HawaiiAthletics.com has a game summary with links to a box score, post-game notes and quotes and video of the post-game press conferences.
Coming off of two deflating road losses, UH regained its mojo right from the get-go against the FCS Aggies (1-3). The Warriors scored on touchdown on each of its seven first-half possessions—including a touchdown on its first offensive play from scrimmage—to cruise to victory in the first-ever meeting between the teams.
Bryant Moniz had a hand on all of the UH touchdowns, tying an NCAA record with seven touchdown passes in a half, a feat shared with three others and last accomplished 14 years ago. The senior also set a new school record with 424 first-half passing yards, completing 30-of-40 passes, before sitting out the second half.
While Tombo recovers from the Sin City sorrows, here's the last few night's worth of news, from Greg Salas' high and low lights of MNF to the Warriors getting back to it at practice this week.
Monday (post game press conference, Salas)
Tuesday (Mike Edwards, Richard Torres)
Wednesday/Thursday (Justin Clapp, Richard Torres, Aaron Brown, O-line, Coach Shaw)
Still recovering from my trip. Glad I wasn't next to a computer after the game! Anyway, nowhere to go but up from here for the Warriors. Here's Coach Mack's Monday news conference:
Weather reports from Sin City have been cool and rainy. We'll see what its like on Saturday. Here's some news from the last few days. Tank Hopkins discusses his last trip here. (Subs req)
It haunted me for a long time," Hopkins said. "My parents helped me get through it. They told me: ‘It will be all right. Everybody gets beat.
He hopes for a better outcome this time around. With starter Shawn Shigematsu out, Levi Legay will get his chance at right tackle. (Subs req) And Ferd Lewis talks to Miah Owstrowski on how he's dealing with his foot injury. (subs req)
"I don't remember the last time that I couldn't play; that I had to miss a game with an injury," Ostrowski said with a shake of the head. "Not even in high school, I don't think."
HawaiiAthletics.com has post-game interviews with Greg McMackin, Bryant Moniz, Miah Ostrowski and Richard Torres after UH lost to Washington 40-32.
And here are the wrap-ups:
Not quite, by Stephen Tsai of the Subscription Required Star Advertiser
"It's not a game of inches, it's a game of centimeters," UH kicker Tyler Hadden said. "If I had half a rotation more (on the football), I would have been on it. No one was around it. I was sitting around waiting for it to go 10 yards. So close. Just so close. That's how it goes."
It was a recurring theme for the Warriors, who could not overcome dropped passes, missed assignments and point-after breakdowns.
"I'm disappointed about the loss," UH defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu said, "but not about the heart of the team. We'll be back."
Tsai also writes that Ostrowski and Sean Shigematsu are injured.
The Warriors' perseverance in closing the gap to seven- (21-14), eight- (28-20), five- (31-26) and six-point (38-32) spreads was both remarkable and praiseworthy, especially under the perpetual "H-u-s-k-i-e-s" verbal bombardment from the partisan majority of 63,352 on hand.
Unfortunately the execution was too often lacking in the form of a fumble at the Washington 5-yard line, two blocked kicks, dropped passes and penalties.
Torres said, "I was roaming and trying to disguise it from the quarterback (Keith Price). I saw the pattern develop, saw the ball and just tried to break to it. I was excited, but made sure I made the catch and tucked it away good and then headed upfield as fast as I could."
Last year UH was 96th among 120 NCAA major college football teams in kickoff returns, averaging 20.16 yards per return. So far this season, Edwards is averaging 29.25 yards per kickoff return.
"I feel like I'm ready to break one, I really am," Edwards said. "Just one more block ..."
Miano said Hopkins is considered one of the leaders of the secondary.
"It hurts because he practiced so well," Miano said. "He works hard. He does it every day in practice, but he struggled in this game. That's the life of a defensive back. You can either lose your confidence or realize, hey, there's another game to be played next week. He'll get his confidence back."
“There’s a reason they won 10 games last year, and they’ll probably win games this year,” Sarkisian said. “The quarterback is a special player. The kid is talented.”
"We learned some things about ourselves, but I learned also that they're not going to quit," McMackin said. "They're going to fight. They were down 21-0 and fought all the way to the end."
ART: The pick was desperately needed because the defense was getting shredded between the 20s by Hawaii QB Bryant Moniz. I was prepared to be skeptical, but he’s a wonderful college QB. His 333 yards passing means UW’s defense has given up 806 yards in the air in the first two games.
Man, what could've been. After going down 21-0 in the first quarter, UH slowly but steadily fought their way back, but could never quite overtake Washington. The Huskies had to recover an onside kick to seal the deal. Bryant Moniz showed resilience and calm under pressure, finishing 31 of 45 for 333 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. He also added a rushing TD. Sterling Jackson had two rushing TDs. Royce Pollard had 8 catches for 128 yards. Richard Torres had an exciting 99-yard interception return for a TD. Lots of good things happened, but a lot of little mistakes too. A good game to build off of for the Warriors. Onto UNLV!
I just got off the phone with OCEANIC and they said they have been experiencing problems with channel 255 and 1255 (HD) since Thursday. They are still working on the signal so they said to do the following:
1) Tune in to channel 256 or 1256 (HD).
2) If you set your DVR, you MUST set it from it's original time from 7:30 to 1pm.
3) Alter the end time to 1 hour later (should the game run into overtime)
If you don't do the following and leave it on 255 or 1255 you may either get a weak or NO Signal. Also if you try and set your DVR to start at 9:30 (kickoff) it will probably not record.
Outside of Hawaii, via ROOT Sports. Check you cable or satellite listings.
Streaming Video:
Unfortunately, there's no streaming video for this game.
UH's first road game of the season in what is said to be one of the loudest stadiums in all of college football. One of the keys to the game is for UH to take the crowd out of it early. But Washington is "on edge" and eager to put on a good showing against the Warriors after nearly blowing it against I-AA Eastern Washington last week.
How much will Bryant Moniz and the passing game improve from last week? Although I love how fast Moniz looks this year when he's running the ball, I also get "on edge" when he takes off. You know Washington will be keying on him.
UH's offensive line gave up five sacks last week. Washington's defensive line is supposedly better than Colorado's. Let's hope UH can give Moniz time to get in sync with his receivers.
If Joey Iosefa gets to the second level, I have visions of Nasti Nate-style bowlings-over of unsuspecting DBs.
I want to see punt returner Scott Harding get some space to run. From what I saw last week, he looks like he could be a good one.
Colorado was supposed to run the ball down the Warriors' throat last week. UH held them to 17 yards rushing. Washington tailback Chris Polk is coming off 1400 rushing yards last season. It'll be an interesting matchup to watch.
Here are some game day articles:
HawaiiNewsNow.com has a report from Seattle. The video includes interviews with Vaughn Meatoga, Paipai Falemalu, Aaron Brown and Corey Paredes.
Ultimately, having played Eastern's wide open pass system could have been the perfect preparation for playing Hawaii, but only if the Huskies learn from the tentative approach that hampered them defensively in the opener.
"This is definitely a big game for our program, and it would do a lot of great things if we could win it," Moniz said. "Everybody knows who the Huskies are, and we are trying to let everyone know who the Warriors are."
--- He said the strength of Hawaii's defense is its line and that "the key for us is how we are going to handle them, scheme or protection, different things we are going to do to combat that.''
--- He said a key for the offense is to "find a way to get the ball into the secondary, throwing it or running it, and then we can have some success with some explosive plays.''
To say that the UW defense has been working on pass coverage this week would be like saying Joan Rivers has had some work done on her face. The Huskies put an all-out attack on their leaky pass defense and are hoping that six days is enough time to plug the gaps.
Look for Richardson to start as Washington goes to five and even six defensive backs against Hawaii.
Sarkisian described a three-cornerback scheme with Desmond Trufant, the hero of last week by intercepted Eastern's last pass in the end zone in the final minute, and Greg Ducre outside and Richardson often inside against Hawaii's slot receivers.
Hawaii figures to be much better than Eastern on defense, especially up front. The good news for UW is that Chris Polk should be back to top form after finally having a full week of practice, and that QB Keith Price and receiver Jermaine Kearse also again appear healthy.
Sarkisian has also promised to open up the playbook some more (so don't be surprised to see some surprises) and maybe that will help the Huskies get some of the "explosive plays'' that were so missing last week.
Moniz isn't going to be able to run on Washington. I would be very surprised if Hawaii as a team picks up more than 75 yards against the Washington defense. As bad as the Huskies were against the pass last week they still have the ability up front to shut down the running games of most of the teams they will play this season.
That something is the run in the run-and-shoot offense that Hawaii employs and since their 41-10 loss in the Sugar Bowl it has increased steadily in each of McMackin's three years as head coach; from 683 yards in 2007, to just over 1,300 yards in 2008 and 2009, to nearly 1,500 yards in 2010.
You need a subscription to the Star Advertiser to read the following articles.
Dave Reardon writes that Washington is a lot better than Colorado.
Moniz had difficulties passing against Colorado. The risky but brilliant coaching move of letting him loose as a runner negated that, but you know Washington will be ready for it.
The UH quarterback was like a pitcher without his good stuff finding a way to win. He'll need more than that to have a chance against Washington.
Kevin Riley talks to members of the UH defense about facing Washington.
"We expect them to run the same kind of offense as Colorado," linebacker Aaron Brown said. "The same kind of [running] plays, the Power-O, the toss-sweep; so it's going to be a physical game."
The Warriors took 13 receivers, although Charles Clay, Justin Clapp and Scott Harding will be used mostly on special teams.
There are 13 defensive linemen, but end Beau Yap will be used as the snapper on field-goal attempts and point-after kicks. Luke Ingram will handle the long snaps on punts.
The travel roster includes three quarterbacks and three running backs. That means other position players will have to be used on the scout teams in next week's practices in Las Vegas.
Want to ask Travis LaBoy anything? Chargers.com is taking questions for a Q&A later in the week.
Chad Owens was named Gibson's Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week.
Owens had his best showing of the season on Friday night, returning four kickoffs for 245 yards, including a 91-yard return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Owens also returned four punts for 48 yards, including a 21-yarder, and caught three passes for 16 yards in the Argos' 29-16 loss to the BC Lions. Owens leads the league with 1,269 combined return yards in 2011.
Sure, Hunter’s gone against the likes of Mario Williams, Justin Tuck and Cameron Wake before.
But arguably none of those edge rushers are as talented and versatile as Dallas’s hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end DeMarcus Ware.
“I’ve had my fair of Pro Bowl guys with Mario, Justin and Cameron,” Hunter said after Wednesday’s practice. “But I think DeMarcus is a combination of all three of those guys in one. I think the guy is pretty amazing. I love the challenge. I’m really excited to go up against him.”
If the Warriors are smart, they'll let Moniz loose again and let him make plays with his legs since the Washington run defense is still a work in progress. However, Hawaii has to make sure that its quarterback also finds a groove passing the ball in order to find a more balanced attack and keep Moniz from taking unnecessary hits down the field.
UW sophomore safety Taz Stevenson shook his head at Moniz’s numbers. As a freshman for Mililani High, Stevenson played against Moniz, who went to Leilehua High, in one of Hawaii’s bigger high school rivalry games.
“He scrambled on us and had a big arm and threw deep,” Stevenson said. “I knew he was a good player. But I didn’t know he’d be like that.”
Ferd Lewis writes that Huskies cornerback Desmond Trufant can't wait to face Moniz (subscription required).
After Eastern Washington attempted 69 passes (completing 39 for 473 yards), he can hardly wait to see what UH, with the nation's passing leader in 2010, might put in the air.
"That means more opportunities for the secondary. I mean, it gets you all hyped up pretty much," Trufant said.
"Hawaii has a real good quarterback (Bryant Moniz) and we know they are gonna pass and pretty much the game is going to be in our hands," Trufant said.
Stephen Tsai profiles Warriors defensive end Liko Satele (subscription required).
"What he did Saturday was not a surprise -- not to the coaches," Lee said. "He's been doing that all during our practices. It's not like we were shocked he was playing well. What you do in practice is what you're supposed to do in a game. He was sacking and putting tremendous pressure in practice. We were waiting for him to do that in the game."
Satele shrugged, and said: "I was waiting for me, too."
Tsai writes that defensive back Kenny Estes will see an expanded role vs. Washington (subscription required).
This weekend, Estes will play the rover-like position called quarter in several defensive schemes.
"Kenny is a senior, a great athlete, and we consider him one of our starters," associate head coach Rich Miano said.
Dave Reardon talks to Dick Tomey about the UH special teams (subscription required).
"There were a lot of good things. But when you break it down and look at individual technique there are so many things we can do better," Tomey said Tuesday after practice. "As you know, coaches are never satisfied completely."
That tells you how much this group has progressed under Tomey. Last year the special teams had to worry about correcting mistakes to avert disasters, now it's about a little tinkering in order to totally ruin the opponents' day.
The San Diego Chargers released a depth chart on Monday and Travis LaBoy was listed as the starting outside linebacker. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky brought him onto this defense and we could see this becoming a possibility. LaBoy knows Manusky’s system and Manusky has a lot of trust in him.
GoHuskies.com profiles Washington defensive end Hauoli Jamora, who went to Kahuku and is related or in-laws with several UH players.
"We were talking trash a little bit to each other, but all just fun and jokes," Jamora said. "We all want each other to play to the best of our abilities and see what happens."
He also talks about growing up a UH fan.
Jamora committed late in his senior season to Washington, after a plan to sign with Brigham Young fell through and Hawai'i came on late. He says Warriors football is king on the islands.
"Whoo! Everybody loves football in Hawai'i, I can say. All my family, all my friends are into it," he said. "From when I was a little kid I wanted to play for UH because I went and saw them all the time. I watched them on TV.
"But," he added with a laugh and a nod toward Saturday's reunion, "not anymore."
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times has video of Jamora's interview with the press. He has some interesting things to say about choosing the Huskies over the Warriors, and the recruiting process in general - the lure to stay home vs. going away. It's what UH has to contend with every single year. Condotta also has a profile of Jamora.
Ferd Lewis profiles Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian (subscription required).
In the first three practices last week, Brown, who was allowed to work out, was on the scout team.
"I got kicked off of scout team because I was going too hard," Brown said. "I wanted to get my work in. I didn't want to take any plays off."
Brown and Bright apologized to teammates and coaches for their arrests.
"I do have regrets," Brown said. "Life is full of decisions. You have to learn from them. It was a bad decision I made. I have to move forward from here."
Rolovich said Colorado defensive coordinator Greg Brown “threw a lot at us”. His schemes are very “creative” and “exotic”. While he is a man coverage type of coordinator, he gave us some looks up front that gave us problems with our protection. Gordy Shaw, the offensive line coach who has been coaching for 35 years said he had never seen these looks. Three of the five sacks were the result of miscommunication or lack of communication by the offensive line.
And the Youtuber who posted game highlights all last year is back! Here's a link to UHCU2011's Youtube channel with all kinds of highlights from the Colorado game. Below is Bryant Moniz's 56-yard touchdown run. I still can't get over how fast and powerful he looks on the ground this year.
Okay, one more Colorado article before we move onto Washington, because this is a good one. B.G. Brooks of CUBuffs.com talks to Colorado defensive coordinator Greg Brown about what surprised him during the game.
Still, Brown and his defensive staff believe if containment is kept and assignments followed, Moniz can be neutralized. After all, in CU's eventually lopsided (31-13) win a year ago in Boulder, Moniz ran six times for minus-5 yards. He was a run-and-shoot QB first, a passer by choice.
But on UH's first possession of Saturday night's second quarter, which has the Warriors at their own 43-yard line, Moniz takes the center snap, sticks the ball in the belly of tailback Joey Isofea, reads the Buffs linebackers, then deftly pulls the ball back and runs virtually untouched for a 57-yard touchdown.
Brown blinks . . . and blinks again.
Zone read option?
What?
Lots of great quotes in that article. Good stuff.
::::::
There are quite a few Washington Huskies-related blogs which will have a lot of news leading up to the game. I probably won't be able to keep up. Here they are:
After barely getting by Eastern Washington and their 473 passing yards, Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian hopes his team doesn't let Hawaii do the same.
Moniz manages the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense, presenting Washington with a second consecutive opponent that will spend most of the day spreading it out with four receivers or more.
"They could become very similar (to Eastern) if we allow the game to go that way,'' Sarkisian said. "Hopefully we can get them out of that mold of dinking and dunking their way down the field.''
"It's only going to get more challenging," Sarkisian said. "We will probably see another 60 pass attempts from Hawaii so we better figure it out."
Actually, he does give UH lots of props in today's press conference. Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times has a transcript.
"...Last year, they had a veteran group of wide receivers and he got into that system and played a very fast, mentally fast, brand of football where the ball was out, the anticipation was there and he's an accurate passer. This year they are breaking in some new guys at the wide receiver spot, why he pulled the down a little bit more last week, I don't know. Maybe the sync - they weren't quite there yet. But they will get there. He's too good of a quarterback and they are too good of coaches not to get there.''
"These guys get after the quarterback, so the game's going to start there and it's going to be a real challenge for our offensive line," Sarkisian said. "They need to respond. We didn't play real well last week, not up to the standards of the University of Washington that's for sure."
The Huskies do have second-year players who are starting on the offensive line, so Sarkisian didn't know what to expect going into the first game. But after what he saw and didn't like to open the season, expect them to be more motivated against Hawaii or there may end up being changes along the line.
The Washington-Hawai'i game will air live to a regional audience on ROOT Sports television (formerly FSN Northwest) with Tom Glasgow, former Husky and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon, Jason Stiles and Jen Mueller providing the commentary.
I'm sure Moon will provide some run-and-shoot insight.
And UW Huskies Insider has UH's weekly press release before UH does. It'll probably be on HawaiiAthletics.com tomorrow morning.
HawaiiAthletics.com has video of Greg McMackin's Monday press conference (along with a transcript):
They also have "Episode 1" of the Mighty Mo campaign, which is Bryant Moniz highlights from the Colorado game:
And SportsHawaii.com has video of the football team doing the haka before the Colorado game. Or they could be holding a press conference. There are a ton of cameramen on the field with them.
In addition to being named the WAC's offensive player of the week, Bryant Moniz received a helmet sticker from ESPN.com's Non-AQ College Football Nation Blog.
Bryant Moniz, Hawaii. Moniz threw for 5,000 yards last season but he helped the Warriors beat Colorado with his legs. Moniz ran for 121 yards and three touchdowns -- the most rushing yards by a Hawaii quarterback since Glenn Freitas had 122 yards and four touchdowns against UTEP in 1995.
Ryan Thorburn of The Daily Camera has a lot of post-game quotes.
More than 30 minutes after a 34-17 loss to Hawaii, Colorado offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy emerged from the team locker room Saturday night still shaking his head.
Tyler Alger of The Garden Island completes his five-part "Kauai Guys" series with an excellent profile of UH defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga.
But for all of the good that Vaughn does on the field, his biggest contributions for the Warriors are off it. Vaughn will be a captain once again this season because of the leadership abilities he shows with the team. Vaughn takes time to give tips to the younger players on the team, especially his fellow Kauaians, Siasau Matagiese and Sean Shigematsu.
Both Matagiese and Shigematsu said Vaughn has played an intricate role in their development as football players. As a defensive lineman, Metegiese learns from Vaughn first hand. He can mimic what Vaughn does and has a great resource in his senior teammate if he ever needs it.
Here's an interview Leahey & Leahey did with Vaughn right before the Colorado game. Check out the Leahey & Leahey archive page for more interviews, including recent ones with Jake Heun and Dick Tomey.
Kevin Riley also had a great profile of cornerback and kick returner Mike Edwards on the Bleacher Report.
Edwards said he is excited to be in Hawaii, "Just because they allow me to be here. Allow me to have peace. Allow me to have freedom, and I love them for (that). And I love them for allowing me to go into Aloha Stadium and play my first game here this weekend."
And Ka Leo O Hawaii has an interview with offensive guard Brett Leonard.
Hawaii News Now has video of UH performing the haka and running out of the giant helmet prior to the Colorado game. There's also a giant ad on the bottom right of the screen for The Coach Mack Show, which will hopefully pop up online here at some point.
Congrats to Bryant Moniz and Paipai Falemalu, who were named WAC offensive and defensive players of the week today.
Moniz, a senior from Wahiawa, O'ahu (Fresno City College), led the team in both rushing and passing in Hawai'i's 34-17 win over Colorado on Saturday. Moniz completed 20-of-33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown while adding a career-high 121 rushing yards on 14 carries with three more scores. His long run of the day was for 57 yards and a touchdown to give the Warriors a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.
Falemalu, a junior from Hau'ula, O'ahu (Kahuku HS), tallied six tackles (5 solo), including three for a loss in the game against Colorado. Falemalu had two solo sacks for a loss of 14 yards and added another tackle for loss in helping to hold Colorado to just 17 rushing yards and a total of 240 offensive yards.
Stephen Tsai writes that linebacker Aaron Brown and receiver Darius Bright are no longer suspended.
Head coach Greg McMackin and athletic director Jim Donovan have completed their investigation, and linebacker Aaron Brown and left wideout Darius Bright will not have to serve an additional suspension.
McMackin is expected to impose community-service requirements on the pair.
Greg Salas, Kealoha Pilares, Alex Green and Ikaika Alama-Francis, who at one time or another were considered to be on the bubble, all made their respective teams' 53-man rosters.
Stephen Tsai has a wrap-up of Hawaii's 34-17 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes. Subscription required to view Star Advertiser links.
"I never ran that much in high school (or) Pop Warner," said Moniz, who led the nation in passing yards and touchdown throws in 2010. "I don't think I've ever had a 100-yard rushing game. Never."
During one point, Moniz alerted offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich.
"I told Coach my legs were tired," Moniz recalled, "and then he called a run play."
As we stated above, the Buffs had 17 net rushing yards, allowed seven sacks, punted the ball on the first five possessions and totaled just 240 offensive yards. To put that in perspective, Colorado's worst offensive performance last year under Dan Hawkins was 241 yards.
Hawaii was prepared to use Moniz more as a running threat than they had in the past if the situation called for it.
"We talked in the off-season about it," Rolovich said after the game. "(And since) he's our leader on offense... we put it on him. (Tonight) he did it with his legs; he's a complete football player... We're on his back on offense, and he's carrying us. And like I say, he doesn't care how we do it he just wants to win. He wants to win for this state, it means something to him being Hawaiian and being proud of it, and bringing some eyes over here to the islands, that's what he's about."
The Warriors had called the shovel pass — a longtime staple of the UH playbook — once earlier, but the Buffaloes covered it and Moniz kept the ball instead.
When Rolovich called it again in the fourth quarter, Colorado again appeared to have it sniffed out as Moniz rolled to his right. But he found just enough of a window to get it to Iosefa.
"I don't know how it got in there, seriously," Moniz said. "When I watch film I think I still won't know."
UH's defensive line was already pumped up over pregame talk that Colorado would throw a figurative first punch by running the ball down UH's throat. Instead, the line had the last word by getting to the source of the Buffaloes attack.
"First of all, it felt good to just hit someone else," said Falemalu, who credited the secondary for giving the line time to get to Hansen. "It felt REAL good to get all those back-to-back sacks."
But after the ears stopped ringing from the paint-peeling, expletive-laced "talk," the message eventually got through and so did the defense as the Warriors put both the Buffaloes and the Rocky Mountain Horror Show of 2010 behind them in a rousing 34-17 victory on national TV.
Later in the half, the Buffaloes lost left tackle David Bakhtiari to a knee injury and Hawaii made them pay with seven second-half sacks.
"That hurt a lot," said Hansen, who finished 16-for-30 for 223 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. "That definitely messed up a little bit of our chemistry."
If you didn't already know it, you learned it Saturday: Bryant Moniz isn't just a passer, he's a complete football player.
"He took ownership for those underthrows," defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga said. "And then he made things happen, even when there wasn't anything there."
The Star-Advertiser has some news and notes from the game, including this one about Mike Edwards' 48-yard kickoff return:
The return jump-started a UH possession that extended the lead to 24-7. UH's longest return last year was 40 yards.
"It was pretty much the way we practice it," Edwards said. "(Dick) Tomey is a real good special teams coach. He just preaches to us to work hard and everybody executed."
HawaiiAthletics.com has a game summary along with links to a box score and post-game notes and quotes.
Senior quarterback Bryant Moniz rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns, while the UH defense shutout the Buffaloes in the first half in helping the Warriors pick up a season-opening win over a BCS squad, while also avenging last year's 31-13 loss to the Buffaloes in Boulder.
UH held Colorado to 17 yards rushing and 240 yards overall.
The UH defense has 7 sacks, all occurring in the second half. Paipai Falemalu had two of them.
One thing to watch early is how aggressive defensive coordinator Greg Brown will be in trying to get to the quarterback. Undoubtedly, Brown will be looking to protect his inexperienced cornerbacks.
Stephen Tsai has a game preview with breakdowns of the offense, defense and special teams of UH and CU (subscription required, but you know that).
"They want to throw the first punch, and the first punch is probably at our nose," Meatoga said. "They have every right to feel that way because of the way we played last year. This will be a challenge for us. When you challenge us, we tend to try to step up to the challenge."
More than most games the Warriors will play this year, this one figures to be a throwback to the leather helmet, in-your-face days of black-and-blue physical superiority. It recalls an era in which imposing a will on the other guy took precedence over trying to elude him.
First-year Colorado coach Jon Embree, a former tight end for the Buffaloes, promises it up front and UH's Greg McMackin, an old lineman, sure isn't ducking it.
"There are a lot of guys whom we'll see what they're made of when the lights come on, and what this offensive unit is made of," Rolovich said. "I appreciate their hard work. There's no laziness. There's a desire to do well. … There's no questioning the scheme. Now they have to make plays."
Circumstances are different than when CU won 31-13 in last year’s meeting. The Warriors were coming off a road game at Army the week prior. The Buffs’ coach was Dan Hawkins. Yes, an embattled Dan Hawkins who eventually got his walking papers. But the same Dan Hawkins that Hawaii never beat at Boise State.
A year later, Hawkins is gone. Hawaii’s young coordinators are a year wiser — Nick Rolovich’s charges won’t go 1-for-5 trying to score touchdowns from the red zone this time; Dave Aranda’s will be better conditioned and positioned not to be stampeded in the second half.
Tonight, Moniz goes against senior Travis Sandersfeld, a converted safety starting his first game at cornerback, and Greg Henderson, a true freshman whose last game was with Norco High in Corona, Calif.
Embree has made no secret of the game plan: Lot's of Rodney Stewart, and as little as possible of Bryant Moniz (the Warriors' quarterback and a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate).
"I have expectations in that we are going to hit you in the mouth. I have expectations that we are going to compete. I have expectations that the other teams are going to have to beat us," Embree said. "We are not going out there to lose. Those are my expectations."
Tyler Hansen will once again be handing the ball off to the tailbacks and also transitioning from Dan Hawkins' anemic spread attack to a more traditional pro-style offense.
Only five players on this year's squad experienced Colorado's last road victory, including senior guard Ryan Miller.
"It's humongous. I don't care what anybody says," Miller said about getting a road win. "This is where we've got to start. ... We're going to play football. We're not going to enjoy the islands of aloha."
You WILL enjoy the islands of aloha, dammit!
CUBuffs.com highlights CU guard Sione Tau's uncle, Vili the Warrior.
Offensive line coach Gordy Shaw said Faaumu will be in the opening lineup for Saturday's game against Colorado, and that Winchester-Makainai will enter in UH's second or third offensive series.
Tsai writes that the placekicking job will be handled by two kickers.
"The competition was too close to eliminate one guy," said Dick Tomey, who coordinates UH's special teams. "We're going to play both of them."
I believe all the articles that follow are part of the Star Advertiser's 2012 UH Football Preview, titled "Armed Forces".
Chad Owens broke a Toronto Argonauts club record with 245 yard kick return yards, including a 91-yard return for a TD, but the Argos lost to the BC Lions 29-16. You can watch the kick return here, starting at about 1:30 in. He averaged 61.3 yards on four kick returns. On the other side of the field, Solomon Elimimian had 5 tackles and 1 interception for the Lions.
Edwards, Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Legedu Naanee are likely to make the roster. So is rookie Kealoha Pilares, according to general manager Marty Hurney, despite the fact he’ll miss about a month with a high ankle sprain.
Then again, you never know what will happen before the actual cut deadline.
The Jaguars like what they see so far this preseason from C John Estes. A free agent rookie last season, he has performed well and could be the team’s center of the future.
“I’m looking forward to it, I really am, since I haven’t been hit since October. It’s going to be interesting, but I think I’m going to enjoy it. It’s going to feel good. Let’s see, let’s go.”
Meatoga said Masch uses his quickness and strength to create his own style.
“If you were to describe his play, he’s very unorthodox,” Meatoga said. “He encourages people not to do what he does. It works for him, but it wouldn’t work for others.”
Tuipulotu referred to Meatoga as a recovering angry man.
Natalie Meisler of The Denver Post writes about the Colorado freshmen who will see significant playing time.
"I worked hard all summer for this," freshman starting kicker Will Oliver said. "I came straight here from high school."
First-year coach Jon Embree and his staff wasted no time blending their recruits with returning players. Two other freshman starters are right cornerback Greg Henderson and walk-on punter Darragh O'Neill of Fairview.
Vittorio Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle profiles Raiders starting center Samson Satele.
"Sammy's a hard worker, a very hard worker," Campbell said. "A lot of people don't appreciate what he brings to our team. People say he's too small, but he fight his butt off against guys who are 6-5. He's strong and he's fast and can get out on screens."
Wisniewski will be starting at guard alongside Satele in Denver on Sept. 12.
"Sammy's becoming a leader on the offensive line, and he and I have great communication with each other, pointing out blitzes and making sure we're on the same page," Campbell said.
