Keao Monteilh, The Board, Colt, Fresno on ESPN?

Stephen Tsai writes about Keao Monteilh's season-ending injury.

A CAT scan yesterday showed the fracture to the left scapula, or shoulder blade.

Monteilh said he was told he could not start a rehabilitation program until "the bone attaches."

Jason Kaneshiro talks to Monteilh, who remains positive.

"I'll still go out there and help and support the guys," Monteilh said yesterday after an examination confirmed he suffered a fracture in his left shoulder suffered in last Saturday's game against New Mexico State, ending his junior season.

"It won't be fun sitting out and just watching. But as long as I get a (WAC championship) ring and the boys get it done I'll be happy. And it's an opportunity for someone else to get in there."

Also from Kaneshiro's article are injury reports on Rustin Saole, who will miss three weeks, and Leon Wright-Jackson, who shouldn't miss any time. And Greg McMackin says that the defense got a perfect score against NMSU, according to the big board:

For 14 years, the UH defensive coordinator has displayed a list of nine goals for the defense. Until Saturday, no team had filled all nine items in a game.

"I had the Miami Hurricanes who were No. 1 in the country in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense, and there was always one or two that we didn't get done," McMackin said. "That was a special effort. I've had some really good teams and nobody's accomplished that."

Stephen Tsai has more details about the board.

While his Miami defenses were topping NCAA statistical charts, McMackin decided he wanted a more precise barometer. That's when he crafted a list in which the goals are: to win; hold opponents to no more than 17 points, 3.4 yards per rush, and 37-percent-conversion rate on third down; not allow a rush of more than 19 yards or a completed pass of more than 29 yards; not relinquish a touchdown after a UH turnover; force at least three turnovers, and score a defensive touchdown.

He said it was a better gauge to use rushing average instead of rushing total. It is noteworthy that none of the goals involve total yards.

"Turnovers are the big thing," said Adam Leonard, who has scored on two of his four interception returns this year. "We put a lot of focus on how we play on third down, and making those key stops."

Ferd Lewis has the scoop on negotiations between UH, Fresno, the WAC, and ESPN to have the game on national TV.

The main parties — UH, Fresno State, ESPN and the Western Athletic Conference — are scheduled to hold a conference call today to iron out details.

If ESPN does show the Nov. 10 game, the date and time (6:05 p.m.) would likely remain the same, but ESPN will be blacked out in Hawai'i and Fresno.

No matter what happens, UH officials said the game will only be available in Hawai'i via the KFVE/Oceanic pay-per-view package as originally scheduled. "Nothing changes for our fans," McNamara said.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about Colt Brennan's WAC Player of the Week Award, while Brennan gives credit to his teammates.

"As a QB that's kind of how it goes," Brennan said yesterday. "When you lose you get the finger pointed at you, when you win everybody gives you a lot of credit. If you watched the game, I had unbelievable play by my receivers, especially Ryan (Grice-Mullins), he had a tremendous day.

"Davone (Bess) had two touchdowns and another big game, Jason Rivers dominated on the outside in man coverage, the O-line did a great job of picking everything up," Brennan said. "It was a great day for the team and I feel like we got back on track and got back to our comfort level and it's a great first step in this last chapter of our season."

Here's an AP article covering Monday's press conference.

Brennan, one of the most accurate passers in NCAA history, struggled his first games back from the ankle injury, throwing a flurry of interceptions.

"Because I struggled early on, everybody's kind of written me off," Brennan said. "I don't think people realize that I'm really hungry and I'm about to have a run that I'm really excited about."

Ferd Lewis has a column about the lack of sellouts this year.

If all goes well, the Warriors could finish with three consecutive sellouts, which would be a school record. Altogether appropriate in this season of record setting. Overdue, too.

Indeed, the wonder is why it has taken so long. Yes, we know traffic can be tough, parking a hassle and pay-per-view invites staying home or wedging into a gathering. Tickets aren't as affordable as they once were. And the WAC's shifting membership hasn't made it easy identifying with opponents or building rivalries. But it sure seemed like we were past a lot of that last year when the Warriors went on that nine-game winning streak and sold out for Oregon State and worked over Arizona State.

And finally, Paul Arnett, the new Sidelines columnist (?), writes about taking it one game at a time.