11/20/06 Na Koa Lunch Report

[uhwarriors]

Assistant coaches Dennis McKnight and Rich Miano were the guest speakers at the Na Koa lunch yesterday. McKnight covered special teams and the offense and Miano covered the defense.

McKnight said the it was a “push” or draw in the special teams game against San Jose St. The kickoff coverage was good. They are hitting really hard and it appeared that the San Jose kick returner elected not to return a couple because of the intensity of the hitting. He pointed out Michael Malala’s big tackle along the San Jose sidelines was especially good not because of the hit but because he didn’t have outside contain responsibilities and he covered for two others who had lost their lane responsibilities.

McKnight jokingly said Daniel Kelly kicked off better because he (McKnight) was coaching the kicking team this last week and the previous week Miano was.

San Jose had a really fast coverage team and they out hustled our kick return team. As expected, San Jose tried an onside kick and a short pop up. The front six was well prepared and “secured” the ball and we got good field position both times.

Miano said they are wondering if we have a chance for the fewest punts in a season. They are practicing and meeting on punt protection and coverage a lot but just haven’t had to do it much this year.

McKnight spoke about how well the offense is playing pointing out what has become an obvious standard of excellence. The offensive line along with Nate Ilaoa and Reagan Mauia are continuing to do a great job of giving Colt Brennan time. Brennan is very special and one of the best McKnight has ever seen. McKnight thinks Brennan is good enough to go out early in the NFL draft this year.

He pointed out a backside blitz where San Jose brought an OLB and a CB. Hercules Satele looped out and picked up the OLB and Ilaoa put the CB on the ground.

McKnight also showed Ilaoa’s 19 yard shovel pass TD and how well it was blocked. He pointed out who each player was supposed to block and it was done to perfection including the final block by a receiver.

McKnight also spent some time discussing how well the O-line backups were playing. He showed one play where Raphael Ieru was 15 yards downfield blocking a DB.

Miano talked about RB Jason Laumoli who played in his first game for UH. He first became acquainted with Laumoli in American Samoa where he was a NG at Leoni HS playing with Mel Purcell. Laumoli went to a JC and then walked on at UH. He is a little too short and small to play NG, but appears to have found a home as a RB.

Miano said the entire defense was awarded player of the week for their outstanding play. The front three played exceptionally well. He spoke particularly about Michael Lafaele. Lafaele graded very well on the 48 snaps he played and didn’t make a single mistake. While Isaac Sopoaga is extremely strong and tests well, Miano feels that Lafaele is more explosive and playing better that Sopoaga did.

Mel Purcell and Ikaika Alama-Francis both played very well. Both will be drafted. They have different attributes and who they are drafted by will be determined by what the teams are looking for.

Solomon Eliminian, Adam Leonard, Leonard Peters and Jacob Patek also played very well.

Miano spoke very highly of Patek and says he is playing like some of the great safeties of the past such as Nate Jackson, Jacob Espiau and Eddie Klaneski. Someone in the audience said “and Rich Miano”.

Miano said that the great 1981 and 1984 teams that he played on had 7 game winning streaks and attendance was in the 40,000+ range. He can’t understand why more fans don’t come out. This team has more talent and is playing better than those teams. Fans should come out to see this special team.

Off-shore members of the Sports Hawaii ohana in attendance were Hawkpeter (from Australia), Catbaldwin3 and CoachB (from Germany) and members of the Patek family. Also there were Scott, Lupchong, Kapakahi, Fourth and One, Chawan_cut, BigWave96744, Isleboy, Raudi, Auloa and EyeSeeU?.

Na Koa lunches are held every Monday after a game at The Willows Restaurant from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The public is invited.

Na Koa supports the football program by providing equipment, the training table, tutoring and summer scholarships. If you would like more information on how to join Na Koa, please contact Ben Yee at 542-8912.

[jhb3043]

thanks for the report uhwarriors. good read as usual

[lupchong]

Good work uhwarriors!

[Duster]

Thank you!

[Duster]

Your summaries are super!

[8_five]

great job as always and thanks for the report

[Irse]

Thanks for the report. Wish I could have been there yesterday.

[Hawkpeter]

It was a great chance to meet some more faces. For anyone who hasn't been to one of these luncheons get down there, you dont know what you're missing

[NelsonO]

Is it true that the Hawaii coaches were able to figure out when San Jose State was going to on-side kick by watching their previous game tapes.

More people are now attending the Na Koa luncheons, so the odds of winning the Warrior helmet as a door prize are now slimmer.

[kapakahi]

uhwarriors...

Thanks again for the great report as always. I had to read your report to remember what Miano & McKnight covered 'cuz I forgot already. I'm definitely gonna try to make next week's luncheon....gotta try to get that helmet.

[CoachKen]

Mahalo! Great job!

Coach

[mainlandkamaaina]

I look forward to your post every week.
Mahalos!

[auloa]

Great notes, as usual. Speaking of special teams, I wonder if we come close to the most kick-offs in a season? We have scored enough, right?

[nomdeguerre]

Thanks, uhwarriors. A good summary.

[jediwarrior]

Another great post by UHWarriors.

Great to see Coach Hawkpeter in town along with the Lane and Patek families.

Let's go Warriors...