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STAR-ADVERTISER
The UH football team practiced blocking drills at the grass practice field on UH lower campus on April 9.
LAS VEGAS » The University of Hawaii football team was predicted to finish last in the Mountain West Conference’s six-team West Division, according to a media poll released this morning at the league’s Media Days.
“Not winning a conference game last year probably shows what people think of us, and that’s OK,” said Nick Rolovich, UH’s first-year head coach. “We are what our record was last year until we change it.”
Safety Daniel Lewis, who is representing the Warriors at the Media Days, said: “I don’t like the pick. Nobody likes to be last. But it’s definitely another form of motivation for the guys. Guys are upset about the pick as I am. We’re going to use this to fuel us.”
San Diego State was picked to win the West, earning 174 points and all 29 first-place votes.
The Warriors earned 35 points.
Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division.
No UH player was chosen for the 2016 Mountain West preseason team.
San Diego State swept the top preseason individual awards. Running back Donnel Pumphrey was chosen as the top player for offense, defensive back Damotae Kazee for defense, and kickoff returner Rashaad Penny for special teams.
West Division
1. San Diego State — 174 points (22 first-place votes)
2. Nevada — 129
3. San Jose State — 122
4. Fresno State — 76
5. UNLV — 73
6. Hawaii — 35
Mountain Division
1. Boise State — 172 (27)
2. Air Force — 126 (2)
3. Utah State — 111
4. Colorado State — 95
5. New Mexico — 74
6. Wyoming — 31
No respect as usual. Hope the Bows do well under Rolo.
Agree. Though it’s a good motivator for our men to prove them wrong! The true story movie McFarlen (sp?) is a great example of how internal strength defeats all.
Well gentlemen where will you take us? We don’t like it and now the ball is in your hands. Just do it!
Didn’t expect us to be any higher. New coaches, new system, loss of Seniors. Now let’s go out and surprise some people! Go Warriors! Get some wins during a rebuilding year.
Yes!
Go Warriors!
Based on the past four seasons, Hawaii deserves to be picked last. Just anxious and excited to see what Rolo and his staff can do with the team. I have confidence in Rolo so I bought season tickets this year. Go Warriors !!!
Think we’re going to surprise to the upside with couple of conference wins, at least. The big unknown still is QB play and who starts there.
MEBBE DAS WHY ROLO IS NOT NAMING HIS QB…KEEPING EVERYTHING UNDER WRAPS.
We’re going to s-u-c-k once again. Last place seems about right. C’mon we just signed one kid who never played football until he was a senior, one Japanese kid who could hardly get on the field in junior college, and one dude who looks like a lady who played one down in his entire career for Alabama. This is how last place teams are made. Please save us Rolo!
Hey, at least we got some diversity, unlike the returning missionaries and subpar Mormon player’s landing spot under Chow. Besides, after sucking for four years, our lips are well conditioned for more sucking.
Nowhere to go but UP! Go Warriors!
This is the best case scenario for UH, historically speaking. They seem to have a much better season when they’re predicted to be bottom-dwellers vs. high expectations when picked to be on top. They should do well under Rolo as underdogs with a chip on their shoulders. Go Warriors!
Agree.
The picture is of the “twos” on a running play. You can see Steven Lakalaka (the one with the Punahou logo on his helmet) carrying the ball; C Fred Ulu-Perry on a block. I think that is RT Austin Webb blocking LB Dayton Furuta and DT Sam Akoteu reaching to grab Lakalaka. The running plays were clicking in spring scrimmages.
If this doesn’t serve as MOTIVATION I don’t know what will … With all the walk-ons that have been joining in recent months I think it says a lot as to the direction of the team … play hard for 60 mins / play for each other / and stupid, selfish penalties … can’t wait for the season to start
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
Maybe they should hold a Stevie Wonder concert to pull in more money for recruiting good players?
Stevie got off the plane, looked around, didn’t see anything, and went back home. No concert.
What is he blind or what?
What’s the odds in Vegas that they finish first? I’m flying out in 2 weeks! ChaaaaChing or more like lose money!
Didn’t we have a pretty good idea that was what was going to happen at the beginning of the season?