Monday, September 10, 2001
[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
Defense came up The last time Hawaii's Pisa Tinoisamoa played a game like the one he did Saturday, he was named the Western Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Week.
big for UH
A 40-pound weight loss helped
linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa
lead a strong team effort10 questions with coach June Jones
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe junior outside linebacker derailed Montana's offense with 13 tackles as the Warriors beat the Grizzlies 30-12 in UH's season opener at Maui's War Memorial Stadium. Tinoisamoa made five tackles for losses, including three sacks.
"He made some key plays," UH coach June Jones said.
He had a similar game last year as Hawaii beat Southern Methodist 30-15 on Oct. 14. He was in on a career-high 15 tackles including three sacks.
"I think he's decided he wants to continue to be a good football player," said UH associate head coach George Lumpkin, who handles linebackers. "He's more focused and outside linebacker is more comfortable for him.
"He had never played inside linebacker before and last year was the first time for him. It's a little bit different in there because there's a lot of action coming at you both ways. But he played some middle in our nickel packages. I just think he's more determined this year."
Tinoisamoa echoed those sentiments.
"I feel like I have something to prove to myself and to my teammates," Tinoisamoa said. "I'm much more comfortable now that I've lost some weight (nearly 40 pounds). I thought being stronger and bigger would help me, but this is more my speed."
On Saturday, safety Nate Jackson took care of a lot of what Tinoisamoa didn't get, making 10 solo tackles.
Cornerback Hyrum Peters added 7 stops, all solo.
Defensive end Kevin Jackson, used mostly as a pass rush specialist, was in on five tackles and hurried Montana quarterback John Edwards three times.
Montana running back Yohance Humphery rushed for 133 yards on 22 carries, but no touchdowns.
Offensively, the Warriors set a couple of personal career bests.
Sophomore quarterback Tim Chang completed 31 passes in 54 attempts for a career-high 435 yards, eclipsing the 403 he passed for last season against San Jose State.
The 435 yards is the fourth-highest single-game passing total for a UH player.
Junior wide receiver Justin Colbert caught 8 passes for a career-high 139 yards. His previous high was 124 yards on 9 catches last season against Wisconsin.
In other numbers of note:
>> Saturday's announced attendance of 11,254 was the smallest for a Hawaii home game since Nov. 23, 1974, when 10,628 turned out for UH's 21-7 homecoming victory over Fresno State at Honolulu Stadium.
>> Safety Robert Grant's interception, which he returned 27 yards, was the first in the career of the converted running back.
>> Ashley Lelie moved past Dane McArthur to fourth on UH's all-time receiving yardage list. With 163 yards Saturday on 8 catches, Lelie now has 1,791 yards.
>> Craig Stutzmann passed David Dyas to move into seventh in career receiving. Stutzmann's 99 yards on 8 receptions gives him 1,513 yards.
>> Chang jumped over Larry Arnold into seventh in passing yardage with 3,476.
>> Hawaii's victory was only its second in its last eight season openers.
>> Chang has now passed for 21 touchdowns, but has also been intercepted 21 times.
>> With his fourth-quarter fumble recovery on a UH punt Saturday, junior Sean Butts has now recovered a fumble, forced a fumble (1999 Oahu Bowl) and blocked a point-after attempt (last season against Wisconsin). His recovery against Montana set up freshman Justin Ayat's first career field goal, a 22-yarder.
>> Hawaii's next opponent, Nevada, lost 35-18 at Colorado State. The Wolf Pack played without starting quarterback David Neill. Neill, Nevada's career total offense leader, was held out for breaking an unspecified team rule. He is expected to play in his team's home opener against the Warriors. Nevada's Chance Kretschmer rushed for 114 yards on 24 carries in the loss to Colorado State.
Star-Bulletin sports editor Paul Arnett contributed to this report.
Star-Bulletin: Were there specific offensive adjustments after not scoring in the first quarter that helped get you going? 10 questions with
coach June JonesThe day after each Hawaii football game this season the Star-Bulletin will ask coach June Jones 10 questions. Here is what Jones had to say in the aftermath of UH's 30-12 victory over Montana on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.June Jones: It was more a case of us executing better and having the wind at our back.
SB: Jacob Espiau, Josiah Cravalho, Houston Ala and Bronson Liana all suffered injuries that knocked them out of the game. How critical are the defensive injuries as you prepare to open the Western Athletic Conference season at Nevada on Saturday?
JJ: They are very much a concern. We'll have to wait and see until (tomorrow) to see who is available.
SB: The special teams came up with some big plays. Were you happy overall with their performance?
JJ: I thought Mat McBriar punted the ball well. Clifton Herbert did a good job on punt returns. We covered punts well and did some other good things, but there's room for improvement. There was the breakdown on the second-half kickoff coverage. But overall it was pretty good for the first game.
SB: Is the altitude at Reno a potential problem?
JJ: No, that's not a concern.
SB: What is your current feeling on playing another game at a neighbor island venue? Maui specifically? How about Japan?
JJ: We're happy with the experience on Maui and we'll look at future neighbor island games. It's a night the island will never forget. We're still pursuing the idea of a game in Japan, there were some contacts about a month ago. There are some NCAA rules we have to abide by regarding international games.
SB: Many people are still concerned about your health. How do you feel after the stress of coaching a real game?
JJ: I feel OK, I was a little more sore than most days when I got up (yesterday). Maybe it's from standing so long. It's probably just part of the get-well process.
SB: Were there some unsung heroes Saturday people should know about?
JJ: I thought our two corners, Hyrum Peters and Kelvin Millhouse played well but went unnoticed. Nate Jackson had a great game at safety. (Receivers) Ashley Lelie and Justin Colbert made big plays when we needed them. We feel Justin made some great strides in the offseason and it showed in the game.
SB: Some fans are already getting excited about the Fresno State game. Obviously you want to keep your players focused on each upcoming game. But what do you think about playing FSU?
JJ: I really don't have a feeling on that right now. Our concentration is totally on Reno. When we start to get ready for the Bulldogs we'll think more about it. But what they've done is a positive for the WAC.
SB: Is Channon Harris still a starter at slotback? Do you foresee any changes (except those caused by injuries) in the starting lineup for next week?
JJ: No.
SB: You haven't given out game balls in the past. But if you had one -- and only one -- to give for the Montana game, who would get it? Ashley Lelie, Pisa Tinoisamoa, George Toma or somebody else?
JJ: George Toma.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
