Tavai wins MW defensive award
Middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai today was named the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Tavai, a sophomore, made 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops, in the Rainbow Warriors’ 34-27 road victory over Air Force in double overtime.
“Awesome,” defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. “He deserves it.”
Tavai made the defensive calls — and changes — against Air Force’s deceptive triple-option offense.
“He had to make the audibles,” Lempa said. “He was in charge of that. He had to change up whatever the changeup was. He had to make sure everyone was on the right page and going in the right direction.”
Tavai played outside linebacker and rush end in the Warriors’ 3-4 defensive scheme last year. After head coach Nick Rolovich and Lempa were hired nearly a year ago, the Warriors switched to a 4-3 defense. It was decided that Tavai would be a good fit at the play-calling position in the middle.
Rolovich said it was evident early that Tavai would be a positive leader.
“If you spend a few minutes with Jahlani, you know he’s a good person at his core,” Rolovich said. “It’s a credit to his family and how he was brought up. You want a guy you can trust. I think he’s earned the coaches’ trust and his teammates’ trust.”
In MW games, Tavai is the leader in tackles, averaging 11.0 per game.
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Please send your questions on UH football. We’ll post answers in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and this blog on Wednesday.
not a question, but i liked how the team paid their respects to the cadets after the game. nice job Rolo!
How is Max Hendrie progressing as an American style football player?
Great WIN Coach!
With the amount of time the defense was on the field during regulation, did you consider going for two after the TD in the first OT? What are some of the things you take into consideration, and what ultimately made you kick it?
Live Aloha, Play Warrior!
Coach Rolo, congratulations to you, your staff and the team for a great win on the road. The team is showing it has mental and physical toughness and was able to deep and make plays when it counted.
Against SJSU, you asked the team to “bring the juice.” What did you ask the team to focus on for this road trip?
Meant to say the team was able to DIG deep and make plays when it counted.
Congratulations Coach on a great win @ AF.
My question….Are we having difficulty getting play calls to the field? There are times when it looks like over 20 secs pass before our QB gets the call.
Mahalo.
Congrats to Jahlani well deserved-Raz, Damian, Trayvon, Meffy et. al were stout!!!
Are you temporarily a Cub fan?Bears are feared by Wolves!
Special thanks to the Air Force kicker for choking on a chip shot.
Big congrats to UH for cashing in on the opportunity and getting a W on the road and at altitude.
Now it’s New Mexico. Not a good team by any stretch but a dangerous one with their brand of option offense. One thing to look out for is that NM does have more speed than Air Force.
Congratulations Jahlani Tavai on your selection as the MWC Defensive Player of the Week. Regarding a question, I don’t recall seeing Steven Lakalaka in the second half. Reason?
Letsgowarriors. What did the team do to show respect to the cadets. Didn’t notice that during the telecasts.
they joined the Air Force team and stood in front of the cadets while the band played their alma mater or whatever the song is that they played. saw some players shaking hands w the cadets after that too.
That’s very cool. Thanks LGW.
I thought that Malachi Mageo also played lights out with 14 tackles and constantly running the QB out.
LGW…did you make the road trip to Ft. Collings?
After last years AF game at Aloha Stadium, the cadets stood in respect as UH played its alma mater. It’s good to see the mutual respect and sportsmanship between both teams has continued this season.
New Mexico is not to be overlooked. They are a very good option team with speed to burn. We’ll need to play smart, disciplined enough to contain their jets.
Alignment. Assignment.
yup made the trip, CO Springs though, not Fort Collins.
Congratulations on the win!
Being that Hawaii was up last year in New Mexico, Coach Rolo, are you going to unveil another weapon to slay the Lobos?
Do the Mountain West officials get reprimanded, even though it doesn’t matter? There were instances where Marcus Kemp was getting contact a little early from the Air Force corners and no call was made. At the very least, they should be getting an illegal contact penalty.
Thank you.
Coach, did you think about letting Air Force score earlier, so you could get the ball back on offense instead of with no time left, if their kicker made the FG ?
Did Genta Ito play? The article said he returned ball in second half, but didn’t see it on game
Good to see Rainbow Warriors getting awards again. Hope to see some get to the NFL.
Coach,
Jalen Rogers was obviously pumped up after the game ending interception, but did you speak to him and the team about him screaming and kicking the pylon after the game or was it a non issue? You previously mentioned about winning and learning how to act like winners and although I love just how much it meant to him, I thought it was a little disrespectful to Air Force. Of course, the team did honor the cadets after the game and I did scream and kick my couch…ouch!
Go Warriors!
Great win!
Had a hard time getting the running game going. AF scheme presented problems? Or self inflicted mistakes? What changes, if any need to be made to get the ground game back on track?
GO BOWS!!!
My question: It looks to me like our coverage on kickoffs has improved quite a bit since the beginning of the season. Is that due to changing the kickoff scheme (e.g. consistently targeting the left corner), changing the personnel playing on the kickoff team, or both?
Coach, John Ursua was a QB in high school. Any thoughts about some plays where he can throw the ball? Just a thought, I saw where Joe Mixon a running back from Oklahoma throw a touchdown pass against Kansas State 2 weeks ago.
20. Genta’s nane did not appear in the box score stats, Return yards, etc.
18. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there is “illegal contact” in college football in the sense that the NFL has.
In CFB, it’s either def holding or pass interference. DBs can contact the WR until the ball is in the air.
In the NFL, defenders can only contact receivers within 5 yards of the LOS. Beyond that is “illegal contact” until the ball is in the air. Once the ball is thrown, early contact becomes PI unless the ball is deemed uncatchable (but that’s a loose definition).
Could you help spread the word of getting fans to yell out “E Ku E Ku” for the Ha’a? That would be a real chicken skin moment if Aloha Stadium was rocking with that right before kickoff.
Also, speaking of Tavai, do we have any options of doing “rugby-style punts” ala Scott Harding? We haven’t needed them since we got Rigo’s big leg, but those rolling punts were always fun to watch, including Tavai’s beauty in last season’s finale
Coach,
What’s the status of Stubblefield and Bernard?
Is Daniel Lewis redshirting?
getting a player to commit is very different than getting same player to sign LOI
Coach: what are your selling points to recruits after 8 games into the season?
BTW, I’m so happy to see so many “young guns” contributing so early in their UH careers – like you said, play the BEST! — this will make your teams much better in 2017 and beyond.
Maddog50:
Midori7, our daughter, has been a Cubs fan for life — no idea where or how she got attached to the Cubbies
but, floating on air they are in the WS!
last year, we bought her a bunch of souvenirs in Chicago when we went to the Wisconsin game
#27:
believe you are correct — it’s either holding or pass interference in college ball.
Coach:
what are your criteria for taking away a scholarship from a player?
Great to hear Coach Charlie Wade cross promote the Rainbow Warrior football team this morning on 1420. With a free game against Irvine Men’s Volleyball at the SSC on Friday night (7PM), and the Football game on Saturday, this will be an exciting weekend.
Coach, in the past, I recall UH seeming to “run out of gas” in the second half when playing at altitude. It was not obvious this year. What changes or preparations were made to play this game at 6,600+ feet?
Congratulations on the win!
Question: This weeks game versus NM is crucial if we want to qualify for a bowl game… are we calling a green, white or black out?
During TV broadcast Miano said on one play that a defender had forced Kemp out of bounds, and therefore Kemp could not return in bounds and be the first to touch the ball. Isn’t it that a player not forced can’t be the first, but if forced out he can be first, ie. catch the pass?
I agree that the New Mexico game is soooo important. Win that game, we are in solid shape for the Hawaii Bowl. Rolo for Coach of the Year!!
Coach Rolo,
How is Aussie newcomer Ben Scruton progressing in his understanding and development as a football player?
I saw Dru Brown on a few occasions rotating his left arm trying to get it loose or stretching it out. It’s his non throwing side but I hope it will be okay. After the 8th game many are walking wounded. Can do against New Mexico! Lets go Bows!
Alabama true freshman starting QB Jalen Hurts is getting mentioned for the Heisman Trophy for his play. At the rate he is playing, Tagovailoa will have to be very, very patient about seeing the field for possibly 3 more years. There is some chatter that Lane Kiffen is being mentioned for Fresno State to replace DeRuyter. Kiffen might be interested in LSU or Texas if Charlie Strong gets let go or even at Oregon if Mark Helfrich is fired. The Ducks don’t have a great QB now. All of this is speculation, but it is interesting for sure.
17. CO Springs…yes. A subliminal message as I was looking at the MWC standings and was wondering why we weren’t playing CSU this year.
” …While this means there will be no way for Lobo fans on the mainland to watch the game, we remind you that Robert Portnoy and DonTrell Moore will bring you the action via the Lobo Radio Network, which is heard throughout the state, and is free to stream on GoLobos.com and on the TuneIn Radio App.
Please know that this is a situation that we, and the conference, worked hard to rectify to allow our fans to be able to watch this game, but we were not able to make sufficient inroads to bring the broadcast to our fans here in New Mexico and throughout the continental United States.
http://golobos.com/news/2016/10/24/football-unms-game-with-hawai-i-on-lobo-radio-network-only.aspx
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” … Nick Rolovich was Nevada’s offensive coordinator last year when the Wolf Pack amassed 517 yards against the Lobos during a 35-17 UNM loss in Reno. He’s now the first-year head coach at Hawaii.
Rolovich has the Rainbow Warriors playing far beyond anyone’s preseason expectations. They’re 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain West after a 34-27 victory over Air Force in two overtimes.
… Campus Insiders, though, has UNM making another trip to Honolulu to face Middle Tennessee in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve day. ”
( AlbuquerqueJournal Oct 23)
There is a possibility that Tua could start for ‘Bama as a rs sophomore, if Hurts turns pro after three years.
Or Tua could just take the job away from Hurts
While watching the Air Force victory, I was so happy for our boys, the coaches, and the whole state. I was so excited, then I got mad and resentful! Completely irrational, I know.
I went to every home game faithfully for the last 4 years. After stuffing everything down year after year after year in an effort to be positive and supportive, the resentment and anger all came flooding up. Why, I said to myself, did we have to suffer through the excruciating boredom of run, run, pass, punt for so long!! Rational mind knows why, but feelings are what they are. Realized that losing so badly for so long was awful, but being bored to death was the real crime. Okay, got that bit of whining done, so time to move on. Go, Bows – Beat them Lobos!!
Coach Rolo, when you folks beat Air Force in 2001, did the Air Force bring and leave the trophy here? I don’t recall any mention of it when you torched them.
RE. MISSED A.F. FIELD GOAL: THE QB TOOK A KNEE ABOUT 3 OR 4 YDS BACK OF THE SCRIMMAGE LINE; THAT CAUSED THE ANGLE OF THE FG ATTEMPT TO WIDEN. I BET THAT IF THE KICK WAS FROM THE SCRIMMAGE LINE VS. 4 YDS BACK, THE ANGLE WOULD HAVE BEEN NARROWER, AND THE BALL WOULD HAVE SAILED INSIDE OF THE RIGHT UPRIGHT…OR MEBBE NOT.
Coach anything special you want fans to wear besides green? This being the last week of breast cancer awareness month, green and something pink, perhaps?
#43, most 5* QB don’t want to sit on the bench for 2 years. In fact most 5* of any position would transfer if having to sit and watch for 2 years
(1) Can you try to spread the word to the fans to join in on the “E Ku E Ku” of the Ha’a? Or maybe tell the players to try spread the word. Would be real chicken skin and intimidating to have the stands rocking with that right before kickoff.
(2) Speaking of Jahlani Tavai, do you guys have the option to do “rugby-style punts” ala Scott Harding? I know we haven’t needed it since we got the leg of Rigo Sanchez, but Jahlani’s 61-yard punt in last season’s finale was a thing of beauty.
I’m also seeing a better group effort of the sports going out to support each other. Do you think that’s because of your ‘Live Aloha Play Warrior’ mentality?
46. ” The trophy, first awarded in 1982, went back and forth between the winners until 1997. But when Air Force bolted the WAC following the 1998 season to join the Mountain West, the trophy, much like the series, was forgotten.
So much so that while UH won the next meeting between the two, a 2001 nonconference game at Aloha Stadium during which a quarterback named Rolovich passed for five touchdowns and 505 yards in a 52-30 victory, the trophy remained in an Academy trophy case. And thereafter gathered dust.
Its whereabouts were largely forgotten until UH joined the MWC to be reunited with the academy in 2012. UH athletic director Jim Donovan sought to add to the rivalry renewal by bringing back the Kuter Trophy and the Air Force AD wholeheartedly agreed.
Problem was nobody at the Academy was sure where the trophy was — or if it was even still on the premises. …”
http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/21/sports/kuter-trophy-finds-its-way-back-to-the-football-field/
Winning is euphoric. Hope the Warriors stay focused on the next game. One game at a time.
Good job Jahlani!! The family is proud of your hard work! Go Warriors!
Coach Rolo, Military Appreciation Night is this Saturday. Is the team wearing green home jerseys, or a patriotic red, white and blue jersey?
Coach rolo any news about recruiting or offering scholarship to tagovailoas brother at kapolei for the future? He got good arm as well and being coached by coach Jones is always a plus.
Ironically red, white and blue would be New Mexico team colors.
Coach,
With so many true frosh players on the travel squad, how does it help with team bonding with the upperclassmen? and how do you see it also possibly assisting with the recruiting of future high school prospects (starting with the Class of 2017 recruiting class)?
COMMENT: Totally agree w/ #1 (letsgowarriors) & #15 (Warrior Fan For Life) in the way UH paid their respects to the AFA after the game … very classy …
QUESTION FOR COACH “ROLO”: I know you probably can’t mention any names but have any local kids currently playing at another D1 school on the mainland been in contact w/ you about transferring back home ???
Coach, how about an appropriate music (song) to the players to motivate the team?For this week I recommend “Taking Care of Business.” If the team beat New Mexico, I’ll recommend another good one next week against San Diego St.
Coach will Pritchard play this weekend?
Coach Rolo, This year Hawaii must of offered about 75 scholarship’s to high school athletes across the country. Is there a time limit to accept those offers? What if we get more commitments than available scholarships ?
Coach Rolo,
What do you have to do to prevent another letdown at home coming off of a road win?
Coach Rolo,
Including your playing days, coaching even at other schools where does this rank amongst your favorite wins?
So proud of our boyz and the Warrior Spirit with in.. Keep changing that attitude coach! EXPECT TO WIN!
Congrats Coach! The state is obviously vibing right now. People are excited and fired up. Expecting an even larger home crowd this Saturday.
Question:
Does strategy in recruiting a kid change once he commits? Does your staff consider a recruit committed even after they continue to keep their options open?
Coach, in the past our most productive offenses in terms of points and yards used two wides and two dynamic slots. Any thoughts of having a package with Collie and Ursua on the field at the same time?
It seems to me the defenses in the last two games have figured out ways to slow down our running. I think the offensive brain trust can come up with a balanced package of passes and runs. The coaches will still call the initial play with the QB having the option of changing it. He can change it between pass or run , change the type of pass or change the point of attack on runs. Again it’ll just be an added package to the existing offense and not a replacement for it.
Coach Rolovich,
Is there a good chance of scheduling a marquee opponent for an early 2017 season game at Aloha Stadium? The UH Athletics schedules for 2018 and 2019 have this, but the 2017 season has BYU on 25 November.
A number of factors required subbing on Sat-I think I have this right the DL grouping of Raz-Kiko-and “Man Mountain” Moala……Zeno-Kau-Akoteau in the other group. They seem to feed off each other as a group. Do you think Coach Lempa will stick with this. For sure Raz is the leader of this group but he and Kiko are both playing with some pain. I see or saw progress and renewed effort with this grouping. Keep going or go back to depth chart substitution
ALLAN, by moving the ball back a few yards on the hash line actually increases the size of the goal post target.
In the past as Hawaii teams played option teams, we always had difficulties with the fullback dive and the quarterback keeping the and going through the 1st gap. Especially the quick QB like Newmexico. I hope Hawaii can shed there blocks better.
Coach, will you put in St. Just on kickoffs and punts
to race down the field and obliterate the ball carrier
🙂
Coach, why isn’t Paul Harris starting? I just think Harris can give us a better chance at getting first downs in the 1st quarter. St. Juste can get plenty of carries later in the game.
Great Morning All!
Plenny questions…
My only one: How much we going win by? 😈
Good morning Tsaikos!!!
The last T-Gate (UNLV) was Mexican themed (which in hindsight should have been this weeks theme since we’re playing New Mexico). Keeping with that weirdness, since we’re playing New Mexico, let’s go with an Asian theme this week, which isn’t so far fetched because, as a Pake, we all know everything originated in China….MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. As usual, grill probably will be ready around 10:30. BYOB.
If you haven’t been to a Tgate…come on down, lots of food, fun, football, and friends….
GO WARRIORS!!!
71. H-MAN: IF THE A.F. KICKER HAD BEEN ABLE TO KICK THE BALL FROM WHERE IT HAD BEEN SPOTTED INSTEAD OF WHERE THE QB TOOK A KNEE, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 3 OR 4 YDS CLOSER TO THE GOAL ITSELF. THEREFORE, INSTEAD OF JUST MISSING TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RIGHT UPRIGHT, IT KOODA WUDA SHOODA GONE JUST INSIDE OF THE UPRIGHT. BIG MISTAKE BY WHOEVER TOT OF DAT PLAY.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=39860