Warrior Beat: “Next!”
Don’t touch the panic button.
C’mon, I know you think it’s calling you, like a freshly painted park bench.
But step away. Here’s why:
> Anxiety: John Ursua is leaving.
> Reason for calm: Scout Bowls … team sessions … it doesn’t matter. In competitive situations, Kumoku Noa makes big plays. Lots of big plays. Fast cleats, soft hands, deceptive toughness. Noa can play inside and outside. He redshirted this season to take care of business. He’s ready for a breakout 2019
> Anxiety: Jahlani Tavai has graduated.
> Reason for calm: Tavai was a tackling machine, a strong-side linebacker who also can play rush end. But the assembly line doesn’t just make one model, and Jeremiah Pritchard is a hitter. Pritchard also redshirted this year, but he was activated for the Hawaii Bowl. He contributed to one tackle — in the backfield. He’s good to go for 2019
> Anxiety: Zeno Choi has graduated.
> Reason for calm: Labels, shmabels. The Warriors were really mostly in a three-man front with the accessory of a rush end (Kaimana Padello), edge setter (Pumba Williams) or combo (Derek Thomas). But Choi was a true end who provided muscle and style. Mason Vega, who joins in January, can replace Choi. Another natural fit is Kendall Hune, who was named UH’s MVP of the bowl game. Hune is strong, quick and athletic, as evidenced by that pick.
> Anxiety: Long-snapper Noah Borden also graduated.
> Reason for calm: In UH’s schemes, safeties can play corner or nickel, receivers can play either side or any distance from the line. But long-snappers long snap. That’s all they do. That’s all Wyatt Tucker did during his redshirt year. He’s ready.
‘Attaway, ‘Bows. Reload!
Hoping everyone is having a Happy Holiday season.
The UH website roster for 2018 says Noa redshirted in 2016 ?
An Aug 9, 2016 Warrior Beat article says he was going to grayshirt in 2016 but his scholarship was activated in Aug of 2016 and he was on the travel roster for the California game in Aus. So how does that work out ?
“stepping up” is great!
“Reloading” is better.
We get chance! 😉
They’ll be OK.
I feel sorry for Ursua. They were going to showcase him by letting him return kicks. But he got hurt in Tuesday’s practice and was carted to training room.
Doug Russel still in the mix?
Great video, islandman.
It is good for fans to see student-athletes as people, Maybe they would think twice about booing them. I have never personally experienced booing towards the basketball team(referees, yes), but I have been at Aloha Stadium when the pitchforks were out for Tim Chang, even Garrett Gabriel.
My theory about booing at football games: It starts with one guy who bet on Hawaii, and then it spreads to the next guy like the flu, and then before you know it, you have an epidemic. Some callers to Gary Dickman are so irrationally irate, it is pretty obvious to me that they owe some serious moolah to their bookie.
Eddie Stansberry is all business out there on the court. The more relaxed Stansberry in the video may have more success from behind the arc. Either during the conference season, or next year, he will be the next Savo, I think, in terms of scoring, and hopefully, leadership.
Football is different, but Predrag Savovic played briefly in the NBA at an advanced age going into his rookie season. If you’re good, you’re good, regardless if you are 19 or 26.
I remember Jana Gabrielova singing Christmas carols. I wish I could see that again.
Does anybody remember this?
The last time Hawaii opened the season against Arizona, the first time the Wildcats touched the ball, they scored on a 100-yard kickoff return.
No, I don’t remember that play, but I do remember the 2012 game against USC at the Colesium when Matt Barkley threw a 75-yard TD pass to Marquise Lee on the first play of the game; 14 seconds into the game. Final score USC won 49-10. They were nice as they took the foot off the gas pedal in the second half. Halftime score was 35-0.
Cappie
I remember the kicker and the coverage team “tiptoeing” toward the the ball and faking like they going to onside kick. Then stopping, running back and resetting, then actually kicking off. And then touchdown. I think Von Appen called it. Somebody correct me if I’m remembering wrong please.
Junes Jones’ first game as head coach was against USC at Aloha Stadium. First play? USC kickoff return for a touchdown.
I think we will be well situated within our receiver corps to be just as, or more productive next year. With the transfer from Cal coming in, and Sharsch showing some splash skills, and Noa being the heir apparent to Ursua, we have a very solid rotation. If Noa can produce at half what Ursua gave us or about 800 yards, 50 catches and 7-8 TDS, we would be getting the job done….
I remember Noa (with Dru Brown) as a good possession guy who could find “pukas” in small, short spaces. That’s what was needed against La Tech. The rotation will be solid and deep. Whole offense actually. Offseason work will determine everything. Unreal.
Good luck to John Ursua! It was a joy to watch you play. I hope you can play for the Tennesse Titans with Marcus. You, two, would be a great match.
OK, I understand the workings of a red-shirt season. What I don’t understand is how for some players, like Kumoku and Jeremiah, they aren’t even listed on the official roster and other players like Chevan are not only listed on the roster, but actually get to play in games. Is it the coaches’ decision as far as who gets to play the allotted games for a red-shirt or simply not play at all. I remember asking three times during the season what Jeremiah’s status was but never got an answer. I din’t know if he was still on the team or not. It’s interesting how that works. I remember the days we were so thin at some positions a player would lose his RS status if he played in one more game. Can someone shed some light on this, please?
#14 if the players don’t want the “injury” or “personal reasons” to be publicized, then UH is not going to say anything.It’s really not our right to know these things.
Other players don’t mind their injury reports are in the paper while other prefer to keep it secret.
I’m just glad they are coming back next season and be part of a very good team.
Redshirting has evolved over the last couple decades, back in my day, a single play and you forefeited an entire year of eligibility. It then morphed to an appearance in the first couple of games in the beginning of the year. The current iteration is that you can play in ANY four games during the course of a single season.
Often, if an athlete is wanting to catch up on academics and credits, the team will protect him by not even having him available, not sure that’s the case, with some of the players, but that’s one strategy …
I’m already looking forward to the potential of next season.
@15 and 16: thank you for your insight. I too am very glad that both players mentioned are coming back. They have the potential to be impact players.
#8 Yeah, I remember that game. I was there. Dick Toney was Head Coach at Arizona then. Chris McAlister who was an All American CB returned that kickoff for a touchdown. After that, the tone was set. I think it was a shutout, but that’s my recollection.
Arizona QB Khalil Tate said he’s returning to school. That’s not good for UH. Arizona should be much better in Kevin Sumlin’s second year. And RB JJ Taylor will be back too. He killed UH a couple of years ago when he was a freshman.
14. Noa was listed in all the rosters since 2016.
Someone said he has only 2 years left to play. Is that correct?
2016….redshirt
2017,,Redshirt freshman
2018…Redshirt Sophomore. Tsai may call this year another redshirt year but he can only redshirt once unless this year is a medical reshirt….then he use it to petition for a 6th year if another year is “stolen” from him due to another injury or special circumstances that prevented him from playing. I believe Melvin Davis got an extra year back after being injured more than one year.
So yes….he has two years to play two. He will be a RS JR. when the next season starts.-
I like ST’s optimism, but also know that opponents will also reload with players coming off injury-red shirt or transfers who become eligible, etc
all teams will improve their “stock” and ready for UH in 2019 with the PAC 12 schools anticipating an easy win against UH — would bite them in the okole if UH goes 3 – 0 to start the season
like Angels in the Outfield, “it can happen”.
Great Afternoon All!
Clemson’s Beeg DT sez he dunno wat the banned substance is…
…no drink nuttin’ from one cup that sumboddy else give you!
Noa wat I mean?
Good article. Thanks for the info on Jeremiah Pritchard, he was a bit of a mystery this season.
Too early to be optimistic, but every reason to feel comfortable with the quality of the returning players + new additions. Off-season conditioning will make a difference. Arizona and Washington should be big favorites, but Oregon St looks vulnerable. Warriors can be 2-2 to open conference play.
#23 – but 3 of them dunno what the banned substance is. They all drank from the same cup… yeah, that the story.
Yeah. We’ll be fine. Excited to see Noa getting on the field. I’m thinking there a few others not mentioned above who will be impact guys next year.
Spring will be interesting. There are some things to work on, to be sure, and Rolo is aware of those things I’m sure!
Warriors exceeded expectations this year. I see that trend continuing.
Noa: (I believe has three years of eligibility)
2016: grayshirt
2017: played as a “true” freshman
2018: redshirt year
2019: redshirt sophomore
R.I.P., HPU’s Emil Isovic
https://www.khon2.com/news/local-news/hpu-men-s-basketball-player-dies-after-collapsing-during-game/1677248988
https://hawaiiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=17479
He is supposed to be a RS sophomore at the start of 2018. He is not supposed to RS again in 2018.
Redder shirt?
28 Try read post #3 and kahuna’s post # 21.
Also, Noa is listed as a redshirt soph for 2018.
Unless they changed his status back to gray shirt for 2016 ? He was supposedly on the travel roster for the game in Austr. in 2016.
44. I see. They initially planned to grayshirt him in 2016, but placed him on the active roster.
New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=47900