Long-snapper is no longer a long shot
Remember Brian Hittner?
The Saddleback College long-snapper has battled for a year to earn enough transferrable credits to compete for the Warriors. Well, the struggle is nearly over, and Hittner is set to join.
If everything goes as expected, Hittner will be on the Warriors’ 105-player roster for training camp, which opens Aug. 1.
The Warriors have reserved five spots for specialists. Placekicker Tyler Hadden, punter Ruben Guzman and long-snapper Brody Nakama already have claimed three spots. Hittner would take the fourth. Ceejay Santos might be No. 5. Or UH might bring in a kicker from the mainland.
For now, it appears long-snapper Tyler Liana and kickers Aaron Novoa and Kainoa McDonald, a recent Punahou graduate, are in the “bullpen” — reserve players who might be activated on Aug. 26, the first day of UH’s fall semester, when rosters are permitted to expand.
In calculating roster spots, UH is fortunate because punter/punt returner Scott Harding counts as a slotback and long-snapper Kawika Borden, who is recovering from various ailments, is grouped with the safeties.
Stoked for Brian. He really enjoys Hawaii. Glad it worked out
Stephen, what about PK Aaron Novoa?
Is he redshirting this year and be a possible replacement for Sr. Tyler Hadden, in 2015?
Welcome to the new WARRIORS!…IMUA!
I have a feeling that our place kicker will be key this year. Good luck Tyler and Ceejay!
Coach Demo does a great job with the special teamers.
welcome to the new Warriors!
Anyone need tickets to the SDSU road game Oct. 18–deadline to order this July 21.
Also the road games at Colorado, Rice, SJSU & Fresno; come sit with 100-200 Hawaii fans at the 50 yd line behind our team. tomkitaguchi@yahoo.com
Tsai Ko, based on your personal observations, do we have chances to win games? If so, can we win more than 3 to 4 games?
8/30/2014 Washington Aloha Stadium 4:30 p.m.
9/6/2014 Oregon State Aloha Stadium 4:30 p.m.
9/13/2014 Northern Iowa
9/20/2014 at Colorado Boulder, Colo.
10/4/2014 at Rice Houston, Texas
10/11/2014 Wyoming
10/18/2014 at San Diego State San Diego, Calif.
10/25/2014 Nevada (Homecoming)
11/1/2014 Utah State
11/8/2014 at Colorado State Ft. Collins, Colo.
11/15/2014 at San Jose State San Jose, Calif.
11/22/2014 UNLV
11/29/2014 at Fresno State Fresno, Calif.
We should beat: Northern Iowa
We may be able to beat: since UNLV and Wyoming are at home But Wyoming seems to be better than they seemed.
We may be able to but tougher because we have to travel: San Jose St., Colorado St.
We need to be good to beat: Nevada, Fresno St., San Diego St. and Utah St.
It will be miracles to beat: Oregon St, Washington and even Rice?
Based on the fact that we do not have a starting QB selected yet…
So 3 games, hopefully, at a minimum? What do you think?
Whoops. Nice catch. Novoa is in bullpen
When’s the first day of fall camp?
#7 Tanman – I wouldn’t count out the opening home game against Petersen. Yeah, Washington will probably win, but Hawaii knows him and lots of first games don’t go as planned when they hit Oahu.
Colorado, Wyoming and UNLV are winable. (3 wins)
I think we have a good shot at Rice, San Diego and San Jose. (1 win)
And hope Northern Iowa goes down without causing injuries. (1 win)
Total 5 wins.
If the Warriors win five, Norm Chow stays alive.
Good Morning Gangeez! 😉
Welcome to the Warriors, Brian!
Lots of nice additions as the Warriors gear up for camp. Anxious to see who that RB is and what his story is.
Warriors will come out firing (running) on all cylinders and beat Washington. Our team is GOOD…!
Need to find out about CeeJay Santos. Word on Maui is that he is ineligible, UH screwed up his classes.
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
Good morning everyone!
Welcome to UH, Brian Hittner!
10-Nutmegger. Agreed but here is my thinking, we get 5 wins which is for sure doable, it also means we have turned the corner on some of our major issues (pass protection, pass rush, and giving up big plays in the secondary). Thus, with a little luck on our side, another game or two, can be snatched up by the Warriors…so, I say 6-7 wins, if we get a little tail-wind.
St. Anthony Trojan — hunker down and say stay safe from Typhoon Rammasun, due to hit Manila soon.
8/30/2014 Washington Aloha Stadium (loss)
9/6/2014 Oregon State Aloha Stadium (loss)
9/13/2014 Northern Iowa (win)
9/20/2014 at Colorado Boulder, Colo. (loss)
10/4/2014 at Rice Houston, Texas (loss)
10/11/2014 Wyoming (maybe)
10/18/2014 at San Diego State San Diego, Calif. (loss)
10/25/2014 Nevada (Homecoming) (maybe)
11/1/2014 Utah State (loss)
11/8/2014 at Colorado State Ft. Collins, Colo. (loss)
11/15/2014 at San Jose State San Jose, Calif. (maybe)
11/22/2014 UNLV (win)
11/29/2014 at Fresno State Fresno, Calif. (loss)
PROS:
Receiver position should be good.
Running backs should be good.
Linebackers got some studs.
CONS:
Quarterback position is a big question mark.
Defense is transitioning to a new scheme.
O line is still a question mark after 2 years.
Questionable coaching at the top.
We have good players but questionable coaching just like last year. I really hope I am wrong but Chow’s name really does not inspire much hope.
If they can get two wins in the first four games, they will be off to a great start.
Predictions already? Ugh
#7: Win over Utah State Aggies in Hawaii – Not a miracle! San Diego St. win in Diego will be tough but miracle not needed.
Ummm… CJ is a big boy by now. He needs to be the one making sure that not only is he eligible but on track to getting a degree to ensure his future, especially since he is not a scholarship guy and paying for the classes he is enrolled in.
It’s exciting to know we’re going to be able to run the ball this year and on top of that recently added to our d line depth. I think we’re all in for a pleasant surprise. I just hope the doubters keep fuelin the fire. We all know what a solid running game will do for a team. For the last 15 years, we’ve hardly ever been able to stop the run… hoping the tables have now turned.
Wash L. Colo st L
OSU L San J st L
N Iowa W. Unlv. W
Colo. L. Fresno L
Rice. W
Wyoming W
San D St. L
Nevada W
#14:
how did UH “screw up his classes”?
did UH overlook transfer credits/classes and give him credit when not supposed to?
25.
I think they can pull off a win @ Colorado. That might be my own wishful thinking though since I’ll be at the game…
Times have certainly changed. I remember a time when preseason predictions involved getting to the post season rather than the number of wins.
I’m thinking wins against Wyoming, UNLV and Northern Iowa and SJSU (which would be Chow’s first road win) is reasonable. Depending how well the Warriors fair against Washington and Oregon State, I might be willing to predict a few more wins in conference play, but if the first two games are blowouts, we might be in for another long season. Just too many questions at this point. Not to mention what kinds of injuries at key positions will occur that will inevitable derail any reasonable expectations.
I’m probably more curious as to how many wins Chow has to get in BJ’s eyes that will warrant a fourth year. Decreasing ticket revenue is hard to overlook for any athletic director.
drawing out from last log
if I should donate $1,000 or more to a team, IMHO, a hand written thank you from the coach will be most appreciated; this over a typewritten letter signed by BJ – JMO, but very “superficial” – big woooopieee!
this is where battle field commanders,, down to the Platoon level, deserve so much credit for a hand written letter to every family whose son was killed in action – we don’t see this, but it happened and will continue to happen – now, even the “civilian” leaders are jumping in and writing letters
seems like every “unpopular” conflict/war USA enters, so much added “glitz” comes to fore to soothe over public opinion – happened in Nam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. unfortunately, the past 3 conflicts had little or very little public support – unlike WWI and WWII where the entire “nation” rose up to fight/win the war.
in the middle ages, a young (24 yr old LT) jotted down notes that eventual became a book titled On War by Von Clauswitz – early on he notes that the military is merely an extension of politics and is the “hammer” to end differences – he also notes that the “will ” of the people is necessary to back every conflict; if not, the country/nation will lose the war.
does UH have the “will of the people”? based on “support alone”, individually or business or legislature, I say NO!
#28- I was thinking the same thing. Early last decade we as Warrior fans talked about getting to the post season even having a bowl made for us and all we had to do is get 6 wins.
Nowadays expectations have been lowered to us squeezing to win 4 or 5 games. Im not sure what went wrong but from coach Mac to coach Chow was a big drop in wins and expectations. Getting 4 or 5 wins is NOT ok.
After 2 years I still don’t see a clear direction or identity for the team. Our best offensive play was the hail mary pass =/
Since the World Cup predictions are long gone, seems like a good time to offer up some Rainbow Warrior win/loss predictions. Keep in mind these are just predictions so no get all huhu at the posters who make them.
I remember a couple of years ago and even last year when posters would write that the team would only win a couple of games and many got all riled up. Chillax, get more important things in life.
My prediction? Three wins at most.
I hope for the best but history makes me expect the worst.
Predictions are fun and make for some good conversation, but you play to win EVERY game.
UW’s OOC schedule is composed of UH, Eastern Washington, Illinois, and Georgia State.
OSU’s OOC has Portland St., UH, SDSU.
Will of the people not going matter. There’s only one Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, World Cup, Masters, ASP, etc. winner.
27. Andrew, question… How many road games has Norm Chow won at UH so far?
So yes, I think wishful thinking is correct. haha
31. I predict 3 wins. Maybe 4 if we catch a few breaks.
I remember last year many people were predicting 8,9 wins. This year, not so much. I hope they go beyond what many of us are expecting.
Is Northern Iowa a pushover? They have 3 players named to the preseason All America team including their running back named Johnson, who was also named to the Walter Payton watch list. I remember several years ago, we were heavily favored over a small college team that I can’t recall the name (Texas A&I?) where we got our butts whipped 2 years in a row, at our home too.
36. I predicted 4 last year and I guess I was too optimistic..
Tough to make preseason predictions without a sense of QB capacity. Entering Coach Chow’s 3rd year, the overall team talent and level of experience appears to be upgraded.
Still, it is difficult to apply that measurement against a team with only one win in the previous season. Depth is still a question mark and depends largely on injuries and the testing’s of Camp.
I find myself looking, as I did in the first two years, for anything positive that translates to program growth rather than wins. Last year we saw a second year QB blossom under Chow.
We also saw a promising D buckle than collapse under the weight of a competitive schedule.
I do not see 5 wins. But, if it happens Hawaii fans can rejoice that our program is not only improving but produced more wins than the sum total of its last two years…
37. Florida Atlantic I believe was the team
Oh wait two years in a row? Are you talking about a 1-AA team? FAU wasn’t D1 yet at that time they beat UH
If Hadden is the only PK, we need to get another PK…Hadden has never been consistent or accurate during his tenure here.
Bowwar:
They’re going to have at least two kickers in camp.
Nothern Iowa beat Iowa State last season, 28 – 20.
UH’s 2000 season opener vs Portland State: Final Score PSU – 45 UH – 20. That one hurt, especially after that magical 99 season. To UH’s credit, they did come back the next year and beat I-AA Powerhouse Montana on Maui.
I think one of the keys will be Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson’s health. He has the tools. He just needs to stay healthy.
ST, how many keys does the team need?
34.
True. But he did come very close last season on a few. Plus Colorado isn’t exactly a powerhouse either. They have their own issues.
44
yeah rolo threw a few bounce passes in that game
At least 105 keys! That’s too many. All you need is a key on offense, defense, special teams, and a no-make-mistakes key.
17 boolakanaka – I like the way you think. Praying for tailwind and 6-7 wins.
Take more than “tail wind” for 6 or 7 wins – we’ll need a Hurricane! It will be Hurricane season soon!
51-52… Tail wind, Kona winds, trade winds….I don’t care. While certainly a stretch for some to imagine, just remember the team that played in this year’s national championship game, and was probably 4-5 plays from winning the whole thing, was 3-9, the previous year–Auburn Tigers. Hawai’i has already a history of profound turnarounds, so while improbable, not impossible…..imua tail winds!!
I do think some folk worry too much about whether the offense can score points. I really don’t see that as the salient problem. I think the issue was and still is can our defense stop a good team? and more important can they stop a good team at the critical point? If we can field a team that can do that then we have a very good chance to get those five or six wins.
#43: ST, that’s great…Nothing bad to say about the kid, but Hadden has not lived up to expectations or the hype. There were a few games where his inaccuracy cost us and he has made extra-points an adventure…
I liked the JJ era as they emphasized scoring more points than the opponents…Because at the end of the game, it only matters who has more points and the win. Also, having an exciting offense surely brings in fans…
SteveP:
I think people worry needlessly, anyway.
I like to sit back and watch how things play out.
If someone really knows how things will turn out, they should go to Vegas — or Mapunapuna — and put down money.
People can put lighted candles on the sills if they wish, but JJ is not coming back.
Not in the near future.
Not ever.
I think JJ is now out of Hawaii’s price range.
While Auburn is a good example of a team that turned things around in one year, the difference was that they fired Chizik and rehired Malzahn as the head coach. They also reverted back to a spread no-huddle hurry-up offense after one year with the pro-style offense brought in by Scott Loeffler, who replaced Malzahn when he left for Arkansas State. I think Chizik’s demise was transitioning from the spread to pro-style. Not that I hate the pro-style but its not an easy transition to make from a spread offense.
Anyway, if there was a coaching change in the future, UH probably end up paying a lot more than the 550k salary that’s in Chow’s contract.
Every team fields the same amount of players once the pigskin is kicked off.
UH can go undefeated.
Just briefly went over Northern Iowa’s roster and would agree that they might not be a pushover. In fact, I having some reservations of the outcome of that game. Although they travel to Hawaii, they have a bye week to prepare, and they look pretty experienced on offense with two veteran quarterbacks and all their receivers and most of their offensive lineman (who are big enough to play FBS) returning in addition to the all-conference first team running back. They were ranked 19th in total defense last season but they did lose a lot of starters specifically their front seven. They could make a FCS playoff run but they do play in a tough FCS conference.
Might have to find another win somewhere else on the schedule…lol.
Okay, change my mind. Warriors will beat the Panthers.
Anyway, time for schleep!
Well, guess i’ll start lighting them candles for the window sills. Hope is not an option?
28 Oct 1989, #18 BYU is in town to whip the Rainbows in front of the home fans. It’s expected since the last time the Rainbows beat BYU was in 1974 when Larry Price was head coach (Hawaii 15, BYU 13). The Rainbows are 5-2, having lost to Wyoming and Colorado St. BYU is 6-1 and ranked #18. Aloha Stadium is a sellout – 50,000 fans. Final score, Rainbows 56, BYU 14. Another anecdote about a Larry Price team; they beat the Huskies 10-7 at Seattle to open the 1973 season. And what was impressive about the 1989 win over BYU was that the Rainbows allowed BYU only 14 pts when they were averaging around 40 pts a game. BYU scored 70 pts against Utah that year.
Remember last season how things turned on a dime when Iosepha came back? Possibilities are there with a healthy Joey.
Manti and a certain Heisman candidate speaking at the Downtown Athletic Club tomorrow eh? Might be worth the $40 buffet.
54…hadden is 65-66 the past two years on his PAT’s.
Thanks steveM….me is far from it…just like friends on mainland…when they see news big island volcano erupts…n u on oahu..n they call n ask if you are ok..he he he…me is far away right now in cebu n not manila…lucky..
me is very optimistic.. 7 or 8 wins..if joey stay healthy..last year we had no run game..n still got points via pass..we had many games the latter part of the season where we could have won…penalties..wrong choices…etc..made a difference…
QB is a big problem…there is not enough practices days n time where all can take reps n rise to the top…reps will be important…second half of year will be big improvement…
defense will be better…when yap said “seems like some are not giving 100% on every play”…well me pretty sure that will not be allowed to happen this year.. just a hunch…
Great Morning All!
One less day of waiting until football!
Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
IMUA WARRIORS!