Warrior Beat

In Nevada, the shortest line is at the cashier’s window, a reflection on the difficulty in getting paid. The image, in Reno this past weekend, is a metaphor to the Warriors’ current predicament. This is supposed to be the Warriors’ payoff year. They entered the season with a senior-heavy offensive line, a returning starting quarterback, stars at key positions, and a manageable 12-game schedule with two byes. Instead, the Warriors closed the first half of the regular season at 2-4 […]

It’s back to the proverbial drawing board for the Warriors following a surprising 35-21 loss to previously winless Nevada last night. The Warriors travel today (through Oakland) and will have meetings and conditioning drills tomorrow. But the week will be spent: > Fixing defensive lapses — the Wolf Pack rolled up 566 yards and converted half their third-down plays (compared to UH’s 1-of-8). > Knocking off (big) penalties. The Warriors committed 11 infractions (six by the offensive line) for 114 […]

Today’s opponents are hopeful of ending significant losing streaks. The Warriors have lost three in a row, a 35-day span dating to Sept. 2. The Wolf Pack is zip-for-2017. Both teams are slow starters. But the Warriors have the edge in stability — Dru Brown will be making his 16th consecutive start; Ty Gangi will make his fourth start after bouncing on the depth chart from No. 1 to No. 3. The Warriors will be without tight end Metuisela ‘Unga, […]

Chris Naeole made it official, announcing his resignation (through his lawyer) as the offensive line coach. He cited “certain philosophical differences with the handling of disciplinary matters in the program.” At least four players were suspended for the Sept. 23 Wyoming game, and three others for last week’s game against Colorado State. But one of the suspensions was out of the football program’s jurisdiction and was referred to either the Office of Judicial Affairs, which handles violations of the student […]

All signs point to offensive line coach Chris Naeole no longer being part of the UH coaching staff. Naeole did not attend the past two practices, and he is not expected to be part of the travel party for Saturday’s road game against Nevada. The Warriors are scheduled to depart this afternoon. Head coach Nick Rolovich declined to comment on Naeole’s status following this morning’s practice. Offensive coordinator Brian Smith and graduate assistant John Estes coached the offensive linemen the […]

Quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann caught passes from Nevada receivers coach Tim Chang and UH head coach Nick Rolovich when they were Warrior teammates. Here’s Stutzmann’s assessment: > On Chang: “Timmy, I think, had a quicker release. He played in the system for such a long time. His anticipation was pretty good. The ball came out fairly quickly. He had the quick release that came out by his ear. I played with him at Saint Louis. When (Jason) Gesser got hurt […]

Tight end Metuisela ‘Unga is suffering from an ankle injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season, coach Nick Rolovich confirmed. ‘Unga, who is expected to undergo surgery, might be eligible for a medical hardship that would allow him to return as a fifth-year senior in 2018. He has never redshirted since joining the Warriors in 2014. Rolovich also confirmed ‘Unga and slotbacks Kalakaua Timoteo III and Davine Tullis were held out of Saturday’s game against CSU […]

There was no production involving koalas, diving boards, K-pop singers or WWE’s New Day. Instead, Nick Rolovich did the most surprising act: he awarded a scholarship to receiver Frank Abreu without fanfare. He actually did it a couple weeks ago, so I apologize for being a paleontology journalist. Abreu — yes, he is the latest in a long, long line of Frank Abreus — works hard, does well academically, and is generally a good teammate. He’s also a senior, so […]