CORVALLIS, ORE. » University of Hawaii linebacker Julian Gener uses text messages, Skype and FaceTime to keep in daily contact with his family in California.
On Saturday, Gener delivered a message by intercepting a pass and "taking it to the house."
Gener, who transferred from Mount San Antonio College in January, was one of the few UH standouts in a 33-14 loss to Oregon State.
Gener made 11 tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble.
His biggest play came when he intercepted Sean Mannion’s pass into the right flat and sprinted 23 yards for the Rainbow Warriors’ first touchdown.
"He had the pick-six," UH coach Norm Chow said. "He played well."
The Warriors were in man-to-man coverage when the fullback curled into the right flat on a delayed route. Strong safety John Hardy-Tuliau stormed into the backfield on a blitz.
"We knew we had a blitz going on, so when the quarterback has pressure, he’s going to throw the ball up," Gener said. "I just jumped in front of the fullback and made a play. I got in front of him. I kind of bobbled it, but I made sure to catch it and take off."
He also made sure he stayed inside the line.
"I was trying to get to the end zone," Gener said. "That’s all I could think about. I had to stay in bounds."
Gener said he does not know his time in the 40-yard dash.
"When the ball is in my hands, I have a special gear," Gener said. "I guess I don’t want to get caught."
Gener enrolled at UH in January. While Art Laurel recovered from a shoulder injury, Gener ascended to the top of the depth chart at weakside linebacker. Laurel received medical clearance in July. Laurel and Gener rotate in the UH’s base 4-3 defense.
"Sometimes it’s hard going in and out," Gener said. "You have to be mentally in the game at all moments."
Gener is used to sharing. He is the middle of seven children.
In the first half, middle linebacker Brenden Daley suffered what was later diagnosed as a concussion. That led to some alterations. In the base scheme, Laurel and Tevita Lataimua rotated in the middle, and Gener played on the weakside. When the Warriors went with three down linemen, Gener played inside linebacker.
Gener said he prepared himself to play multiple positions in spring training and training camp.
"In terms of the way I prepped, I do what I do every week," Gener said. "I watch a lot of film. I go to bed early."
Although the Warriors had gone through all of their defensive plans on Thursday, Gener reviewed OSU videos in his hotel room on Friday night.
"I did what I always did," Gener said. "I don’t know, maybe there’s special Gatorade I had tonight. I’m not going to change anything I do. It works for me every week. Why change that?"
He then excused himself to meet with his parents after the game.
