While coping with personal anguish, head coach Norm Chow returned to Hawaii on Monday night and led practice on Tuesday.
Following Saturday’s 28-14 road loss to Rice, Chow traveled to Los Angeles to be with his wife, Diane, who suffered a brain aneurysm on Friday. She underwent separate procedures to stop the small bleeding and drain fluids from her head. Her prognosis is considered to be good.
"We’re going to get through this," Chow said.
The couple’s four adult children have been at Diane Chow’s bedside at UCLA Medical Center.
"She’s a tough gal," Norm Chow said.
Conference is what counts
The Warriors 1-4 nonconference record has zero impact.
Chow noted the Warriors have a "zero-zero" record entering their Mountain West Conference opener against Wyoming at Aloha Stadium on Saturday.
"You play for the conference," Chow said. "That’s what’s fun about being in a conference. That’s why the people had enough foresight — (West Oahu chancellor) Rockne Freitas and those guys — to get us into the Mountain West. You play as an independent, nobody really cares. We’re not an independent. We’re in a league, and we have to do well in it."
Pasoquen at wideout
In search of perimeter speed, wideout Ryan Pasoquen received extended work during Tuesday’s practice.
"We’re trying to change things up, get different guys in, get different looks," Pasoquen said.
Pasoquen was a safety/nickelback until this spring.
Tuesday’s instructions were basic.
"They said: ‘Don’t try to go out there and make the big play; just make the play,’" Pasoquen recalled. "That’s what Itry to do. Itry to do the little things right."
Tuesday’s practice was held in windless 85-degree weather.
"Iwouldn’t rather be anywhere else," Pasoquen said. "I’m out here every morning, living the dream."
DeMattei really playing
Every autumn Sunday, Gaetano DeMattei headed to his grandparents’ house.
"Since Iwas a little kid, Iwatched every (San Francisco 49er) game with my grandma and grandpa," DeMattei said.
Those viewings nurtured his passion for the sport. DeMattei, who joined UHin the spring after acing a walk-on tryout, is the Warriors’ top nickelback. He made six unassisted tackles against Rice on Saturday.
"Igot into the flow," said DeMattei, who is listed at 5 feet 8 and 175 pounds. "Ihave a good instinct to get to the ball. Once you start understanding the concepts, you can just react. When you get comfortable and it’s your second nature, that’s when you can really start playing."
