Hawaii vs Nevada Newspaper Wrap-Ups

Stephen Tsai's wrap-up highlights the defensive stand at the end that preserved the Warriors' lead.

As the UH defense jogged onto the field, defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville flashed a grin.

"We set up at halftime what we would do if they got the ball that close," Glanville said. "The kids knew what to do. Give them all of the credit."

Defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis recalled thinking: "We've got them right where we want them."

Patton said: "That's exactly what coach Glanville always says. That's what (safety) Leonard (Peters) always says. We believe it. We believe in ourselves. You could look in everybody's eyes and you could see it.

"I looked at Mel Purcell's eyes. I looked at Ikaika's eyes. I looked at Adam Leonard's eyes. When I looked at their eyes, I knew. We have no weak links on defense anymore. Everyone plays together. Everyone plays hard."

That was a great stop. Thank goodness! I have a feeling this will propel them against Fresno.

Dave Reardon's wrap-up has this quote from Michael Lafaele:

"I like this kind of game, where they keep coming after us. It shows how tough our defense is. It's a lot of fun. It makes the celebration a lot better," Lafaele said.

I hope this is the most points the defense gives up in a game for the rest of the year. More blowouts, less nail-biting cliff-hanging WHAT'S GOING ON!?!?! excitement like this! Don't get me wrong, it was a great game. It just gave me indigestion!

Wes Nakama highlights Leonard Peters for his great play during that goal line stand.

"I like to rise to the occasion," Peters said. "You know the receiver who always wants to get the ball with the game on the line? That's me on defense. I want to make the plays that make or break the game."

At the same time, Peters was quick to share the credit for the crucial goal-line stand.

"Everybody thinks I am the hero (on those plays), but it actually was the defensive line and the linebackers putting all that pressure on the quarterback and making him throw it early," Peters said.

Leonard's so awesome. Actually, both Leonards are so awesome!

"We went on the field knowing we had to make a stop," said linebacker Adam Leonard, who finished with a game-high 10 tackles. "We couldn't let this game go into overtime with the momentum they were getting. It was all heart, who wanted it more."

There has to be a Leonard's Bakery or some sort of clever malasadas turn of phrase to describe these two. Oh well, next time!

Ferd Lewis has more to say about that defensive stand, while Kalani Simpson highlights Kenny Patton's play during the stand, and in general.

"Oh, yeah. I have faith in myself," he said, after Hawaii held off the Wolf Pack 41-34 in a game that went down to the last stand. "I'm healthy for the first time in my career. I feel like I'm healthy, in shape."

He's showing emotion. After all of those years, he's letting everything hang out. He knows how Nate Ilaoa feels.

Speaking of Nate Ilaoa, two articles, one by Leila Wai, and one by the Star-Bulletin Staff highlight Nasty (or Nasti) Nate Ilaoa's amazing performance last night. From Wai's article:

"Nate was Nate," quarterback Colt Brennan said. "He was that rumbling, stumbling guy, making big plays for us.

"We love him, we love Nasti."

Why Nasti with an I? Wasn't Nasti Nate an R&B singer from the 80s? Nasty Nate is a football player! Oh well, Colt continues on:

"How many times I turned around and saw him breaking and cutting back. That's nasty. That's why we call him 'Nasti Nate,' because it's just nasty and you feel sorry for the defense. And all you can do is sit back and enjoy him while you have him."

The Star-Bulletin Staff's article also has an injury report:

Receiver Ian Sample seemed to have a sore hamstring, but went back in the game. Receiver Aaron Bain was dehydrated, and was taken to the locker room. Linebacker Timo Paepule had his left arm iced. Offensive lineman Hercules Satele left the game after what appeared to be a left knee injury. Outside linebacker Karl Noa had his right knee looked at by UH staff. Linebacker/safety Brad Kalilimoku had ice applied to his back rib area.

Sounds like nobody got seriously injured. Whew.

Wes Nakama has a quote from QB coach Dan Morrison about Colt Brennan's exceptional play.

"He's the most consistently accurate guy I've ever seen," Warriors quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said of Brennan, who had 20 completions in 22 attempts at one point and finished 36 of 47 for 419 yards and four touchdowns.

"That kind of accuracy is really unique anywhere in the country. He has good vision and poise, and when he gets into a zone like that he can be unbelievable."

And he'll only get better! Yowza!

Here's video from the Advertiser of the post-game press conference.

And finally, Nevada coach Chris Ault talks about the errors that dogged his team.

"The good thing is we had a chance," Ault said. "But (the bad thing is) we didn't win it. As bad as we played, to have a chance of winning it at their 3-yard line and then not getting it done is pretty disappointing."

Sounds like June Jones after the Boise game! UH will definitely have to cut down on the mistakes and penalties the rest of the way. But I am confident, and so is this team. GO WARRIORS!!!!