Warrior Beat

Well, the Long Beach Poly pipeline is indeed open again. Defensive end Iuta Tepa is the second Jackrabbit to accept a 2009 Warrior football scholarship, following linebacker George Daily-Lyles. Tepa, who is 6 feet 3 and 238 pounds, said he notified the UH coaches yesterday. Tepa said he can run 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. He also is an outside hitter for the Poly volleyball team. Poly is 3-0 this season,outscoring opponents, 69-9. One of the victories was over 2007 […]

• Cornerback Ryan Mouton was cleared to practice. He played well, even knocking down a pass. • Wideout Jovnte Taylor is not on the tentative travel roster. And Kaleo Wong is back on the travel roster, • Inoke Funaki, Tyler Graunke,Greg Alexander, Brent Rausch and Jake Santos all got reps today. • Kealoha Pilares is staying put, for now, at running back. • Aaron Kia will open at left tackle. Laupepa Letuli will play in the second and fourth quarters. […]

From Brian Kajiyama: “I appreciate the piece that E:60 produced that shared my life story. However, I was disappointed in any instances which coach Greg McMackin and the University of Hawai‘i program were negatively portrayed. That was not my intention. I appreciate the opportunity that Coach McMackin has provided me to continue being a part of the Warrior ‘ohana. I will continue to remain loyal to the University of Hawai‘i and will do my best in my new capacity.” * […]

Quarterback Inoke Funaki said he “understands” the criticism he has received, and that he also is a harsh judge of his play. He said he is trying to do his best, and that he feels responsible for the Warriors’ recent setback. Funaki is expected to start against Fresno State Saturday in Fresno. Meanwhile: • Linebacker Blaze Soares said he expects to return for the Boise State game in three weeks. Soares is recovering from a calf injury. • Running back […]

If anything, the Warriors should be credited with being accountable. After losses, they accept responsibility. Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki each took the blame for last night’s second-half collapse. Kicker Dan Kelly did not dodge questions about his missed field goal. And linebacker Adam Leonard, peeved over the loss, still showed up for the K5/pay-per-view’s postgame news conference. There is a sign outside the UH locker room: “Character is what you are in the dark.” it also is evident under […]

Inoke Funaki has been announced as the starting quarterback. * * * The UH administration remains committed to the Warriors. Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw attended yesterday’s walk-through in the drizzle. She gave a pep talk at the end of the 45-minute workout. The Warriors closed with a cheer of: “Chancellor!” * * * Equipment specialist Al Ginoza is one of the power brokers on the UH campus. The distribution of everything from jerseys to gloves goes through Ginoza. The reason nobody […]

LizKauai has an extra ticket for tomorrow’s football game. Pretty good seat, I’m told. Post No. 300 gets it. * * * It was announced today that UH and BYU have agreed to a home-and-home series in 2012 and 2013. The teams will play Sept. 8, 2012 in Provo, and Sept. 14, 2013 at Aloha Stadium, according to a news release. UH’s Future Non-Conference Schedule: 2009: Sept. 4 — Central Arkansas Sept. 12 — At Washington Sept. 19 — At […]

Greg McMackin said he expects quarterbacks Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki to both play against San Jose State. He said announcing the starter will be a “game-time decision.” * * * Linebacker Blaze Soares is not expected to play this week. Even before he suffered a tweaked ankle yesterday, it was felt Soares probably would benefit from more rest. It has not been decided whether running back Daniel Libre (sprained right ankle) will play this week. But defensive tackles Rocky […]