Quick Reads

Star-Advertiser special projects reporter Dave Reardon discusses any and all athletics issues, with a special focus on Hawaii’s athletes and teams.

About the blog host

Dave Reardon is a sports projects reporter for the Star-Advertiser. The Honolulu native and alumnus of Pearl City High, Northwestern University and the University of Hawaii started as a copyboy and prep football stringer at the Star-Bulletin in 1981 and has covered the island sports scene uninterrupted since, except for college and two years at the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun. Dave has also launched a side career in teaching. Follow him on Twitter @dave_reardon

Latest news

Shuffled O-line just one problem as UH dominated by CSU

By Dave Reardon on September 30, 2017

Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich‘s stated fear of his football team losing two games in Wyoming instead of just one came to fruition Saturday night. Lingering injuries contributed to Colorado State’s 51-21 trouncing of the Rainbow Warriors (2-3) in their home conference opener at Aloha Stadium. UH has lost three games in a row and is 0-2 in the Mountain West after starting the season 2-0. “That game was extremely physical and we did not have guys ready to play,” said […]

How I voted in the AP poll after Week 3, with comments

By Dave Reardon on September 18, 2017

Yes, I was “on” Mississippi State ahead of the crowd (because I like their quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald, and their defense). But I was also “on” Tulsa and Appalachian State in the preseason poll … and I was “on” LSU, which MSU trounced, ranking it higher than just about everyone else. And who knows? Georgia could crush the Bulldogs this week. For the full Associated Press Top 25, go here. 1. Alabama (3-0) The Tide’s SEC opener didn’t look very challenging […]

Associated Press college football poll, week two

By Dave Reardon on September 11, 2017

Here’s how I voted in the AP college football poll. Go here for the complete poll. 1. Alabama (2-0) Bama will be 48-6 under Saban against nonconference foes after it beats Colorado State. 2. Oklahoma (2-0) Tulane losing QB Jonathan Banks isn’t as bad as it would be if “Better Call Saul” lost its Jonathan Banks, but the Sooners should roll past the Green Wave regardless. 3. USC (2-0) The Trojans got over their week one sluggishness in a big […]

AP poll, after week one

By Dave Reardon on September 5, 2017

Here’s how I voted after the first full week of college football. For the complete AP poll, go here. 1. Alabama (1-0, beat Florida State 24-7) The Tide got off to a sluggish start against Florida State, but should have no problem with that other FSU visiting from California this week (the Bulldogs won 66-0, but it was against Incarnate Word. 2. Clemson (1-0, beat Kent State 56-3) The defending champs showed they can still score without DeShaun Watson. We […]

Another bittersweet win for UH football

By Dave Reardon on September 2, 2017

For the second week in a row, Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich was not overjoyed with some significant elements of his team’s performance, although the Rainbow Warriors won. UH dominated in its home opener 41-18 over Western Carolina on Saturday at Aloha Stadium, as Diocemy Saint Juste rushed for 202 yards and the the Warriors benefited from three blocked field goal tries by the Catamounts. But this was a team the Rainbows should’ve put away early instead of allowing to […]

Michael Bennett, the NFL’s Mr. Aloha, gets it

By Dave Reardon on August 14, 2017

I’ve only known Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett for a couple of years, and only talk with him, briefly, maybe twice a year. But you don’t need to know him well to understand he is a very good, giving person. I think that goodness that is his nature was nurtured by family, teachers and coaches. I also think it was reinforced by marrying a girl who is from Hawaii, and making his offseason home here in the islands. When […]

Happy Birthday to Pupule Paul

By Dave Reardon on August 12, 2017

Hauoli la hanau to my longtime co-worker and even longer time friend Paul Honda. Here’s why I knew we were going to be pals when we met about 30 years ago: A mutual friend recruited me to play on his rec league softball team. Honda was the coach, and he fed us pizza after every game! But it was more than just the free grub; Paul had the right attitude to lead a team of guys in their 20s in […]

Soup and Sweetness

By Dave Reardon on August 11, 2017

When they were among the best high school baseball players in Seattle in the early 1980s, pitcher Mike Campbell was known as “Soup” for the obvious reason and shortstop Chuck Jackson got the nickname of “Sweetness” for his smooth fielding skills. They both went to the University of Hawaii and make any list of all-time Rainbow greats. Thirty years ago they both achieved their dream and debuted in the Major Leagues. But players starting their big league careers in the […]