Warrior Beat

Even in the rain — and that’s how it’s been in Manoa all week — the Warriors managed to mix fun and fundamentals in their first four bowl practices. Head coach Nick Rolovich said the first week of practice “was just OK. I didn’t think it was outstanding. I wish I could say it was outstanding.” The Warriors opened this morning’s practice with a punting competition between the offensive and defensive linemen. The O-line won when Leo Koloamatangi, who needed […]

Every now and then, young(er) people will ask me if I’m considering retirement. I’d like to think they mean well, and that they’re not just eyeing my cool desk between Ferd Lewis and Nanea Kalani. But it still comes across like they’re holding a mirror by my mouth to see if I’m still breathing. The point is, I’m old, a heart patient, and lazy, but I’m not thinking about retiring. And neither should volleyball coach Dave Shoji, who in contrast, […]

One of the top high school football players in American Samoa has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawaii football team. Penei Stowers-Pavihi, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from Tafuna High, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he will put his commitment in writing on Feb. 1, the first day 2017 prospects may sign national letters of intent. By pledging to UH, Stowers-Pavihi is turning down offers from Washington State and Oregon State. Stowers-Pavihi has been his team’s captain and most […]

Donovan “Dub” Dalton’s verbal commitment is a boost for the Warriors during this recruiting season. Here’s what the Saguaro High (Ariz.) senior brings: > Remember six years ago when UNLV’s 6-foot-3 wideout Phillip Payne created matchup nightmares for UH cornerbacks? The receiver position has been trending upward, on the tape measure, the past few years. UH, among many teams, has been countering with taller corners. Jalen Rogers and Rojesterman Farris II are both 6-1. Terrence Sayles, who moved from wideout […]

Kesi Ah-Hoy, Kahuku’s versatile football player, is set to join the Warriors in 2017. By making a verbal commitment, Ah-Hoy turned down offers from Oregon State and BYU. Ah-Hoy, who said he is 6 feet and 205 pounds, was a running back/wildcat quarterback for his first three Kahuku seasons. He was named to this newspaper’s 2015 All-State first team as a utility player. He played mostly safety this past season. Ah-Hoy said he has been told he will compete as […]

What was assumed for a week became official today: the Warriors will play Middle Tennessee in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. It will be the Warriors’ return to the postseason for the first time since the 2010 Hawaii Bowl. And it will mark a full-circle scenario for Nick Rolovich, UH’s first-year head coach. In 2001, Rolovich led the Warriors to a record-setting regular season that did not result in a postseason bowl. That […]

Leave it to Nick Rolovich to get creative when it comes to exit interviews with the 2017 returning players. Rolovich and his staff created profile sheets based on the player profiles found in the Madden video game. But instead of categories such as power moves and acceleration, the UH profiles give ratings for academics, discipline, awareness, strength, speed, quickness/agility, toughness, consistency, coachability, leadership and nastiness. Each profile includes a player’s picture and vitals. It is a unique way to connect […]

Hawaii’s visitor count increased with the arrival of football prospects. There are 10 making official visits this weekend. * * * * * Every now and then, our good friend Jacky Buder texts with a giveaway T-shirt. OK, OK, Hawaii hasn’t officially been invited to the Hawaii Bowl, but who’s got time for little details like invitation notes? Anyway, Buder says to give away this Hawaii Bow(l) T-shirt (XL size): To enter our drawing, please post: I wanna go bowling! […]