Sept. 12, 2006
On the difficulty of playing in Hawaii:
"The feeling of Hawaii is that it is kind of a vacation mentality and it is easy to lose focus on why you are there. I think as a young person it is really hard. The biggest thing is just the mentality that takes you away from concentrating on what you are there for."
"We are going into some difficult but great environments (this season). Last week (at Iowa State) was a great environment and this one this week is going to be great. Game day in Hawaii is an awesome deal."
"It is a very different environment. Not only the island and the feeling of it, but game day and the stadium, the whole thing is different."
On the importance of the Hawaii game:
"It is very important first, for us, as a team. We have got to win on the road. That is the number one thing. It doesn't matter where. We have to win on the road."
"We are making a commitment to recruiting Polynesian players in the mainland, in Hawaii and in Samoa, and because of that, playing in Hawaii and doing well and winning is a big thing. The fact that we have an on-going series, six of the next seven years, it is very important to us."
"We have some Polynesian players on our team and they would play this game in a parking lot. They just love the idea of playing the University of Hawaii."
On why he is focusing on recruiting Polynesian players:
"Because of having Polynesians on the team, they are very family oriented and like to be around each other, and it attracts other Polynesians to come to your program. They are very big, strong and physical guys. Also, Las Vegas is the number one tourist destination for Polynesians."
On the difference between the two teams' offenses:
"What they do is the run-and-shoot, which is an offense that is about 70 percent pass, maybe 80 percent. Our deal is more shot-gun run game, option football element and pro-style passing and the balance between those three."
On Hawaii wide receiver Davone Bess and the Warriors' wide outs:
"He is really good. He is really fast and athletic. They have a good group of receivers."
On his team moving forward after the ending after the Iowa State game:
"You can't focus on or read about yourself the week before. No matter what happened. You have to move forward"
