Everybody wanted to talk to Pisa Tinoisamoa yesterday -- print and TV reporters from here and San Diego as well as scouts. Pisa tackles
UH JCs ran different routes
off-field demandsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThat's what happens when you make 19 tackles against Alabama and your next game is against a team from your hometown, one you almost ended up playing for.
Tinoisamoa was interviewed seven times after practice yesterday.
"You know what, no one wanted to talk to me before. Now I'm getting all kinds of congratulations," the standout linebacker said. "People didn't think I would last a year here, but I'm still around."
If Tinoisamoa sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder, it's only because dealing with the San Diego media reminds him of his bittersweet high school days when he was the area player of the year on offense and defense for Vista High School. But he was also convicted of felony assault after a fight in the summer before his senior year.
After the conviction, Hawaii was the only school that didn't pull back its scholarship offer. Tinoisamoa had verbally committed to San Diego State three days prior. If things had worked out differently, he could have easily ended up on the visiting team Saturday.
Tinoisamoa avoided trouble in Hawaii and worked hard in the classroom after arriving as a partial qualifier. The nation saw his potential as a player on Saturday; although Hawaii lost 21-16, Tinoisamoa was the most impressive player on either team.
"For some odd reason I kept thinking of Forrest Gump. But then during the game I was so in the zone I didn't realize it was Alabama," he said. "Then I realized, this isn't Alabama-Birmingham or some other team, this is the Alabama."
Although he is smaller than the prototype NFL linebacker at 6-feet and 220 pounds, Tinoisamoa helped his stock in the upcoming NFL Draft.
"I'd hate for them to tell me I'm too small," he said. "Tell me I don't have the talent, but don't tell me I'm too small."
It's possible Tinoisamoa could regain his lost year of eligibility due to being a partial qualifier. But he has said he is leaning toward turning pro after this season.
Miranda right?: The Castle Knights are heavy underdogs against the St. Louis Crusaders in Friday's state high school championship game. But UH backup kicker Nolan Miranda, a former Castle standout, thinks the Knights have a chance.
"I believe they can win. They play with a lot of heart," the freshman invited walk-on said. "When they need a big play, that's when they're most dangerous. Their defense is the best I've seen at Castle. They're smaller than before, but faster."
Miranda has battled a pulled hip flexor the past month, but has returned to practice and said he can kick in a game if he has to.
Great matchups: Hawaii's secondary has played well all season, led by cornerbacks Abraham Elimimian and Kelvin Millhouse. They will encounter their toughest challenge of the season in Aztec receivers T.R. Tolver and Kassim Osgood.
Tolver has 110 receptions and Osgood 103 to rank second and third in the nation. They have combined for 2,928 yards receiving, an NCAA record for two teammates.
Jones said UH will continue to play mostly man-to-man pass defense.
"At this point you don't change anything. We just have to be conscious of where they are," Jones said.
Short yardage: Kurt Osaki, a California resident originally from Kauai, designed the logos for Hawaii and San Diego State. ... Quarterback Tim Chang missed practice yesterday. He was out sick and was expected back today or tomorrow. ... The early line has Hawaii as a 14-point favorite Saturday.