[ UH FOOTBALL ]
Sopoaga makes
bold prediction
When Isaac Sopoaga guaranteed a Western Athletic Conference championship for Hawaii before last season, a kind reporter did not print the prediction by the first-year Warrior. Rookies get a mulligan.
But when the senior defensive tackle was reminded about that yesterday, Sopoaga made even bolder statements.
"We're gonna win the WAC. The odds are 110 percent. I guarantee we're going to win the WAC," he said. "I told you we would last year, and we didn't. So I owe you one. A promise is a promise."
Sopoaga has a lot of company this year. Most of the reporters who cover the WAC voted for UH to win the league title, and several national magazines have predicted the Warriors to beat out Fresno State and Boise State for the championship.
If Hawaii does win the conference, Sopoaga will likely be a big part of it. He is one of the star attractions of a defensive line that could be the best in school history. The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder is being touted for the Nagurski award.
"He could be one of the best defensive linemen in the nation this year," coach June Jones said.
The real first day: The Warriors did a little bit of everything during yesterday's two-hour practice, including about 10 minutes of full-team drills involving most of the offensive and defensive starters.
It was a bit ragged overall, but Jones liked the energy.
"We had a little more football today, but we've got a long way to go. We dropped a lot of snaps and did not do the base things you've got to do," Jones said. "But there's a lot of good things going on, a lot of good hustle. Some of the young kids look pretty good. Hopefully over the next three weeks we'll get ready to go."
With two-a-days not even started yet and no one in pads yet, Jones said there's no need for alarm.
"You know what you have to do. I don't let too many things bother me," he said. "We make it a point when we get into meetings of what we've got to do and show the guys and hopefully we can eliminate the stupid mistakes."
Patton hurt: Sophomore defensive back Kenny Patton is day-to-day after undergoing diagnostic arthroscopy on his left knee.
No serious damage was found, and Patton should be OK by the start of the season Aug. 30.
Patton played in 11 games last year, and is expected to see action this year in certain defensive schemes and on special teams.
Bulldogs finally in action: Former Kaimuki High School defensive line standouts Matt Faga and Darrell Tautofi finally donned practice gear this week after more than a year of trying to become eligible.
The two senior junior-college transfers add depth at defensive tackle, which is already a strong point.
Tautofi awaits one last summer-school grade to become fully eligible.
"It's exciting. I'm glad I can actually practice now," Tautofi said. "I'm just one step away from being able to play and that will be finished before school starts."
Exit wounds?: WAC commissioner Karl Benson said he was quoted out of context in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram item claiming Benson "plans to ask" the conference's 10 schools to pledge to pay $5 million if they leave the WAC.
"I'm not going to confirm or deny any of that," Benson said. "That was taken from a different conversation."
The Mountain West Conference lifted its moratorium on expansion last spring, prompting speculation the MWC would invite Hawaii, Boise State, Nevada and/or Fresno State to join the eight-team league and leave the WAC.
Benson has countered by saying the WAC will eventually expand to 12 schools and have Pacific and Central divisions.
"My public stance continues to be working to create a culture of building a better conference for the future," Benson said.
