)
Colt said that his Heisman chances with their weak schedule meant that:
"if we had one loss on our record, there's no way I'd be going to New York." (HA)
About how Matt Leinart called him twice after hearing the Heisman news, Colt said:
"I got two calls from (Leinart yesterday). He's all fired up. He said he's really disappointed, but he can't make it out to the festivities. But he said, 'Soak it up. They'll take care of you. Enjoy everything.'" (HSB)
About the importance of playing well at the end of their season Colt said:
"I said I was going to be a winner this year. When I looked at this year I understood what was in front of us really well. I understood I needed to play my best football at the end of the year. At the end of the year was when they were going to need me." (HSB)
About how his best games this season came in their biggest games, Colt said:
"I got injured, fought through injuries. If you take a look at my ankle (sprained Sept. 14) it still looks like a tennis ball. It looks bad, I fought through that all year, continued to make victories, got hurt again (a concussion Nov. 10 against Fresno State). But I bounced back from that (after playing two snaps at Nevada) and the biggest two games of the year were my best games." (HSB)
About his huge games against BSU and UW, Colt said:
"That's my biggest selling point as the Heisman." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan completed 82 of 103 passes for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns against the Broncos and Huskies."
Declining to say anything about Tebow, Colt said:
"I could stir it up, I could have fun with it. I don't have to say anything. I could say stuff, but I think I'm gonna help (Tyler) Graunke out right now and keep my mouth shut and talk about that another time." (HSB)
About how UH opens the season at Florida next season, Colt said:
"It's not like I'm going to The Swamp next year." (HSB)
About how Colt deserves individual awards, but how he deflects the praise, Desmond Thomas said:
"Personally, he deserves (awards). For one, you play harder for that guy, unconsciously, and for each other, and it becomes a team kind of thing. Not 'Let's win for Colt,' but, 'Let's win for all of us, the school, the community, for God.' " (HSB)
Colt's first coach (when he was 9) Mike Harp said:
"I always thought he was something special. Even at that age, he was always a little better than everybody else. He had a little swagger. We always called him 'Hollywood.' He looked like a surfer. But he was always an accurate passer. What he did best was put the ball on people. He still does that." (HA)
Asked about Colt's Heisman chances, Karl Benson said:
"The chances of Colt Brennan winning the Heisman, I'd say, are better than the chances were of Hawai'i coming back against Nevada." ( HA)
About how Mel Kiper said that 25-30 teams could have gone undefeated with UH's schedule, Blaze said after the UW win:
“Mel Kiper has been dogging us all season. I just want to get a team that he can’t call a ’cupcake’ in the Sugar Bowl so we can prove to the nation that we are for real.’’ (Maui News)
About JJ's comments about Tim Tebow, Tebow's high school coach Craig Howard said:
"I know June. We knew each other in Oregon when we were there. He said something about Timmy being a system quarterback. If Tim Tebow was in Hawaii, June Jones would love him and think he's the greatest quarterback he's ever had. Hawaii quarterbacks have always been called system guys. I understand he's sticking up for his guy [quarterback Colt Brennan, a Heisman candidate himself]. Put him [Tebow] in any system. Tom Brady's a system guy. He does pretty well. ... Plug Timmy into Hawaii's system or the New England Patriots' system or Florida's system, he'll have that special ingredient like Tom Brady has. ... I chuckled a little when June Jones said that. That [a version of Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense] is what we've been running at Nease." (Florida Times-Union)
"They chose not to take their full allotment. That was Hawaii's decision. We definitely didn't tell them not to take it, it was their choice." (AP)
About how they were concerned about scalping, which was a reason that UH took less tickets, Karl Benson said:
"No one in this business wants to see tickets dumped in the secondary market." (AP)
Note: This is simply spin. If UH was concerned about scalpers, they would have placed a limit on how many tickets people could buy. Those people buying 100+ tickets from UH are probably the source of the Craigslist and eBay adds for the game!
About how UH was concerned about losing bowl payout money, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"Georgia has been to multiple BCS games. They know what they're capable of doing. We had no frame of reference or history to fall back on." (AP)
About how they are trying to get more tickets for their season-ticket holders, McNamara said:
"We are trying to do everything we can to accommodate as many season-ticket holders as possible." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Loui said UH's decision might force fans to turn to scalpers. Some Sugar Bowl tickets offered on the Internet were listed at four times the original ticket price of $125 to $145. Some tickets offered on eBay.com were posted at between $175 and $569 each. The Louisiana Superdome has sold out its Sugar Bowl tickets but referred fans to a Ticketmaster Web site where tickets were available in the $256-to-$881 range. Loui, who has been a season-ticket holder since the 1970s, said he planned to purchase tickets through a Koa Anuenue booster club member because they are given top priority for tickets. But he found out late Tuesday there were sold out. "It made me sick. I was just devastated," he said."
About how the UH Athletic Department Administration showed a lack of faith into their fans season-ticket holder David Loui said:
"This is the first time. This is our first outright championship. There are so many firsts for this team. And to not have faith, not only to season-ticket holders, but to fans abroad, to make efforts to make it to the game upsets me greatly." (HSB)
About how schools trade ticket allocation all the time, HF said:
"There is always horse trading (of) tickets among schools for the bowls." (HSB)
About how it is not unusual for schools to trade ticket allocations, Karl Benson said:
"So that's what happened." (HSB)
About how they are trying to help UH get more tickets, Lewis said:
"We're looking to help them get more tickets. We understand there's great demand and we'll do everything we can." (AP)
Not surprised by the bad decision to not take the full ticket allocation, Colt said:
"Why did they do that?" You know what, it's no surprise to me." (AP)
"Why'd we do that? ... It's no surprise to me." (HSB)
Riverside Press-Enterprise Note: "By the way, for his senior thesis Brennan is said to be working on a video presentation detailing the differences in facilities and support between his school's program and other top-25 schools. That should be fun."
After being told by USA Today reporter Christine Brennan that she voted him #1 on her Heisman ballot, Colt said:
"I appreciate the vote. I've met a lot of Brennans over the past few years. It's a name people take a lot of pride in. I know I do." (USA)
Asked if he wished there were more voters named Brennan voting for the Heisman this year, Colt laughed and said:
"That would be nice." (USA)
USA Note: "If in fact my vote goes against the grain this year, it won't be the first time. Four years ago, hardly impressed by the choices in the 2003 voting, I gave my first-place vote to a quarterback from Miami of Ohio. I was in a distinct minority, one of only five out of 750 voters to choose Ben Roethlisberger first. Oklahoma quarterback Jason White won, followed by Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Roethlisberger finished ninth. At the time, a few vociferous readers let me know how ridiculous they thought my selection was. In hindsight, it doesn't look quite so bad."
About how the big TV games late in the season helped his Heisman candidacy, Colt said:
"I think (having two late TV games) helped; there's no doubt it helped." (HA)
Not surprised that their games got good ratings for ESPN, Colt said:
"We're a unique story. We were trying to break into the BCS and be the only team to go undefeated. I'm not surprised a lot of people tuned in." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors' Bowl Championship Series-clinching 35-28 victory over Washington Saturday had a 2.0 rating and was seen in 1.96 million households despite the 11:30 p.m. (Eastern) and 8:30 p.m. (Pacific) kickoff, an ESPN spokesman said. The week before, UH's 39-27 Western Athletic Conference championship-clinching win over Boise State was seen by 2.65 million households and had a 2.8 share, making it the biggest audience of any ESPN2 game and the largest of 14 Friday night games on the various ESPN properties. It had a 9 p.m. (Eastern) and 6 p.m. (Pacific) kickoff."
About having a Heisman Finalist is good for UH, Colt said:
"It gives credit to the school. It seems like all the players (in New York for the Heisman) come from the top football teams in the nation. For once, Hawai'i is up there with the best. And that is a great feeling." (HA)
About missing the final day of classes tomorrow to fly to New York for the Heisman ceremony, Colt said about his professors:
"I think they'll understand." (HA)
About Colt missing that day of classes, Terry Brennan said:
"We'll let him go to New York, but he'd better graduate. If he doesn't, he's going to be in a lot of trouble with me." (HA)
Proud of Colt's Heisman Finalist recognition, Terry said:
"We're very proud of him. This is a great and wonderful thing for Colt, and his teammates and coaches, and the state." (HA)
Feeling like his recognition is recognition for their team, Colt said:
"Considering the games I missed with my (sprained) ankle, and me getting knocked out of the (Fresno) game with a concussion, and watching the team get those victories, it just feels like it's cool because it feels like the team and everybody is part of this. It's not just me. It's a great feeling. And it's not like I'm the only one getting rewarded here. It feels like everybody who played with me this year is getting rewarded." (HA)
HA Note: "He led the Warriors to Division I-A's only unbeaten regular season despite playing on an injured right ankle that, he says, is as fat "as a tennis ball." "
About not being invited to New York last year was fine with him because they didn't beat Oregon State, Colt said:
"Being the prestigious award it is, you have to go up and beyond, and I was all right with not going last year." (HA)
Colt said that his Heisman chances with their weak schedule meant that:
"if we had one loss on our record, there's no way I'd be going to New York." (HA)
About how Matt Leinart called him twice after hearing the Heisman news, Colt said:
"I got two calls from (Leinart yesterday). He's all fired up. He said he's really disappointed, but he can't make it out to the festivities. But he said, 'Soak it up. They'll take care of you. Enjoy everything.'" (HSB)
About the importance of playing well at the end of their season Colt said:
"I said I was going to be a winner this year. When I looked at this year I understood what was in front of us really well. I understood I needed to play my best football at the end of the year. At the end of the year was when they were going to need me." (HSB)
About how his best games this season came in their biggest games, Colt said:
"I got injured, fought through injuries. If you take a look at my ankle (sprained Sept. 14) it still looks like a tennis ball. It looks bad, I fought through that all year, continued to make victories, got hurt again (a concussion Nov. 10 against Fresno State). But I bounced back from that (after playing two snaps at Nevada) and the biggest two games of the year were my best games." (HSB)
About his huge games against BSU and UW, Colt said:
"That's my biggest selling point as the Heisman." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brennan completed 82 of 103 passes for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns against the Broncos and Huskies."
Declining to say anything about Tebow, Colt said:
"I could stir it up, I could have fun with it. I don't have to say anything. I could say stuff, but I think I'm gonna help (Tyler) Graunke out right now and keep my mouth shut and talk about that another time." (HSB)
About how UH opens the season at Florida next season, Colt said:
"It's not like I'm going to The Swamp next year." (HSB)
About how Colt deserves individual awards, but how he deflects the praise, Desmond Thomas said:
"Personally, he deserves (awards). For one, you play harder for that guy, unconsciously, and for each other, and it becomes a team kind of thing. Not 'Let's win for Colt,' but, 'Let's win for all of us, the school, the community, for God.' " (HSB)
Colt's first coach (when he was 9) Mike Harp said:
"I always thought he was something special. Even at that age, he was always a little better than everybody else. He had a little swagger. We always called him 'Hollywood.' He looked like a surfer. But he was always an accurate passer. What he did best was put the ball on people. He still does that." (HA)
Asked about Colt's Heisman chances, Karl Benson said:
"The chances of Colt Brennan winning the Heisman, I'd say, are better than the chances were of Hawai'i coming back against Nevada." ( HA)
About how Mel Kiper said that 25-30 teams could have gone undefeated with UH's schedule, Blaze said after the UW win:
“Mel Kiper has been dogging us all season. I just want to get a team that he can’t call a ’cupcake’ in the Sugar Bowl so we can prove to the nation that we are for real.’’ (Maui News)
About JJ's comments about Tim Tebow, Tebow's high school coach Craig Howard said:
"I know June. We knew each other in Oregon when we were there. He said something about Timmy being a system quarterback. If Tim Tebow was in Hawaii, June Jones would love him and think he's the greatest quarterback he's ever had. Hawaii quarterbacks have always been called system guys. I understand he's sticking up for his guy [quarterback Colt Brennan, a Heisman candidate himself]. Put him [Tebow] in any system. Tom Brady's a system guy. He does pretty well. ... Plug Timmy into Hawaii's system or the New England Patriots' system or Florida's system, he'll have that special ingredient like Tom Brady has. ... I chuckled a little when June Jones said that. That [a version of Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense] is what we've been running at Nease." (Florida Times-Union)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Quotes about the Heisman race
About the Heisman race, Colt said:
"I think it's a good race. I think anybody can win it. It's up to the voters. It will be interesting to see how it plays out." (Houston Chronicle)
"I think it's a good race. I think anybody can win it. It's up to the voters. It will be interesting to see how it plays out." (Houston Chronicle)
Heisman Profile for Colt
After the SJSU game, Colt yelled:
"We kept saying 'believe.' Believe the rest of the year and we will go undefeated. This is what it's all about. Every one of you guys, I love you." (AP)
AP Note: "Brennan's bold prediction, captured by television cameras, was made in mid-October. Two months later, having led the Warriors to a perfect regular season, Brennan is a Heisman Trophy finalist."
About how he told his team after the SJSU game that if they believed they would go undefeated, Colt said:
"I was just saying what I felt. It just came out and sure enough we believed the rest of the season, and here we are." (AP)
About wanting to give back to Hawaii, Colt said:
"Hawaii has inspired me to do a lot of great things." (AP)
JJ calls Colt:
"best passer in college history." (AP)
Not worried about his stats being down this year, Colt said:
"I'll throw 20 touchdowns to go 12-0. That's what matters." (AP)
Praising Colt, RGM said:
"He's a straight gunslinger. He's smart with the ball. His timing is right. He doesn't force things." (AP)
About how Colt is deserving of being a Heisman Finalist and deserves to win, JJ said:
"He not only deserves to be there (in New York), but he deserves to win it. Just look at what he's done." (AP)
About the Heisman, Colt said:
"The way I look at it, the Heisman Trophy should go to the man that captivated the nation. Through his team, he played so good that everybody wanted to watch. Everybody was a fan. I would hope that because of the uniqueness of our culture, the uniqueness of our team and the success we've had, people would be very excited to watch us play." (AP)
About how he's come a long way since his Colorado incident, Colt said:
"Three years ago I was saying, 'How could this happen to me, God. What did I ever do to deserve this?' Now I'm saying the same thing, but in a different context." (AP)
About how Colt has appreciated football since he was a toddler, Terry Brennan said:
"I'd come home and Colt would be watching Monday Night Football sucking his thumb." (AP)
AP Note: "Some of Brennan's best childhood memories are watching football on TV and taking a break at halftime to go in the front yard to play catch."
About playing catch with his Dad, Colt said:
"My dad would say, 'This is for the Rose Bowl,' and he would throw the hardest pass. I would dive and act like I was catching the winning touchdown." (AP)
About how their team is making their mark on Hawaii, Colt said:
"When you can inspire people, you're part of something special. It's bigger than the game of football now. You're making a difference. Heisman Trophy or not, that's the greatest thing I'm going to walk away from, being part of this football team here in Hawaii." (AP)
"We kept saying 'believe.' Believe the rest of the year and we will go undefeated. This is what it's all about. Every one of you guys, I love you." (AP)
AP Note: "Brennan's bold prediction, captured by television cameras, was made in mid-October. Two months later, having led the Warriors to a perfect regular season, Brennan is a Heisman Trophy finalist."
About how he told his team after the SJSU game that if they believed they would go undefeated, Colt said:
"I was just saying what I felt. It just came out and sure enough we believed the rest of the season, and here we are." (AP)
About wanting to give back to Hawaii, Colt said:
"Hawaii has inspired me to do a lot of great things." (AP)
JJ calls Colt:
"best passer in college history." (AP)
Not worried about his stats being down this year, Colt said:
"I'll throw 20 touchdowns to go 12-0. That's what matters." (AP)
Praising Colt, RGM said:
"He's a straight gunslinger. He's smart with the ball. His timing is right. He doesn't force things." (AP)
About how Colt is deserving of being a Heisman Finalist and deserves to win, JJ said:
"He not only deserves to be there (in New York), but he deserves to win it. Just look at what he's done." (AP)
About the Heisman, Colt said:
"The way I look at it, the Heisman Trophy should go to the man that captivated the nation. Through his team, he played so good that everybody wanted to watch. Everybody was a fan. I would hope that because of the uniqueness of our culture, the uniqueness of our team and the success we've had, people would be very excited to watch us play." (AP)
About how he's come a long way since his Colorado incident, Colt said:
"Three years ago I was saying, 'How could this happen to me, God. What did I ever do to deserve this?' Now I'm saying the same thing, but in a different context." (AP)
About how Colt has appreciated football since he was a toddler, Terry Brennan said:
"I'd come home and Colt would be watching Monday Night Football sucking his thumb." (AP)
AP Note: "Some of Brennan's best childhood memories are watching football on TV and taking a break at halftime to go in the front yard to play catch."
About playing catch with his Dad, Colt said:
"My dad would say, 'This is for the Rose Bowl,' and he would throw the hardest pass. I would dive and act like I was catching the winning touchdown." (AP)
About how their team is making their mark on Hawaii, Colt said:
"When you can inspire people, you're part of something special. It's bigger than the game of football now. You're making a difference. Heisman Trophy or not, that's the greatest thing I'm going to walk away from, being part of this football team here in Hawaii." (AP)
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