Travel delays didn’t matter, players say
LOGAN, UTAH » The University of Hawaii football team did not blame the travel delays for their most one-sided loss this season.
Friday’s shootings at Los Angeles International Airport delayed the Rainbow Warriors’ scheduled arrival in Logan, Utah. Instead of departing by charter at noon, they left at 10 p.m. They arrived at the hotel at 2:35 a.m. Saturday. Kickoff was at 2 p.m. for the UH-Utah State game at Romney Stadium.
The initial itinerary called for a 9 a.m. wake-up call on Saturday. The team then was supposed to walk around the hotel property. The pregame meal was scheduled for 9:50 a.m., followed by separate meetings for the offense and defense, and then a team meeting.
UH coach Norm Chow canceled the walk and meetings. The wake-up call was delayed until 10 a.m., with the pregame meal at 10:30 a.m.
"It was a different kind of preparation," slotback Scott Harding said. "I actually didn’t mind. It was good to change it up a little bit. It gets a little bit boring doing the same thing. The boys took it fine. Come game time, we’re a team."
Quarterback Sean Schroeder said: "When you strap it up, you get that adrenaline rush. It’s football. It doesn’t bother us one bit."
Local players contribute in win
Earlier in the week, Utah State junior safety Brian Suite, a former Punahou standout, opened up about his many positive ties to Hawaii: watching games from the sidelines, begging players for gloves, and making the tough choice not to go to his hometown school.
But he said fondness for the Rainbow Warriors would be brushed aside Saturday.
"I respect them, but when they come here, they’re the enemy," he said.
He held fast to his word in the rout, notching six tackles and a pick in Utah State’s dominating defensive performance. His interception at the 6-yard line helped keep Hawaii to only one touchdown in the game.
Although Suite was hurt and missed the second half, he was one of two Aggies from Hawaii to help Utah State cruise. Defensive tackle Elvis Kamana-Matagi of King Kekaulike made two tackles in the game, including getting in on a tackle for a loss. Coach Matt Wells said afterward both had been thrilled to take on their hometown school.
"Huge for (Suite) and for Elvis, too," Wells said. "Those guys, they’ve been excited about this since the schedule came out."
Iosefa remained on sideline
Running back Joey Iosefa was held out of Saturday’s game, giving him another week to rest his left foot.
Iosefa has played one series this season because of the foot injury.
He suffered a fracture in his left foot while training in July. Two months ago, he underwent a procedure in which a screw was inserted into his foot.
Iosefa received medical clearance to play against Utah State. But he was advised it would be better to wait until Saturday’s game against Navy.
"I have to listen to the doctors," Iosefa said. "The last time I tried to rush it. I have to be patient."
Defense couldn’t get off field
The UH defense did not come up with its first stop until 8:11 of the second quarter, when Utah State was finally forced to punt from the Rainbow Warriors 44 with a 17-3 lead.
Hawaii had 12 tackles for loss, with linebacker Art Laurel leading the way with three. But UH did not come up with any sacks.
Daniel Masifilo started at cornerback for the first time. The senior transfer from Arizona State and Campbell High switched from receiver three games ago in search of playing time. He was in on one tackle Saturday.
Wynn makes bittersweet return
It was a bittersweet homecoming for quarterback coach Jordan Wynn.
Wynn was Utah’s starting quarterback when he suffered a career-ending injury at Romney Stadium.
Wynn, who had a year of playing eligibility left, now helps craft UH’s offensive game plan.
Wildcat not ready for prime time
Chow said he had thoughts of using mobile quarterback Ikaika Woolsey near the goal line but chose not to do so because the team hadn’t worked on Woolsey’s wildcat package much recently.
"We thought about a lot of that stuff," Chow said. " (Utah State) had a couple of weeks to prepare and we had this one week. We felt like, we had to leave a little early (and) couldn’t do that the way we should’ve."
