By

POSTED: Saturday, October 10, 2009

So far, Bryant Moniz has handled the pressure of being the starting quarterback for the University of Hawaii.

How Moniz and the Warriors react to the heat Fresno State will try to apply will be a key to the outcome of today's Western Athletic Conference game at Aloha Stadium.

Moniz—who was playing at Fresno City College two years ago—will make his first Division I start for the Warriors (2-2, 0-1 WAC) a week after Greg Alexander underwent surgery to repair a season-ending knee injury.

Claiming the starting job heading into the rivalry game with the Bulldogs (1-3, 0-1) means stepping into the brightest spotlight he's played under since leading Leilehua into the state championship game as a high school sophomore.

“;I think back then I was a lot more nervous. Fifteen years old, I was very nervous,”; Moniz recalled earlier this week. “;I guess I got used to it, got more comfortable.”;

Keeping Moniz relaxed in the pocket will require the Warriors holding off the Bulldogs' pass rush long enough for him to locate his receivers.

After seven sacks contributed to UH's lowest point output since 2004 in a 27-6 loss at Louisiana Tech last week, the Warriors expect Fresno State to test Moniz's poise.

“;Especially after we got some pressure last week, I think we have to anticipate them at least trying,”; UH quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich said. “;Especially with a new quarterback, to see how he reacts.”;

“;We all have to do our jobs to help him out,”; center John Estes said. “;It's going to be a team effort to win.”;

Moving into the starting role gave Moniz a heightened media profile and the majority of the snaps in practice this week. Rolovich saw him go through some ups and downs the past few days, but said he ended “;on fire”; on Thursday, UH's final full practice of the week.

“;He understands the offense very well, he goes through his progressions, uses his eyes to move the defenders,”; said slotback Kealoha Pilares, the Warriors' leader in receptions. “;He allows us to make plays as receivers.”;

               

     

 

WAC FOOTBALL         Fresno State (1-3, 0-1) at Hawaii (2-2, 0-1)         When: Today, 5 p.m.         Where: Aloha Stadium TV: PPV, Dig. 255 Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM Line: Fresno State by 10

But as accurate as he has been, Moniz's composure has impressed his teammates just as much.

“;That's the first thing I noticed when he stepped into the huddle,”; Pilares said. “;He's just really calm and I don't think he's really bothered by anything. It's going to be his first game and he has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, so that attribute is going to come out.”;

The latest renewal of the WAC's second-longest-running rivalry (Fresno State-San Jose State is the longest) features offenses ranked among the nation's elite. Hawaii ranks third in passing offense; Fresno State holds the same spot in rushing and is seventh in total offense.

UH junior Greg Salas leads the country in receiving (150.2 yards per game), while Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews is second in ground yardage (148 ypg).

If Moniz can move the chains—thus keeping Fresno State's running game off the field—that takes pressure off a defense trying to atone for the 449-yard performance at Louisiana Tech.

“;If you're not motivated already to step up and change what's going on, you shouldn't be playing right now,”; defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea said. “;If you're not motivated right now, I don't know what's wrong with you.

“;Everybody has to swarm to the ball, and make plays. That's what our defense is built on—playing hard, playing emotional and making gang tackles.”;

Today's game will be Hawaii's first at Aloha Stadium since opening the season against Central Arkansas 36 days ago. The Warriors have dropped two of three road games since then. The current series is tied at 20-20-1, but more importantly, a win here could dictate the conference season for both teams.

“;It's going to be a great, tough ballgame, these always are,”; UH head coach Greg McMackin said. “;This is a rivalry, it's always settled right at the end, and it's going to be a street fight.”;

UH assists in relief effort

UH student-athletes will be assisting in the American Red Cross' “;Operation Uplift”; at today's game. Members of the baseball, softball and basketball teams will be accepting donations at the stadium gates to aid in disaster relief efforts in the Pacific region.

Probable starters

HAWAII

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

     

     

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

 

Offense
Z	81	Royce Pollard	6-1	175
Y	21	Kealoha Pilares	5-11	200
LT	77	Aaron Kia	6-5	290
LG	64	Ray Hisatake	6-3	315
C	55	John Estes	6-3	300
RG	74	Raphael Ieru	6-2	315
RT	66	Adrian Thomas	6-6	310
H	1	Greg Salas	6-2	200
X	3	Rodney Bradley	6-0	190
QB	17	Bryant Moniz	6-0	190
RB	23	Leon Wright-Jackson	6-1	215
Defense
DE	90	Elliott Purcell	6-3	255
DT	92	Rocky Savaiigaea	6-2	305
DT	49	Tuika Tufaga	6-2	285
DE	58	Fetaiagogo Fonoti	6-2	255
SLB	59	R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane	5-11	225
MLB	53	Blaze Soares	6-1	245
BLB	41	Corey Paredes	5-11	230
CB	4	Tank Hopkins	5-9	165
SAM	9	Spencer Smith	5-11	205
FS	43	Mana Silva	6-1	220
CB	18	Jeramy Bryant	5-10	180
Specialists
PK	20	Scott Enos	5-9	180
P	31	Alex Dunnachie	6-3	235
Snap	45	Luke Ingram	6-5	210
Hold	11	Inoke Funaki	5-11	205
KR	81	Royce Pollard	6-1	175
PR	88	Ryan Henry	5-9	170

FRESNO STATE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

     

     

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

       

     

 

Offense
WR	6	Chastin West	6-1	215
LT	70	Bryce Harris	6-6	295
LG	79	Devon Cunningham	6-6	350
C	74	Joe Bernardi	6-2	280
RG	69	Andrew Jackson	6-5	295
RT	60	Kenny Wiggins	6-7	310
TE	49	Vince Pascoe	6-0	230
FB	48	Reynard Camp	5-11	270
TB	21	Ryan Mathews	5-11	220
QB	15	Ryan Colburn	6-3	220
WR	2	Seyi Ajirotutu	6-4	210
Defense
DE	43	Chris Carter	6-2	230
NT	65	Chase McEntee	6-3	285
DT	93	Chris Lewis	6-3	260
DE	92	Kenny Borg	6-3	245
OLB	53	Kyle Knox	6-1	215
MLB	54	Ben Jacobs	6-3	225
OLB	55	Nico Herron	6-3	240
CB	24	Desia Dunn	5-9	190
SS	3	Moses Harris	5-11	205
FS	20	Lorne Bell	5-10	200
or	19	Marvin Haynes	6-1	205
CB	28	A.J. Jefferson	6-0	190
Specialists
PK	35	Kevin Goessling	6-0	190
KO	35	Andrew Shapiro	6-1	180
Punt	42	Robert Malone	6-2	225
LS	58	Bobby Shepard	6-2	235
Hold	42	Robert Malone	6-2	225
PR	6	Chastin West	6-1	215
KR	28	A.J. Jefferson	6-0	190
	6	Chastin West	6-1	215