Coach Jones: Hawaii targeted

STORY SUMMARY »

Off the field, Hawaii coach June Jones said he doesn't pay much mind to the polls that elevated the Warriors to their highest rankings in school history this week.

On the field, he can see the effect of having a number attached to the team.

"They play harder against you," Jones said, addressing the mind-set of UH's opponents this season.

"Idaho played very hard in that game (last Saturday). They didn't quit the whole game and they're flying around and they're doing that because we're a target for them. Just like Utah State, we're a target for them."

Following a 48-20 win at Idaho, the Warriors, ranked 15th in the coaches poll and 16th by the Associated Press, return to Aloha Stadium on Saturday for a Western Athletic Conference game against Utah State (0-5).

Jones praised the performance of a Warrior defense that came up with five turnovers, putting this year's unit at the top of the list of those to take the field during his tenure in Manoa.

"I think defensively this is the best team we've had," Jones said at his weekly press conference.

Cornerback Myron Newberry was rewarded for his role in last week's win. He was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes and returning one for a touchdown.

Best defense Hawaii has improved from one of the worst defenses in the nation to one of the best Year Rank Yards against 2007 31 of 119 311.00 2006 93 of 119 377.79 2005 102 of 117 438.32 2004 116 of 117 487.77

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Newberry does more than talk

Put a recorder or microphone in front of Myron Newberry and he comes across as a relatively soft-spoken member of the Hawaii defense.

Put him in a group of teammates rather than reporters, though, and the Warrior cornerback is anything but understated.

"Don't let him fool you, he's a talker," linebacker Adam Leonard said.

"(He's quiet) when he's got a microphone in his face. Take that away and he's one of the loudest people in the room. ... When you get him, Gerard (Lewis) and Davone (Bess) together, all you hear is just a whole bunch of yelling."

Newberry's play last week spoke volumes in Hawaii's 48-20 win at Idaho and he was rewarded with his first Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week award yesterday.

Newberry's solid play at corner hadn't gotten him much notice this season until he intercepted two passes against the Vandals, returning the second 76 yards for the first touchdown of his UH career.

"I just went out there and did my job, did what I had to do and made plays," said Newberry, who last reached the end zone during his sophomore season at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.

"I watched extra film all week so I was familiar with the plays, and when the plays came to me I just made them."

It appeared Newberry knew what was coming when he twice jumped in front of Vandal receivers to come up with his first interceptions of the season. Those were part of a defensive effort that netted five turnovers. The UH defense had outscored Idaho until the Vandals punched in a touchdown with 3:21 left in the game.

Through the first three games, the Warriors had four total takeaways (two fumble recoveries and two interceptions). They've forced nine in the two games since with three returned for touchdowns.

"Myron had chances to make some picks early in the season, but he wasn't as confident in the scheme," UH coach June Jones said. "He just stepped up and did them this week and I think he'll just keep getting better."

Newberry was stopped at the Idaho 18 on his first return. On the second, he had a lane down the sideline, then got a block from linebacker Micah Lau near the goal line and was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for diving into the end zone.

"I wasn't trying to showboat or nothing, it was just spur of the moment," Newberry said. "It wasn't even a real good dive."

Newberry has generally been more steady than spectacular since he and Lewis locked down the cornerback spots midway through last season. The duo fended off competition for the starting spots in fall camp and both had picks last week.

Newberry said he's not much on chirping with opposing receivers on the field. But off the field, "you can't stop him from talking," according to Bess.

"He likes to freestyle rap and clown around and just be him."

Offensively speaking

Jones said the practice time quarterback Colt Brennan missed while nursing a sprained ankle factored more into his being off target at an uncharacteristic rate than the actual injury. Brennan completed 30 of 49 throws for 369 yards and three touchdowns and tossed a career-high five interceptions, two coming off tipped passes.

"I don't care what you say, when you don't practice as much it does affect your play and I think it affected his a little bit," Jones said. "But it was some bad luck, too."

Jones said running back Kealoha Pilares was the team's offensive player of the week after the freshman racked up 100 total yards (85 rushing, 15 receiving).

Injury update

Brennan and receiver Jason Rivers participated in yesterday's conditioning session. Jones said Rivers (back) should be ready to return to action this week after sitting out against Idaho.

Cornerback Ryan Mouton stayed on the sideline and said he was awaiting word on an MRI on his right knee a week after bruising his left knee.

"I'm just not having much luck with these knees," he said.