Game Week: Idaho - Friday News

UPDATE: KGMB's Mike Cherry has a "Football Friday" preview of tomorrow's game.

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Stephen Tsai profiles Malcolm Lane, who talks about what goes on in his head when he's returning kicks:

When Lane hits the hole, his world goes silent.

"I'm kind of in a blur," he said. "I don't hear anything. I'm so focused."

But he is cognizant of the surrounding collisions. Each block is a metaphorical chain reaction of accidents.

"I'm running and I'm like, 'ooh, somebody is getting blown up,' " Lane said. "It's like a big car wreck. I don't want to slow down and look. I have to keep running hard and looking for the next seam."

Tsai also writes about the role of Spencer Smith and Richard Torres fielding onside kicks, and talks to Greg McMackin about tomorrow's weather forecast:

Tomorrow's forecast — heavy rain — will not alter the Warriors' plans, head coach Greg McMackin said.

"It doesn't matter," he said. "We've practiced in rain all year. The only thing that bothers a game plan is snow, and I know it's not going to snow. Rain doesn't affect anything as far as we're concerned."

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the development of the defensive line as many key players fought through injuries earlier in the season.

After recovering from injuries, seniors Josh Leonard, Keala Watson and Fale Laeli are expected to see heavier action tomorrow than in previous weeks when the Warriors (5-5, 4-3 Western Athletic Conference) face Idaho (2-9, 1-6) at Aloha Stadium.

Junior Rocky Savaiigaea was limited to one game prior to having season-ending surgery on his torn triceps. Although the rotation was depleted at times, freshman Vaughn Meatoga and junior Tuika Tufaga were given a chance to develop under game conditions and senior Francis Maka was added to the rotation to bolster the pass rush.

"Vaughn had so many reps, Tuika had so many reps, I think it's paying off now," said UH assistant Ikaika Malloe, who works with the tackles.

Kaneshiro also writes about the commitment of Kamalani Alo and notes that Daniel Libre was back at practice yesterday, but Erik Robinson was held out.

Kaneshiro interviews Idaho head coach Robb Akey.

"I think this is a very important game for us," Akey said.

"I want to be able to send the seniors out with a victory in their final go in a Vandal uniform, and for the rest of us coming back it would be a great launching pad going into our offseason and to help us continue in our building process."

From Scott Stone of The Argonaut, Vandal players are looking forward to the game.

Billy Hull writes about the Idaho Vandals from Hawaii.

And UH will be facing one of the greatest punters in the country.

Nothing he's accomplished in the past, though, has topped this fall. Coming into Saturday's season finale at Hawaii, Conley leads the nation with a 47.2-yard punting average. He's on pace to shatter Tom Sugg's single-season school record, set in 1991, of 44.8 yards.

The Walla Walla, Wash., native is also one of the Vandals' top NFL prospects. His booming, high-arching kicks - not to mention his much-improved consistency - seem to have caught the eye of at least a few scouts.

Here's hoping we have many opportunities to admire his hang time tomorrow. Hmmm, I should probably rephrase that.