Brown big-time against Vandals

MOSCOW, IDAHO » Hawaii football opponents can’t say they weren’t warned.

The Warriors break every defensive huddle with a yell of: "Uh-oh."

"We warn people we’re coming," defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga said. "It’s something A.B. started. It’s pretty catchy."

A.B. is Aaron Brown, UH’s strong-minded weakside linebacker.

"A.B. is a playmaker," said his understudy, Darryl McBride.

With Idaho leading 14-13 in the fourth quarter, Brown made a leg tackle of running back Princeton McCarty for a yard loss on a fourth-and-1 play from the UH 15.

Later, Brown intercepted Brian Reader near the goal line, setting up the Warriors’ game-winning drive.

"It was an awesome play," UH defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said.

Aranda noticed the play mirrored one the Vandals ran earlier. This time, the Warriors were in a four-across zone, with Brown assigned to track the running back. When the running back went into motion, Brown stayed put, waiting for a receiver to cut across on a bubble screen.

Reader expected the middle to be vacated. Instead, Brown stepped into the passing lane for the interception.

"I kept thinking, ‘Don’t drop it,’ " Brown recalled. "I wanted to concentrate and make that play. The team needed me to step up. That’s what I did. They say big-time players make big-time plays in big-time situations. I wanted to make a big-time play."

After the game, head coach Greg McMackin gave Brown a one-armed hug.

"That was a big-time play," McMackin said.

It was a meaningful game for Brown, who was raised in Washington. He said about 25 family members and friends attended the game.

"We’re proud of him," said his stepfather, Ernest King. "He’s a ball hound. He’ll always be where the ball is. He’s a good athlete. He’s always been a good athlete."

Free safety John Hardy-Tuliau said Brown delivers paint-peeling speeches before every game.

"He gets us hyped up," Hardy-Tuliau said. "He brings leadership."

Meatoga said: "He’s always pumping us up. He has that crazy look. You watch how he plays. Nobody gets past him."