Warrior Beat

In a voting by the players, center John Estes, defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea and linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane were named team captains for this season. * * * * * The seniors also voted to do the haka  this season. * * * * * Defensive back Gary Nagy, who relinquished a BYU scholarship to walk-on at UH, and  defensive tackles Kaniela Tuipulotu and Joshua Mapunapuna  were among the transfers who were added to the active roster today. They have to […]

Honoring a promise to his father, cornerback Tank Hopkins never takes off a plastic cross. “My dad made this for me,” he said. “He gave it to me my junior year in high school. I never took it off.” Hopkins also proudly sports a gold-capped front tooth. “I got it in the eighth grade,” he said. “It’s like a family tradition. Everyone in my familiy has one.” Now that training camp is over, Hopkins will resume wearing a weighted vest. […]

You probably don’t recognize the name. And you probably won’t know the face, unless you can recall that business-college commercial where the guy says: “Tell me about yourself.” But television viewers will miss Dan Schmidt, who won’t be retained as part of the KHNL-KGMB-KFVE shakeup. Schmidt has been been part of the KHNL-KFVE family — or the broadcast ancestors — for more than 25 years. He is a gifted director. Those UH victories over BYU? That was captured under his […]

There were two thunderous hits during today’s scrimmage — one by Blaze Soares on running back Alex Green, the other by cornerback Steven Stepter on slotback Ryan Henry. Stepter’s hit dislodged Henry’s helmet and mouthpiece. * * * * * Bryant Moniz has entered the competition to serve as Greg Alexander’s primary backup at quarterback. After today’s scrimmage, Moniz is bracketed with Brent Rausch and Shane Austin on the depth chart. * * * * * Don’t forget that ESPN-U […]

During the 2-minute drill it appeared that … wait, is it possible? … yes, Blaze Soares was playing middle linebacker. “I love it there,” Soares said. Of course, it was part of a rotational experiment, and that Mana Lolotai and Jake Heun will be getting the bullk of the work there. But, yet … * * * * * Greg McMackin has put together a bright-minded staff on defense. Newcomers Chris Tormey and Michael not only work well with the […]

Because two-a-days and late-night meetings continue, UH’s training camp, technically, runs through the end of this week. But the essential part of camp — the team staying in the two dance studios — ends today, with the players moving into dormitories and off-campus apartments. * * * * * Happy 20th birthday to defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga (pictured here with his girlfriend, Chelsea Ah Nee):

Middle linebacker Brashton Satele said he will undergo surgery next week in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with a torn labrum and a fractured rotator cuff in his left shoulder. Satele has a strong case for a medical hardship that would allow him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2010. * * * * * Kenny Estes, who had been practicing as the No. 1 left safety for more than a week, will undergo tests  to determine the cause […]

Jeff Portnoy said that as of today, AM 1500 will no longer have local sports talk shows. It was inevitable after first Rob DeMello dropped out of the “Rob and Russ Show,” and then Jim Leahey and Kanoa Leahey discontinued their show. It’s a shame. The programs offered an alternative to Bobby Curran’s show. But it seemed the station just didn’t have enough funding. There were too many technical breakdowns that often resulted in dead air and, it seemed, not […]