Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

Passing future

By Stephen Tsai on November 6, 2014

Quarterback Aaron Zwahlen is set to complete his two-year church mission on May 3, 2015, according to his father Dr. Lynn Zwahlen. The plan is for Zwahlen to enroll in UH’s Summer Session I, which begins on May 26. Dr. Zwahlen said his son, who is serving his mission in the Baltimore area, has been working out daily. As of now, the 2015 quarterbacks are Ikaika Woolsey, Beau Reilly, Max Wittek, Eric Prater and Zwahlen. * * * * * […]

Glimpse into the future

By Stephen Tsai on November 5, 2014

The Warriors conducted the Scout Bowl yesterday, a 34-play, full-contact scrimmage that involved redshirts and developing players. These three were among the standouts: > Ryan Tuiasoa: Maybe inspired by the return of Joey Iosefa, maybe inspired by teammates chanting his name, but Tuiasoa displayed quickness and power in rushing three times for 30 yards. The 2013 Punahou graduate transferred after a year at Weber State. He said he is living his dream playing for the Warriors, a goal fostered playing […]

Away they went

By Stephen Tsai on November 4, 2014

Isaac Fotu will be missed. Not just because of his skills as a basketball player, but because he was a marquee player in a sport that needs marquee players. His hairstyle drew attention not seen since Colt Brennan’s dreadlocks. He loved the sport so much that during a bye weekend last season, he played point guard (at half-speed) in an intramural 3-on-3 tournament. His departure, under the circumstances, is understandable. Here are some other early departures in UH history: > […]

Be young, have fun …

By Stephen Tsai on November 3, 2014

Running back Joey Iosefa has completed his three-game suspension and is eligible to play in Saturday’s road game against Colorado State. Iosefa’s return is too late to save the Warriors from their fourth consecutive losing regular season. But Iosefa’ bullish running is entertaining. He also brings back the wildcat, which is entertaining. In my 33 years with the daily morning newspaper, the best season to cover (1987-88) was one of UH basketball worst years. Players had departed. There were injuries […]

In search of short-term answers

By Stephen Tsai on November 2, 2014

Let’s look at the small picture. There are four regular-season games remaining. Forget the offseason, or next year, or even three weeks from now. What does UH need to do to beat Colorado State on the road? Ikaika Woolsey actually had his best statistical game against Utah State, throwing for 356 yards. Quinton Pedroza caught eight passes for 123 yards. Keelan Ewaliko showed he was a vertical threat — once — on a 54-yard catch. But the Warriors committed too […]

Game day: Utah State

By Stephen Tsai on November 1, 2014

With all the, uh, hoop-la at UH, it’s easy to forget today is Game Day. Here are the storylines: > Defensive coordinator Kevin Clune is facing his previous team. (He was USU’s linebacker coach for five years through the 2013 season.) > The Aggies will be without dynamic QB Chuckie Keeton. And Darell Garretson. And Craig Harrison. > Previously No. 4 QB Kent Myers makes his first career start. He has spent most of the season as the player who […]

Trick or treat

By Stephen Tsai on October 31, 2014

It’s Halloween, and we don’t have any candy. But if you want to win two throwback Rainbow helmet decals, please post: It’s still football season, baby! Avis will choose a winner.

Tablets could ease UH’s aches

By Stephen Tsai on October 30, 2014

If an ill-gotten iPad is at the heart — or, at least, an artery — of the basketball investigation, there could have been one solution: Get everybody one. UH is becoming less reliant on paper. For instance, media guides and weekly news releases are sent out as pdf attachments on e-mails. In sports, an increasingly number of schools rely on visual teachings as supplements to play books. What UH should do is buy iPads for every team. The playbook, cut-up […]