UH vs SMU? / Samson

Ferd Lewis writes about a possible 2009 matchup with SMU.

Donovan said UH is talking "to several schools" about filling one of the two UH openings for 2009 — Sept. 5 or Dec. 5 — and confirmed that SMU is among them.

"Both sides are taking a look at it," Donovan said. "June is very supportive."

Earlier, SMU officials had said it could be a decade or more before the two schools could play because the Mustangs have full schedules. But Jones and UH have reminded Mustangs' officials about the potential for a 13th game if they play in Hawai'i.

That would be pretty cool.

And here's a profile of Samson Satele from Carl Kotala of FloridaToday.com. Samson talks about earning the respect and trust of his teammates going into his second year as the Miami Dolphins starting center.

"They respect me and they trust me," he said. "Last year, I respected them and I trusted them, but I didn't feel like I got their trust. I got their respect, but the trust factor has a lot to do with the O-line because you've got five guys up there."

Justin Smiley, a five-year-veteran free agent pickup, will start at one of the guard spots. The other one is up for grabs.

"He's really smart," Smiley said of Satele. "I was lucky enough to play with a really smart center in Eric Heitmann, who was a Stanford guy, in San Francisco. Samson sees the coverages and a lot of other things that a second-year guy, you wouldn't expect from him. We're pretty lucky to have him in the middle.

"He's definitely got our trust. He (makes the line call) and I'd bet 99.9 percent of the time, he's right on it. And he's usually always in good position. He plays with good leverage. It's really helpful for a guard because you want to know, if a guy slips off you inside, that the center's going to be right there to help you. He's always in the right position."

Via fulingyu on Sportshawaii.com.