Quote about Idaho

Praising Idaho as much as he can, JJ said:
“They are very well coached. They have one really good cornerback who could probably play in the NFL and they play hard. Their defense is very well coached, and we’ll have to be very sharp.” (AP)

Quotes about their offense’s “crazy” production

About the production of their offense, QB coach Dan Morrison said:
“It’s absolutely bizarre.” (HSB)

“Crazy.” (HSB)

“To be averaging 55 points a game, that’s ridiculous.” (HSB)

“You really shouldn’t be putting up that many points.” (HSB)

“Bizarre.” (HSB)

“Crazy.” (HSB)

“Ridiculous.” (HSB)

Giving credit to their players, Morrison said:
“We’re doing some things different (scheme-wise), but nothing dramatically different than we’ve been doing the last eight years.” (HSB)

On behalf of the coaches Morrison said:
“It’s not us.” (HSB)

Asked what is responsible for their increased production, Morrison said:
“It’s just the young people we have in the system right now.” (HSB)

About how the fans were not satisfied when Tyler started the CSU game, Morrison said:
“Colt now routinely puts up 80, 81 percent completions, which is … crazy. That really shouldn’t be happening. And it’s tough to keep in mind — that there’s a certain expectation that that’s always going to happen. And the reality is it’s not going to happen. (Colt Brennan’s) unique in that way.” (HSB)

About how they always put up big yardage stats, but not they are scoring so much more, Morrison said:
“But the scoring has changed,” Morrison said. That’s been the difference, these past two years.” (HSB)

About their offense, Morrison said about their players:
“they operate it like I’ve never seen it operated before.” (HSB)

About how their fans should not miss seeing them play this year, Morrison said:
“Get to the stadium while you can. Because they’re going to be gone really shortly.” (HSB)

“But somewhere along the line here we’re going to hit a bump in the road. We’re going to play somebody that’s playing us real well and our kids are not going to be playing quite as well. And the crazy thing is we’re going to come out of the game and win it 28-14 and people are going to be all over us over, ‘What happened? What’s wrong?’ ” (HSB)

JJ praises Tyler

Praising Tyler after watching over the tape, JJ said:
“I went back and looked at it, out of 36 throws he had three incompletions that were his fault.” (HSB)

Unhappy with the booing, JJ said:
“I didn’t hear the booing, but it kind of appalls me that that would happen to one of our kids.” (HSB)

Quotes about the improved special teams play

About their improved play on special teams, JJ said:
“I said before the season that we’re more talented athletically than we’ve ever been in our backups. That’s why they’re playing so well. The kids are taking a lot of pride and Dennis (McKnight) and Jeff (Reinebold) and Rich Miano do a great job with the special teams.” (HSB)

“I said before the season that we are more talented, especially in our backups. That is why we are winning. (Coaches) Dennis (McKnight), Rich (Miano) and Jeff (Reinebold) are doing an outstanding job with our special teams.” (AP)

Note: UH has scored 3 times on punt/kickoff returns already after scoring just once in the previous 2 years!

Josh Leonard has his first baby

About the birth of his first child, Blayne, Josh Leonard said:
“I can’t explain the feeling. It was great.” (HA)

Injury updates

About how Blaze could have played vs. CSU, GM said:
“We felt we were prepared for this game, and why take a chance on getting him injured? He was ready to go last week, but what was the point? We want to make sure he gets his reps. He’ll be ready to go this week.” (HA)

About seeking a medical hardship after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, Le’Marcus Gibson said:
“I’ll still be a freshman next year.” (HA)

HA Note: “Gibson said he suffered the injury while practicing in Houston two weeks ago.”

About his lower back tightness, Rivers said:
“I never had anything like this before.” (HA)

About playing vs. CSU without practicing all week, Rivers said:
“I wanted to play. During warmups, I was running fine. In the first quarter I was fine. As it dragged on, my back got stiff. It’s fine now,” Rivers added. “Once I start running around, it tightens up.” (HA)

About Rivers’ status, JJ said:
“He’s not well. I feel bad for him. … I probably should have held him out.” (HA)

“I feel bad for him in his senior year. He’s getting (his back) looked at again. He tried to go, I probably should have held him out. So we’ll make adjustments that he’s not going to be there.” (HSB)

Hoping that he will be healthy enough to practice and play this week, Rivers said:
“Hopefully I can heal up this week, and be at least 95 to 100 percent. I want to get some practices in.” (HA)

JJ said about how Lane would take Rivers’ place in the lineup:
“(Lane) made one or two errors but the more he plays the better he’ll get. I like his acceleration, I like his speed. I’ve liked him since he was a freshman when he didn’t really know what to do last year. That’s why I played him, because I knew he was going to be a player.” (HSB)

Quotes about Mouton

About how he will play vs. Idaho, Mouton said:
“I’m cool. I’ll be all right.” (HA)

Praising Mouton, GM said:
“He’s a player. We knew that from the beginning. He had to get his reps. He’s a legit player.” (HA)

About running a 4.28 40-yard dash during a combine at Blinn, Mouton said:
“All of the scouts came out to watch.” (HA)

About how he has to slow himself down to let the wedge form on kickoffs, Mouton said:
“Sometimes I have to slow down and be patient and pick up a couple of blockers.” (HA)

About the MRI Mouton had yesterday morning, JJ said:
“He was walking around today. It sounds like it’s minor, they just want to double check and make sure it’s not more serious.” (HSB)

Helmet decals awarded

About receiving a special helmet decal after being named Warrior of the week for offense, Keoni Steinhoff said:
“I didn’t expect anything. I don’t expect O-linemen to get awards.”

Note: Adam Leonard was Warrrior of the week for the D and Mouton was selected for special teams.

About how the OL allowed 0 sacks and Tyler got touched only 3 times by the D, Steinhoff said:
“It was a good feeling knowing I did well and helped out the offense.” (HA)

About his comfort level now, Steinhoff said that:
“after a few games, rough times, I’m feeling really comfortable. I just have to correct a few things.” (HA)

Colt Injury update

About how Colt could have played vs. CSU, JJ said:
“Colt could have played … but I didn’t want him to. Colt makes the offense run smoothly.” (AP)

Asked about his ankle, Colt said:
“It’s good. It’s great. It’s terrific. It’s absolutely awesome.” (HA)

About how he will practice today, Colt said:
“I’m set to go. I think it’s a little swollen from Saturday, because I got it ready to play. I went out there and warmed up. I paced up and down the sideline for the first half. But I’ll be ready to practice by (today), and I’ll definitely be ready to play by Saturday.” (HA)

About how he will play this week, Colt said:
“The good thing is it’s rested and I’ll be able to practice this week and I’ll keep making sure I get to 100 percent by Saturday.” (HSB)

About having to watch Saturday’s game instead of being able to play, Colt said:
“It’s obviously something I haven’t experienced for a couple of years now. But I’m glad it’s over with, I’m glad I can come back this week and get back to playing football.” (HSB)

Colt’s first victory was at Idaho and he remembers the Kibbie Done as:
“intimate but loud crowd. I’m excited to go back.” (HA)

Quotes about Ryan Keomaka

About how Keomaka missed all of preseason training due to academics, GM said:
“He just had that deal to take care of.” (HA)

HA Note: “The “deal” was Keomaka needed to earn a C in sociology of religion class. He received an extension to finish an assignment. Keomaka turned in the work. But his professor, who was visiting from New York, returned to the Mainland. After the professor finished a week-long vacation, he sent an e-mail in which he gave a C to Keomaka. But the professor failed to enter the revised grade in UH’s computer system.”

About the e-mail he received about his grade, Keomaka said:
“He sent me e-mails telling me everything was good.” (HA)

About how Keomaka rejoined the team after the athletic department confirmed his grade, but by then Keomaka had falled on the depth chart, GM said:
“He had a setback because he wasn’t able to go to camp.” (HA)

Impressed with Keomaka’s special teams work and speed at CB, GM said:
“He’s doing a lot of good things. He gives us more depth, which is good.” (HA)

About working his way up the depth chart, Keomaka said:
“I’m working my way up the ladder. I missed a whole camp. It was my fault. I didn’t take care of business when I should have. Little by little, I’m coming back. Once I get my opportunity, I’m going to make the most of it.” (HA)

HA Note: “Keomaka has kept active by starting a reward system for defensive backs on the scout team. He bought small gold stars. Keomaka and cornerback A.J. Martinez created a point system for good plays in practice. Each point is worth a gold star, which is placed on the practice helmets.”