Oregon State transfer Tufaga practices with Hawaii football team
On a bye week, the Warriors welcomed Isaiah Tufaga, a former All-State football player from Saint Louis School.
A week ago, Tufaga announced on Twitter he was transferring from Oregon State.
Yesterday, Tufaga went through the drills with a helmet. Today, Tufaga was in shoulder pads. He is likely to redshirt this year in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.
>> UH FOOTBALL PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY AUG. 28
“It was good to put the pads back on and get a feel for everything,” Tufaga said. “It’s been a week since I practiced and played football. It was good to get out there and practice again.”
It was an amicable parting for Tufaga, who wanted to play in front of family and friends in Hawaii. A reunion already is in the works. UH plays host to Oregon State on Sept. 7 at Aloha Stadium.
“There was nothing bad between me and the coaches,” said Tufaga, who started five OSU games as a true freshman in 2018. “I think it’ll be a pretty fun matchup, knowing both teams.”
During today’s practice, Tufaga was on the scout team portraying an Oregon State inside linebacker. Not sure how time continuum works, but there’s a space-time place where UH’s Tufaga was portraying his OSU self. “You could say that,” Tufaga said.
First?
ST – what other players joined the team after school started yesterday?
Maybe early to predict, but I pick Hawaii 45 to Oregon St 27.
Warriors have the bye to heal and prepare. Advantage Hawaii.
You can really see the potential in Paul Scott. He was disruptive from all areas of the front and at a lot of different angles. The problem was Tate’s mobility. He used Scott’s speed and aggressiveness against him. Even when Scott was in coverage. As UH plays lesser mobile QB’s Scott will impact the game even more noticeably. Will be a breakout “feature” piece soon. You can see it. Things are clicking and churning inside his mind as he realizes what is possible for him. Going be unreal that guy. Similar to Tavai “playmaking” wise. Awesome.
Watching the secondary you can see much, much improvement there. A lot of Saturday’s big plays passing wise was because of Tate’s mobility. Other problems on the short field/red zone looked to be overly “exotic” coverage schemes. Very fixable. Seemed like a there was some confusion on three of the Arizona touchdowns (one was a run). Imagine when these problems get “ironed out” and adjusted. Will be unbelievable I think. Saturday night kind of reminded me of Aranda’s defense first year. Flying around making big plays all over the place and then simple (gut wrenching/exasperating) breakdowns that give away points. Aranda scheme drove me nuts back then but I didn’t understand the “big picture” concepts. I think we have something similar with Batoon which means stay patient, they can be dominant in time. The personnel is there. You can see it. Going be unreal.
Ursua getting rave reviews …..see:https://www.fieldgulls.com/2019/8/28/20836970/seattle-seahawks-john-ursua-slot-receiver-tape-projection-scout-offense-draft-perfect-preseason
Jonah Laulu needs to be in on more packages. He has a unique size to speed to strength ratio that seemed to pause Tate from running to his side (could be coincidence?). He just looked quick off the snap and seemed like he was visible and noticed by Tate. Maybe you can run straight at him right now but that seems like his only weakness so far watching him as hand in the ground DE. Different from Thomas. All these differing skillsets at similar spots give Batoon so many versatile options for his different schemes. Nice.
Any injury update on Pritchard? Hopefully not too serious of an ailment.
Boo:
thanks for the link on Ursua
hope he makes the Seahawks roster and see him play against the 49ers — Ursua can have a great game, but 49ers win game!!!
or, Seahawks let him go and Niners pick him up — all the more superlishes!!!
A-House, word I’m getting is that he might not even play this weekend to save him for the season as he is already in the coaches plans…
Prichard looked rusty. Not as physical as I remember him being. He needs more game reps I think. And it looked like someone poked him in his eye or something 3rd quarter. Picanco was good 4th quarter though. Different “mojo” than with Prichard. Lots to figure out for Batoon with this LB group.
Good bye to heal up and get ready.
IMHO….going to see a lot of pressure and disguises. AU did a good job on D…but not good enough. OSU will be a good game.
Farris was the corner Tate tried to “exploit” on Saturday. To me it was kind of a “push” with Farris’ win some/lose some kind of day. Davis looked fast and sleek but even he gave up some stuff here and there. They did get a lot of help from the pass rush. Only once was there a clean pocket no pressure pass and that was almost (should have been) a touchdown if it not for a well executed pass interference from Hicks. Tate bought a lot of time with his feet and it overextended Farris at times. When they play a more conventional QB we’ll see how the corners get attacked. Hard to tell right now. Should be okay. And should only get better as they get more game reps I think.
Sackkabooya, I agree with your assessment on the UH secondary that they have improved since last year. Tate was able to use his legs to extend the play but the UH secondary was able to maintain coverage. They had a few missed assignments, but this is fixable. Also liked the Hicks making the intentional pass interference to save a touchdown – shows good football IQ.
Another area of improvement is with special teams – most of Ryan Meskell’s kicks landed well into the end zone, even when he was kicking against a strong wind. On the few times AU tried to return his kick, UH’s coverage looked good with everyone staying in their assigned lanes.
Batoon did an outstanding job with his substitutions to keep the defense fresh against the AU no huddle offense.
UH looks to have improved in all areas from last year. If the team can stay healthy, this should be a year to remember.
If Hicks just turned around he could have had a pick…He really didn’t get burned on that long play. He just didn’t know where the ball was
Oregon St sportswriter picks UH by 6 .
However, they are much improved and better than last season.
https://expo.oregonlive.com/sports/g66l-2019/08/d72f2cbd042877/oregon-state-2019-football-gamebygame-picks-by-the-oregonianoregonlive-beat-writer-nick-daschel.html
re-#15 Us Hawaii fans know to not buy into not being the dogs.
Also, if anyone knows or has noticed, why does Byrd not wear the island on his helmet? Is it not a mandatory thing?
Did that transfer back home from Arizona get cleared to play this year?
15.
This is a dangerous game. I think this could be a tougher game than Arizona. Honestly I think the first game vs Arizona is going to be similar to last years opener @ Colorado State. It seemed like a great upset win but as the season progresses, we are going to see that Arizona is just not that good. Sumlin will not make it to next year. I like that we have the bye week though.
I think that OSU sports writer in baiting us….like one halalu lure.
Just an observation. On ESPN.com they always rate the recruiting of each team for the upcoming year. I don’t recall a time when UH had this high ratings across the board. Of course ratings don’t mean anything until you see the on field performance, but at least it’s acknowledgement that recruiting has been improving from the years before.
Matthew Shipley K Committed 74
Ezra Evaimalo ILB Committed 72
Jake Tuatagaloa OG Committed 72
Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala WR Committed 71
Kilohana Haasenritter WR Committed 70
Great posts! Love the breakdowns, mahalo! Happy about Ursua too.
Stephen – what’s up with Michael Eletise? Will he be available for the Oregon State game?
Whatever the case, I think we’ll give the Beavers more than they can handle. Karma is coming!
Not sure, but I think Eletise’s release was contingent on sitting the Arizona game.
I thought Warriors should be favored v the Beavers by 7 pts, but the linebacker situation takes my confidence down a couple of notches, but still a win.
DPK, pay attention buddy 🙂 I asked ST the same question last week and he said Eletise would be approved in time for the OSU game. I do not disbelieve our local legend.
OSU is supposed to be improved this year with some injuries healed and a handful of transfers. But, I like the Warriors because:
1. For the past 2 yrs, Arizona’s running game has put up over 900 yds and 9 or 10 td’s on OSU. Zona was (I believe they are) improved over last year and the season will prove that out.
2. Kahlil Tate has the potential for a monster year. Facing a more conventional QB (even if he is 6’7″) will be a relief for the D. Padello will be ecstatic. Although the OSU O-line is better, they did give up 48 sacks last yr.
3. The Warriors had 6 turnovers (why does that make me hungry?) and still won against a PAC 12 team that has thrashed OSU the last couple of years. Clean that up and the offense will be truly nasty. The running game has the ability to do a lot more. What a headache for the OSU DC!
4. I am impressed with the defense. The back-end assignment breakdowns that led to td’s are fixable. If the front 7 are allowed the freedom to go after the qb instead of protecting against pocket breakouts, there is potential to be much better.
Happy birthday wishes on the other side for Pomai! He must have been delirious yelling and monkuing last week – all with a smile on his face.
If you’re keeping the list . . .
52 – 21, us, naturally!
Whoa, dare I mention that Dillon Gabriel is 2-for-2, including a TD pass on the second throw of his career.