BOISE, ID – University of Hawaii guard Vince Manuwai attended the annual Western Athletic Conference Media Preview for the first time in his career. The senior from Honolulu handed out notebooks and pens promoting himself as an All-America candidate.

The preseason first team all-WAC pick is also on the “watch list” for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.

“I was a candidate last year and felt like I produced enough to get there,” Manuwai said. “This year, it’s good and I’ll go out and do what I can. It’s all good, but you still need to go out and produce.”

Producing is something routine for Manuwai. The Farrington High School graduate led the Warriors with 53 “pancake” blocks in an offense that passes 80 percent of the time. The Warriors won nine games and according the Manuwai, it seems the quarterbacks and receivers won those nine and the offensive line lost the three.

“Linemen don’t get a lot of respect,” he said. “When we win games the credit goes to the quarterbacks and receivers and when we lose the reporters come hunting for us linemen. I feel like it’s a team effort. We win as a team and lose as a team.”

The Warriors were picked to finish fourth in the WAC in the preseason media poll released today. According to Manuwai, it’s really not a problem.

“I hope they predict us last,” he said. “Being picked fourth makes us fight harder and gives the fuel to play harder. It also keeps us level headed. We need to work our way up. Play it game by game and hopefully make it to a bowl.”

Manuwai, who flew into Boise late last night leaves for Honolulu at 2 p.m. today. Warrior head coach June Jones arrives this afternoon for meetings tomorrow.

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