HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Athletics Department has launched its All-America and Heisman Trophy campaign for quarterback
Bryant Moniz through social media sites Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The campaign is entitled “Mighty Mo,” a play off Moniz's nickname, Mo, and the nickname of the historic battleship USS Missouri. The real Mighty Mo is docked in Pearl Harbor and overlooks UH's home field, Aloha Stadium.
On Tuesday, July 26 – to coincide with the start of Mountain West Conference Football Media Days (July 26-27) and Western Athletic Conference Media Preview (July 28) in Las Vegas – UH will launch the “Mighty Mo” series trailer on its social media platforms.
During each week of the season, a new episode of “Mighty Mo” will air. Among the feature videos include Moniz's passion for surfing; the importance of family in his life; his relationship with offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich; how the Hawaiian culture has impacted his life; game highlight clips; and much more.
Moniz is a consensus preseason all-WAC and preseason WAC player of the year. On Monday, he was named to the watch list of the Walter Camp Award, presented to the nation's top player. He is also on the watch list of the Maxwell Award (nation's top player), HeismanPundit.com's Heisman Trophy, and Davey O'Brien Award (nation's top quarterback).
Last season, the Wahiawa, O'ahu native, led the nation in passing (360.0 ypg), total offense (367.3) and passing touchdowns (39). He became just the 11th quarterback in NCAA FBS history to throw for more than 5,000 yards (5,040), while setting four school records including most passing yards in a game (560 vs. San Jose State).
Entering his third year in the program, Moniz's story has been famously told, about his struggles as a walk-on and part-time pizza delivery man to starting quarterback. After a standout senior season at Leilehua High School, he spent one year at Fresno City College before returning to Hawai'i and walked-on with UH in Spring 2009. He went from fifth-string in the spring to starter four games into the season.
No UH player has ever won the Heisman Trophy, which is presented to college football's most outstanding player. Former quarterback Colt Brennan finished third in the Heisman race in 2007 and sixth in 2006. Brennan captured the Sammy Baugh Award (nation's top quarterback) in 2006 and was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award and Cingular National Player of the Year that same season. The following year, he was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Award (nation's top senior quarterback) and was one of four players invited to New York for the Heisman Selection Show.
Moniz and the Warriors officially open fall camp, Aug. 4, in preparation for their season-opener against Colorado, Sept. 3 at Aloha Stadium.
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