WAC Media Preview News

Dave Reardon writes how WAC teams are running the ball more. Here's a quote from Solomon Elimimian:

Elimimian, headed into his fourth year as a starter, said the WAC has become more bruising since he was a freshman.
"It's definitely changed from pass-happy the past two or three years. It's more smashmouth and there are so many prolific running backs coming back," he said.

Dan Hinxman of the Reno Gazette-Journal has a similar article.

"It's one of the myths, and it's been a great marketing tool for the WAC, the wide-open league we have, but people don't realize how physical this league is. You look at the teams that have won the most consistently the last four or five years, they're physical. Even Hawaii. That's not a finesse football team. They look finesse, but they're physical."

And another about returning WAC rushers from The Las Cruces Sun-Times.

Nice article from the Idaho Stateman about Boise State wanting to take back what they feel is rightfully theirs.

This offseason, the coaches are intent on making sure the Broncos remember. Remember that they did not claim the WAC championship for the first time since 2001. Remember that it was Hawaii that walked away with the hardware.

That's why a picture of a jubilant Warriors team hangs in the Broncos' weight room. That's why strength and conditioning coach Tim Socha often wears a Hawaii "WAC champions" T-shirt and won't take his Hawaii Bowl ring - a sign of what the Broncos did not accomplish - off. Missing from everyone's finger is the WAC championship ring that players have grown accustomed to.

"We have a lonely finger," senior running back Ian Johnson said.

Hehehe.

Speaking of which, Stephen Tsai profiles Ian Johnson.

Stephen Tsai also profiles Ryan Mouton and Adam Leonard.

Dave Reardon has some notes from the WAC preview, which includes some quotes of the day:

Mumme on his beefed-up offensive linemen: "It's not good for our team meal bills, but it's good for (quarterback) Chase (Holbrook)."

Tomey on the lack of blocking by the Spartans last year: "A lot of people in our backfield and very few of them were ours."

McMackin on improved meeting-room amenities: "We've now got big-butt chairs for the linemen."

Here are more WAC notes from the Idaho Statesman, Shreveport Times and The News Star.

And Nick Jezierny of the Idaho Statesman has a useful article, interviewing each players from each team about the best places to eat near their respective schools. And I guess some things never change:

"Waikiki and the North Shore areas are awesome," Elimimian said. "Just stay away from the UH campus."

:)