Quick Reads

Star-Advertiser special projects reporter Dave Reardon discusses any and all athletics issues, with a special focus on Hawaii’s athletes and teams.

About the blog host

Dave Reardon is a sports projects reporter for the Star-Advertiser. The Honolulu native and alumnus of Pearl City High, Northwestern University and the University of Hawaii started as a copyboy and prep football stringer at the Star-Bulletin in 1981 and has covered the island sports scene uninterrupted since, except for college and two years at the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun. Dave has also launched a side career in teaching. Follow him on Twitter @dave_reardon

Latest news

Hawaii basketball: Rainbow Warriors, Wahine split turnover-filled doubleheader

By Dave Reardon on November 24, 2019

Taking care of the ball was a problem at times for both University of Hawaii basketball teams on Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center. For the women, it was a big part of why the Rainbow Wahine ended up on the wrong end of a 74-57 score against Texas Southern. For the men, a flurry of giveaways early against New Orleans served as a wake-up call, and the Rainbow Warriors recovered well enough to right the ship and win 79-71. […]

Hawaii football: Cortez Davis’ solid play at corner could help Rainbow Warriors conquer Aztecs

By Dave Reardon on November 20, 2019

Although its offense usually gets most of the accolades, defense can still make crucial contributions for the University of Hawaii football team. Such was the case Saturday when the Rainbow Warriors won 21-7 at UNLV. UH’s offense was stagnant and shaky much of the day, and that made cornerback Cortez Davis’ 43-yard interception touchdown return the decisive play of the game. It broke a 7-all tie late in the third quarter. Another interception, by linebacker Paul Scott in the fourth […]

AP College Football Poll: Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise — Tua Tagovailoa’s injury affected Alabama’s ranking

By Dave Reardon on November 17, 2019

Since Janet Jackson is in town this week, let’s pose that question everybody’s always got on their mind for everyone else in their life, whether they actually ever voice it or not. What have you done for me lately? That’s a big one for me when filling out the AP Top 25 ballot each week. Some take it a step beyond that and also ask this: What can you do for me going forward? I usually don’t, but I did […]

Hawaii men’s basketball: No pressure for methodical Rainbow Warriors against Portland State

By Dave Reardon on November 15, 2019

Chris Gerlufsen’s first words to reporters after Hawaii’s 83-75 victory over Portland State on Friday indicated that UH’s win was hard-earned. “Nothing is easy,” Gerlufsen said as he looked at the box score, and then the cameras. “We knew it was gonna be a 40-minute dogfight.” The Vikings apply relentless pressure, and sometimes it worked, forcing UH turnovers. Hawaii gave Portland State a lot of chances — first and second chances. But the Vikings didn’t take advantage of enough of […]

Hawaii football: As Rainbow Warriors history shows, a ‘quarterback controversy’ isn’t necessarily a bad thing

By Dave Reardon on November 15, 2019

If you take the words “quarterback controversy” and just run with it, it could mean a lot of different things. For example, should Mason Rudolph also be punished for his part in the fight at the end of Thursday’s game between the Steelers and the Browns that ended with Myles Garrett hitting Rudolph on the head with his own helmet? It’s a “controversy,” and it involves a “quarterback,” right? OK, I know, that’s too literal of an interpretation … something […]

AP Top 25 College Football Poll: One NC game Clemson’s pride, the other its curse

By Dave Reardon on November 10, 2019

Eventually I probably will, but for now I can’t forget about that NC game. Some Clemson fans can’t get the NC game off of their minds, too. The thing is, we’re talking about two different things. The NC game I haven’t shaken yet was played less than two months ago, on Sept. 28. The Tigers beat North Carolina 21-20 at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels had a very good chance at the biggest upset of the year, but failed on […]

Hawaii football: Running attack shows big improvement

By Dave Reardon on November 6, 2019

For at least one week, the run was back in the University of Hawaii run-and-shoot offense. The Rainbow Warriors rushed for season highs with 209 yards and four touchdowns last Saturday. The production went for naught, though, as UH fell 41-38 to Fresno State. But the defensive coordinators of this season’s four remaining opponents — starting with Saturday’s home game against San Jose State — will surely take notice. And that could help the 5-4 Warriors as they strive for […]

AP Top 25 College Football Poll: Plenty of ranked teams make great escapes

By Dave Reardon on November 3, 2019

When teams wins close games — especially with big plays with the game clock running down — does it mean they’re lucky, or they’re clutch? Or maybe they’re just so superior to their opponents they can play on cruise control until they need to shift gears and pull out the victory; that’s a dangerous way of doing business that can blow up in your face, and we’ve all seen it work and not work in others of life’s endeavors, right? […]