Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

Warriors head to San Jose

By Stephen Tsai on October 6, 2016

The Warriors had an upbeat 90-minute practice this morning on Ching field, then were scheduled to depart this afternoon on a direct flight to San Jose. (I’m proud of myself. A whole paragraph without breaking into a Dionne Warwick song about you-know-where.) But this being Thursday, the Warriors were ready to ruuuumble. Yep, it was the weekly full-contact, quarterbacks-are-live scrimmage known as the Warrior Rumble featuring developing players and redshirts. Head coach Nick Rolovich played this before the game: Michael […]

Hawaii loses a sports legend

By Stephen Tsai on October 5, 2016

Today, we lost an important man who chronicled Hawaii sports for decades and opened the path for countless sports journalists. We’ll miss Bill Kwon. * * * * * Question: How much did the bye week help before last Saturday’s game against Nevada? Answer: “I think it came at a wonderful time,” said UH coach Nick Rolovich, noting it gave the players three days to focus fully on studies “before they had to worry (about) any football.” He also said […]

Rolo’s turn to ask questions

By Stephen Tsai on October 4, 2016

Nick Rolovich has seized the mic and wants to ask readers these three questions: > “Why wasn’t the whole stadium up and dancing to Kapena’s ‘Masese’ in the fourth quarter?” > “Did you appreciate the ha‘a being done before kickoff?” > “What can we do to bring more fans to the game and make the game experience better?”

Inbox is open

By Stephen Tsai on October 3, 2016

Yep, it’s that day of the week when we open the Inbox to some of your questions about UH football. Questions may be about any player except not directed to true freshmen (who are off limits for interviews during the regular season). No good: “Kealaboy, what do you think about being in the safety rotation this year?” Good: “Coach Elimimian, what do you think about Keala Santiago being in the safety rotation this year?” Thanks. We’ll post some answers on […]

“Sunshine” Superman

By Stephen Tsai on October 2, 2016

It was during an orientation meeting, when each player was asked to introduce himself. Dru Brown recalled that when he stood up, “everyone kind of said, ‘Sunshine.’” It was a reference to Ronnie “Sunshine” Bass, also a quarterback, from the movie, “Remember the Titans.” “I kind of embraced it,” Brown said of the nickname. “It’s better than most nicknames. It’s better than what most newcomers get called.” In his first NCAA start, Brown was 15-of-18 for 222 yards and two […]

Game day: Nevada

By Stephen Tsai on October 1, 2016

It’s the Mountain West Conference opener for Hawaii and Nevada today. Here are the storylines: > It’s hard to believe the Warriors’ season started on Aug. 26/27 on another continent — a span during which they played only once at Aloha Stadium. That’s a long gap for Hawaii fans. > It will be a reunion of sorts for head coach Nick Rolovich, recruiting coordinator Jason Cvercko, strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds, and graduate assistants Makana Garrigan and Mikahael Waters. All were […]

Paredes named honorary captain

By Stephen Tsai on September 30, 2016

One of the most memorable UH plays was in 2010 when linebacker Corey Paredes chased down Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick to force a fumble and touchback. Here’s the video: Paredes stops Kaepernick UH head coach Nick Rolovich named Paredes as honorary captain for tomorrow’s game against Nevada. “It was an honor when Rolo called me,” Paredes told the Warrior Beat. “I’m flattered.” In that game, Paredes forced Kaepernick to lose two fumbles. Despite Kaepernick’s tall build and long strides, Paredes […]

Thursday football

By Stephen Tsai on September 29, 2016

The Warriors introduced a new practice session, with the second team serving as the scouts. The formula is used out of necessity on the road, when travel rosters are limited to 64 players, but it was effective today in giving the starters a quicker and more experienced “opponent.” Two key defensive players are healthy and ready to go. Defensive end Meffy Koloamatangi did not play in the past two games. Defensive tackle Ka‘aumoana Gifford missed the Arizona game while recovering […]