Game Week: Hawaii Bowl - Tuesday News

Stephen Tsai writes about some of the banquet festivities.

At the end of his speech, UH head coach Greg McMackin said the Warriors had their own chant. He then flashed the shaka sign to defensive tackle Keala Watson, who led teammates in a rousing ha'a.

"That was the best one we ever did," McMackin said.

At one point, Watson, who co-authored the UH ha'a, knocked over two chairs and a serving cart.

Some Warriors tossed kukui-nut lei into the air.

"Keala was a little intense," middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian said.

"It was a good thing there were no kids around," said safety Keao "Ao Boy" Monteilh, who co-authored the ha'a. "(Watson) might have thrown a table. ... It was good. We had 100-percent participation, which is rare. Even Malcolm did it."

WNDU has video from the banquet, but unfortunately no ha‘a. Instead:

The Warriors and Irish had a dance-off and chant-off during the Banquet.

It was wild.

Hawaii broke out in various songs and dances. The Irish, meanwhile, danced to Hawaii Five-O and then "Cranked it Up."

The Warriors may have had the last laugh as they chanted "Rudy" back at the Irish.

WSBT, another South Bend station, has video previewing the game and breaking down the Warriors.

Christian McCollum of IrishEyes has quotes from Charlie Weis' press conference yesterday.

Billy Hull covers the press conference as well.

KGMB has some video from the press conference.

Here's an AP report from the press conference.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis will call the offensive plays against Hawaii in Wednesday's Hawaii Bowl instead of offensive coordinator Mike Haywood.

"I'll be calling the game," Weis said during his first media availability Monday. "He's here. Don't worry. Coach Haywood and I are on the same page on this one."

Neil Hayes of the Southtown Star has a game preview and lists reason why this game is important for the future of Notre Dame.

Another lackluster performance would put a negative exclamation point on an already grisly late-season slide that turned a 4-1 start into a 6-6 derailment. A loss to the Warriors (7-6) would make it even more difficult to imagine Weis winning the nine games next season that it likely will take for him to keep his job.

It's the last game of the 2008 season. It's the first game of the 2009 season. And it might be the most telling of Weis' four years at Notre Dame.

Jeff Carroll of the South Bend Tribune compares quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Greg Alexander. In the article, Adam Leonard talks up Clausen:

"Tebow's a physical specimen," Leonard said. "He's got a strong arm. He runs the ball well and he plays great in that system. But I would say as far as a pure quarterback — decision-making, looking off safeties and the arm strength — (Clausen) is unbelievable.

"He's the only quarterback we've seen on film who from the opposite hash he can throw all the way to the other sideline. It jumps off the film when he throws."

Rivals.com has more gracious quotes from the Warriors.

"For us to play a team like Notre Dame that has a status around it is special," said Hawaii quarterback Greg Alexander, who is from Santa Rose, Calif. "They're one of the better programs in the nation. So everyone is excited and can't wait to play Wednesday."

"It is special [to play Notre Dame]," said slot receiver Michael Washington, who is from Aliquippa, Pa. "Notre Dame always has athletes. They get the U.S. Army All-Americans. They have tremendous alumni, movies, Heisman trophies ... They've got so much prestige.

"So to have them come to the island and to play against a team like that is awesome. ... I'm excited to play against a team like that."

Jason Kaneshiro has a game preview with stats, probable starting lineups, and this key matchup:

Hawaii DE David Veikune vs. N.D. OT Sam Young
Facing Young represents one of the biggest challenges Veikune has had this season.

How big? Try 6-foot-8, 330-pounds big.

"He's a big man and moves his feet well," UH defensive line coach Dave Aranda said. "He has a great reach, a good punch and very athletic. David is very aware of what he's going against."

Young has started the last 37 games for the Irish, anchoring a line in which 6-foot-4, 302-pound center Dan Wenger is considered the small one.

And hopefully I didn't embarrass myself or anybody else too much as I answer five questions from Her Loyal Sons, an excellent, in-depth Notre Dame blog. Be there!