Game Week: Oregon State - Tuesday News

HawaiiAthletics.com has quotes from Greg McMackin's press conference yesterday. Here's an excerpt:

On this week’s opponent, Oregon State:
We’re going to play a good, hungry football team. They play USC after us and Utah after them. I would think they are going to give it their best shot to take us out and we’re going to give them our best shot. They are really in need of a win and we’re in need of keeping our string going. I’m looking forward to it. I hear there’s going to be a lot of Hawaiian people up there, so I’m really excited about that too.

Cliff Kirkpatrick of the Corvallis Gazette Times writes that Saturday's matchup against UH is a "must-win" game for the Beavers.

It’s only the third game of the season, but the Oregon State football team is already in a must-win situation.

After starting off with two losses, the Beavers need a win to get their record going in a positive direction and to help turn the season around.

Just regaining confidence would be good step.

For that to happen, they must defeat Hawaii in a nonconference game Saturday afternoon. It’s also the home opener, so appeasing the home crowd is important.

“Every game is a must-win game, but yes, it’s a must-win game,” cornerback Brandon Hughes said. “We have to dominate and not just win. We need a great outing against Hawaii so we can have some momentum going into USC.”

The Gazette Times also has a short scouting report on the Warriors.

The OSUBeavers.com website has some game notes. The page includes links to a PDF press release for the game, live stats for when the game is being played, etc.

Paul Buker of the Oregonian has a UH overview and related notes about the game.

The game is nearly sold out.

Tickets for the general public for Saturday’s home opener against Hawai’i are sold out. Approximately 100 tickets remain in the Club level for $200 per seat.

OSU officials expect one of the largest crowds in Reser Stadium history for what is a very important game for the Beavers. Kickoff for the FSN NW televised game is scheduled for 1:07 p.m.

Brian McInnis has a UH injury report.

Defensive lineman Fale Laeli has joined the list of injured Hawaii players expected to miss the Warriors' game at Oregon State on Saturday.

Tackle Rocky Savaiigaea (triceps tear) and linebacker Blaze Soares (calf tear) are expected to remain out this week, and running back Daniel Libre (high ankle sprain) is questionable. Offensive coordinator Ron Lee said the team will use today's practice to take stock of the players' progress, and added Kealoha Pilares will continue to split time at running back and slotback as Libre recovers.

Stephen Tsai writes about Tyler Graunke's WAC honor, injuries on the left side of the o-line, Jake Heun possibly getting cleared to play, Dan Kelly trying to get back into rhythm, and Inoke Funaki's concussion:

Funaki also has recovered from what was believed to be a mild concussion suffered in the first half Saturday.

"I guess they were worried," Funaki said of the doctors and trainers. "They didn't think I was all there. The more I denied it, the more I confirmed I wasn't OK. I thought I was OK, but they thought I wasn't all there. They thought it could have been a mild concussion. They were worried I would go out there and take another hit and it would be worse."

Brian McInnis' Sports Notebook has news about Graunke, the players awarded game balls, and Mack's decision to go for 2 up ten points.

McMackin explained the team's decision to go for a 2-point conversion in the third quarter (after Graunke found Aaron Bain for a touchdown to put the Warriors up 27-17) was based on a mathematical chart for such situations.

"Yeah, exactly," McMackin said. "It told us to go for 2 and we did."

Graunke hit Mike Washington successfully for a 12-point lead.

Tsai also writes about UH securing a commitment from Aussie defensive lineman Jesse Williams.

The Warriors yesterday secured a commitment from Jesse Williams, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive lineman from Brisbane, Australia.

"I accepted their (scholarship) offer," Williams said. "I like the style of football they play. That tough defense, that's how I like to play. That's the school that won me over."

Congrats to Jesse!

Dave Reardon has a column about UH needing to step it up against Oregon State.

And Ferd Lewis has a warning -- beware of Pac-10 officiating!

The Pac-10 bills itself as the "conference of champions" and its members have won more national titles than any other. The Pac-10 sets a standard of excellence in many areas.

But football officiating isn't one of them.

People in the industry will tell you, off the record, the Pac-10 has a reputation for being a "weak link" in football officiating. That we-are-the-Pac-10 pride sometimes gets in the way of improvement.

UPDATE: Here's a good game preview with lots of notes from the Portland Tribune.

They’re still saying Hawaii — the opponent for Saturday’s 1 p.m. home opener at Reser Stadium — is a good team.

The Warriors “are pretty good on both sides of the ball,” Oregon State coach Mike Riley says. “The quarterback (Tyler Graunke) is solid, and I like their defense. They have active ‘backers and physical safeties.”