LaTech, Keenan Jones, Frazier

Here's a link to some info the UH Athletics Department has released for the Louisiana Tech game, which includes ways to follow the game. That page also has a link to a PDF of the press release, which has rosters, stats, fun facts, etc.

T. Scott Boatright of The News Star in Monroe, Louisiana has an article about LaTech's improved defense, and what the players and coaches feel they need to do to win this Saturday.

"It's very difficult to slow him down — we'll have to effect him," Dooley said of the Heisman candidate. "The defensive line is key, but it isn't always that pressure that's important.

"Can we play physical on the receivers and keep them from getting balls? Can we push the pocket so we make (Brennan) move around and have trouble finding the passing lanes? Can we make him move and keep him off-balance? Those things can make a big difference too."

Ferd Lewis also writes about the improved Bulldog defense.

Dooley, the son of Hall of Fame Georgia coach Vince Dooley, has preached defense, calling it the "starting point" for what the Bulldogs have to do. "Anytime you have the season we had last year, you have to go back to the basics and fundamentals," Dooley said.

After a 28-7 victory over Division I-AA Central Arkansas sparked by cornerback Tony Moss' three interceptions, the Bulldogs attempt to prove that defense is alive and thriving in Ruston.

Gonna be a good game!

Dave Reardon writes a great article on the redemption of cornerback Keenan Jones.

"When you're a star in high school and JC people give you a lot of leeway," Jones said. "I did what I wanted to do instead of what I was supposed to do. Missing meetings, showing up late, childish things. That was a wake-up call when (coach June Jones) told me he wasn't going to sign me for this year. He gave me the choice of being a walk-on or going on my way. That's when the light went on."

Jones decided to accept the challenge. He said working his way up from the bottom has made him more responsible.

Great to hear. Looks like he'll be a major contributor this year.

Stephen Tsai has details about Blaze Soares not being able to make the road trip.

"This will heal up," McMackin said. "We thought it was. He was feeling good. He has to get stronger.

"We need to get him well the next two weeks, and let him help us down the stretch," McMackin added. "He's a great athlete, a great person, and he's one of our better players, and one of our starters."

Get better Blaze! Also from the article:

• Coaches praise Keith AhSoon for his play on the field and work in the classroom.


• Injury updates on Tyler Graunke, Fale Laeli and Timo Paepule.

Brian McInnis writes about the ongoing probe sparked by Ian Sample's deleted chapters, and interviews Herman Frazier, who talks about not wanting to talk about a possible BCS Bowl in the Warriors' future.

"You don't try to jinx yourself in that regard," he said. "I've had friends from two BCS bowls call me last Friday ... they said, 'It would be wonderful to have you guys in one of our games.' And I say, 'Guys, get off the phone, I don't even want to talk about it. Don't even go there.' "

He pointed out that Boise State had to pull off a 23-20 comeback win at San Jose State on the way to its 13-0 BCS-busting season.

"Boise's take was about $4.5 million for playing in the Fiesta Bowl ... but I don't even want to think about it."

Ferd Lewis talks to Frazier about Michigan, as well as Appalachian State, turning down a chance to play Hawaii this year.

Frazier said both the Wolverines and Mountaineers turned down offers to play UH this season, helping set in motion one of the biggest upsets in college football history Saturday, Appalachian State's 34-32 upset of then-No. 5 Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Frazier said he believed a loss to UH, "would have been accepted by their (Michigan's) fans losing to a 23rd-ranked team easier than it would have been to a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) Appalachian State in the long run."

Oh wells!

And Herman leaves us with this reassurance regarding future schedules.

Meanwhile, Frazier said he has offers out to several I-AA teams to play a Sept. 6, 2008 game sandwiched between road games at Florida (Aug. 30) and Oregon State (Sept. 13) and is talking to Syracuse about a Dec. 6, 2008 regular season finale to complete the 13-game schedule.

"I also have teams talking to me about 2009 (and) there are a couple I could probably sign tomorrow if I wanted, but I want to get everything in place for 2008 first," Frazier said.

You know how that goes. Anyway, hopefully next year's schedule can be finalized soon.