FORT COLLINS, Colo. » Quarterback Ikaika Woolsey carried two large bags as he emerged from the silence of the University of Hawaii locker room.
He refused offers of help. Stowing his equipment in the moving van was his responsibility.
After that, he approached reporters, ready — once again — to accept ownership of the Rainbow Warriors’ 49-22 loss to Colorado State.
There were many factors that led to the Warriors’ 17th consecutive road loss dating to Oct. 29, 2011. Dropped passes. Missed tackles. Broken assignments.
"I feel responsible for this season," said Woolsey, whose Warriors dropped to 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the Mountain West Conference. "I do take full responsibility for what’s happening this season. I’m a leader. I’m a quarterback. I have to make better decisions with the ball."
Woolsey struggled in the first half, completing six of 22 passes for 56 yards. After the intermission, he was 10-for-25 for 135 yards.
After the game, as he has done willingly this season, Woolsey addressed the media.
"That’s the right thing to do," Woolsey said. "Whenever you’re winning and being all successful, you can be all merry to the media. When adversity hits, you have to handle it like a man, take your blows, and keep moving forward."
Woolsey, a third-year sophomore, acknowledged the role comes "with the territory. The quarterback either gets too much credit or too much blame. I’ll continue to fight for my team, fight for my coaches, stay positive, and send these seniors out the right way."
Woolsey is the most experienced of the Warriors’ active quarterbacks. Woolsey and Beau Reilly were the only active quarterbacks on the travel roster. Eric Prater, a freshman, remained in Honolulu to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s first child.
Woolsey said he and his teammates will continue to seek solutions.
"In times of adversity, it definitely shows what kind of man you are," Woolsey said. "We’re definitely facing adversity now."
Woolsey said he finds motivation from his teammates.
"What keeps me going is my brothers surrounding me," Woolsey said. "The way I was raised, whenever tough times hit, don’t run away from them. Moving forward keeps things positive. That’s how my parents raised me. We have to keep believing in each other. We’ll continue to fight for each other and play for each other and for the coaches. No one in this locker room will quit."
