Monday night news, LWJ WAC OPOTW

USU Review, NMSU Preview

Dave Reardon reviews five big plays from UH's 49-36 victory over Utah State in this week's Warrior Replay.

Stephen Tsai writes about the emergence of the running game.

Wright-Jackson and Alex Green, who rushed for 110 yards Saturday, have helped revive the Warriors' running attack, which in turn, is helping to ease the pressure on Moniz, a first-year starting quarterback.

Wright-Jackson said he received a call from a fan who said Internet message boards were trying to portray him and Green at being at odds.

Not true, Wright-Jackson said.

"Are you serious?" Wright-Jackson told the caller. "I don't appreciate that talk. We're close. The running back corps is close. Alex and I are looking out for the team. We'll help each other out, do anything to make the team better. We both bleed green for Hawai 'i."

Jason writes about the UH offensive line paving the way.

The success of the ground game could give New Mexico State (3-6, 1-3) something else to think about heading into this week's game at Aloha Stadium.

Looking at the numbers, Shaw might have flashed back to his days as an assistant at Minnesota, coaching an offensive line that plowed the road for a prolific Big Ten running game.

Hawaii had thrown the ball on 68 percent of its 520 offensive plays entering Saturday's game and averaged a little more than 20 running plays per game.

The Warriors attempted 38 throws against Utah State while running the ball 37 times as they (gasp) picked up more yards on the ground than through the air.

"They love it," Shaw said of the Warriors' line. "They're down there just as happy as clams."

Wade Denniston of the Herald Journal reviews the game from the Utah State perspective.

Dave Reardon writes about the Warriors' renewed confidence.

One win can make you forget about six losses. It's all about confidence, the way the Hawaii players feel now they will never lose another football game.

Doesn't matter the spark was against lousy Utah State. Ask the 1999 Rainbows. All it took was a win over Eastern Illinois, and they were off to the races and a bowl game after 0-12 the year before.

Is a successful run to the Hawaii Bowl possible? Not in my mind, probably not in yours. Coaches won't say, but they're old, they're pragmatic.

Players? They're young, they believe. And a guy like Greg Salas was around in 2007 when the Warriors rose from apparently mortal wounds in four games.

"It's very realistic. I think this team never loses hope," Salas said.

Among the believers out there is Hawaii Bowl director David Matlin.

Twice in the Hawai 'i Bowl's seven previous years the Warriors have gone into December before their bowl status was clarified. Four times they've taken the issue to Thanksgiving — or beyond.

Saturday night's 49-36 victory over Utah State held open the possibility of another such stretch run since the 3-6 Warriors must win all four remaining games to become bowl eligible and earn the WAC berth that is on hold for them in the Dec. 24 game at Aloha Stadium.

"My wife, Dana, usually manages me pretty well this time of the year," Matlin said.

Still, when there can be a swing difference of, on average, approximately 16,000 fans and $570,000 riding on whether UH appears in the Hawai 'i Bowl, Matlin is, understandably, excitable.

New Mexico State Sports has a preview and game notes of this Saturday's UH-NMSU matchup.

And for UH fans on the mainland, the game will be on "Aggievision" as well as ESPN Gameplan and ESPN360.

LWJ wins WAC OPTW award!

Waaay too many acronyms, but congratulations to Leon!
Official WAC press release.

Wright-Jackson, a senior from Pasco, Wash. (Columbia Basin JC), ran for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries in Hawai'i's 49-36 win over Utah State. Wright-Jackson scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters. Wright-Jackson became the first Hawai'i back to rush for more than 100 yards in nearly three years. The 167 yards were the most by a Warrior since 1993. As a team, Hawai'i rushed for 360 yards, the most in a game since 1995.

Sunday night news

WitP: Owens, Bess, Elam, Sopoaga, McBriar

In his Montreal Alouettes debut, Chad Owens returned 2 kicks for an average of 40 yards, and had 1 catch for 10 yards.

Davone Bess had 6 catches for 56 yards in the Dolphins loss to the Patriots.

Jason Elam kicked 1 field goal for 33 yards as the Falcons beat the Redskins 31-17.

Isaac Sopoaga had 3 tackles in the 49ers loss to the Titans.

And Mat McBriar kicked 5 punts for a 42 yard average in the Cowboys victory over the Eagles.

Na Koa Events

If you're going to the San Jose State game in a couple weeks, Na Koa is holding several "Bay Area Road Warrior" events in the days leading up to the game and a tailgate party the day of. Check out the Na Koa events page for more info about this and other events. Here are direct links to the PDFs:

2009 Bay Area Road Warrior Events (11/19 - 11/21)
Centennial Celebration Gala (12/02)
2009 Awards Banquet (12/06)

Alex Green: Jedi Stiff Arm (w/UPDATE)

I could've sworn Alex Green stiff-armed a guy without touching him during last night's game. Dennis Oda of the Star-Bulletin just might have photographic evidence. WooOooOoo.


"I am not the droid you are looking for."

UPDATE: Now with irrefutable video evidence. And an awesome bonus Jim Leahey quote.

UH vs Utah State Wrap-Ups

UH rushing attack helps end six-game skid, by Jaymes Song of the AP

Warriors find winning formula, by Jason Kaneshiro

"It's been a long time since we won a game and it feels good not coming off the field with your head down, just coming off with a great feeling. There's nothing like it," receiver Greg Salas said.

Warriors run for 360 yards to snap six-game losing streak, by Stephen Tsai

The mounting losses had become an anchor to the Warriors' spirits. Linebacker Blaze Soares, their feisty defensive leader, said he canceled his Facebook account after receiving numerous barbs.

"We took a lot of (bleep) from people," Soares said. "We knew we had to get the monkey off our back."

What a rush! Wright-Jackson, Green run wild, by Stacy Kaneshiro

"It was a lot of fun," said Wright-Jackson, who, in last night's game alone, surpassed his 2008 season rushing total of 102 yards. "The offensive line gave me the holes. And it wasn't just me. Alex Green got in there and did the same thing. There were big holes. That's a credit to our offensive line."

Feeding frenzy for UH backs, by Brian McInnis

"We weren't expecting quite that much, but it was great to get," running backs coach Brian Smith said. "We knew we could run the ball on them, and once we got into the game and saw some of the things they were doing, tendency-wise, we really thought we could open up with our ground game. We really capitalized on some of the looks that they gave us."

Porous run defense deflates Utah State, by Billy Hull

Old-school running game keyed UH's feel-good win, by Dave Reardon

Is it time to turn the run-and-shoot into the run-and-run?

Maybe not -- don't forget about Greg Salas: 10 catches for 187 yards and two TDs.

"Oh, man, it makes a tremendous difference when the running game is going like that," the receiver said. "When everything's working like that, forget it."

For three years now, we've all dreamed of what Wright-Jackson might be like in an offense with a fullback and a tight end and the willingness to run the ball. But ask him, and he's happy just to be a part of what it already is -- and he had the same attitude after last night's game as he did before it.

"I'm happy in the run-and-shoot," Wright-Jackson said. "You can still run the ball in it. We showed that tonight. That's what we do. That's Hawaii. There's no need for us to go to anything else."

Lee said this was in many ways the offense at its best, because it was balanced.

Things really opened up for UH receiver Salas, by Kalani Takase

"He's real steady," UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee said of Salas. "He's been doing a good job catching the ball, running after the catch, and along the way, he's been making really, really tough catches."

Short snaps, from the Star-Bulletin has news and notes about Greg Salas, Lametrius Davis' interception, Chris Tormey, and Tommy Kaulukukui being honored at halftime.

Defense kept Borel on run, by Kalani Takase

Hawai'i brought pressure from all angles against the shifty, 6-foot, 187-pound quarterback in last night's 49-36 win over Utah State and sacked him three times. They also hurried Borel seven times and picked him off twice.

"We just had to execute our assignments," Warriors defensive end Fetaiagogo "John" Fonoti said. "We knew that their quarterback and running back were good — just like Nevada — so we just had to look at that Nevada game to see what we did wrong and work on it."

UH took advantage when it mattered, by Ferd Lewis

Video: UH Wins!

Here's tonight's Chawan's Cut, which has highlights of UH's 49-36 victory over Utah State from KITV, KHNL and KHON.

Hawaii 49, Utah State 36

It's been a long time! First win since the Washington State game on September 12th. Looks like the offense got that killer instinct back. It's happening again! Some stats from the game:

UH had 697 total yards of offense, including 360 yards of rushing.

Leon Wright-Jackson rushed 15 times for 167 yards with 3 touchdowns.

Alex Green rushed 10 times for 110 yards.

Greg Salas had 10 catches for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Bryant Moniz was 21 of 37 for 337 yards with 4 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. He also rushed 8 times for 76 yards.

Blaze Soares had 9 tackles, including 1 sack.

Here are game summaries from the Star-Bulletin and the Advertiser.

And HawaiiAthletics.com has a game summary with links to a box score and post-game notes.

Ways to Follow the Hawaii vs Utah State Game

Being There:

Buy tickets through HawaiiAthletics.com, or at Aloha Stadium. Game starts at 5:05 pm.

HawaiiAthletics.com has info on fan promotions and ticket discounts.

The Aloha Stadium website has directions, parking, shuttle bus and other info.

There's also a Homecoming Tailgate.

WHAT: Join the UH Alumni Association at the 2009 UH Homecoming Tailgate. Enjoy live music the Pacific Heights Band, UH logo items from Rainbowtique, the Chevron Family Zone, food and beverage (available for purchase).

WHERE: Aloha Zone in the Aloha Stadium parking lot (upper Halawa parking lot near pole 29). Parking gates open at 11:30 a.m. for lower Halawa lot, 12:30 p.m. for all other lots.

WHEN: Sat. Nov. 7 – 2:00–4:30 p.m. (kick-off at 5:05 p.m.)

Be there!


Television:

In Hawaii, via Oceanic pay-per-view, channel 255.


Streaming Video:

Oceanic Cable will be streaming it live via their UH sports web video service. The game is priced at $12.56 on their schedule. There are some restrictions:

If you live in the state of Hawaii, you need to be connected to a Road Runner modem to use the video streaming service. Individuals on the mainland or anywhere else in the world, do not need to be connected to a Road Runner modem.

Ordering is available 1 hour before the event.

Theaters:

On Oahu: at Consolidated's Ko'olau Theatre
On Maui: at Consolidated's Kaahumanu Theatre


Radio:

On Oahu, ESPN 1420 AM. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KPUA in Hilo, KMWB in Kona. And via Chris Hart:

On Kauai folks can listen to the games on FM87.7 and ESPN Hawaii on Kona and Hilo this year.

Streaming Audio:

Via ESPN1420AM.com


Live Stats:

SideArmStats.com, via HawaiiAthletics.com

ESPN Scoreboard

Sites like CBS Sports, Fox Sports, etc should have stats as well.


Twitter:

@StephenTsai
@DaveReardon
@HawaiiAthletics
@HawaiiFootball
@Joshontheradio

....

References -- HawaiiAthletics.com and UtahStateAggies.com.

Note: Please comment with any corrections, additions, changes, etc. Thanks!

WitP: Chad Owens, RGM, Bess, Samson, McBriar

Herb Zurkowsky of The Montreal Gazette profiles Chad Owens.

Chad Owens won't begin to suggest it was easy. Not for a minute. Practising day after day for nearly four months knowing he was unlikely to play.

And that was only one aspect. On the Alouettes' practice roster since July 14, he was earning perhaps $1,000 per week before taxes - and probably less - while supporting a wife and three children. But dreams don't die easily.

"A lot goes to staying mentally strong, knowing you're not getting paid a lot," Owens said. "Things cross your mind, but quitting was never one. I'm here because I love playing football. This is the career path I've chosen. And my pro career has been filled with ups and downs. It has been a roller-coaster ride.

"But this is the reason why I get up and come to work, regardless of the circumstances."

Owens, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound wide receiver, gets a rare opportunity to play today (1 p.m., TSN, RDS, CJAD Radio-800), when Montreal completes its regular-season against the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre.

Go Mighty Mouse!

Also in the CFL, Ryan Grice-Mullen had a 73-yard kickoff return for the second straight week in the BC Lions loss to Edmonton. RGM also had 2 receptions for 34 yards.

Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel asks if Davone Bess is in a sophomore slump.

Bess caught 17 passes for 140 yards in the first three games, but his production has slowed down drastically over the past four. Since Chad Henne's taken over as the starting quarterback Bess hasn't contributed more than 18 receiving yards in any of the past four games.

What's worse is that the Dolphins' slot receiver has had a fumbling problem over the past two weeks. He's fumbled three times, but fortunately one never counted because the Jets didn't review the play courtesy of a great rush job by the Dolphins.

"This thing all of a sudden popped up in the last couple of games. As far as confidence I think Davone is a pretty confident football player. I would hope that he has a short memory, that he can put it behind him, but it isn’t so much just putting it behind him," Sparano said. "You have to work on some of the fundamentals; you have to be conscious of some of the fundamentals in those situations. When something like that happens, it is a little bit like disease and I think the only way you get it out of your system is you go back and you concentrate on the fundamentals and get things done in practice the right way and then it will carry over.”

Bess has been putting in extra work to break out of it.

``I'm working my butt off this week to hold onto the ball,'' Bess said. ``It's just a matter of me being more careful. I've got to be ball-conscious.''

During the past two weeks, Bess fumbled twice. (He actually fumbled a third time, but the Jets ran out of time to challenge the play before Miami got the next snap off.) As a result of the drops, the team's leading receiver was back at the team's facility a day after the win against the Jets to get it figured out.

``I came in for Victory Monday [normally designated as a day off] and just caught a ton of punts, just to get my confidence going again,'' Bess said. ``It never really brought me down, but it hurt me that I could have potentially lost us the game.''

Samson Satele has solidified his hold as the Raiders starting center.

Satele conceded catching on the the zone blocking system took awhile, especially after missing OTAs following shoulder surgery.

“Now, I got this offense down,” Satele said. “Now I can just go and run with it and get the starting job back, and it’s my job to lose I guess.”

“It’s more a techinique thing. I was still in my power reaches instead of zone reaches so once I got that down, Cable saw it, and I handled it pretty well, like you said. I didn’t take it in a negative way. It took me about four weeks into the season and I’m right back in it.”

Said Cable: “When you evaluate his play and Chris’ play when Chris was the center, it surpassed it. He’s been really a bright spot for us lately.”

Mat McBriar is having one of the best seasons of his career.

In 2006, Mat McBriar blew everyone away with his 48.2-yard average. He followed that up in 2007 with an equally impressive 47.1-yard average.

After suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2008, McBriar has returned with an average of "only" 46.4 yards per kick. But that only tells part of the story. His net average has increased to 41.7 yards per punt, which is the best in his career.

On top of that stat, McBriar has also downed 17 of his 30 punts (56.6%) inside the opponent 20. He ranks third in the league in total punts downed inside the 20. No other punter has placed a higher percentage of punts inside the 20, though. In fact, the only other punter who has placed more than half of his punts inside the 20 is Cleveland's Dave Zastudil, who has downed 25 of 49 punts.

Game Day: Hawaii vs Utah State

It's homecoming. What better night to start the miraculous five-game winning streak as foretold by the hairy oracle, woot woot!

Treating last five games as playoffs, by Stephen Tsai

To be sure, it is a pretty-please wish for the Warriors to win out. They have lost six in a row, their longest winless skid since the 0-12 1998 season.

But their next three opponents — Utah State, New Mexico State and San Jose State — have a combined WAC record of 2-9. UH's past five WAC opponents are a combined 18-6.

"Our backs are against the wall," defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga said. "We can't afford any slip-ups. Once we remember how it feels to win, I'm sure everybody will get that confidence back."

UH defense to be tested, by Tsai has breakdowns of the offense, defense and specialists of both teams.

Desperate times at Aloha Stadium, by Jason Kaneshiro

Over the years, homecoming has indeed become a time for celebration for Hawaii.

The Warriors have been victorious on homecoming night each of the past seven years. Rarely, though, have they been in greater need of a win than they are today.

Warriors still seek bowl bid, from the AP via The Maui News

''We have to go 5-for-5,'' said Warriors quarterback Bryant Moniz. ''Coming off a six-game losing streak, I know that pretty much sounds impossible. But everybody in that locker room believes in it, and as long as we believe we can do it, we're going to do our best to do it.''

Aggies face another hungry football team, by Jared Eborn of The Deseret News

Aggies hope to take care of business, by Wade Denniston of The Herald Journal

One thing USU’s defense will really be keying on today is the Warriors’ screen game.

“Their main play is the screen game and that’s what we have to stop,” Coleman said. “They’re averaging 12 yards every play on the screen game, so if we go in there and stop the screen game and make them throw the ball deep down the field, we have an advantage on that.

“Our coaches have got a great game plan going in to stop the screen game and to plug up the holes. ... We have a great game plan going in and we’ll be fine as long as we get it done up front.”

Aggies not giving up during tough season, by Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah State has one of the most explosive offenses in the Western Athletic Conference. Robert Turbin, the sophomore running back, is close to eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, and junior quarterback Diondre Borel, in addition to being the dual threat that he is, has thrown 11 touchdown passes and just one interception this year.

UH's 2-6 mark makes a win tonight a must, by Dave Reardon

The thing is, UH fans are not used to this. And if Hawaii does not win tonight, the critics who were slightly muffled by a less-than-lopsided loss at Nevada will become as strident as protesters at a health care reform town meeting.

That's why it's a must win. If UH doesn't win it will get ugly around here, because people care so much about this team, and have funny ways of showing it.

I ASKED offensive coordinator Ron Lee about UH's failure to score anything other than a safety in any third quarter since the season-opening win against Central Arkansas. He said it's not about adjustments, but experience and execution.

Red zone woes? It's about time and space. When an offense that spreads it out is squeezed into a small space, the margin for error is much less.

Warriors can laugh off critics with win, by Ferd Lewis

It has been a painful eight weeks for the Warriors. And not just because of the mounting injuries. Though, to be sure the accumulated ankles, knees, hamstrings and pinkie fingers have hurt, too.

But we're talking about the insults that have been added to injury. The slings and arrows of public opinion that have turned into a fusillade amid the six-game losing streak.

The jeers from the stands at once-lowly Idaho after a 35-23 defeat were one thing. So, too, the barbs of "bottom of the WAC!" — and worse — hurled at the Warriors in the wake of a 31-21 loss at Nevada last week. All occurring thousands of miles from home.

But the prankster post at Honolulu Police Department headquarters, purporting to be an official police report, that poked fun at UH's unfamiliarity with the goal line in a 2-6 (0-5 WAC) season underlines just how much the Warriors need a win tonight.

Friday news

Utah State Previews, Letuli, Tormey, Silva, Joke

Billy Hull has a UH-Utah State preview.

Like the Wolf Pack, Utah State is led by a quarterback who can beat you with his arm and his legs.

Junior Diondre Borel has completed 58 percent of his passes (146-for-251) with 11 touchdowns and only one interception. He's also run for five touchdowns and piled up 342 yards on the ground.

In last week's near-upset of Fresno State, Borel ran for 105 yards and threw for 240 more, proving he'll be a tough cover for a Hawaii linebacker corps that will have to be disciplined in its assignments.

"When you're blitzing, you don't want to just run all out at him because he can just run around you," senior Blaze Soares said. "You can't let that guy loose. He can hurt your team."

G. Christopher Terry of KSL.com has a game preview.

Junior safety Rajric Coleman is pumped for the chance to play a team that consistently goes with four wide receivers on first down, as opposed to the steady diet of WAC-power-rushing attacks USU has seen.

"It's great for me being a DB," Coleman said. "That's our chance to go get some picks and for us to shine a little more. We've got to accept the challenge of them throwing it and let everyone know you can't throw on Utah State."

Andersen said the key to forcing Hawaii to punt the football will be mixing up coverages and taking Moniz out of his rhythm.

"You have got to keep them off pace," Andersen said. "You can't let them sit back there and know where you're at. You can't let them play catch. The key is to mix up enough coverages from man to zone, and different types of zone coverages, to force him to not be able to just go to his first read."

In a special to the Star-Bulletin, Jeff Hunter takes a look at Utah State's season so far.

Wade Denniston of the Herald Journal takes a look at Hawaii's season.

Here are some game previews and notes from HawaiiAthletics.com and UtahStateAggies.com. USU's site also has some supplemental notes.

Stephen Tsai has some sad news regarding Laupepa Letuli and Chris Tormey.

Hawai'i offensive tackle Laupepa Letuli's knee injury is serious enough that he is not expected to play the rest of the football season.

Tsai writes that Letuli is a strong candidate for a sixth year.

Chris Tormey, who coaches the safeties and coordinates special teams, is scheduled to return to Honolulu today after attending his sister's funeral in New York.

Tormey departed for New York Wednesday.

McMackin told Tormey he could take as much time off as he wished, and that he would be excused from coaching in tomorrow's game against Utah State.

But Tormey decided he wanted to return in time to coach this afternoon's walk-through practice.

"I told him to do whatever's best for his family, and don't worry about us," McMackin said. "But he wants to be here for the game. ... Family is always first. That's what all of our values should be."

Condolences to Chris Tormey and his family.

Jason Kaneshiro profiles Mana Silva.

Since coming up with five interceptions in its first three games, Hawaii has gone more than five games without a pick, a span of 139 opponent passes. The Warriors are the only WAC team without an interception in league play and are last in the conference in turnover margin.

Silva owns three of those early-season interceptions, and the lack of takeaways since grates on the Warrior defense.

"It runs through my head a lot," Silva said. "We haven't gotten an interception in a while. They come in bunches, so hopefully this is the week we get one."

And finally, this makes me laugh and cry at the same time

In a tongue-in-cheek police report left on a media highlight board this week at police headquarters, an unknown person described an incident in which a suspicious white powdery substance was found on the UH practice field on Oct. 30.

Police highlights list details of a case and usually are written by detectives investigating felonies, such as murders, assaults and robberies.

In this case, the highlight stated that UH head coach Greg McMackin suspended practice and the FBI investigated the suspect powder.

"After a complete field analysis," the highlight states, "the FBI determined that the white substance unknown to the players was the goal line. Practice was resumed when the FBI decided that the team would not be likely to encounter the substance again."

The story aired several times on the Perry and Price radio show yesterday morning as a genuine news story. But the station soon realized it was a hoax, said Chuck Cotton, KSSK general manager.

Thursday news

Na Koa, USU Preview, Green, Davis, Kia

SportsHawaii's uhwarriors has this week's Na Koa Lunch Report up on Na Koa's spiffy new website.

Via the Idaho Statesman, here's a UH-Utah State game preview. They do not predict good things for the Warriors.

Speaking of which, UH made ESPN's Bottom 10 this week.

Jason Kaneshiro highlights the friendship between Alex Green and Lametrius Davis.

Davis, a cornerback, committed to UH last fall and helped convince Green to join him in Manoa. The childhood friends from Portland, Ore., and Butte teammates are playing more prominent roles for the Warriors (2-6, 0-5 Western Athletic Conference) lately, both coming off strong performances in last week's game at Nevada.

Green powered for 70 yards on 10 carries, both season highs, against the Wolf Pack. With more carries has come a greater sense of rhythm and a more physical running style translating to an average of 6.3 yards on his 18 attempts off the bench over the last two weeks.

Davis has started the last two games at left cornerback, developing into a steady performer in the secondary heading into the Warriors' conference game against Utah State (2-6, 1-3) Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

"Lametrius is starting to really catch on to what we're doing. He played outstanding last week," UH head coach Greg McMackin said. "Alex is the same way. He's been popping through on the run all year, but had his best ballgame last week."

Kaneshiro also notes that Aloha Stadium turnstiles will open at 3:30pm this Saturday.

The stadium opened at 2 p.m. for previous games. Opening times for the parking lots remain unchanged - 11:30 a.m. for the Lower Halawa lot and 12:30 p.m. for all other lots.

Stadium manager Scott Chan said there were "some challenges both in the parking lots and inside the stadium at our last UH game."

Stephen Tsai writes that despite all the criticism, Aaron Kia is doing a good job.

He has been chastised on call-in shows and message boards for what is perceived as inconsistent play.

To the criticism, the Warriors' response is a collective: Huh?

"He's doing a good job," quarterback Bryant Moniz said of his back-side blocker. "I have complete trust in Kia."

Offensive line coach Gordy Shaw uses a rating system to evaluate every blocker on every play. The system factors technique, effort, stamina, footwork, punch and results.

"He grades out good," Shaw said. "He pass blocks really well, and he blocks well in the running game. He hasn't given up very many sacks. He hustles hard and he plays hard."

Wednesday night news

Moniz, Smith, Dunnachie, Elam

Jason Kaneshiro profiles Bryant Moniz.

Rolovich learned a few lessons the hard way in his first run as Hawaii's starting quarterback. He struggled early on and was benched in the 2000 season. He bounced back dramatically as a senior, throwing for 3,361 yards and 34 touchdowns in a remarkable nine-game stretch after taking over for an injured Tim Chang.

"I just wasn't ready for the magnitude of the job at that point," Rolovich said of his first season at UH. "I learned that within that year ... and decided I was going to do everything I could to make it better.

"I think Mo is at that point already. I think he came in at that point."

Stephen Tsai profiles Spencer Smith. He also has an injury update on Royce Pollard, and talks to punter Alex Dunnachie about his recent struggles:

Alex Dunnachie accepted the blame for punts of 7 and 10 yards against Nevada.

Bad luck? "It has nothing to do with luck," he said. "It's the fundamentals. I couldn't perform when I needed to. It's just mechanical issues."

He said he believed he shanked both punts because he dropped the football too far to the right of his cleat.

And, he said, "I was kicking it too hard. I have to relax and play the coverage."

And John Hollis has a profile of former UH and current Atlanta kicker Jason Elam.

Tuesday injury update

And here are today's articles:

UH's Torres rests hamstring, by Jason Kaneshiro

Hawaii's Ornellas had bases covered, by Stephen Tsai

Ornellas, a second-year freshman from Mililani High, was one of the few bright spots in the Warriors' 31-21 loss to Nevada Saturday.

UH coaches had feared Nevada would try to pick on Ornellas, who played in place of No. 1 right cornerback Jeramy Bryant (partially torn left biceps).

But Ornellas did not allow a big play on his side. Of the 70 snaps, Ornellas received two minus grades (and no double-minus demerits) for a near-perfect score. The minus grades were for technical errors, such as aligning to one side of a receiver instead of the preferred side.

Moniz on right track through four starts, by Ferd Lewis

And the Two Beer Queers gives this blog a shout-out as they try one of my favorite beverages. Thanks to Russel and Bully!

Press Conference, Today's Articles

Coach Mack draws inspiration from Michael Jackson in tonight's Chawan's Cut.



HawaiiAthletics.com has more quotes from today's press conference.

And today's articles:

Warrior Replay, by Dave Reardon

Home stretch starts, by Jason Kaneshiro

Delay forces staff to improvise, by Stephen Tsai was about the Warriors getting stuck in Vegas after their plane got delayed. The article also had some injury updates on Richard Torres, Vaughn Meatoga, Brent Rausch, Royce Pollard and Laupepa Letuli.

A loss that's not a blowout is an improvement for UH, by Dave Reardon

A way to guarantee more fans in stands, by Ferd Lewis

With plenty of seats to fill at increasingly spacious Aloha Stadium, it is, dare we say, time for Guaranteed Win Night?

GWN, which is the promotional progeny of the late baseball owner/impresario Bill Veeck, was envisioned as a life preserver for difficult times.

Times like these, for example.

Under the concept, if the home team doesn't win a specified game, fans in attendance are guaranteed a free ticket for a subsequent game.

Chortle.

Warriors in the Pros: Sopoaga, McBriar, Bess, RGM

Isaac Sopoaga had four tackles, including a sack of Peyton Manning, but the 49ers lost to the Colts 18-14.

Mat McBriar had 4 punts for an average of 44.8 yards in the Cowboys victory over Seattle.

Davone Bess had 4 catches for 18 yards, but muffed a punt as the Dolphins beat the Jets.

And over in the CFL, Ryan Grice-Mullen returned 3 kicks for 120 yards, including a 73-yarder, but the BC Lions fell to Calgary 28-26.

UH vs Nevada Wrap-Ups

Before we get to the game summaries and analysis, here's a great article by Michael Tsai about the state of the UH football progam.

Senior Inoke Funaki, whose time at UH has been marked by extreme highs and lows, said he and his teammates are doing their best to salvage the remainder of the season. Still, he said, the experience of the past six weeks weighs heavily on the players.

"We're trying to dig deep but you can just feel it," he said. "We're trying to plug away but there are a lot of things — the losses, the injuries — going on subconsciously. It can be mentally draining.

"Sometimes it's like watching yourself go downhill," he said. "Once one bad thing happens — like we turn the ball over or we give up a big play — it's like 'Not again!' Your heart drops."

Yet, Funaki said, where other teams may fracture, the Warriors have drawn closer.

And here are the wrap-ups of UH's 31-21 loss to Nevada...

Warriors fall victim to own mistakes in losing sixth in a row, by Stephen Tsai

Fifteen minutes after the final whistle, quarterback Bryant Moniz was inconsolable, his brown eyes moistened with emotion, his voice reduced to a quiver. Moniz was slumped over a laundry bin, awaiting his turn to explain yet another error-filled setback for the Warriors.

"I'm just bummed," said Moniz, whose two interceptions — including one in the end zone — trumped a performance in which he threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns. "I take this loss on myself. Those two picks turned into two (Nevada) touchdowns. I could throw 40 good passes. But if two aren't there, that could make a difference. The only numbers that matter are on the scoreboard."

Running back Alex Green approached Moniz, offering a pat on the back.

"It's not on Mo," Green said. "We're all in it together."

Indeed. Mistakes? The Warriors made more than a few.

They dropped three passes.

Two of Alex Dunnachie's punts traveled 7 and 10 yards.

After recovering punt returner Vai Taua's fumble at the Wolf Pack 42, the Warriors unveiled a pass play they were keeping secret until a special occasion. On a delayed route, slotback Greg Salas caught a pass in the open field and scored an apparent touchdown. But a holding penalty on left tackle Aaron Kia nullified the score.

In the end, Hawaii falls flat at Nevada, by Jason Kaneshiro

The game was far more competitive than the Warriors' blowout loss to Boise State at home a week earlier, which provided some bright spots but also added to the sting.

"It's so frustrating," running back Alex Green said. "We practice hard all week, we come out there and bust our tails in the game and it's still a loss. It's frustrating. We just have to keep working harder and harder and harder."

Loss taxes Taylor, by Jason Kaneshiro

Taylor began the season as the starter at the Z receiver, but has been laboring since spraining his ankle against UNLV. The injury continues to bother him, though not as much as the Warriors' skid.

"I'm still fighting through that right now," Taylor said. "For the most part, it's still there. That's something I'm going to be dealing with the whole year. I just have to keep sucking it up."

UH's Taylor shows ability to fill Bradley's big shoes, by Ferd Lewis. From that article, it looks like Alex Green may see more playing time:

After running for a UH season-high 70 yards on 10 carries, Green has the coaches reevaluating who will start at the position Saturday against Utah State.

"As a coaching staff, we're going to have some discussions," said head coach Greg McMackin. "But he ran the ball real hard and we'd like to find a way to get him in there more."

Short snaps, by Jason Kaneshiro

Hawaii free safety Richard Torres left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. UH head coach Greg McMackin said the hamstring was torn.

Dammit.

Warriors fall short against Wolf Pack, by Chris Muller of the Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada comes back to beat Hawaii, by Joe Santoro of the Lahontan Valley News

Defense staves off fright to beat Hawaii, by Dan Hinxman of the Reno Gazette-Journal

Pack receivers hit milestones on quiet day, by Hinxman

Miller's late-game pick gives Nevada momentum for good, by Lauren Gustus of the Reno Gazette-Journal

Tormey enjoys trip back to Reno, by Chris Murray of the Reno Gazette-Journal

Video: Nevada vs. Hawaii post-game press conference, from The Nevada Sagebrush

Video: Nevada vs. Hawaii football highlights, from The Nevada Sagebrush

Photo Gallery: Oct. 31 Hawaii football game, from The Nevada Sagebrush

Wolf Pack has its eye on Hawaii Bowl appearance, by Ferd Lewis

Hawaii just can't seem to shake the ghosts of its past, by Ferd Lewis

The Wolf Pack, meanwhile, took advantage of both UH turnovers (interceptions) to set up touchdowns.

For the most telling tale on UH's plight this season you need look no further than that. Opponents have scored on all of UH's last eight turnovers while the Warriors have scored on but three of their foes' 14 all season.