UH football team knows, 'This is big'
| • | Oregon State passing attack, pass rush have been effective |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan wasn't himself yesterday.
He was defensive end Melila Purcell, or at least he was wearing Purcell's jersey.
And Purcell was Brennan, and running back Nate Ilaoa was linebacker Adam Leonard and ...
No, it wasn't Freaky Friday, but just the usual final walk-through practice for the Warriors.
Neither the emotions of Senior Night for 20 Warriors nor the importance of tonight's game against Oregon State — televised nationally on ESPN; Brennan seeking to break the NCAA record for touchdown passes in the season — were enough to cause a pause of seriousness.
Many of the players traded jerseys, supposedly a way of masking their true identities from lurking Oregon State spies. But the disguise was a guise: the OSU coaches were watching the state football championships at Aloha Stadium. (The UH coaches also would scout the games after practice.)
The jersey trades, in fact, were part of the recurring theme that a loose team in practice won't tighten up during games.
"A perfect fit," Brennan said of Purcell's No. 98 jersey. At 6 feet 3 and 196 pounds, Brennan yields 2 inches and 80 pounds to Purcell.
"I think I can pass as a d-lineman," Brennan added.
When the defensive players were dismissed early, the offensive linemen sang: "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!"
After their final drill, the offensive linemen played "pile on."
Despite the playful mood yesterday, the Warriors are prepared for a stern challenge from a Pac-10 team that defeated third-ranked Southern California, Oregon, Arizona State and Washington.
"This is big," Brennan said. "This is the one that brings it all together. It sets the tone for the bowl game and even next year. We've got our hands full with a good football team."
The Warriors enter nationally ranked — No. 23 in USA Today coaches poll, No. 24 in the Associated Press top 25 — and nationally questioned.
"Being way out here," slotback Davone Bess said, "we're always having to prove we deserve to be ranked."
A favorable outcome would extend the Warriors' winning streak to 10, match the school-best 11-2 record (set in 1992), and provide a needed endorsement for Brennan's Heisman Trophy candidacy. The voting deadline is Wednesday, the same day the finalists will be announced. The Heisman winner will be announced next Saturday.
"They're ranked higher than we are in the BCS (standings)," Brennan said. "If we win this game, it makes a big statement. They're very, very good, but we've got a great opportunity."
For the Beavers, this is the final game of their longest regular season. This will be the Beavers' 13th game, 11th in a row without a bye, and third road game in four weeks.
"We know it won't be an easy game for us," OSU quarterback Matt Moore said. "It's going to be tough. Hawai'i is a great football team."
OSU safety Sabby Piscitelli said: "They have an efficient offense. They don't quit. We saw that last week. Some might have thought it was over, but they kept on fighting. They're always going to keep on fighting. "
The Beavers had a difficult start. They lost, 42-14, at Boise State, then dropped their first two Pac-10 games. Six weeks into the season, they were 2-3.
"After that," Moore said, "we definitely turned it on."
The Beavers found the right blend of passing and rushing. They won four in a row, including an upset of previously unbeaten USC.
"That was a good game," Piscitelli said. "It was an experience of a lifetime.
"We faced adversity well," he added. "We started practicing better and playing better."
Moore said: "Everything has been clicking for us. It's all working out."
The Warriors also are seeking a happy ending to what will be the final Division I-A game of the regular season. With the kickoff pushed back to 7:05 p.m. Hawai'i time to accommodate a nocturnal national audience, the game won't end until after 3 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
The Warriors expect their leading rusher, Nate Ilaoa, to be available. Ilaoa did not participate in contact drills this week because of a bruised left heel. He was examined by a bone specialist on Wednesday.
"It'll be important to get Nate back and healthy because I know that will throw a real monkey wrench into what they want to do," Brennan said. "I expect him to be fine."
Ilaoa ran without limping yesterday. He competed in 11-on-11, slow-motion drills.
Ilaoa told observers yesterday: "I'm fine. I'll play."
If not, Reagan Mauia, who has developed into an effective backfield blocker, will play extensively. Mauia had a 16-yard catch-and-run play to keep alive a fourth-quarter drive last week.
Defensive end Laupepa Letuli, who is suffering from a knee injury, will not be available to play. He had hoped to return for this game. He was recruited to UH by Mike Cavanaugh, who now is OSU's offensive line coach.
JC PLAYERS VISIT UH
"I'm leaning toward Hawai'i," said Robinson, who is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds. He said he can run 40 yards in 4.46 seconds.
He also has received offers from Louisiana Tech and Louisiana-Monroe. His sister lives in Honolulu.
He was incorrectly listed as being an alumnus of another school in yesterday's editions.
• • •
| UH FOOTBALL
WHAT: University of Hawai'i (10-2, 7-1 in Western Athletic Conference) vs. Oregon State (8-4, 6-3 in Pacific-10) WHEN: 7:05 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Aloha Stadium TV: Live on ESPN; AUDIO WEBCAST: espn1420am.com RADIO: Live on ESPN 1420. Neighbor Island simulcasts on KAOI on Maui/Kona, KPUA in Hilo and KQNG on Kaua'i GATES OPEN: Parking lot 2:30 p.m.; Stadium gates 3 p.m. TICKET PRICES: Game is sold out. PROMOTIONS: Green-out Night: Saturday's "Senior Night" game has been designated a "Green Out" and all fans are encouraged to wear green shirts in support of the Warriors and their talented senior class. 19 Seniors to be honored: Nineteen senior football players will be honored during a special post-game ceremony this Saturday for their contributions to the UH program. Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats following the game as these student-athletes are introduced during the traditional "Senior Walk." 30,000 Ti Leaves to be distributed: The first 30,000 fans to enter Aloha Stadium for the Oregon State football game will receive a ti leaf, compliments of game-sponsor First Hawaiian Bank. Disneyland & Inter-Island trips to be awarded: First Hawaiian Bank will provide an inter-island trip for two on Aloha Airlines to the winner of the pre-game field-goal kicking contest and a trip for four to Disneyland (including Aloha Airlines flight, hotel, and rental car) to the winner of the "Dash to Disneyland" halftime contest during the game. Fans can register at Gate 3 prior to the game. Las Vegas trip promotion for UH students: UH students can register at Gate 7 for the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and other great prizes, compliments of First Hawaiian Bank and Vacations Hawaii. One student will be drawn from those who register to compete in a contest on the field between the third and fourth quarters. Thus far this season, two UH students have won trips to Las Vegas. UH students ride free: The Chancellor's Office will provide free bus transportation to the game. The buses will pick up UH students on Dole Street in front of the Gateway House two hours before game time. The buses will leave the stadium 30 minutes after the game and return to the Gateway House. Signup sheets will be at the front desks at each UH residence hall. PARKING: $5 ALTERNATIVE PARKING (no tailgating): • Leeward Community College (free with $2 charge for shuttle service); • Kamehameha Drive-In ($5 with free shuttle service); • Radford High School ($3 with no shuttle service). All shuttle service runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and approximately one hour after the game ends. SECURITY: Only fanny packs, purses, backpacks and handbags will be allowed into stadium (subject to check). TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Sports Radio 1420 will provide traffic advisories and updates before each UH football home game. BUS SHUTTLES: For UH students: Chancellor office is providing free bus transportation to the home games at Aloha Stadium. Buses will pick up UH students on Dole Street in front of Gateway House two hours before game time.The buses will leave the stadium 30 minutes after the game and return to Gateway. Sign-up sheets are at the front desk at each UH residence hall. Roberts Hawaii is offering round trip "air conditioned" shuttle bus services to Aloha Stadium for $6 from three O'ahu areas. Bus No. 3 will pick up at the Hawai'i Kai Park n' Ride at 4 p.m., at Bank of Hawai'i at Kahala Mall at 4:15 and proceed to the stadium. Bus No. 2 will pick up at the Kailua District Park, Kainalu Avenue at 4:15 p.m., at Windward Mall Shopping Center on Alaloa Street facing Sears at 4:30 and proceed to the stadium. Bus No. 1 will pick up at the Mililani Mauka Park n' Ride at 4:30 p.m. and go directly to the stadium. Reservations are required and service is first come, first serve. Call Roberts School Bus at 832-4886 for reservations and additional information. City bus service Ala Moana — Kona Street (4 p.m., 4:30, 5, 5:30). Downtown — Alapai Transit Center, express bus lot (4:10, 4:40, 5:10, 5:40). Palolo — Waialae/Palolo fronting McDonald (4:02, 5:02, 5:32). University of Hawai'i — Sinclair Circle (4:10, 4:50, 5:10, 5:30). Kahala — Waialae/Kilauea across mall (4, 4:40, 5:10, 5:40). Kaimuki— Koko Head/Waialae fronting Liliuokalani Elementary (4, 5, 5:30). Waikiki — Monsarrat at Kapiolani Bandstand (3:30, 3:45, 4, 4:15, 4:30, 4:50, 5:10, 5:30). Hawai'i Kai — Keahole Street, Hawaii Kai Park & Ride (4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5, 5:15, 5:30). Village Park — Kupuohi Street, Royal Kunia Park & Ride (4:20, 5:40). Kapolei — Kamokila Boulevard at Kahuhihewa State Building (4, 5:40). Mililani Mauka — Ukuwai Street at Mililani Park & Ride (4, 5, 5:40). Ewa Beach — Fort Weaver/Kaimalie before Ewa Beach Shopping Center (4, 5:20). Kalanianaole/Kailua — Across Castle Medical Center (4, 5:20). Kailua: Keolu/Hele — Across Enchanted Lake Shopping Center (4:05, 5:25). Kailua/Hahani — Kailua Shopping Center (4:10, 5:30). Kaneohe Bay/Mokapu — Fronting Aikahi Shopping Center (4, 5:20). Kaneohe Bay/Makalani — Across Windward City Shopping Center (4:10, 5:30). Rates are $3 one way and $6 roundtrip. Passes and transfers are not accepted. For information, go to: http://www.thebus.org. For schedule information, call 848-5555. |
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
