Healthy McDonald returns to practice

Quarterback Cole McDonald, who did not play in this past Saturday's game because of an undisclosed injury, warms up before today's practice. / Photo by Stephen Tsai

The leader of the Warriors’ offense – quarterback Cole McDonald — practiced today after missing Saturday’s game because of an undisclosed injury.

“I’m back,” McDonald said following a 2-hour practice in which he easily threw a variety of passes.

McDonald said it was a game-time decision to not play.

“I just couldn’t get ready,” McDonald said. “My body needed some more time. So that’s what we decided.”

But McDonald spent the game offering tips to freshman Chevan Cordeiro, who was playing in his first UH game.


“I just tried to help him out as much as I could,” McDonald said.

Quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann said McDonald and Cordeiro are close friends.

“Character and personality wise, they’re complete opposites,” Stutzmann said. “But at the same time, they get along very well. They’re like brothers. It”s like two puppies in our quarterback room. Sometimes you’ve got to tell them, ‘hey, stop playing around with each other.’ They’re good friends and competitive friends, but they get along. That’s the main thing.”

COMMENTS

  1. cheepono October 9, 2018 12:01 pm

    Can’t take anything for granted with rolo. #kgb


  2. haka October 9, 2018 12:02 pm

    Yes!
    Go Warriors!
    Beat BYU!


  3. haka October 9, 2018 12:05 pm

    Very nice that they are such good friends. They got each others back!
    We just may need both, depending on Cole’s injury and how the game goes.
    Can’t wait!


  4. ai-eee-soos October 9, 2018 12:09 pm

    I first learned about Cole being at practice this morning, on

    a BYU blog.

    It was a tweet from Rob DeMello.

    How you figgah ?


  5. ai-eee-soos October 9, 2018 12:16 pm

    for those who indulge in adult entertainment,

    the odds, looking at several houses:

    the odds have moved from -15.5 to -12.5.


  6. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 12:38 pm

    #79 bobbob previous post.

    That is an excellent idea. Raise the fees (maybe even higher than double) but offer up coupons (tradable, random, but of value) in exchange for entry. Free (dollar amount, like the gift cards they give you at Target) coupons for random (sponsors) places students like to go to such as…..Starbucks, Subway, Lanikai Juice, Mc Donalds, Ala Moana, Movie Theatres, Jamba Juice, Times etc. Their collective parents would suggest they go just to get even value for their cost. Has to be equal (or greater than for students) though. Good idea. All good ideas yesterday. Keep them coming.


  7. haka October 9, 2018 12:40 pm

    With the temperature looking to be in the mid 40’s let’s hope the injury does not become an issue…whatever it is. #casselfakenews


  8. Old School Dave October 9, 2018 12:42 pm

    Great to see Cole back at practice!! In reality, the BYU game means nothing and MWC play is and should be the focus.

    Some say that BYU will have a breakout game in order to save Sitake’s job. In reality the BYU job is one that is hard to fill and they will give Sitake a long leash because he’s a BYU guy. Who can they hire? Andy Reid? Nope! Kenny Niumatalolo? Nope! Kyle Whittingham? Nope! The HC has to a member of the LDS Church and those of note who are, aren’t interested in coaching at Provo. Even top LDS players are interested in P5 schools and not BYU now.

    UH head football coach is the lowest paid in the MWC (but could be the Coach of the Year). UH charges the lowest student activity fee in the MWC. Hmmm…… I’m beginning to see a pattern here! BTW, an activity fee of some $130 a semester comes out to $8.12 a week which is not even beer money.


  9. A-House October 9, 2018 12:46 pm

    my conclusion for Cole’s absence is his body got beat up and needed TLC.

    Stadium Authority should put out bids to anyone who wants to sell food during UH games — why are they stuck to a single provider? why sign such a contract? seems like monopoly to me.

    would Burger King or McDonald’s be interested? plate lunch/mom & pop shops?, etc. food prices are too much — like theaters – ticket is $8, but cost $30 + for soda, popcorn, hot dog?


  10. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 12:54 pm

    If I were a business I wouldn’t hesitate to jump in as a sponsor and have my coupons (in actual dollar amounts) eventually get into the hands of students (as opposed to Seniors; no offense). Students do a lot of things in packs and when they all choose to go to Subway because three have coupons, the others that don’t have one will buy Subway with cash. They will also go over their cash value of the coupon. Seniors will all go to their separate places and stay within their coupons value. I would jump on as a sponsor quick. Just my opinion here. No offense intended.


  11. Mytake October 9, 2018 12:59 pm

    A Powerball Lottery in Hawaii would finance a new stadium, free parking, free hotdogs, free beer, finance rail, public schools, repave roads, replace underground pipes, the homeless and have money left over for a new airport!


  12. Maddog50 October 9, 2018 1:03 pm

    Although I’m on to BYU one last thing. Watched Coach Bohls press conference post Hawaii pre Fresno. In coachspeak was a bunch of excuses for his team that is supposed to be his best since he got there. Gave lip service to Hawaii defense “they play pretty good too after heaping accolades on Fresno. Touched on the travel schedule which he does not care for-Hey Coach don’t forget your offense got shut out (no td). Your defense played against a true freshman in his first start and first game-quite honestly this game score should have been about 28-14 or less. I’m sure he wasn’t concerned about our travel schedule when we gifted him a game at home after stopping Josh Allen for 66 yards passing in regulation. I thought Coach Bohl was more of a Rocky Long kind of guy-guess not. They are lucky they did not have more “splainin” to do. Good luck as your season falls apart-Regarding Chevan C, this kid made one mistake th entire game. All the other stuff is adjusting to a different stage. I thought he did well everything taken into consideration. I still want Cole as he is more game ready and actually hope his time off and hopefully rest will allow him to come back a little refreshed. No game is out of reach with a little bit of luck, not this week or any that follow!!! GoWarriors!


  13. Da Punchbowl Kid October 9, 2018 1:14 pm

    I actually saw Coach Bohl on the way out of the stadium. He looked pissed. Dat’s about all I can say.

    Glad Cole’s back, hope he is truly good to go. Whatever happens, I have faith in God and the Warriors.

    GO WARRIORS!!!


  14. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 1:19 pm

    For the student section , give away five $50 to $100 gift cards (ticket stub random drawing) to places (Sponsors) such as Ala Moana, Foodland, Dave and Buster’s, AT&T, Don Quixote, etc. During the long Media timeout at about the 12:00 mark of the fourth. Comes out to about $3500 per year. I’m sure they can get that much in sponsorship especially with the program (the eventual goal will be every sport) heading in the right direction. Football will drive the ship for right now. Black ink soon.


  15. kalua pig October 9, 2018 1:48 pm

    watashi baka yo ne…obaka san yo ne…


  16. islandman October 9, 2018 2:26 pm

    On the game replay, after the game Bohl said it was a good game and that they needed 2 seconds or something in order to make another play.
    8. As for the BYU game meaning nothing, it could mean clinching the Hawaii Bowl berth.


  17. tommui October 9, 2018 3:23 pm

    GOOD AFTERNOON, HAWAII!

    Suckkabooya wrote “Raise the fees (athletic fees) (maybe even higher than double) ”

    Being pake, if the fees were higher like UCSD, I wonder if the students would go to the games thinking that as they are paying through the nose, they should go otherwise it would be wasting money.

    If the fees were small, they probably would figure it’s only loose change.


  18. Andrew October 9, 2018 3:47 pm

    16.
    I don’t get fans saying the BYU game doesn’t mean much and that they should concentrate on conference games. The BYU game is still a game on the schedule and is going to be a W or an L. Winning @ BYU would be the first victory ever for the program there. Winning would obviously mean a bowl birth but it also can add more momentum and confidence for the team heading into the tougher part of the conference schedule. This game is huge.


  19. warriorsanddolphins October 9, 2018 3:56 pm

    How come nobody talks about Jeremy Moussa? I heard he has the strongest arm on the team and he also is tall at 6’2. I think he should get a chance.


  20. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 4:06 pm

    #17 tommui

    They would get their money back as cash coupons at various places (sponsors) dependent upon the student attending the Football game. They would recoup their fee over the course of the semester. In essence the sponsors would be paying the increase. The sponsors would benefit by potentially increasing sales and more visibility. Or just return the cash as bobbob had suggested. Just got to attend the game to get your refund though.


  21. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 4:16 pm

    And since we are paying $10?? for a beer (I don’t drink in the Stadium) how about the cups having the “Island Chain” logo with the “H” logo on the cups. The Sponsor (the Company paying for the printing) would have their name on the opposite side. Marketing. Would be less to clean up (people would take them home) and might even re-sell on ebay. Just an idea.


  22. H-Man October 9, 2018 4:24 pm

    He’s third banana here. After this past week, Moussa probably thinking transfer with four to play three and a chance to start somewhere else.


  23. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 4:42 pm

    I wonder if they can do a (power ball? or maybe bingo?) lottery in the Stadium. $1 from every ticket goes into the lottery and a winner (or you can have several winners) is drawn at the 4th quarter Media timeout. The logistics would have to be worked out and I don’t know if it’s even legal. Would be fun though. Winners might need an escort posse when we get back to 50000 fans. Would be fun I think.


  24. dreamcitymike October 9, 2018 4:46 pm

    This week’s game in Provo is big time as far as recruiting the poly & 3 star players who may have local ties to the islands …need to keep the winning ways especially on national TV!! Live Aloha/ Play Warrior!!


  25. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 4:58 pm

    Moussa needs to stay. His chance is coming for sure. He is an important piece to this budding “dynasty” here. Important….. Everything’s coming together “piece by piece”. The big picture is starting to come into focus. Marketing is the next step. Then attendance is the next. Then TV viewership (even internationally) is next. More steps to follow as we reach each milestone. The “sky is the limit” after we hit each and every step. The “Big Picture”, is clearer now, you can almost see it. Success in every Sport (even University enrollment) pretty soon. Possible larger donor base when the steps are completed. But Football first. University of Hawaii, money making machine.


  26. SangamonKeith October 9, 2018 5:00 pm

    #19 Moussa just needs time to get accustom to run ‘n shoot. Should redshirt this year … could become star once he masters offense. Since Rolo likes RPO, he needs to improve as a runner.


  27. Old School Dave October 9, 2018 5:16 pm

    Of course a win at BYU would be fantastic. Always want to beat them. I think this team can beat them at Provo. The last time up there UH played them close, losing 35-32. At the same time, a loss won’t mean the end of the world or season as MWC play resumes.


  28. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 5:19 pm

    Will be pretty soon (I’m sure of it) that there will be a high profile (and highly compensated) Warrior in the NFL and NBA. Look at what Mariota has done for not only the Boy’s and Girl’s club here but for UH as well. Once Kolten has established his income he will help financially some programs here in a similar way too I think. Eventually helping the University. He is busy helping his people on the Big Island right now. Not only is it possibly creating a future fan base, but perhaps one of those hundreds of kids will be the founder, or exec, or celebrity that will “pay it forward” as to the appreciation in what has been given to them. The University should do their part in giving to programs like this. The return will be realized if you trust the “Big Picture”. Good for Mariota. Great, great person.


  29. Stephen Tsai October 9, 2018 5:51 pm

    Coaches speak highly of Moussa. They think they can win with McDonald, Cordeiro, Moussa or Cassel. Uahinui and Tuileta aren’t too shabby. As Rolo said, as far as I know you can only play one QB at a time.


  30. alnbama October 9, 2018 6:41 pm

    ST, Alabama actually had Tua and Hurts in at the same time on a couple of plays.


  31. amela October 9, 2018 6:50 pm

    No worry about traffic and parking when the rail is here. Cost for a ride $12 one way times 2? Yikes!


  32. burro sabio October 9, 2018 7:09 pm

    From previous post:

    Kahuna, so what’s your point? Coaches are constantly doing things that are NCAA violations or even criminal offenses. What makes you think they or some “well-intentioned” fans or boosters wouldn’t stoop to bugging a hotel room, conference room, or even a locker room?


  33. winning October 9, 2018 7:40 pm

    As I have said before, raise the Student Activity fee. $50 is ridiculous-try going to a movie with your date or wife then going to Tanaka’s for some local grinding AND NO BOOZE and we not talking about steak and lobster. WAY OVER $50. Try going to Pier 38 for cocktails and pupus after movie- WAY OVER $100. So what is the problem with paying $130 student activity fee for the ;whole year I ask???? Of course, You could go to Regal Cinema’s $6 Tuesdays and hurry to Costco for their $1.50 Big Hot Daug and unlimited soda. Probably never get another date with the same girl tho. Heh Heh!


  34. winning October 9, 2018 7:46 pm

    UH has got a shot at winning. 65-70% completion rate should do it. Might be a squeaker cause of thin air, we will be sucking wind. 7-1 looks a lot more impressive than 6-2.


  35. cappie the dog October 9, 2018 8:08 pm

    Tanner Mangum is the twenty-fourth best quarterback prospect according to Walter Football.

    “Healthy McDonald” is a funny pun.

    McDonalds can’t even make oatmeal healthy.


  36. Savich October 9, 2018 8:54 pm

    At 6-1, McDonald is the man going to the NFL. Not Tua in Alabama. Though they’re going for a national title.


  37. Savich October 9, 2018 8:56 pm

    Cole is 6-4. Alabama is going for a national title. Cole is going to the NFL. Not Tua in Alabama.


  38. Savich October 9, 2018 8:59 pm

    I was at the game in the VIP orange ground floor section, south end zone. Food and all. It was a nail biter.


  39. Savich October 9, 2018 9:04 pm

    BYU’s coach grew up in Laie. And played at BYU in 1994. Now their head coach at 16-16 career record as HC.


  40. Savich October 9, 2018 9:22 pm

    Kalani Sitake, head coach BYU, born in Tonga, grew up in Laie, Honolulu. Played in BYU 1994, FB, and 1997-2000.
    His record since 2016, 1st year as HC is 16-16 overall record.


  41. suckkabooya October 9, 2018 10:19 pm

    And I think we should still lobby for some of the Funding allotted to the Military Academies. I really think we should be included because of our geography. It is a “healthy” sum from what I researched. It allows the Academies to compete in the changing environment that is NCAA Football. They had such a huge disadvantage before. Now they can afford to offer much better pay to their coaches than in the past with this “Appropriated Budget”, It’s not necessarily based on their Athletic programs ability to make a profit or even worry about balancing financially. The funding really helped inject visibility into all of their football programs to where they probably could operate at acceptable deficit without the funding (same as us but no better). We should try. Hawaii’s geographical position was so important to the United States and it’s Militaries prosperity at one time. Level the field, it’s the fair thing to do.


  42. burro sabio October 10, 2018 12:01 am

    You barking up the wrong tree. Let’s think of the right tree to bark at.


  43. Whats up October 10, 2018 12:13 am

    #30

    Alabama is in a different position as far the 2 QB’s. Junior Season Jalen Hurts is a 2 year experienced starter that has won National Championships. Sophomore season Tua is a once an in lifetime talent at QB for Alabama that stepped in for Hurts and made a comeback to win the National Championship. Hurts had made it known he not leaving Alabama and burned his red-shirt 4 game limit already.

    Plus, Tua has been so good throwing the ball in the Alabama RPO offense and the Alabama defense is loaded with 5 stars talent. Hurts get put in the game when its already a blowout, except against Texas A&M Hurts didn’t get much action because it was a game until the 4th quarter.

    Clemson also had 2 QB’s Junior Season Kelly Bryant and true Freshman Trevor Lawrence. Kelly Bryant took Clemson the play-offs last season, they played both of them and then Lawrence (Like Tua) got the start and rotated in Kelly Bryant (Like Hurts). And Kelly Bryant decided to transfer out of Clemson 2 weeks ago.

    So it’s hard to say what the young men are feeling internally. Some experienced winning QB’s are ok with rotating in and not starting, while other are not.

    However, Moussa and Cordeiro are true freshman with very limited live game experience that still need a little bit of time to catch up with McDonald physically and mentally. While Rolo may be right that he is confident in all the QB’s, Hawaii has not been able to put the game away early enough to get the Cordeiro and Moussa any playing time.

    And why burn the 4 game limit redshirt and save it for times like what happened at Wyoming game. Hawaii has no bye week this season, so there will be times the young men need time off and its next man up.


  44. Maddog50 October 10, 2018 1:28 am

    They do have a bye week sandwiched between two home game USU and UNLV-


  45. suckkabooya October 10, 2018 1:54 am

    burro sabio

    Why not “bark” up any tree. The worst they can say is no. Nothing to be ashamed of. The budget is already appropriated in a “secret” non disclosed amount authorized by Congress deeming their (the U.S. Military Academies) business operations to be private non-profit organizations. We just need a “pro bono” legal individual to write a compelling argument linking Hawaii (and it’s University System) to the Military Academies in a way that ties our Military importance to theirs, albeit in a much more secondary capacity. We can take whatever is offered or if nothing is offered then fine, that’s OK too. Such a disadvantage here. We should “bark” with a loud voice and try it if we are able. The worst they can say is no.


  46. cappie the dog October 10, 2018 5:01 am

    If Hawaii football is drawing 20,000+ after a crucial road conference win, I think it’s time to roll the dice. Take a bigger hit financially in the short term as an investment for the future.

    Build interest by televising all the games live…for free.

    Those 20,000+ fans at the Wyoming game want to be there.

    They will be there, I bet, for the next game, free TV or not.

    20,000+ is your base.


  47. Maddog50 October 10, 2018 5:07 am

    #45 totally agree. As far as barking and trees I say bark at as many trees as possible! Bark till something falls out or wilts-saw the graphic regarding student fees charged by conference schools. It warrants an increase period. GoWarriors!!!!


  48. bobbob October 10, 2018 5:18 am

    RE: Alabama & Tua

    I could be totally off kilter here, but is Alabama really the best team to prepare him for the NFL? Their team is so loaded with talent, that every game seems to be like a FBS team playing a FCS team for them. One could argue that Tua’s success is the product of being a “system quarterback” versus taking a mediocre team and turning it around despite a more average cast of players. Isn’t adversity a part of a measure of how good a quarterback is or isn’t? Taking 5 sacks, top receiver out with injury, playing from behind deep in the 4th quarter 2 minutes left, needing a score to win, etc.


  49. LizKauai October 10, 2018 5:44 am

    Depth at QB. Unity in diversity. Knowing oneself honestly. Awareness of ideal strength and the lack thereof.
    It’s all good to me. :mrgreen:
    Live Aloha! Play Warrior!


  50. Maddog50 October 10, 2018 5:52 am

    With BYU coming up in days, I throw out all the noise over past years except for last years contest, a loss at home. I have seen all of the Cougar games including the last one against USU, which I am going to watch one more time. No question they are the largest OL overall we have faced but here is my thought. BYU overall has better talent when you consider the roster and they are at home-they also have two home losses. I think overall they are not much better than they were a year ago even though they smacked Wisconsin. The Warriors on the other hand are completely retooled and don’t even resemble the team they were a year ago. Talent upgrade better team cohesion and unity……..much better Coaching not only pregame but also sideline real time coaching. The outcome of this game will not come as a surprise to me. Warriors have a real chance here and again keeping the QB’s jersey clean will be a critical factor. Regardless of who starts the game at Qb or finishes the Warriors have a real shot at this-GoWarrior!!!!


  51. cappie the dog October 10, 2018 6:08 am

    It’s pretty simple.

    If Hawaii can run the ball, they’ll prevail.


  52. Spidey October 10, 2018 7:20 am

    Can we hire someone to mow the grass around the practice field?


  53. burro sabio October 10, 2018 9:14 am

    If you find the right tree to bark at, come up with a plan and expend effort on the right places, it gives you much more credibility. Those who bark at every car and tree are just seen as crackpots. It’s no different than Matlin prioritizing his budget, prioritize the effort too.


  54. Andrew October 10, 2018 9:39 am

    The good thing is UH controls it’s own destiny in the conference at this point. The fact that Boise State already has a loss gives hope that if UH wins the west, there’s a possibility of hosting the conference championship. That could be huge.


  55. suckkabooya October 10, 2018 10:42 am

    burro sabio

    You’re right. Lets not “bark” at the ridiculous “trees”. We would definitely look like crackpots. But we do have display some urgency when an opportunity presents itself. “Any” tree not “every” tree. We can figure which is the “right tree” to bark at one tree at a time. I think in this case this “tree” is worth barking at (or up). The precedence for “leveling the field ” for the Academies has been set. We just need to find something that links us to them, even if there might not be one. Just an opinion here. I want to see our programs advance. Go Warriors and Rainbow Warriors!


  56. eMpTy October 10, 2018 11:19 am

    Just my observation, but it seems like as the weeks go on if we get a lead we start playing to protect the lead and play not to lose. That causes us to lose the momentum that got us the lead. I believe that we should establish the run, but mixed in with passes to keep the defense honest.
    The defense is playing pretty good, but the secondary needs to play a little tighter especially in crunch time. It seems like our defenders are too far off the receivers so they can not make a play on the ball.
    Just my observations. Go Warriors…Kick “you know what”…


  57. burro sabio October 10, 2018 11:44 am

    The frustrating thing is that there doesn’t seem to be a coordinated plan of how to increase revenues or get more donations or funding for athletics, and it’s not like this problem just came up. If there is a plan, Matlin is keeping it as a deep dark secret. This is where vision from someone like Keith Amemiya is sorely needed.


  58. Andrew October 10, 2018 11:46 am

    56

    Well the past two games, UH has been playing from behind for most of the game so don’t think that’s the case


  59. suckkabooya October 10, 2018 11:58 am

    #48 bobbob

    Lots of “busts” come out of the Alabama program. Hard to tell which are the great players. Truth is not many are. Lots of good players. And none are quarterbacks. I think Tua is different though. He may be “great”, we’ll see. They never play anybody really elite yet. Good luck to him. He would donate to kids programs here like Mariota does I think. His success could benefit UH in someway, someday. We need him to succeed.


  60. Stephen Tsai October 10, 2018 11:59 am

    New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=47099


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