HONOLULU – University of Hawaii Warrior football head coach Greg McMackin conducted his weekly press conference Monday, recapping UH's bowl-clinching win over Washington State and discussing the Warrior's regular-season finale versus Cincinnati. Solomon Elimimian also attended the conference and commented on his WAC Defensive Player of the Year award.

I'm really proud of our players and coaches for winning that ball game so we can represent Hawai`i in the Sheraton Bowl. We're really exited about that because that was our goal. We were 1-3 at some point in time and guys could have gone wherever they went. But our team stayed together and our coaches stayed together and now we're going to a bowl game because they believed.

 

It's been an interesting year. We've had the quarterback rollercoaster which set us back a bit. We had the schedule, so we knew it was going to be tough. We've reached two of our three goals, the one missing being WAC champions. The way we are playing now …I think we could have competed for the WAC championship but that's not how it worked out. But Boise deserved it. It's hard to go undefeated. 

 

I'm really proud of Solomon (Elimimian) getting co-defensive player. I had a choice between David Veikune and Solomon for the most valuable player, but because of all the leadership…and (breaking) the tackling record…I went with Elimimian. But I very much could have gone with Veikune because he's had the best season out of anybody. He played one speed every ball game. He leads in all categories. He's in the top five in everything. Ryan Mouton is probably one of the best athletes in the WAC and I think the rest of the league agrees with that. John Estes has been the anchor and a leader for the past couple of years. 

 

I started thinking about Cincinnati since the (Washington State) game was over. Cincinnati is good. Their quarterback is really good, they have big-time receivers and offense. Their defense is sound, they've done a good job at getting really good players. This is our BCS game on Saturday. We want to redeem ourselves against a good team. 

 

This senior class has been a big inspiration to this football team and we are going to honor them at the stadium. Their leadership, compassion, and loyalty have gotten us to this position and it has been outstanding.

 

 

After Cincinnati the players are going to get a week off and we are going to go recruiting. Then we will practice for three days here then move into the hotel and continue practices. It's exiting to me. I've been to most bowl games there are, and I'm really exited that players and player's families get to enjoy this here in Hawa`ii. We talked a long time ago that in wearing Hawai`i on the front of our jersey we represent the state of Hawai`i and us going into this ball game will help the economy here and the attitude of Hawai`i. This will bring a little bit of pleasure to the Hawaiian people. 

 

All three of my years here have been completely different. This year we took a tough schedule and no offense and ended up in a bowl game. This is something you don't forget. The players and coaches stayed together and now were going in the right directions. I have had so many positive responses from all the people. The Hawai`i people stay with you as long as they think you're doing the right things. There is just no place like Hawaii. 

 

 

 

It's a blessing. I thank my coaches and my teammates. The award could have gone to a lot of different people. Defensively we have played very well in these last couple of games and it's because of that.

 

This season is better than I thought it would be. Coach McMackin kept us focused and kept everything balanced. From outside looking in everybody thought we wouldn't be in the position we are in today. Right now we're doing awesome; we're loving each other and believing in each other. The chemistry on the team is there. There was a lot of love last year, but there were a lot of great players last year. This year it's a collected effort from everyone, in order to win we need everybody.