Warrior Beat

No news was good news for former University of Hawaii football player John Ursua. By not being alerted by today’s 10 a.m. deadline to pare NFL rosters, Ursua has made the Seattle Seahawks’ opening-day 53-man roster. “The process is different,” Ursua told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Stephen Tsai in a telephone interview. “It’s opposite the draft. You don’t want to receive a phone call. If you receive a phone call, then you’re cut. They let you know by not letting you […]

Football pool takes on a different meaning today with the Warriors’ training at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. It was a refreshing change for the Warriors, who already conducted three two-hour practices during this bye week. * * * * * A ruling on offensive lineman Michael Eletise‘s eligibility for this season is now back in the NCAA’s jurisdiction. Eletise transferred from Arizona this summer. He requested a waiver that would allow him to play this season without redshirting. Arizona […]

There were two explanations as to why the Hawaii football team practiced at Farrington High’s Edward “Skippa” Diaz Stadium this morning: 1. The Warriors wanted to rest their grass practice field, which has been chewed up with rain and heavy use. 2. “We needed to find out where that mana came from on that last play,” head coach Nick Rolovich said, a reference to defensive lineman Pumba Williams‘ 35-yard sprint to help tackle Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate a yard short […]

On a bye week, the Warriors welcomed Isaiah Tufaga, a former All-State football player from Saint Louis School. A week ago, Tufaga announced on Twitter he was transferring from Oregon State. Yesterday, Tufaga went through the drills with a helmet. Today, Tufaga was in shoulder pads. He is likely to redshirt this year in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. >> UH FOOTBALL PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY AUG. 28 “It was good to put the pads back on and get a feel […]

Even before he was born, Manly Williams would be known as “Pumba,” a nickname his older brother chose from “The Lion King.” Growing up, Williams said, “the only people who called me Manly were my mom, my grandpa and my teachers.” After making a tandem tackle to seal the Warriors’ 45-38 victory over Arizona this past weekend, Williams is a household name. Several teams — including Clemson, Georgia, the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills — used the video clip […]

To the victors go … the omelets. In what has become a protein-filled tradition, the Monday after each football victory, the Warriors are treated to an omelet of their choice at the training-table breakfast. (All student-athletes eligible for training table also are allowed to partake in the omelets.) That was the case this morning when omelets were served in addition to the usual buffet of scrambled eggs, various meats and poultry, fruits, vegetables, and so forth. Following Saturday’s victory over […]

It was 33 years ago when Corey Batoon and Manly Williams were Saint Louis School teammates. Batoon was a quick and tough defensive back. Williams was a dynamic linebacker who was equally remembered for mowing down opponents on special teams. Batoon, now UH’s defensive coordinator, said his former teammate’s nephew — also named Manly Williams, but answers to Pumba — has the same appreciation for the sport. >> HAWAII VS. ARIZONA PHOTO GALLERY “I know how important football is to […]

Hawaii holds on for 45-38 lead when Kalen Hicks and Pumba Williams tackle Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate a yard short of the end zone as time expires. * * * * * 8 p.m. — The Wildcats cut their deficit when Luke Havrisik nailed a 53-yard field goal with 3:53 to play. It actually started as a 38-yard attempt, but three consecutive penalties against the Wildcats lengthened the distance. * * * * * 7:49 p.m. — Chevan Cordeiro fires […]