With Halloween just a few days away, the Rainbow Warriors can slip into something other than their uniforms, but what could they possibly dress up as?
RB Diocemy Saint Juste – After a school record 39 carries in Hawaii’s victory over San Jose State, Saint Juste has proven to be a “workhorse.”
Carrying the team on his back and galloping up and down the field all season long, DSJ is “The Black Stallion.”
DT Viane Moala – Thanks in large part due to Moala and his 6-foot-7 frame, Hawaii is tops in the nation blocking five kicks so far this season. Moala has recorded four blocks in 21 games, including a potential game winner at Fresno State last season that secured a thrilling 14-13 victory for the Rainbow Warriors which kept their postseason hopes alive.
Viane Moala is “Blockhead.”
OL John Wa’a – During his tenure at UH, Wa’a, a fifth-year senior, has not missed practice or an offseason workout and has started 21 consecutive games. Fittingly, he draws inspiration from grad assistant and current offensive line coach John Estes, who holds the NCAA record for consecutive games started and consecutive games played with 54. John Wa’a is “Iron Man.”
QB Dru Brown – When Dru Brown had to introduce himself to the team during an orientation meeting in 2016, his fellow teammates immediately had a nickname for him. “Everyone kind of said, ‘Sunshine,’” Brown recalls, which is in reference to Ronnie “Sunshine” Bass from the movie “Remember the Titans” (played by Kip Pardue). Dru Brown is “Sunshine.”
SR John Ursua – Before going down with a season-ending knee injury, Ursua was the nation’s leader in receiving yards. Although a devastating blow to what could’ve been a stellar year for Ursua, I know he will be back, stronger than ever. Just like the legendary Jedi Master said in Star Wars…
Ursua will be back, once again displaying his Jedi-like skills on the field. Jon Ursua is “Obi Wan Kenobi.”
SR Dylan Collie – With the loss of Ursua, the rest of the Warrior receiving corp will need to step up, particularly fellow slot receiver Dylan Collie, who is second on the team in receiving yards. He has to continue to wow Warrior fans with more amazing catches like this tiptoe touchdown grab against San Jose State.
Dylan Collie is a”Pokemon Trainer” because he “gotta catch ’em all!”
LB Jahlani Tavai – Hawaii’s defense may have had an up and down season so far, but the play of linebacker Jahlani Tavai has been consistent all year long. The junior linebacker leads the team in tackles (61), is second in sacks (3.5) and also has an interception and a fumble recovery. Tavai has been a force against the run with 27 run stops which is 3rd best among all MWC linebackers. He is the heart of Hawaii’s defense, defender of the Warrior football universe. Jahlani Tavai is “Voltron.”
All kidding aside, the Warriors have a pivotal conference matchup against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday. The Aztecs were on fire a few weeks ago, upsetting Stanford and were ranked number 19 in the country; however, after suffering two consecutive losses to Boise State and Fresno State, the Aztecs no longer look invincible. And as Hawaii News Now reports, the Rainbow Warriors are looking to prove a point against SDSU, that they are not the same team that SDSU shut-out last year, 55-0. This will also be a much anticipated match-up between Hawaii’s own Diocemy Saint Juste and San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny, two of the best running backs in the nation. DSJ has carried 183 times for 1,094 yards and five touchdowns. The yardage total ranks fifth in the NCAA, two spots behind Penny (1,115 yards). The Warriors need to win three of the next five games to reach the postseason and are eager to take one step closer by knocking off the Aztecs. See you at Aloha Stadium…KICK SOME AZTECS!!!
Game #8
Who: Hawai’i (3-4, 1-3 MW) vs. San Diego State (6-2, 2-2 MW)
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017
Time: 5:15 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O’ahu
Stadium: Hawaiian Tel FCU Field at Aloha Stadium (50,000)
Television: Live nationally on ESPN2 with Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Kirk Morrison (analyst).
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran (play-by-play), John Veneri (analyst), and Mark Veneri (sidelines). Chris Hart and Gary Dickman host the “Countdown To Kickoff” beginning at 3:15 p.m. HT, and also the halftime show. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KPUA on the Big Island, KTOH on Kaua’i, and KNWJ in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Video Streaming: WatchESPN.com/WatchESPN app
Audio Streaming: ESPN1420am.com/Sideline Hawaii app
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
Series Information: SDSU leads, 20-9-2.
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