Practice, Bo, Tickets, Parties, Etc

Dave Reardon writes about the Warriors practicing next to the Boise State Broncos yesterday, and talks to the offensive line about playing against Georgia's defensive line.

They're the first wave of a UGA defense that produced 34 sacks. UH center John Estes said the group looks on tape to be better than any other D-line the Warriors have faced this season.

"They have a combination of size, strength and speed," Estes said. "Most teams, one guy will be quick, but he won't be strong. Vice versa. But these guys, all four, they can change up with swim, speed rush, they can bull you."

Stephen Tsai writes about Bo Mitchell's commit to the Warriors.

"Hawai'i is getting a good one," Katy coach Gary Joseph said. "He's a good player and a good person. He's a feel-good story."

Joseph said Mitchell was a backup on Katy's freshman team. He had limited time as a sophomore. But Mitchell emerged as a starter as a junior, and this season is one of the team captains.

Joseph said Mitchell is 28-1 as a starter.

Katy has been ranked as high as No. 3 nationally. Katy is No. 4 in the last USA Today's Super 25 rankings.

Stephen Tsai writes that Scout Team Player of the Year Jake Santos won't be able to make the trip.

"I feel terrible for him," said defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, whose first-team defense competes against the Santos-led scout offense in practices. "He's done a great job, and he's prepared us every week. He has a lot to do with our defense being successful."

An NCAA rule requires Santos, who transferred from Division II Missouri Southern in July, to wait an academic year to gain eligibility as a Division I-A player.

"He's eligible to practice, but not eligible to compete," UH compliance officer Bill Bryant said.

He says that he'll end up paying his way to support the team. That just sucks, but glad he can still make it out. Tsai also writes about offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli, practicing as a perimeter blocker.

Letuli has been competing as a perimeter blocker — tight end? — in recent practices.

"I think he's going to be a great player," offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said. "I think potentially he could become one of the best offensive linemen to ever come out of this school. He's big, strong, athletic, fast. His top end is unlimited. He could be a dominant, dominant player."

As Hawaii season-ticket holders receive their Sugar Bowl tickets, Dan Nakaso writes that some fans are surprised and upset at where they're sitting.

UH season-ticket holder Jon Tesoro knew he had bad seats when he opened his tickets and saw that he would be near the end zone nearest to the UH cheering section.

Then Tesoro heard from Gino Patague, his computer specialist co-worker and fellow UH season-ticket holder, whose seats are directly behind the same end zone but at the top of the Superdome in section 625.

"The angle is a little bit off for my seats," said Tesoro, who'll be sitting in the 29th row of section 124. "But Gino's got it worse. He wishes he had my tickets."

While many fans got tickets behind or near the end zone, others received great seats near the 50-yard line.

Jay Ogata, 22, and his group of five friends from Central O'ahu are happy with the seats they got in section 138 near the 10-yard line.

But Ogata can't figure out why UH put his group near the Georgia sideline in the Georgia cheering section.

"I'm happy that our seats are good and they're not in the end zone," Ogata said. "But, buying our seats through UH, I'm shocked that we're not in the Hawai'i section. It makes no sense to me. I called the Stan Sheriff (box office) and they couldn't explain how it happened."

Well, I haven't received my tickets yet. Not looking good!

Rosemarie Bernardo has some details on the ticket sales, with some still available to season ticket holders. On the same page, Gary C.W. Chun writes about a Sugar Bowl party to be held at the Blaisdell.

Those who can't afford that trip to New Orleans can head for the Blaisdell Arena on New Year's Day instead, and it'll cost thousands less. Nothing, in fact.

Pono Shim of Concierge Services at the Ward Entertainment Complex is throwing the "Largest Shuga Party in Hawaii," beginning at 2:45 p.m. Jan. 1, with the game between Hawaii and Georgia shown on two extra-large high-definition screens.

Meanwhile Cindy Luis writes about the Hawaiian Cajun Bash being held in New Orleans.

Through a friend who recently moved from New Orleans to Honolulu, Murphy was able to obtain Generations Hall, a facility that can accommodate up to 5,000 people with the option of a tented parking lot for additional guests.

"If we get a huge response, we'll use the tents, close the street and have a block party," said Murphy, who does just that for the annual Pigskin Pigout and St. Patrick's Day celebrations at his restaurant.

The tickets are $125 for adults, $50 for ages 20 and under. It will be $150 at the door.

Uhwarriors has details of a Sportshawaii.com tailgate at Johnny White's.

Irse K5 has The Greatest Season UH football special up.

Yet another article about Georgia QB Matthew Stafford and how he stacks up against Colt.

Carter Strickland of the AJC talks to WAC coaches and Georgia players about Hawaii's defense.

"They've really made some great strides on defense," said Boise State coach Chris Peterson. "They really attack you.

"Hawaii's always scored a lot of points (but) they've probably taken more strides on the defensive side of the ball than anywhere else," he said. "They lead the nation in scoring, so they do about as well as they can do there, but (defense is) where they make it tough. Their defense has tightened up and you've got to score with them. So when the defense is playing well and playing their game, they're tough to beat."

"I don't think we have seen a defense that fights like theirs does from the snap of the ball to the end of the play they are fighting as hard as they can and they truly are warriors," said Georgia tight end Tripp Chandler. "We have to come out there with the mindset they are going to fight us for four quarters and 60 minutes and if we don't come out there and fight just as hard for just as long they can beat us. There is no doubt about it they can beat us."

Josh Kendall of the Macon Telegraph has some Bulldog news and notes, including details about Georgia trying to simulate the run-and-shoot.

Freshmen wide receivers Walter Hill, Israel Troupe and tight end/wide receiver Aron White are getting plenty of work this week, but it's a tall task, head coach Mark Richt said.

"It's so hard to simulate what they are doing with our guys," Richt said. "You are drawing these plays up on cards and showing it to them and saying, 'Go do it.' It's just nearly impossible."

Freshman quarterback Logan Gray is simulating the Warriors' quarterback, Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan.

And finally, Nick Abramo talks to former Warrior and current Dolphin Samson Satele.

"We finally got one and I'm real happy about it," Satele said in a phone interview. "We did it with more effort, by playing harder. We had a Christmas dinner (for the Dolphins' offensive linemen on Monday) and I can say it was a better dinner (than it would have been). It was real cool, real fun."

But does one win wipe out the 13 miserable losses, and is there a bigger pot of gold down the road somewhere?

"Yeah," the 23-year-old Satele laughed about that latter, precious-metal part. "This is a business and I can't just quit. This is my team and this is my job. Everybody hates to lose. Of course it would be better to be 12-0 like the Warriors instead of (1-13).

"It's all the little stuff that every coach talks about. All the little stuff that sets you back and you lose by three points. It's been close."

UPDATE: One more article from David Ching of the Ledger-Enquirer, who talks to some Bulldogs about facing Hawaii's offense.

"At first, the defense was like, 'Man, we've got to play against Hawaii. They're gonna just throw the ball. We're gonna be out there tired like we were against Troy,'" Georgia defensive end Marcus Howard said. "But then when you just think about it, you want to showcase your athletic ability and the best way to do that is to play against the pass and play against a great quarterback in (Hawaii's) Colt Brennan.

"The defensive backs, they're gonna have a great time to showcase their talent because this will be the best set of wide receivers that we've played all year."