University of Hawaii Football Fan Blog

UH vs Utah State Wrap-Ups

2009-11-08T02:55:00.000-10:00

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!

2009-11-07T23:21:00.001-10:00

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

2009-11-07T21:07:00.002-10:00

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

2009-11-07T11:13:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-07T10:07:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-07T09:16:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-06T18:39:00.001-10:00

Utah State Previews, Letuli, Tormey, Silva, Joke

2009-11-06T10:35:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-05T23:37:00.001-10:00

Na Koa, USU Preview, Green, Davis, Kia

2009-11-05T10:38:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-04T22:50:00.001-10:00

Moniz, Smith, Dunnachie, Elam

2009-11-04T04:41:00.002-10:00

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

2009-11-03T18:56:00.003-10:00

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

2009-11-02T22:48:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-01T18:52:00.000-10:00

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

2009-11-01T09:52:00.000-10:00

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.

Nevada 31, Hawaii 21

2009-10-31T15:22:00.001-10:00

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

The University of Hawai‘i Warrior football team gave Nevada all it could handle before eventually falling, 31-21, Saturday afternoon at Mackay Stadum. The Warriors dropped to 2-6 overall and 0-5 in the Western Athletic Conference with their sixth straight loss.

UH jumped all over the Wolf Pack, scoring the game’s first 14 points. But Nevada responded with 28 unanswered points over the next three quarters and never relinquished its lead. The Wolf Pack won their fifth straight game to improve to 5-3 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the WAC.

Both teams put up plenty of offense, combining for nearly 1000 yards (UH - 492, Nevada 496). The UH defense did hold the top-rated rushing offense (320.1) in the country under its average with 312 yards. However, the Warrior got stung by big play as Nevada scored three touchdowns of 30-yards or longer. Meanwhile, the UH offense suffered two costly interceptions.

Ways to Follow the Hawaii at Nevada Game

2009-10-31T09:30:00.000-10:00

Bumped. GO WARRIORS!!!!!

Television:

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

Streaming Video:

Via the multimedia page of NevadaWolfPack.com. There is a $4.95 fee, which you can find towards the bottom of the order page. Not sure what the quality is like.

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:

NevadaWolfPack.com

ESPN Scoreboard

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

Twitter:

@StephenTsai
@DaveReardon
@HawaiiAthletics
@HawaiiFootball
@Joshontheradio

....

References -- HawaiiAthletics.com.

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

Game Day: Hawaii at Nevada

2009-10-31T07:03:00.002-10:00

Another tough game against a tough foe. Here's hoping for a crazy shootout and that everyone stays healthy! GO WARRIORS!!! Here are today's previews:

Nevada surging as Hawaii swoons, by Jason Kaneshiro

As of yesterday afternoon, the sportsbook at the Grand Sierra Resort — where the Warriors are spending the weekend — listed Hawaii as a 28-point underdog entering today's Western Athletic Conference meeting with the Wolf Pack at Mackay Stadium.

The wide spread illustrates the divergent paths Hawaii (2-5, 0-4) and Nevada (4-3, 3-0) have followed since the season's opening weeks.

Hawaii hasn't tasted a win since a 2-0 start, with struggles in all three phases contributing to the program's longest losing streak since 1998. Nevada, meanwhile, righted itself after losing three straight to begin the season, winning its last four behind one of the nation's most explosive offenses.

Hawaii aims to end losing skid, by Stephen Tsai

A year ago today, Bryant Moniz and his daughter wore accompanying Halloween costumes.

Moniz went as a football player. His daughter masqueraded as a football.

"I carried her around," Moniz said. "That was the best costume I could think of."

Today, as Hawai'i's quarterback, Moniz hopes to be knock-knock-knockin' on the door to the end zone.

UH faces 'football freak', by Stephen Tsai

But one thing is certain: all of the schemes and upset dreams — and the Warriors are 28 1/2-point underdogs — revolve around containing Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick is the brightest in a Western Athletic Conference of few stars. Kaepernick is 6 feet 6, capable of running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, and hurls a baseball 94 mph.

Kaepernick is so multi-talented that the Warriors have used three scout quarterbacks to emulate his different skills in drills against the first-team defense.

"He's like David Blaine," UH associate head coach Rich Miano said. "He's like a street magician. You'll be rushing him, and he won't see you, but he'll feel you, and he'll spin out of there like he's 5-foot-3. Nobody can sack the guy. Nobody can contain the guy. When he gets going, nobody can catch him."

Moniz cleared to start, but UH still faces long odds, by Ferd Lewis

Warriors' defense must hold on tightly, by Ferd Lewis

The Wolf Pack is the nation's top running team, averaging 7.2 yards per rush and 320 yards per game. In its most recent effort, Nevada put up 484 rushing yards against Idaho. It had 559 against Nevada-Las Vegas.

They are dazzling numbers and, if you are UH, which ranks 110th among 120 major college teams in rushing defense, worrisome.

And more so because unlike Louisiana Tech, which managed 352 yards against UH or Fresno State that managed 277 on the Warriors, the Wolf Pack comes at you with an array of rushers in its unique "pistol" offense.

McMackin looking for answers to stopping Pack attack, by Dan Hinxman of the Reno Gazette-Journal

"Stopping this offense is going to be a great challenge, especially Kaepernick and (running back Vai Taua)," said senior linebacker Blaze Soares, the Warriors' leading tackler. "Their offensive line is probably the most physical offensive line we'll play. It's going to be very tough. ... We respect that offense. We've just got to play Warrior football and let the cards fall where they may."

Pack playing with confidence again, by Joe Santoro of The Nevada Appeal

The last thing Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault wants his team to do now is focus on how much Hawaii is struggling.

“That's a dangerous team,” Ault said. “They have better athletes than their scores indicate. Their offense can explode at any time.”

The Warriors, despite using three different quarterbacks, have passed for 2,442 yards and rushed for just 524. The Pack rushed for more yards in one game this year (559 against UNLV) than Hawaii has all season.

“I've been around long enough to see their backup quarterbacks come in and just rip people apart,” said Ault, doing his best to keep his team focused this week. “It doesn't matter who their quarterback is. They are going to throw it 45-50 times. That team can throw the ball on anyone.”

...and here are yesterday's articles that I couldn't get to yesterday. Been stupid busy!

Warriors shrug off the cold weather, by Jason Kaneshiro

Warriors break into cold sweat, by Stephen Tsai

In an 11-on-11 defensive drill, linebacker Jake Heun put an orange cap on his helmet to indicate he would be playing for the scout offense, which usually wears white. Heun, wearing a green jersey, aligned as a tight end on the right side. After the snap, he rolled to his left and floored defensive end Fetaiagogo Fonoti. Heun was greeted with rousing cheers from teammates. Fonoti, who fell on his wallet, was stunned.

"I didn't know he was on offense," Fonoti said. "I saw the green jersey. Then — boom! — oh, my. What was even worse I still didn't know he was on offense. I thought he was on defense and hit me by accident. 'Oh, damn, Jake.' Then everybody was like, 'Good hit, Jake,' and I'm like, 'hell, no.' "

Hoping for change of fortunes in Reno, by Ferd Lewis

If downtrodden UH is looking for inspiration to escape its current 2-5 (0-4 Western Athletic Conference) plight, it need only look across the line of scrimmage at Mackay Stadium.

There in navy blue and silver they will confront a Wolf Pack team that, a month ago, knew something of the frustrations the Warriors grapple with today. Heading into October Nevada was 0-3 and searching for wins and answers while a Web site was dedicated to the firing of head coach Chris Ault.

Basketball beckons while Ostrowski embraces football, by Dave Reardon

Moniz, Na Koa, Video

2009-10-29T20:56:00.003-10:00

Stephen Tsai had an update on Bryant Moniz, who is scheduled to start, and highlights the Warriors' plans to replace injured cornerback Jeramy Bryant.

Dan Hinxman of the Reno Gazette-Journal wrote about all the crap UH has gone through this season.

On the revamped Na Koa website, uhwarriors has this week's Na Koa Lunch Report.

And here's tonight's Chawan's Cut:

Video: Moniz Back, Off to Reno

2009-10-28T19:59:00.002-10:00

Here's tonight's Chawan's Cut of news from KGMB, KHON and KITV.

Nevada, Tormey, Moniz, Meatoga

2009-10-28T05:34:00.001-10:00

HawaiiAthletics.com has game info and notes for this Saturday's UH-Nevada game.

The Sports Network has a game preview.

Stephen Tsai profiles UH assistant coach Chris Tormey, who talks about his time as the head coach at Nevada. Tsai also writes that Bryant Moniz and Vaughn Meatoga are on track to play again, but Jeramy Bryant is out for Saturday's game due to a torn bicep.

Jason Kaneshiro talks to Moniz and Meatoga.

"It was a pretty easy day for me; (today) will test how I feel," Moniz said. "The trainers are just going to keep checking on me to see if any of the symptoms of concussion are coming back. But right now it's all green lights."

On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga will see how his ankle holds up under contact in his return from a two-week absence.

"It's hard to stay away from football, but I'm glad to be back out here now," Meatoga said after taking a few reps yesterday. "It feels real good. It feels way better from the last time I tried to play. I think I can get back to my old self."

And with Bryant out, Lewis Walker and Kawika Ornellas may see more playing time.

Below are some articles that I couldn't get to the past couple days. My apologies!

UH QBs getting healthier, by Jason Kaneshiro

Rausch is back in mix, by Stephen Tsai

Not all is lost in a UH-less bowl, by Ferd Lewis

Pack looks to keep rolling vs. Warriors, by Juan Lopez of The Nevada Sagebrush

Greg McMackin's Weekly Press Conference, from HawaiiAthletics.com

Moniz, Rausch back to practice

2009-10-27T22:55:00.001-10:00

Video: McMackin's Press Conference

2009-10-26T21:14:00.001-10:00

Tonight's Chawan's Cut of news from KHON, KITV and KGMB.

Boise Review, Moniz's Health, Nevada, McMackin

2009-10-26T08:24:00.000-10:00

Dave Reardon reviews five big plays from Hawaii's big loss to Boise State in this week's Warrior Replay.

Stephen Tsai writes that Bryant Moniz hopes to be ready for the Nevada game.

Quarterback Bryant Moniz said he is hopeful of playing in Hawai 'i's road game against Nevada on Saturday.

In his third consecutive start, Moniz suffered a concussion when he was struck on the head after being sacked in the first quarter of last Saturday's 54-9 loss to Boise State.

"I got a little dizzy," Moniz said. "I lost my balance, and stuff."

Moniz, who completed 5 of 11 passes for 40 yards, was replaced by Shane Austin. Moniz did not return to the game.

Instead, Moniz said, "I took a shower at halftime. I felt normal again. To be on the safe side, they held me out."

Tsai has more news and notes on The Warrior Beat.

Jason Kaneshiro previews the Nevada game.

The now-weekly mission to turn out of the skid doesn't figure to get any easier this week.

The Warriors (2-5, 0-4 Western Athletic Conference) head back to the mainland to face Nevada (4-3, 3-0 WAC) in Reno on Saturday, taking on the nation's second-ranked offense led by dynamic quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Hawaii's quarterback position again took a hit after a concussion sidelined starter Bryant Moniz, forcing sophomore Shane Austin -- who wasn't part of the practice rotation as the fourth-string quarterback to begin the season -- to play the final three quarters against Boise State.

The Wolf Pack unloaded on Idaho -- which beat UH two games ago -- scoring a 70-45 win in Reno on Saturday, extending its winning streak to four following an 0-3 start.

Running out of the Pistol offense, the Pack averages more than 320 yards per game on the ground to lead the bowl subdivision, well ahead of the triple-option attacks of Georgia Tech (291.6 ypg) and Navy (286.4).

Shiver me timbers.

And the two columnists muse about what it would cost to buy out Greg McMackin, not that they're on the Fire McMackin train just yet. *sigh*

Coach's fate in hands of chancellor, by Ferd Lewis

Pricey mistake by UH? by Dave Reardon