UNLV Previews, Bryant Moniz, Keith Uperesa, Samson Anguay, Etc.

HawaiiAthletics.com and UNLVRebels.com have official game information and notes.

Via the Macon Telegraph, the Sports Network has a game preview.

UNLV linebacker Jason Beauchamp reviews last week's disappointing loss to Oregon State and looks ahead to Saturday's matchup to UH. He has some interesting comments:

Looking at Hawaii, the passing game stands out to me. Their veteran quarterback, Greg Alexander, he's pretty consistent. What they do is very unique, with the shovel pass and how they disguise play-action pass pretty well. What Hawaii does doesn't change. How the offensive linemen set, what they do hasn't changed. Really, it's effective.

I think more so, this game's different than any other game.

In the past, we've been disrespected. They've run up the score on us, we've got a lot of guys from the Hawaiian islands, and it means a lot to them. This game is about pride, being physical, and who wants it more.

Speaking of which, the Las Vegas Sun profiles UNLV defensive end Malo Taumua, who talks about playing for bragging rights.

More than anything, UNLV junior defensive end Malo Taumua would just like a more pleasant trip home on his next voyage to the Hawaiian islands.

"It's for bragging rights," he said of the Rebels upcoming showdown with 2-0 Hawaii at 8 p.m. Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. "The last two times we lost to them, I went back home, I got nothing but trash talk."

Taumua's heard it from Hawaii senior linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane and senior defensive lineman Rocky Savaiigaea, both of whom he went to school with at Aiea High in O'ahu. The Rebels were thumped by the Warriors during each of Taumua's first two seasons on campus, losing 42-13 on the road in 2006, then 49-14 in Vegas a year later.

In Kalani Takase's profile of Taumua, he has more to say about his UH frenemies.

When the Rebels and Warriors clash Saturday, Taumua will be reunited with several old acquaintances, including Na Ali'i classmates Rocky Savaiigaea and R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane.

"I heard that they're team captains, so I was real proud to hear that," Taumua said. "They've been through so much over there and those guys have meant so much to me. I can't wait to see those guys."

Taumua also has ties to both Hawai'i offensive tackles.

"I played against (left tackle) Aaron Kia when he was at Mililani and (right tackle) Laupepa (Letuli) and I were roommates on our recruiting trip to UNLV," Taumua said.

Stephen Tsai profiles UH #2 quarterback Bryant Moniz.

UH head coach Greg McMackin said Moniz is deserving of consideration for a football scholarship.

"Look at all of the (walk-ons) we've put on scholarship," McMackin said. "If a player can help us win, why not scholarship him? Where are we going to go out and find a better quarterback than him?"

"We have a lot of respect for Bryant," McMackin said. "He has such a great feel for the game, and he looks really smooth. I think he's an outstanding quarterback."

Alexander noted that Moniz is so calm in the pass pocket "he almost looks like he's bored in there."

Moniz said: "That's pretty funny. I guess playing football, you know you're going to get hit. There's no sense being worried about it. If you worry, then you're in the wrong sport. I have a lot of trust in the o-line."

Tsai also has news and notes about practice, injuries and recruiting.

The Star-Bulletin has an article titled "UH running game goes Green" which I assume is a story about Alex Green, but as of right now there's no content there. Let me know when it pops up.

Both Dave Reardon and Ferd Lewis have columns about UNLV coach Keith Uperesa and his battle against cancer.

Brian McInnis profiles Campbell receiver/returner and future UH Warrior Samson Anguay.

He's already fulfilled one of his lifelong ambitions by verbally committing to Hawaii after the UH skills camp over the summer. Now he wants to live up to another by drawing comparisons there to his childhood idol, Chad Owens, and starring in front of his parents and grandparents.

And the Star-Bulletin has a profile of former UH coach and current Army head coach Rich Ellerson.