Game Week: LaTech - Wednesday News

HawaiiAthletics.com has game notes and info for Saturday's UH vs Louisiana Tech game.

Via Macon.com, the Sports Network has a game preview. Here's an excerpt about LaTech's pass defense:

The group is last among the 119 programs at the Football Bowl Subdivision level with an astounding 344.5 ypg allowed to this point. The run defense has stood up much better with only 103 ypg allowed, third in the WAC and 25th nationally, but much of that has to do with the fact that opponents are well aware that they can feast on LaTech by putting the ball in the air.

Jason Kaneshiro highlights special teams players like Tua Mahaley, Cameron Allen-Jones and Victor Clore, and has the quote of the day from coach Ikaika Malloe.

The Warriors special teams made a significant impact on the game as well as position coach Ikaika Malloe, who sported a cut on his forehead after the game.

"I get a little emotional during the games, especially on kickoff coverage," Malloe said. "Every once in a while I start head-butting our players. ... I got scolding from my wife (Sunday), so it might be the last time I head-butt somebody."

Stephen Tsai writes about that tough mother Brashton Satele:

"He's a tough mother," head coach Greg McMackin said. "He's mentally tough. That has improved his game."

"I separated my shoulder three times last week," Satele said.

Still, he kept returning to the game.

"I'm going to strap it up," Satele said.

Also from the article, Tsai writes about Kealoha Pilares moving back to slot, Richard Torres and Adam Leonard resuming practice, and Tua Mahaley considering trying out for the volleyball team.

Jason Kaneshiro talks to Pilares about moving between running back and slotback.

"I just practiced receiver today just to get comfortable with the plays just in case they put me in the ballgame and I don't want to be out there clueless," Pilares said. "They're letting me take reps so I can familiarize myself again."

Pilares, who averages a team-best 5.8 yards per carry and has 11 receptions for 88 yards, said he's running more instinctively and with greater confidence than last season, when he led the Warriors in rushing.

"Last year I was kind of hesitant in everything I did," Pilares said. "This year I'm just trying to go with the flow and do what I can do."

He gotta be the offensive MVP so far this season. Kaneshiro also has an injury update, a quote from Derek Dooley about getting a few extra days of practice, and news that Ford Island will be open for parking after being closed for the SJSU game.

Ford Island will be open as an alternate parking site with Aloha Stadium and UH officials anticipating a large turnout for the Warriors' homecoming game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

Over on the Warrior Beat, Stephen Tsai has some injury updates on Rocky Savaiigaea and Blaze Soares.

Savaiigaea missed the first three games because of a partial tear to his left triceps. Against San Jose State, he suffered another tear, but this time to the outside portion of his left triceps. He said an MRI confirmed the latest tear.
He said if he has surgery, his season is over. If he continues with non-surgical rehabilitation, there is a possibility he might be able to play again this season. For sure, he will not play this week.

Blaze Soares said he wants to return for next week’s Boise State game.

He said he will not be medically cleared to practice this week, but there is a possibility he will be activated next week.

Ferd Lewis writes about how travel costs may affect schools like Hawaii and Louisiana Tech.

The bigger, and — for the moment — unspoken concern has to be whether a prolonged economic slump prompts the WAC membership to consider reinstituting travel subsidies with you-know-who expected to pick up the tab.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson says there has, so far, been no talk of subsides. "Our philosophy is to treat all of our schools (the same) regardless of geographical location." But, he also says, "I think we have to be prudent in making good business decisions at the same time."

Bryant-Jon Anteola has a few quotes from Coach Mack's Monday press conference in an article titled, "Road win a point of pride for Hawaii", which includes an update about Mack's penalty clarification request.

The most significant call occurred in overtime when Hawaii was penalized for running into the kicker after Kevin Goessling attempted a 40-yard field goal. The kick failed but Fresno State got another chance to kick from 35 yards, though that kick missed, too.

A replay shows Goessling falling to the ground in what looked like a late reaction after missing the 40-yard attempt.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson said the conference's supervisor of officials is reviewing all game footage from this past weekend as part of its weekly routine.

And finally, Matt James of the Fresno Bee waxes poetic about the dashed hopes of Fresno (and Chicago Cubs) fans, playing Idaho, halftime contests, meteors hitting dogs, bad symphonies, etc.

The bald newspaper columnist is excited. He's talking about the BCS. He's connecting me with the players. I feel like I know them, and how could someone I know possibly fail?

Point is, people get excited. People get excited about the Cubbies. It's been 100 years! They get excited about the BCS. This is the year! They have hope. Nothing wrong with hope. In fact, unless you're wishing for a meteor to hit the neighbor's dog or another season of Magic Johnson's talk show, hope is a great thing.

But inevitably, it does not end well.

James does manage to insult UH and Inoke, but in the context of the column, it's understandable. You kinda feel bad for them. But then you snap out of it when you read that the fools operating the Bulldog Stadium jumbotron replayed again and again that hit on Colt Brennan where he got a concussion. Real classy!