Warriors face decisions
As training camp nears an end, the Warriors soon will have to make some tough decisions. With the return to early-morning practices on Monday, there probably will be fewer reps to distribute. Also, UH will need to start forming scout teams in preparation for the Colorado game.
Two unheralded players — defensive end Marquis Fairchild and safety Trey Linton — were impressive during yesterday’s rain-soaked, scrimmage-like sessions at Aloha Stadium. Fairchild, who redshirted as a freshman last year, had two sacks. Linton had an interception and made a touchdown-saving knockdown.
Three of the Warriors’ speediest players — running back Diocemy Saint Juste and wideouts Keelan Ewaliko and Devan Stubblefield — scored touchdowns yesterday. Saint Juste sprinted for 46 yards; Ewaliko ran away from defenders on a 50-yard play. Stubblefield, coming off knee injuries, appears to have regained his quickness. He also has made tough catches on patterns across the middle.
Justin Vele, listed as a fullback, might be the answer as a power back in short-yard situations.
With stalemates at key positions, it wouldn’t be unlikely for the Warriors to travel with four quarterbacks and two kickers.
I think they’re going to shake up the schedule for Saturday.
There might not be a second practice.
I’ll post the new Saturday schedule after today’s practice.
1st after 1st ? Good to hear about the unheralded.
Warriors sound speedy and fast, both defense and offense.
Coaches kudos.
Now they just have to stay healthy.
But I think those things happen when camp is long and the heat is hot. (“Heat was hot” was a line from “Horse With No Name,” I think.)
They need to win game 1. Last year they were a few plays (and consistent starting qb) from beating 3 pac12 teams. I think they got it this year
Good news. Hubby told me that Hawaiian Telcom’s new TV-internet package deal will permit us to watch some UH football games without paying extra for pay per view. I am amazed.
Good luck to the Warriors!
4 quarterbacks??? that makes absolutely 0 sense at all. Especially with so called depth concerns as Bobby Curran panics about every single morning on the radio… I don’t even think 2 kickers is necessary. Trifonivitch should be a good capable enough to be a back up kicker in case.
So sorry to hear about Colt’s legal woes. I sure hope his life improves.
Remember Colt signing autographs at the UH Spring Scrimmage in 2007?
Here are photos of that event, so long ago:
https://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/ohana-football-festival/
First time ever I recall week 1 in my opinion determines bowl game or not.
6 or 7 W team based on this schedule and talent. If we beat Colorado, most likely start year 2-3 heading into favorable part of the schedule. From there, I see a 5-3 record moving forward. Week 1 is a must win. Need to be pulling out all the tricks in the book to get some big plays early on.
With the real probability of there being only 10K+ at start of game for Colorado…what can the Tsaiko’s do to get the stadium to at least 20-30K at start of game time? UH Marketing obviously is missing the boat as there hasn’t been much promotion other than the usual outlets and insignificant advertising pieces. And i understand the Hawaii fans mentality of “win first” then I’ll show up. But after reading Wittek’s comment in ST’s write up this morning, having them run out to an almost empty stadium would be deflating to them. Lets go Tsaiko’s and Hawaii football fans, lets bring the noise like we used to back in the Wagner/Jones eras. I already got 10 people who normally don’t go to buy and attend the opener. Let’s Go Bows!!!!
9.
Not to mention revenge for last year…I would love it to see Colorado having to fly back to the mainland 0-1.
It’s great to read/hear that our speed guys made TDs, but what does that say about our corners/DBs? I wasn’t concerned, but now this report does raise some doubt. And ST raised another big question – Who is the No.2 QB? From what little I’ve seen at practice, I feel our current 2 has not shown enough improvement over last year. I would move Zwahlen to 2. As for the kickers, I like Sanchez as punter and Bondi as PK.
11. Woolsey is the 2. He’ll be fine if needed to come in. Zwahlen is absolutely no experience and barely 1 full camp in the books. Not his time yet. Even Timmy Chang got thrown into the fire too soon. And he was advanced as far as knowing the playbook.
I wouldn’t think too hard about corners. You know what you have in Nelson and Phillips. The fact Mayo beat out Phillips is great news. Butler to the mix only helps. No matter what, you’re going to be disappointed in a specific unit if the WRs weren’t making plays or were making plays. ST didn’t specify which DB got burned deep. So not much to worry about.
how has Davaysia Hagger looked?
9. agree Jeezy. The opening game is a very big one. I still am perplexed and disappointed about the Thursday scheduling. It would have been great to open with a large crowd on a Saturday. But if we can pull out the win I will forgive the schedule makers. If we lose the opener the math will be much less favorable for a bowl berth. If that happens I will be cursing coach Chow for losing and who ever made the schedule for being lame brained all the way home from the game.
What is better than Aloha Friday in Paradise?
LET’S GO BOWS!
The problem with making the first game of the season a must win is if you lose. Must win games come towards the end of the season if you are scrambling for a winning record.
14. Attendance wise, well see how Thursday affects whether fans show up. I feel like the die hard Hawaii fans are going to go regardless. I at least will be there. Playing devils advocate, there are a lot of options in Hawaii on a Saturday night. With not much going on a Thursday, I can see some fans showing up for a opening game at 7PM. I didn’t notice a huge crowd for UDUB last year.
16. It’s the truth though. Hawaii isn’t going to win at Ohio St., Boise St., or Wisconsin. Starting the year off 2-3 vs 1-4 pretty much dictates it is a must win. Losing to Colorado means Hawaii needs to go 6-2 to close out the season. Very unrealistic for a team that has no momentum going into conference.
Must win is good label for fans but it does not change the mindset for the coaches and players. They want/expect to win all games.
I’ll be at the game. Win or lose I bleed green.
17 … The Stadium folks failed in last year’s opener against UW. They planned for 28,000 – 30,000, but had 36,411 show up. We got there early, but I recall a lot of pissed fans that got caught in traffic. http://khon2.com/2014/09/05/aloha-stadium-proposes-a-solution-for-uh-football-parking-problems/
“…it wouldn’t be unlikely for the Warriors…” Is this the same as saying ‘…it would be likely…’?
17.
Yeah the diehards will go regardless, but especially since the game is on TV, it is a school night, and it is a later start time, I expect the crowd to be about 25,000. Had it been on Saturday, I think they could have possibly gotten 33,000-35,000.
Beating Colorado and then going to a bowl game this year seems critical to me to reversing the poor attendance. Before PPV, it seems to me that more home games were available for free.
As recent as Feb 2011, UH led the WAC in tickets distributed (37,311) and would have been second in the MWC at the time; http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/20110209_Warriors_lead_WAC_in_football_attendance.html?id=115627054
By May 21 of 2003, 18,750 football season tickets were already sold.
For the 2014 season, a total of 17,223 football season tickets were sold.
I would hope that a convincing win against Colorado would boost ticket sales for this season.
Them problem with die hard fans is there isn’t enough of them.
21. oneseason — The 36,411 last year could be tickets issued, not turnstile count.
Good DBs practicing against talented receivers is going to make us better on both sides of the ball.
Happy to read about JV Jr. emerging as the big back. He and the new JC RB give us more power at that position. Looking good!
GO WARRIORS!!!
Let’s hope Aloha Stadium is making plans for traffic, managing parking, and a potential large walk-up crowd for tickets. Nothing worse than sitting in traffic, getting to the gate of a parking lot that is restricted, or already full, or standing in line for tickets and missing the first quarter, or the first half, of the game.
I would find it hard to believe even the most average of fans would miss out on the first game of the season regardless if that team is struggling. And since it’s a weekday game that can only mean one thing: Call in sick! (or at least take half a day).
12 more days!
I can almost hear Briles saying, “I could have sworn when Petersen called me he said that Ukwuachu was an “OKG” player!”
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/13484043/chris-petersen-says-told-baylor-bears-coach-art-briles-sam-ukwuachu-violent-past
It’s interesting when you hear about a football player exhibiting aggression or violent behavior, only the defense attorney’s bring up the possibility that concussions may have played a role.
Anyway, lets all have a safe weekend people!
12 more days!
I’m thinking UH wins by a field goal.
12 days!
Go Warriors!
Agree, that if you lose to CU, that shouldn’t be reason to close shop. More than a few teams have placed too much emphasis on winning an opener. It’s a long season. CU, as with all teams, will be improved, bigger, stronger, faster, wiser, too. UH needs to watch out for their QB Sefo Liufau and WR Nelson Spruce. I’m sure they’re expecting a win against a MWC opponent. Should be a good game. Hopefully, UH now has the talent to pull out a win, unlike last season against UW (16-17 loss).
Go Warriors!
32. Who said to close shop? Only thing said is Colorado game most likely determines whether or not Hawaii goes to a bowl game. Depending on your goals and expectations. My expectation is bowl game. therefore if Hawaii loses week 1, there’s a 90% chance that we finish short of 7 wins.
Thankfully I’m no math major though… just throwing out numbers.
I can’t take it anymore. I’m gonna load my truck for the tailgate already! (Wink)
The team seems primed, the beer is chilled, we got new unis, the beer is chilled, the fans are pumped, oh, and the beer is chilled! GO BOWS!
26. islandman … could be, but UH Athletics referred to that as the number in attendance …
http://hawaiiathletics.com/boxscore.aspx?path=football&id=16818#summary
Hope the Stadium crew and HPD have their act together in handling the traffic for the opener.
37. oneseason– SA article from last year, don’t know if the below crowd is turnstile count, but not too far off the 36,411.
“An Aloha Stadium crowd of 32,197 saw a much-improved defense and an offense that pushed the Huskies around in the first half. It was almost good enough for a major upset of a Pac-12 team for UH. The key word being, almost.”
Nice story by Paul Honda about the Samoan “vikings” that play st. louis there tonite…good read…
http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/vikings-voyage-from-samoa-to-aloha/
39. islandman … we need banjos for our dueling references 🙂 … If the 32,197 attendance number is correct, then the Stadium Authority would have less excuse for the traffic/parking snafu. Though it looks like Ben Jay was expecting 28,000 for the Washington game; I misread the KHON2 reference and see that the 28,000 – 30,000 number was the prediction for the OSU game. http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/26368113/early-attendance-projections-for-hawaii-vs-washington-game-are-meek
There’s no need to call in sick for half day. Game doesn’t start till 7. Park your car at Leeward CC and catch the shuttle bus (I assume there will be shuttle service. Lsst year $2 round trip. Isn’t there a similar shuttle service that originates at Ala Moana Shopping Center?). Get to LCC by 5, you can be at the stadium by 6 (assuming 1 hr ride due to rail work on Kamehameha Hwy). No excuses for not going to the game. Go to the game, relax, have a plate lunch, and watch the Warriors win the home opener. Go Bows !!!
If the State has any common sense, all road work and rail work be suspended for the Thursday opening game against Colorado. All lanes heading West and East be open completely. Stadium authority should have all gates open to allow faster traffic flow.
Rain and Inclement weather is always an advantage for the offensive player. The DBs especially are at a disadvantage. I think the Warrior DBs run much deeper than just Phillips and Nelson….GO BOWS!!!
ST, would appreciate an update on tomorrow’s football practice time for the morning session (schedule was Saturday, Aug. 22 10:15 a.m. & 4:50 p.m.). However, you previously mentioned Chow might retain only the morning session, but the time might change. Since it’s the last practice I plan to attend, but what time? An update is very much appreciated.
What time is practice tomorrow
Howzit DPK!
Still learning what’s available in Seattle area. Last week went to Seahawks’ practice. Around 2 800 fans. All preseason sessions sold out. Just came home from Mariner’s game with fireworks after game
aloha everyone !! so true game one is a must win !!
nice to see that we have speed this year!! something that UH been missing the past couple years !!
If we get good play from both the O-Line and D-Line against Colorado we come out with a win…..BOWS OVER BUFFS!!!
ChopSueyBoy, try Foo Lam and Jade Garden for pretty good dim sum.
Now, I’m not a guru or a wizard with stats, data, and other football insights, but I offer this pithy commentary on our upcoming season. I think one of the secrets to victory is if we can score more than the other team, we probably have a good chance to win– wink.
Great Morning All!
Hope everyone’s weekend no get “Kilo’d”
Looking forward to much commentary about today’s practice…
I’m wondering is anyone can confirm whether they are doing an afternoon practice today?? I’m on a plane coming home, and might go straight to the practice, if it’s still on…
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=32683