Blaze, ESPN, June's Contract , Etc.

Dave Reardon writes about the hard luck Blaze Soares has had with injuries this season.

On Monday, the fan favorite re-aggravated the pulled hamstring that kept him out of the first four games. Although the Warriors are fine at linebacker with Brad Kalilimoku, Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian, a healthy Soares would give UH a big boost against the physical Bulldogs.

"He's day-to-day," defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said of Soares, not sounding very hopeful.

"I don't know what else to do," said Soares, who has used rest, hydrotherapy and massage to try to rehab the hamstring. A recurring shoulder stinger doesn't help either.

Man, that sucks. We need the Blaze!

Ferd Lewis writes about the importance of convincing victories in these next four games, starting with Fresno.

Coming off an open date that saw them drop in most polls — and two open slots in the past three weeks that have left them buffeted by movement around them — there are few better times for the unbeaten Warriors to send a reminder of their resume. And, perhaps, no better remaining opportunities in which to do it.

Ferd also writes that ESPN College GameDay probably won't visit Hawaii anytime soon.

"The problem is it costs a lot, facilities are very limited and it would take huge logistical planning," said Fowler, who has predicted UH to run the table this year and go to the Sugar Bowl. "Believe me, it is not a lack of enthusiasm on our part to go to Honolulu," he said.

"I keep telling Chris and Lee we need to get out there for GameDays," said analyst Kirk Herbstreit.

"It is cost prohibitive; I'd never go out there if I was running ESPN," said analyst Lee Corso, who has picked the Warriors to go to the Bowl Championship Series and Brennan to win the Heisman Trophy.

Said Fowler: "We'd love to go out there and I think it would be a blast ... if you promise me that fans will show up at 5 in the morning."

Reardon writes about the negotiations that may or may not be going on over June Jones' new contract. Also from that article:

• Karl Noa was selected to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Football Academic All-District VIII second team.


• Greg McMackin is confident in Desmond Thomas replacing Keao Monteilh