Game Week: Nevada - Tuesday News

Here's last night's Chawan-pilation of news from KGMB, KFVE and KHON, which includes lots of quotes from Greg McMackin's Monday press conference. He says changes may be coming in the offense along with possible personnel moves. Practices are closed to the public this week. I can only conclude from all this is that the Big Boned Wishbone, a mythical formation prophesied by the hairy oracle all those years ago, will make its long awaited debut.



HawaiiAthletics.com has excerpts from Coach Mack's press conference.

Dave Reardon shares his notes from the presser.

The offensive line is one group that may undergo personnel changes. … Also, McMackin hinted strongly that quarterback Inoke Funaki will not play the entire game, and that a “pure passer” such as Greg Alexander may see significant action against Nevada on Saturday. … Tyler Graunke is the fourth or fifth string QB depending on how you interpret things, and is not expected to play. “Tyler Graunke is physically not able to play right now,” McMackin said.

The comments from that post include a discussion about Graunke's status.

The audio for this week's WAC coaches teleconferences is up on WACSports.com.

Stephen Tsai writes about the injuries to Kealoha Pilares and Francis Maka as well as the alignment penalty called on Keoni Steinhoff. Tsai also has some notes from Coach Mack's press conference. Here's a quote that's either hilarious or disturbing about the Warriors' return game:

McMackin said the kickoff-return and punt-return units are "not getting it done." As a result, nickelback Ryan Mouton, the Warriors' most productive defensive back, will be spared from continuing to serve as a kick returner.

"It's a suicide mission, and he's getting beat to heck," McMackin said. "We've got to get that together, and we have plans for Ryan."

As for Mouton's replacement, McMackin mused: "We're going to draw straws right now. ... Maybe somebody I'm upset with, I'll put him back at kickoff return, and just let him go back there and be punished. If somebody is late for a meeting, (he's) going to be our kickoff-return guy."

Hehe?

Jason Kaneshiro has some news and notes from the press conference.

Dave Reardon's Further Review column reviews the offense.

McMackin said Tyler Graunke -- who, with his experience and skill, was supposed to eliminate any QB controversy months ago -- remains out.

"I don't think he throws with the same velocity (since a hand injury in September). I want Tyler Graunke to play. Tyler has not been able to play for different reasons (including suspension). His strength is down. He's a good kid, he's just not ready to play," the coach said, implying off-field issues are not a factor now in this awkward situation.

Is anyone ready? Funaki's the closest, but it's obvious he can't do it all.

"Maybe it'd be good to get some of it off him," McMackin said. "Give him enough shots and he will get hurt. Anyone who puts it on Inoke has no clue about football."

Juan Lopez of The Nevada Sagebrush has an article previewing the game.

The Wolf Pack (4-3, 2-1) comes off a convincing homecoming victory against Utah State last week. Now it’s time for an away game against Hawaii (3-4, 2-2).

These are not the same 13th-ranked Warriors that came into Mackay Stadium last year and defeated Nevada 28-26 on a last-second field goal, but revenge will still be sweet. The Wolf Pack has a chance to go into Aloha Stadium and give the Warriors a taste of their own medicine?!

Settle down, Beavis!

And Ferd Lewis discusses a worst-case scenario for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

One half of the equation is that UH is 3-4 and must win four of its remaining six games to become bowl eligible. Hawai'i faces Nevada (4-3) on Saturday night. The other half is the Pac-10, which is contracted to send its sixth choice here, might not have six teams to fulfill its obligations.

"That absolutely could happen the way our teams are beating each other (up)," said Jim Muldoon, associate commissioner of the Pac-10.

Ideally, the game would end up with something like UH vs. UCLA or Stanford. But the flip side could end up looking like Nevada vs., say, Bowling Green.