HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Warrior football head coach Greg McMackin conducted his weekly press conference Monday, reviewing last Saturday's game against New Mexico State and looking ahead to this week's game at San Jose State, who is coached by former UH skipper Dick Tomey.

 

This last win keeps us on track and now were focused on San Jose State. I thought offensively we did a really good job. We threw an interception for a touchdown which made it a little touchy. It was (17-6) and we came right back, we didn't panic. Offense, defense, special teams all played solid. When Moniz went out with his ribs, he sucked it up and played, we didn't even know about it. But when he went out, I was really proud of Shane Austin coming in and leading us down the field for a touchdown. I thought that showed real maturity on our team. I think defensively we've really matured. I really feel that our younger players are starting to build a little swagger and gain some confidence.

We had some situations where we kind of became a new team, a younger team. And I think this team is playing better. We're starting to make plays defensively, I was really happy.

 

I've talked to both of them. They are being X-rayed as we speak. But they both sucked it up. Salas sprained his ankle in the first quarter and we didn't know that. And we didn't know that Bryant got hurt in the first quarter. He pulled himself out because he thought he was going to hurt the team. So you know, its a great bunch of guys. If we can pull off what I hope we can pull off, this will be the team I remember more than anything because they've gone through more adversity, more weird things happening like staff infection and Salas and Moniz's status. This will be one of my favorite teams but we've still got some work to do. 

 

We have a goal board that we haven't been filling up, of about 10 goals that are football related. For example: getting a certain percentage on third-downs, winning, not giving up a big pass. I tested the team, “What are our goals? What are we playing this game for?” And that was part of their test this week. We hit all of our goals this week except two: holding them to 2.4 yards per run and not giving up a running play of over 20 yards. But that first reverse knocked both of those off. So we got the rest of our goals, which is something we haven't been doing.

 

Dick Tomey is a great coach, great person. I think he's one of the best coaches in the country, I always have. I have the utmost respect for him. I expect the team is going to be tougher than heck. The players love (him). He's wise like a fox. 

 

I'm really happy for June. We talk every week, sometimes its through our recorder because we're always busy doing things. But I'm really happy for him, I expected it, he's a great coach. I knew he'd turn it around. I think its good for Hawai'i because he's done so many great things for Hawai'i and to be able to bring SMU here, I think its what June Jones is all about. 

 

Our goal is to win the next game. That's really all I talk about. I don't talk about the bowl quite honestly. I mean, privately I would love to get to the bowl just because of the effort of these kids and coaches. And it would bring a smile to the people of Hawai'i. That's what I want to do. But it's gonna be a tough challenge.