Warrior Beat: Egg-cellent outcome for Hawaii football
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 Arizona, head coach Nick Rolovich revived a past tradition: the awarding of a game ball. The initial one went to defensive coordinator Corey Batoon.
The defense, Rolovich said, “made enough plays to win that game when things got tough.”
Rolovich pointed to two of them: 1) Kai Kaneshiro‘s pick soon after UH’s opening drive ended with an an interception, and 2) the final takedown when Pumba Williams and Kalen Hicks tackled Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate a yard short of the goal line as time expired.
Williams, in particular, was singled out for flushing Tate from the pocket, then sprinting more than 30 yards downfield for the tackle. That play, as it turned out, drew widespread attention.
Batoon said the Georgia Bulldogs “started their team meeting the other day showing the clip.”
Rolovich said a Buffalo Bills coach indicated he would show that clip to his players, too.
“That’s what all D-line coaches preach,” Rolovich said of Williams’ effort. “And when you see it win a game, that’s a play that may improve D-line play across the country. Sometimes, those guys are forgotten. They saw that effort come in and win a football game.”
2 great plays but we all know Okeke pick was the play if the Rolo era. That saved the game period.
Great Win, over PAC 12 team !!!
GO WARRIORS !!!
1.
Agreed. Without that pick, I think Arizona takes the lead and the momentum
1. Highly agree. I’m sure Okeke got his recognition. He was one of the three players chosen to do the post-game presser with Cordeiro and Byrd. Play of the game that led to another play of the game.
Tomey would have loved loved loved loved that Williams play, he would have played it until the projector broke.
His favorite play, was an old UCLA defensive game tape, in it, Charles White, the Heisman winner is chased down from and stripped of the ball causing a key fumble. He would play it over and over, saying “ones a walk-in paying his own way the other a future millionaire, but look who wins—he would shout, pounding his fist on the table. Love Tomey….
Man, should have been steak and eggs….Good win!
Nice to see Pumba’s highlight vid will be shown across the nation!
tried to watch the vids on this page but man the commercials are like very 10 seconds or so…will not watch any vids going forward…just nothing but commercials.
Jeezy:
Huge play by Okeke.
Last week, the players were saying Okeke
was among the four fastest on the team. I always viewed him as more of the LB-ish type. But, dang, Okeke showed he can fly on that return.
Both plays were turning points BUT the point being made by Corey Batoon is Williams hustle down field as an iconic teaching rule for pursuit, “dont give up on the play”. In Williams case, he not only flushed the Arizona QB out of the pocket behind the line of scrimmage, but, also sprinted some 40 yards down field in hot pursuit and tackled the QB as time ran out.
That is reason for coaches: High school to the NFL, snatching this film clip and showing it as a valuable teaching tool and REMINDER to not give up on the play. It is a classic example of why defensive coaches tirelessly preach PURSUE, sideline to sideline and down the field until the whistle blows. In this case it was pursuit and tackle before the ball carrier crosses the goal line. GREAT EFFORT! A CLASSIC!
Congratulations to Coach Rolo and the entire Rainbow Warrior team on a great win! Football Fans around the country are talking about this game.
I was there in person cheering on our Rainbow Warriors. The crowd was really loud. In fact. The crowd contributed to 3 consecutive off sides penalties against Arizona as they attempted a Field Goal.
This team is exciting and deserves our Support. It is so much more exciting in person. All UH Football Fans. Please come out to the next UH Football Game against Oregon State and show your support.
It is really appreciated!
I’m trying to remember the last time we had two picks? Lol anyway Okeke also made a good backfield tackle earlier in the game…We cut the turnovers, we’ll be a dangerous team…The offense moved the ball with ease out there..Good job boys…Work on the mistakes and all will be well!
7. He probably is better suited for LB and might have a shot in the NFL as a weak side linebacker.
I think the point was the first was about the attitude of the defense and the second was about a relentless approach.
As Rolo explained it, the team was on an emotional swing after going for it on fourth down and then throwing the pick. But the defense came right back and made the tip and interception.
Of course, there were other plays, but it would have changed the tone if UH didn’t get the ball back in the first quarter.
Jeezy:
I remember that 2016 Hawaii Bowl. Okeke has a fever all week, he lost 10 pounds, and then he comes in and makes the strip-sack. UH is fortunate to have two Bishop Gorman alums.
I know hindsight is kind of pointless, but after seeing how the game went down, it would have been interesting to see what would have been if Ursua was unleashed on the Arizone Defense. They had a tough enough time containing Byrd. Ursua would have had ate them up.
Arizona*
Have a feeling that Cole McDonald will “take it out” against Oregon State and break their Dam in two weeks.
The fact that UH’s coaching staff is intact for the past two seasons is big and showed the results vs UA. Hard to figure out how a P5/Pac 12 teams will all of those talented players, gleaming facilities, resources, and millions coming in annually from TV can lose to a team like Hawaii. I just hope some UH Administrator is not saying “See! UH Football no need new facilities and more money. They when beat one P5 school in Arizona!”
Andrew:
Byrd actually played in Ursua’s old spot in the right slot. It shows Rolo/Smith/Allen/Stutzmann made the right decision in pairing Byrd and Ward on the right side.
I was watching an old Batman TV show with Egghead (Vincent Price).
He kept saying egg-zactly and egg-zaggerate.
Ah, the shows of my youth.
Egg-ztrodinary play deserves egg-ztravagant reward! I egg-zpect to see more fans in the stands in two weeks!
GO WARRIORS!!!
Any word on Eletise?
Im curious to see how people try to match up against the 5 wideout formation. All the receivers looked good i could only imagine how bad the headaches our receivers will cause defenses once stovall gets caught up on the offense. Sharsh looked good though.
Great Morning All!
Not taking away from Saturday’s heroics but I recall a play from last season’s (how’s the Tomey-relatedness) SJSU 5-OT win when a Safety ran down a Spartan RB just before halftime to save a TD…that was Ikem Okeke.
He has been fast for awhile. (the SLS-Gorman game is this Friday 😉 )
no -negativity but looked like dbs were slow coming out of endzone to help
on the last play… go bows
looking at the jump pass touchdown by Arizona, looks like their linemen were down field past the line of scrimmage
AZ flagrantly held numerous times no call. Watch the last AZ possession for a taste-
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