Game Week: Weber State - Tuesday News

UPDATE: Here's Chawan Cut's compilation of last night's news from KHON, KITV and KGMB. Includes coverage of Coach Mack's press conference, and a few mentions of Ashley Lelie being signed by the Raiders.



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The UH website has excerpts from Greg McMackin's first weekly press conference of the season.

On this week’s opponent, Weber State:
(They) spread it out a little bit. They put up 72 points against Portland State last year and they put up a bunch of points against some other people. Their first game they put up 62 this past weekend against Montana-Western. They’re coming here to make a statement. We need everyone to come to the ball game, we need everybody’s help. This isn’t going to be as easy a game as people think it will be…this is going to be a tough ball game

Due to Daniel Libre's high ankle sprain, Kealoha Pilares is being moved back to running back.

Offensive coordinator Ron Lee voiced confidence in Pilares' ability to retain the ins and outs of the run-and-shoot ground game from last season.

"That's kind of his home," Lee said. "We wanted to try him at receiver too, but he can go back to running back. Same stuff, same offense. He knows the running plays."

Lee said Nate Nasca and JC transfers Dustin Blount and Jovonte Taylor will get a look at the backup right slotback spot that Pilares is vacating behind senior Aaron Bain.

However, Stephen Tsai writes that Daniel Libre still wants to play through his injury.

"I'm planning on it," said Libre, who was diagnosed with a high sprain of his right ankle.

Libre was on crutches after Saturday's game. Yesterday, he was down to one crutch.

"I'm only using it because (the trainer) told me to use it," Libre said. "He told me it would help with my recovery."

Tsai also notes that Laupepa Letuli will get an MRI to determine the severity of his AC joint injury. Also from the article:

• Greg Salas is not expected to miss anytime with a fractured finger


• Plans to redshirt Dustin Blount have been cancelled - he will compete for playing time at slot.


• Grad assistant Craig Stutzmann is feeling better after missing the trip due to walking pneumonia.

Speaking of Stephen Tsai, he's back at the Beat!

Hey, we’re back.
Thanks for the kind e-mails and phone calls of support.
But now it’s back to football.

Awww yeah.

Tsai profiles new #1 QB, Inoke Funaki, who illustrates why he's a gamer.

"A lot of times, because I have the orange (practice) jersey on, I know no one can hit me," Funaki said. "I don't feel the urgency to get the ball off (quickly) or take off running. I notice, a lot of times in the game, they are going to whack me if I don't get the ball off. I feel that urgency, that whole adrenaline. Sometimes the adrenaline really kicks in and helps you, and you throw the ball farther than you normally do.

"That's definitely motivation when you have big guys chasing you," he added. "It's like when a dog is chasing you down the street. All of a sudden, you're booking it. All of a sudden, there's more of a sense of urgency."

Gotta love the Fu!

Brian McInnis writes that Greg McMackin intends to file a protest over a helmet-to-helmet hit on Leon Wright-Jackson in the Florida game.

Dave Reardon discusses Greg McMackin's history with Weber State head coach Ron McBride, and how GM was nearly Utah's head coach. Reardon has some other news and notes in the column.

And Ferd Lewis has a column about the two Macks.