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/
The stretch run begins today with meetings and an afteroon workout. Here’s new starting quarterback David Graves’ take: “A lot of people will see the downside of it. A lot of people will be all negative. (Defensive line coach) Tony Tuioti put it into perspective. He played on a team that lost 19 games in a row. He said if they were two games away from a bowl, that would be the world to them. Put in that perspective, our […]
Time’s up. As everyone is aware, the Warriors need to win their final two regular season games to qualify for the Hawaii Bowl. That’s one of two remaining goals — qualify for a bowl, win a bowl — on what was a lengthier to-do list. Reaching the bowl was supposed to be a gimme entering the season and, even three weeks ago, when the Warriors needed to win two of their final five. It is what it is, as they […]
Head coach Greg McMackin said both Shane Austin and David Graves will play in tonight’s game against Fresno State. All indications are that Austin will be in the opening lineup. This is the Warriors’ final WAC football game and, fittingly, it will be against Fresno State, which is second to UH in WAC tenure and also departing for the Mountain West Conference in July. * * * * * Wishing a speedy recovery to good health to Pastor John Abbott.
Remember defensive end Ipulasi “Lasi” Eselu of Moanalua High School? He committed to UH in July 2009 as part of the 2010 recruiting class, but did not meet the requirements to play for the Warriors that fall. Instead, he took classes at UH’s West Oahu campus. He earned enough transferable credits to enroll at UH-Manoa in January and join the Warriors on scholarship. In the meantime, he has grown an inch and gained 30 pounds. He now is 6 feet […]
Can’t go anywhere these days without folks insisting that the next three games will impact the future of the UH football staff. While the older coaches have been through such circumstances before, sometimes forgotten is that real people, with less security, are affected. Assistant coaches, graduate assistants and football support staff are on one-year contracts, such as: • Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, a former record-setting UH quarterback. He and his wife have two children. • Running backs coach Brian Smith, […]
While Air Force, BYU and Boise State are mulling offers from the Big East, and the college basketball season is under way, the Warriors appear to be in a holding pattern … on a starting quarterback, Greg McMackin’s status, the future of the Mountain West, and so forth. These side stories — and Fresno State’s shortcomings this year — have overshadowed what used to be one of the Warriors’ most passionate rivalries. For now, we wait. * * * * […]
It took a sports giant — ESPN — to serve as a reminder that school spirit in Manoa is willing and able. Last night through early this morning, the Rainbow Warrior basketball team made its debut, showing promise under second-year head coach Gib Arnold. For most of the game, the UH students were on display, holding made-for-ESPN signs, dressing in St. Patrick’s Day wear and, in general — seating and overall — having a fun time having fun. Unfortunately, it […]
The competition for the next UH starting quarterback begins today with team and position meetings this morning, and a light practice this afternoon. Shane Austin, a fifth-year senior who is 1-0 as a starter (over San Jose State in 2009), and David Graves, a third-year sophomore, are the competitors. * * * * * Quarterback Bryant Moniz was upbeat entering this morning’s surgery for a fractured fibula in his right ankle. Moniz, who is taking a hula class, mused: “It’s […]