Hawaii at NMSU Newspaper Wrap-Ups

Stephen Tsai's wrap-up has this quote from June Jones:

"I knew it would come down to hitting and turnovers," UH head coach June Jones said. "We out-hit them, and we got some turnovers."

And this quote from Colt Brennan:

"We're going to drive this race car as far as we can, and get as many victories as we can," Brennan added, "and hopefully by the end of the year we'll be sitting there proud of what we've done."

As well as this amazing quote from Ross Dickerson:

Two plays later, Brennan and Dickerson teamed on a 36-yard scoring play. Dickerson ran a streak pattern along the right sideline, but "the ball got lost in the light. Colt threw it in such a perfect spot that I caught it in my hands. I lost it in the lights, and then it reappeared."

That's crazy. They should be all kung fu and go out on routes blindfolded.

Dave Reardon's wrap-up has this quote from NMSU coach Hal Mumme.

"I think they are the best team in our conference. We've played all the top teams now and those guys are road warriors," Mumme said. "You realize they've been on the road four out of the last eight weeks and with who've they had to play, June has done a real good job."

Here is a link to video of Hal Mumme's post-game comments, praising the Warriors. It's in Windows Media format.

NMSU's website also has more post-game comments, not in video though.

Dave Reardon highlights Ross Dickerson's performance last night.

"Ross has played outstanding football the last couple weeks," UH coach June Jones said. "Kickoff returns, making big plays, run after the catch."

The 5-foot-10, 198-pound senior didn't shy away from contact last night, as he went right after Aggies defenders if it meant extra yards or reaching the goal line.

"That's the weightroom, getting in the weightroom, getting stronger," he said. "Some guys want to take me on, I'll take 'em."

Rivers has known Dickerson since eighth grade, when both were at Saint Louis School.

"He's tough. He's a hard runner. He has a passion for the game and he shows it every time he's on the field," Rivers said. "He's always aggressive. He used to play running back."

Stephen Tsai writes that Ross Dickerson is making it hard for the coaches to put him back on the bench when Ryan Grice-Mullins comes back from his ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Dickerson has been amassing quite a resume for the job with 28 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns in the last four games.

"I hope Ryan is able to come back soon and help the team," said Dickerson, who caught 34- and 36-yard TD passes last night. "I'll play wherever they put me, inside (slots) or outside (wide receiver). Whatever it takes to win."

The article has a bit on the Warriors' "human timeouts" that may or may not have taken place during the game.

KGRT radio announcers — and not a few NMSU fans — wondered about UH nose tackle Michael Lafaele's recuperative powers after he went down several times with apparent injuries and was able to quickly return to the game.

Lafaele was apparently one of UH's designated "human timeouts," players who help the UH defense get a breather.

However, Lafaele wasn't owning up to it.

"My hamstring was bothering me," he said.

But observers noted that UH trainer Eric Okasaki had trouble suppressing a smile.

Well, it's good to hear that Lafaele, Renolds Freuan, Keala Watson, Ikaika Alama-Francis and whoever else was down on the field doesn't appear to have serious injuries...

Ferd Lewis writes about Nate Ilaoa's busy night.

He carried a career-high 18 times for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Warriors' fourth consecutive victory of a 5-2 season.

It was the most carries by a UH running back in the last five seasons.

Twice in the game he carried the ball on three consecutive plays. "Yeah, a couple of times Nate came back (to the huddle) trying to get his breath," quarterback Colt Brennan said.

Probably because of the altitude! Nate should've gone down with "cramps" too.

Ferd Lewis marvels at Colt Brennan's performance this season.

"He's got such good vision and such a great feel for the windows (of opportunity) that I wouldn't put anything past him," quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said. "He's to the point where the receiver is over there, the defenders are here and he sees the window and lets the ball go real tight to where the window will be."

UH coach June Jones, never one to spare the superlatives on his quarterbacks, might also be in the window when it comes to Brennan.

"He's been playing phenomenal and I can't imagine there's a quarterback playing better in the country," Jones said. "He's just getting better every week and getting a better grasp of what we're doing. He's got it all."

Stay Colt, stay! No stay go! GO WARRIORS GO!!!!