StarBulletin.com

UH's Tip Drill King in spotlight


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POSTED: Tuesday, October 07, 2008

For at least a week, the Iceman must share the hardware throne with the Tip Drill King.

Hawaii safety Keao Monteilh reluctantly accepted the latter title yesterday along with his first career Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the week award after posting a career-high two interceptions and seven tackles in the Warriors' road win against Fresno State last week.

Not to be outdone, kicker Dan Kelly collected his fourth career special teams player of the week award for converting a career-high four field goals, including the game-winner against the Bulldogs in overtime.

Monteilh, who got one of his two picks of Tom Brandstater off a tip by lineman Josh Leonard, was quick to put the award in the figurative custody of the entire Warriors defense. Fresno State turned the ball over six times.

“;I guess that's my new name now ... everybody says everything comes off a tip,”; said Monteilh, who upped his career pick total to five. “;But some guys, if you're in the right spot, you're gonna get a tip, so I've just been blessed that it comes to me.”;

Kelly, who has adopted a new motto of “;Boycott Thinking”; while lining up for kicks, said his early-season struggles are officially a thing of the past after going 4-for-5 on field goals in a hostile environment.

If fans noticed Kelly do a slight stutter-step at the start of his kick strides against the Bulldogs, that's normal for the senior. He explained it's a fail-safe in case he can't hear holder Tim Grasso well in loud venues, and uses it to get in rhythm on the spot even if the snap, hold and kick aren't timed perfectly.

“;It's put in just for that one reason alone, if you do mess up you can control your momentum and stay back,”; Kelly said. “;It was designed where if I do scrub, it's to bail me out. So I just fell back on my technique.”;

After booting the game-winner and getting mobbed by teammates, Kelly bounded up into the Bulldog Stadium stands to meet his girlfriend, Kelly Braden, and family.

“;My whole family was there, and there was nothing else that seemed logical,”; he said. “;I already got dog-piled by my entire team. If I get molested by my teammates, I might as well go up there and prove myself to my girlfriend. There's nothing else I felt like doing - I wanted to get up there and share with the rest of my family.”;

Hawaii had two WAC award winners in the same week for the first time this season after accomplishing the feat three times last year.

Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore was named offensive player of the week for the second time this season.

Idaho's Kama Bailey, a 2008 Damien graduate, was nominated on special teams. He returned seven kickoffs for 217 yards in the Vandals' loss to Nevada.

 

Injury updates

Defensive lineman Rocky Savaiigaea, who suffered a popped triceps against San Jose State, might know what the future holds this week one way or the other.

“;Rocky's going to work out with us this week,”; special teams coach Ikaika Malloe said. “;We have to decide something on him.”;

Fellow D-lineman Fale Laeli was also getting his sprained ankle examined.

“;We may have brought him back too quickly,”; Malloe said.

Linebacker Brashton Satele was to have an X-ray done on his shoulder, which he said was separated after the Fresno game.

 

Short yardage

The News-Star (La.) reported yesterday that Louisiana Tech defensive end Kwame Jordan, considered the Bulldogs' best pass rusher, will miss the Hawaii game with an “;unspecified injury.”;

He leads the team with five tackles for loss and 31/2 sacks.