Samoa on Warriors' minds

RUSTON, La. » While Hawaii suffered a loss on the field at Louisiana Tech, the Warriors were also concerned with the losses in the South Pacific in the wake of Tuesday's disaster in American Samoa and Samoa.

Defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea said he heard from his brother that a cousin was lost in the tsunami that followed a strong earthquake. Defensive end Fetaiagogo Fonoti still hadn't heard from his mother and brother as of yesterday.

“;There's tons of us who have family in Samoa. There was more than just the game today,”; Savaiigaea said.

“;Coach (Greg McMackin) said this is just a game, this is not life. You play football in your lifetime, but there's things out there that's way more important than football.”;

Backup center Sila Lefiti said his family lives on higher ground and he was able to contact his parents.

“;Both of them are fine, they're taking care of family members that are hurt,”; Lefiti said.

Pollard productive in starting role

Receiver Royce Pollard made his second career start at Z receiver and caught seven passes for 84 yards.

With Jovonte Taylor coming back from an ankle injury, Pollard got the start and delivered both on offense and special teams. He returned six kickoffs, averaging 24.3 yards per attempt. He had a high of 47 yards on his last return.

Short-yardage play comes up short

UH broke out the I-formation—with Alex Green lined up behind fullback Jayson Rego—for the first time this season as a goal-line strategy late in the second quarter.

After UH moved to the LaTech 2, Green was stopped for a 1-yard gain on first down. The Bulldogs then stuffed Rego for no gain, and an incomplete pass led to Scott Enos' second field goal of the game.

“;They came out of I-formation, which we didn't expect to see. But we were prepared for anything on goal-line situations,”; LaTech defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith said.

Big games for Tanks

Both Hawaii and Louisiana Tech players named Tank were wearing No. 4 last night, and both had solid performances.

UH cornerback Tank Hopkins finished with a season-high nine tackles and broke up four passes.

LaTech defensive back Tank Calais led the Bulldogs with eight tackles and broke up two passes.