Moniz, Nevada, Go to the Game

Chris Murray of the Reno Gazette-Journal has a profile of Bryant Moniz.

If Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz didn't exist, you'd have to invent him. His story is that unbelievable.

A star high school player goes unrecruited but latches on at a community college 2,500 miles away from home.

He has to leave school after his freshman season to care for his family when he becomes a father.

He starts delivering pizzas to make ends meet.

He enrolls in a different junior college and plays on an intramural football team for the love of the game.

He tries to walk on at the college he grew up rooting for. After a rash of injuries, he becomes the team's starting quarterback.

A year later, he becomes the NCAA's leading passer.

Sounds like a Keanu Reeves movie, right? But it's not. It's Moniz's life story.

Stephen Tsai writes about the love Moniz isn't receiving from the national media.

Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz's national ranking in total offense -- 1 -- is the same as the number of national interviews he has given.

Despite video-game-like statistics and a made-for-TV back story, Moniz is the highly rated QB with the low Q rating.

Defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu said: "People probably say it's the system he's in. A lot of guys don't know him. We don't get a lot of games televised on ESPN. But he's a great player. He's a good guy. He works hard. I like the way he plays. He puts everything on the line every time. You can't complain about a guy like that. He goes for broke every time."

Jason Kaneshiro has news and notes about David Graves portraying Colin Kaepernick on the scout team, Alex Dunnachie getting more comfortable punting, and one streak that'll be broken on Saturday.

At least one streak is sure to end early in tomorrow's game.

In each of the last five games, the Hawaii defense has forced a punt on the opponent's opening possession. Of those drives, only Colorado avoided a three and out to start the game.

Nevada's offense has scored on all six of its opening drives, including five touchdowns, and the Pack have yet to trail this season.

And Dave Reardon lists the reasons why everyone needs to go to Aloha Stadium this Saturday.

But forget about excuses and get yourself to Halawa -- if just for this game against undefeated and nationally ranked Nevada. Even if you're not a Warriors fan, do you like shootouts between evenly matched teams? Then be there, Aloha!

» Run-and-Shoot vs. The Pistol: You might never again see a game where each coaching staff has the man who either invented or made its team's offensive scheme famous.

» Team Remaining (at least for now) vs. Team Leaving: Hawaii tries to make it 2-for-2 against WACstabbers.

» Dontay Moch vs. Realities of Time and Space: If this Wolf Pack defensive end really ran the 40 in 4.08, why is he not returning kicks? And with a name pronounced "Moke," why is he not playing for Hawaii?