Game Week: Florida - Thursday News

Greg McMackin announced the UH team captains have been chosen.

Linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian, defensive tackle Keala Watson and center John Estes have been elected season captains by their Hawaii football teammates, coach Greg McMackin said after today's practice at Georgia Tech.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about yesterday's practices.

"The team is in good spirits, everybody felt good and I think they adjusted very well," UH coach Greg McMackin said after the evening workout at the Yellow Jackets' practice field. "Practice was sharp and I thought the trip was good.

"We lifted weights here today and (Georgia Tech head coach and former UH offensive coordinator) Paul Johnson has opened up everything for us, so it's worked out really good for us."

Stephen Tsai writes that it's looking more and more like Greg Alexander will be starting QB on Saturday.

Alexander yesterday took 45 of the 57 snaps during 7-on-7 and team drills.

Of Alexander, McMackin said: "He's mature. He's got a strong arm. He has great size (6 feet 4, 225 pounds). He has 22 college games under his belt. I believe he can go out there and not get intimidated by their fans."

Alexander said: "It's the coaches' decision, but I have to be prepared like I'm going to be the guy. ... No sense in stressing myself out about it. I can only control what I do. The decision is going to happen one way or the other. I can't stress about it."

At the end of the article, Tsai lists some of the players who are expected to redshirt, including Ryan Henry and...

...Miah Ostrowski and Dustin Blount, wideout Mike Tinoco, quarterback Steele Jantz, defensive linemen Geordon Hanohano and Haku Correa, linebacker Paipai Falemalu, and cornerbacks Steven Christian and Lewis Walker.

Jason Kaneshiro writes how UH will try to contend with Tim Tebow and Florida's team speed.

"We're going to trust in the system we've got and I feel we have good speed on our team. I don't feel we're totally outmatched," linebacker Adam Leonard said. "They've got some speedsters, but I'm just thankful we're not running track, we're playing football."

Dave Reardon has a column about how the Warriors will draw on past experience and not be star-struck on this trip.

In 2006 the Warriors performed like themselves in Atlanta, as they did last night, with a crisp, efficient practice. But at Bryant-Denny Stadium the day before the game, it was more like 10-year-olds on a field trip to a toy factory than a college football practice.

This time, the Warriors need complete focus just to have a chance. You don't want them uptight, but you don't want them Sugar Bowl-loose either. A week in New Orleans softened UH, and the team spent just a few minutes in the Superdome on the eve of the game. Georgia practiced there every day.

Ferd Lewis writes that Florida coach Urban Meyer has completely ruled out a return trip to Hawaii.

Meyer said he loves the idea of the Warriors as a season-opening opponent in The Swamp but said you won't catch him in Hawai'i unless it is on vacation.

"(There's) no chance the University of Florida will ever go to Hawai'i and play... as long as I'm here," Meyer said yesterday.

Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes will most likely not be playing on Saturday.

Ferd Lewis writes about Tim Tebow and how Steele Jantz had been trying to be his doppelganger in fall camp.

And finally, the Star-Bulletin has a massive 2008 UH football preview called "Times Are a Changing". Lots of articles, breakdowns, stats, etc.