Inoke is now the starting QB!

About Inoke’s performance in the Florida game (8-11 passing for 110 yards, TD pass, 4 rushes for 14 yards), Ron Lee said:
“He moved the team. He showed good leadership. He scrambled around and made some plays. That’s what we need — somebody to make plays. He made plays pretty much single-handedly. He showed the game wasn’t too big for him.” (HA)

“He made plays and that’s the key. He did some nice things and moved the team.” (HSB)

About Alexander and Brent, Mack said:
“I’m not disappointed in those two guys. I think they have to be in the system a little longer.They’re both going to be good players, and they are good players.” (HA)

Praising the way that Inoke played in the game, Mack said:
“I was really happy the way he competed.”

About how Inoke reacted well when they picked the other 2 QBs ahead of him because they were taller and had stronger arms, Mack said:
“Here’s a guy who’s been in the program for a while, but didn’t complain or gripe. We went with the two other quarterbacks over him because they had stronger arms, basically, and a little more height. All (Funaki) did was be a team member. … It’s the perfect example of a guy finding his role, supporting the other guys, being a team player and then, when he gets his opportunity, making the most of it. That’s what playing and coaching is all about.” (HA)

“I was proud of him because the other two guys got the opportunity and he was a team player and tried to find a role on the team and tried to help the other quarterbacks.” (HSB)

About announcing Inoke’s elevation early to maximize his time to work with the first-team offense, Mack said:
“He’ll have a whole week to prepare for Weber State. I’m excited about him having an opportunity. He’s a class act, and a good football player.” (HA)

About how Inoke’s play vs. Florida earned him the start vs. Weber State, Mack said:
“I thought Inoke Funaki really earned an opportunity to play this week against Weber State.” (HSB)

“Inoke really made the most of the opportunity when he was given a chance.” (HSB)

Mack said that Tyler was reinstated to the team last week and:
“we’re obviously going to try to get a look at him, but he’s way behind right now.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Funaki’s promotion means Saturday’s 6:05 p.m. matchup with Weber State will feature a meeting of two local quarterbacks. Saint Louis graduate Cameron Higgins went 17-for-27 for 286 yards and two touchdowns in Weber State’s 62-6 win over Montana-Western last Thursday.”

Non-QB quotes from the local papers

About Libre’s high-ankle sprain, Mack said:
“We’ll have to see what that’s all about.” (HA)

Adam Leonard said that speeches to the team may not reach some people, even if he would:
“talk until you are all out of breath.” (HA)

About how they have to put the Florida game behind them, Adam said:
“The game is over. We can’t go back in time. It is not a video game, you can’t reset it. We gotta look to tomorrow.” (HA)

About how they can still reach their goals this season, Mack said:
“I want to win the Western Athletic Conference and I want to go to a bowl game.” (HA)

About his reaction to the loss, Mike Washington said:
“We came in with confidence … unfortunately we came up short and it’s very disappointing,. I took it to heart, but we have to get ready to move on to the next game. It’s definitely got me fired up. Big time.” (HSB)

Happy with their play in the first and fourth quarters, Mack said:
“I thought we played solid in the first quarter and I was happy with the effort they gave in the fourth quarter. But we have to eliminate the mistakes we had in the second and third quarters.” (HSB)

About how their WRs made some mistakes in the game, Ron Lee said:
“We did some good things, but we also had some breakdowns with our routes.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “The Warriors will again enter Aloha Stadium to the band playing “Hawaii 5-0″ this season. In recent years, the team’s entrance was accompanied by theme music played over the public address system with starters introduced individually.”

About how Florida outplayed them in all phases of the game, Mack said:
“I have no excuses and thought we were out-played in every phase of the game. They are definitely as good as Georgia.” (HSB)

About the his first INT where he overthrew Bain near the end zone, Alexander said:
“That can’t happen, especially in the red zone against a team like Florida. He was there, I just missed him.” (HSB)

About playing in the Florida game, Inoke said:
“I just tried to relax and have fun. It was a blast to play against an opponent as good as Florida.” (HSB)

Praising Tebow’s ability to improvise, Adam Leonard said:
“When a play breaks down he has the ability to keep it going and make it into an even bigger play. He did that today and it’s just a testament to how good he is.” (HSB)