Bottom / Turf / Idaho / Mana / Ayat

Dave Reardon writes about the need for the bottom of the WAC to improve.

Commissioner Karl Benson knows that the have-nots must improve for the league to attain true respect. He said the schools have committed to the WAC's strategic plan of increased spending on athletics.

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While Idaho, LaTech and Utah State won't figure into the equation at the top of the WAC standings, they will likely factor into Hawaii's national-respect quotient.

And, compounded by two I-AA opponents on the schedule, that's not a good thing for the Warriors.

Oh right, and the two I-AA opponents. I had blocked it out of my mind.

Dave also has some great quotes from the Media Preview. Here are a couple:

» Idaho's new coach, Robb Akey, is overjoyed that the Vandals' Kibbie Dome is finally getting a new FieldTurf-like surface and players no longer have to worry about staph infections and other injuries.

"The AstroTurf is history. It crawled out on its own."

» Hal Mumme of New Mexico State is an unashamed fan of Jones' offensive style.

"When we do things we try to emulate Hawaii a lot. June and I have a lot of the same ideas offensively. We study and admire them a lot."

Excellent news regarding Idaho's turf, especially since UH plays there this season. Ferd Lewis has more on this subject:

It has been replaced by an artificial surface called "Real Grass," used by the Dallas Cowboys and others. And the Idaho players, who host UH Sept. 29, say it was about time.

"That stuff killed your knees," said linebacker David Vobora. "It was part of the home-field edge, but, good riddance. It was a bad rug."

Cornerback Stanley Franks said, "you'd hear clicking at the bottom. It was bad. If you slipped and got scraped up you had to go get alcohol on it before it got infected."

Wait, is he talking about Cooke Field? Eh, I'm jus kidding.

Ferd has more about Idaho, specifically their revolving door coaching situation these past few years.

Idaho once dominated the instate series with rival Boise State, but has come to be known as Stepping Stone Tech, Revolving Door U. and the like. They'd just like a coach to be there long enough not to have to wear a "My name is..." name tag.

Tom Cable was gone after 2003. Nick Holt hightailed it back to Southern California as an assistant coach after two seasons. Dennis Erickson, after promising to rebuild the program, bolted for Arizona State after less than a year. Talk about being Vandal-ized.

Ferd contrasts that with the continuity of the UH coaching staff. We've been very fortunate.

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Stephen Tsai has an article with several different players from around the WAC praising Colt Brennan.

Fresno State defensive end Tyler Clutts said Brennan, who is the Warriors' leading returning rusher, is an artful dodger.

"From a defensive line perspective, it's tough, because he's a double threat," Clutts said. "He can run and he can throw. He's quick. He's deceptively elusive. He changes up your pass rush. You're a little more hesitant because you don't want to lose contain. He's much harder to defend than a guy who's a pocket passer."

The article also states that Oregon State defensive back Keanemana "Mana" Silva is requesting a release and wants to transfer to UH. Good luck to him.

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And finally, congratulations to former UH kicker Justin Ayat, who signed with the New York Jets.