Game Week: LaTech - Friday News

The Advertiser reports that Fresno State has apologized to UH about showing the helmet-to-helmet on Colt Brennan on their jumbotron during last week's game.

Fresno State has apologized to the University of Hawai'i this week for showing a video clip of last year's hit on former quarterback Colt Brennan in a promotional ad, people familiar with the issue said.

During Saturday's game at Bulldog Stadium, the scoreboard showed a replay of the 2007 helmet hit by linebacker Marcus Riley that knocked Brennan out of the game at Aloha Stadium with a concussion. People who saw the clip said the hit was shown from several angles and included the description "bone-crushing."

It was part of a sponsored advertisement, at least one witness said.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the return of Francis Maka.

"I'm trying to get ahold of my dad so I can tell him because he's the one who put in most of the work with all this," Maka said moments after being informed of the ruling by head coach Greg McMackin and UH director of compliance Amanda Paterson after yesterday's practice. "My mom was ecstatic, my girlfriend started crying."

Stephen Tsai has some details on how Maka was granted a sixth year, and talks to some of his teammates.

"I'm happy he got his (extra) year," Hisatake said. "(The wait) was a little too much. He's been fighting this thing since last spring."

Defensive tackle Josh Leonard, who is one of Maka's closest friends, also praised the NCAA's ruling.

"This is great news," Leonard said.

Tsai talks to Kailua line coach Hauoli Wong about Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, who committed to the Warriors yesterday.

"He's real big, real wide, hard to get around," Wong said. "That's what Chauncy is. And he can move."

Although Winchester-Makainai is technically and fundamentally sound, according to Wong, "I told him he's not a finesse player. He's a mauler."

Winchester-Makainai was named the top technician at the Brian Derby Camp for linemen.

Wong has played at the high school, college and pro level. It is because of that experience that Wong is confident in saying that Winchester-Makainai is "one of the best linemen coming out of Hawai'i. (The Warriors) will have something for the future."

Awesome.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about Chauncy's commit, the backup QBs maintaining focus, and a few injury udpates.

Defensive tackle Fale Laeli will be held out of tomorrow's game. Laeli has struggled with an ankle injury he suffered against Weber State and head coach Greg McMackin said he could return for next week's game at Boise State.

A decision hasn't been made on Rocky Savaiigaea's prospects for returning this season. Savaiigaea reinjured his triceps two weeks ago against San Jose State.

Kaneshiro highlights Hawaii's focus on run defense this week after Fresno racked up over 300 yards on the ground.

"We don't want to let someone run the ball against us like that," McMackin said. "We made up for it in turnovers, but this is an excellent rushing team coming in here and we've got to control their running game."

"We watched film and we had some mis-alignments and we did things that hurt us," said linebacker Solomon Elimimian, whose sack on the first play of overtime forced Fresno State to throw the ball in the extra period.

"They got a lot of yards on stuff that we did more so than them just physically whipping us. That's something we learned from."

And Ethan Conley of The News Star profiles Louisiana Tech running back Daniel Porter.

Though not physically imposing at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, the junior running back from Istrouma High in Baton Rouge has garnered a reputation for finishing each of his carries by delivering the blow, rather than receiving it, the carrying tacklers a few extra yards before he's finally brought to the turf.

"That's just me demeanor," Porter said. "One yard has to turn into five yards. It's just an attitude you have to have."