By Dave Reardon

Went to cover the OIA football semis tonight and got to talk to Vince Manuwai and Lance Samuseva. Both seem to be doing well and were overjoyed with Farrington’s win.

By Cindy Luis

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By Dave Reardon

 Jason Kaneshiro checks in from Utah:

The team is staying Ogden and had its walk-through at Weber State’s practice field, where Ron McBride and Chad Kauha’aha’a stopped by to visit. The original itinerary had them going through the walk-though in a parking lot in the hotel property. Alex Gerke was busy visiting with some of the Weber State coaches he worked with the last two years.

Portland State is also staying in the Ogden Marriott. The Vikings face Weber State tomorrow. Haven’t run into Jerry Glanville or Mouse Davis as yet.

By Cindy Luis

Nickie Thomas turns 23 today.Utah State wins at home 23-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 15-11Idaho has the tie-breaker though based on set differential.Currently USU 7-5, Idaho 7-4.    

By Cindy Luis

In Boulder, Colorado wins 25-19, 27-25, 18-25, 25-16. Nebraska had 14 service errors and Colorado had 14.5 blocks. In Austin, Oklahoma wins 25-21, 9-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13. OU is now 9-12, 5-8 Big 12; Texas 16-3, 9-2.   

By Dave Reardon

Greg McMackin told Jason Kaneshiro today after practice that Greg Alexander will start at quarterback Saturday at Utah State. Inoke Funaki is expected to play in a platoon role. Also, Desmond Thomas will start at free safety, the coach said. Keith AhSoon will make the trip, and has taken plenty of reps at left guard. When he does so, Laupepa Letuli slides over to left tackle.

By Dave Reardon

Some notes from Jason today:

As expected, ESPN2 is picking up the UH-Cincinnati on Dec. 6. Kickoff will be 6:30 p.m.

The Washington State game on Nov. 29 will be a normal 6:05 start.

Also, Keith AhSoon was back in practice this morning, taking some reps at guard. Laupepa Letuli was still first in the rotation. Josh Leonard sat out practice, but expects to practice tomorrow and said he’ll be ready to go on

Saturday.

By Dave Reardon

As John Veneri pointed out on the Rob and Russ Show this morning, Greg McMackin did indeed apologize at his news conference yesterday for using two timeouts in a row near the end of the game a minute or two before saying fans can decide on how to use timeouts when they have a football team. McMackin also told me he was having a little fun with the line (which he also used on his radio show) and wants to remind the fans that he does respect and appreciate them. “It’s a lot easier to joke around after a win,” he said today.

By Cindy Luis

this from UH Hawaii freshman hitter Kanani Herring has legally changed her last name to Danielson.

The outside hitter has started 19 of the 20 matches for UH this season, averaging 3.05 kills and 2.92 digs per set while hitting .305 for the season.

 

“This is something that I have been looking forward to finalizing for a long time,” Danielson said in a statement released by the university. “I have decided to take the name Danielson, the name of my stepfather William Danielson, because he is the man who raised me and the man I think of as my father. I’m just glad that this is now official because it has been in the making for a while.”

The 2008 Kamehameha Schools graduate  is  a three-time state volleyball player, as well as the 2007 Volleyball magazine national player of the year.

 

By Dave Reardon

In response to questions about what some fans perceive as confusion and clock management problems: First of all, after a game Hawaii wins, we ask questions about how UH won. After a game they lose, we ask about how they lost. We have our own clock management issues (called deadline), and only have a few minutes to file a story after the game Saturday night.It doesn’t mean we’re afraid to “ask a million-dollar coach tough questions” as one emailer suggested.I asked Greg McMackin today if the new timing  rules (40-second playclock) are causing any problems, and he said no. “Not a problem at all,” he said. “Everyone’s on top of that.” As for using two timeouts back to back, he said, “People asking about that can decide how to use timeouts when they have a football team.”Not much new today. McMackin reiterated that there will be a platoon quarterback situation, and that Ryan Mouton will be a two-way player, at slotback and nickel on defense. He lauded the special teams, and once again said that punter Tim Grasso is “probably our MVP.”Adam Leonard, who played with a broken finger, will be OK, and so will Josh Leonard, who rolled an ankle late in the game.