Reports from the First Day of Practice

HawaiiAthletics.com has an article about today's first practice of fall camp.

“Defense and special teams--we're going right to the basics,” McMackin said. “We started working on tackling from the ground up, we worked on the option. We had players who got in last year and we recruited players to complement those guys. But, we have a lot of newcomers so we’re working a lot on fundamentals and techniques.”

However, what impressed the coach most was the team’s conditioning.

“This football team has great work ethic,” McMackin said. “They’re great guys. I love how they came to camp and how they’re taking care of business. This will be a special group.”

Stephen Tsai has a few notes from practice.

• Right wideout Malcolm Lane is not in camp because of personal reasons.
• Paipai Falemalu has moved from linebacker to defensive end.
• Alex Dunnachie boomed several long punts, drawings calls of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" from teammates.

In fact, some of the Tsaikos who attended the practice were very impressed with Dunnachie. From Pomai:

Highlight of the day IMHO was the punter, that kid has a leg, was booming 60/70 yards all the time, even his rugby type where 50/60. His hang time was real good, and his punts had the turn over type, hard for the returner to field.

From curveball:

1st thing is ..wow do we have a punter..this kid is big and can really kick...consistent 50's and some longer..and can kick out of bounds with accuracy..people were clapping for him..

And KGMB's Liz Chun has some video from practice, along with interviews of Greg Alexander and Rocky Savaiigaea.

UPDATE: On SportsHawaii.com, lava has an in-depth report from today's practice. Here's an excerpt:

I thinking the starting 0-line will be noticeably better. I liked what I saw out there today. Hopefully the camp gives the guys time to gel as a unit. The talent is there. I saw some good things from some of the back-ups too. I appreciated Hisatake giving support and instruction to Chauncey. Not sure who will emerge as the top back-ups, but I think the line will be well coached. Tiwanak as the #2 center (me thinks) seems much bigger than Estes, but maybe it is the pads. Then again maybe it is the kalbi. After college Adrian Thomas, another 2nd stronger, may have a career as a tree, a tall, big okole tree. The media guide lists him at 6-6, which is not an exaggeration.

UPDATE 2: Via Maui News, here's a report from Jaymes Song of the AP.

''Greg Alexander is the guy that's going to start our first ballgame,'' McMackin said Thursday as the Warriors opened fall practice.

Players say that confirmation makes a huge difference.

''That was always in the back of our minds last year. As much as we said it wasn't, it was,'' receiver Greg Salas said. ''We didn't know who was going to be the starting quarterback or how long they were going to be the starting quarterback for. It's a huge relief for us.''

McMackin spent more of his time with the defense --- which lost nine starters --- and special teams on Thursday, preaching technique and fundamentals.

''The offense actually started off, in my opinion, where they left off in the spring,'' he said. ''Defensively and special teams, we're going right to the basics, from the ground up.''

The special teams and defense, however, did provide some highlights. Freshman Alex Dunnachi boomed a punt that traveled about 70 yards in the air. Defensive lineman Rocky Savaiigaea showed up 31 pounds lighter than last year, and said the weight loss made a notable difference.

''I'm not leaning over gagging,'' he said. ''I feel I can go through the drills 100 percent.''