UH vs Idaho Wrap-Ups

UHUI2010 has lots of highlights from Hawaii's 45-10 victory over Idaho on their Youtube page. Here's one of the most exciting plays of the game:



Stephen Tsai's wrap-up is titled Home-thumping. I'm trying to figure out what the pun is. Here's a quote from Austin Hansen:

"We're excited for the state of Hawaii," offensive tackle Austin Hansen said in the celebration of the postgame locker room. "We usually have the 48-hour rule (to enjoy victories), but we're cutting that short. We're over it. The 'W' is in the books. We're ready to move on."

Jaymes Song's wrap-up has quotes from the players.

"Reflecting on the season so far, I would say it's magical," Hawaii safety Mana Silva said. "But we still got to do some magic at Boise State. We've got to focus and continue to improve."

Hawaii is riding high and eager to showcase its talents, which have largely gone unnoticed so far.

"Now it's that week to get another victory and really put our name out there and let people know what Hawaii football is about," Moniz said.

Brian McInnis highlights the performance of the UH defense.

"I give credit to the players. The players made plays when they needed to be made," UH defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said. "They're very smart football players, they understand the game, the situation and I think they rise to the occasion."

Paredes, the reigning two-time WAC defensive player of the week, had a game-high 15 tackles.

The Star-Advertiser Warrior Scorebook has lots of news and notes, including why Kealoha Pilares sat out the second half:

He said he felt his hamstring tighten up during warm-ups after halftime.

"I just made this sudden movement and I felt it," Pilares said. "I'm just going to do everything in my power to get back, because this week's game (at Boise State) is super important."

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the UH offense overcoming first-half mistakes.

Bryant Moniz was uncharacteristically wild early on.

Greg Salas saw a sure touchdown reception fall off his normally reliable hands.

A trick play didn't quite materialize and a first and goal at the 2 resulted in an interception.

In the past two seasons, such missed opportunities might have sidetracked the Hawaii offense.

Last night, the Warriors made sure the ragged moments didn't matter much at all at the finish.

"Now we know what we can do," Salas said after UH's bowl-clinching 45-10 win over Idaho last night at Aloha Stadium. "We have a real close chemistry and bond with each other, so we don't get frustrated thinking, 'We're not scoring.' We know when we get back on the field we're going to get the opportunity and make the most of it."

Billy Hull gets the Idaho perspective.

"We got embarrassed out here unfortunately today," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "I thought we were ready to get off this roller coaster, but we didn't play and compete throughout the whole game."

Idaho had scored at least 30 points in every game except one, but needed a touchdown in the final 3 minutes from a backup quarterback just to reach double digits.

Starter Nathan Enderle, who is projected to be selected in the NFL Draft next April, was held to 207 yards passing, intercepted twice and sacked three times before sitting out most of the fourth quarter.

Ferd Lewis writes that UH has one of its most balanced teams in years.

Indeed, if the past six games mean anything — and the longest winning streak since 2007 sure seemed to last night — it is that the Warriors will take their most complete team to Boise in five trips.

They've taken some good offensive teams there, witness the 41-34 shootout loss in 2006. They've taken some decent defensive ones there, too, but never packed one as multi-talented and well-rounded as the current edition is shaping up.

"This is probably the best we've been in all three phases in, maybe, 12 years," acknowledged associate head coach Rich Miano.

And Dave Reardon looks ahead to next week's huge game vs Boise State.

Finally, 20 minutes after Hawaii's 45-10 dismantling of Idaho was completed, announcer Billy V shouted it so all of Halawa Valley could hear:

"Beat Boise."

That will be the battle cry all week, now that UH has won its sixth game in a row and takes a 5-0 WAC record on the road, hoping to spoil the party at Boise State before it can even get started.

This could be Hawaii's final trip to the blue turf of Bronco Stadium, and all of college football will be watching — Boise State will have to take care of business within its own conference to maintain any dreams of playing for a national championship.

Getting butterflies just thinking about it. GO WARRIORS! BEAT BOISE!

Oh, right. Home-thumping = Home-coming. I think.