Colt’s hit silences stadium
Friday - November 16, 2007
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The huge hit that knocked UH QB Colt Brennan out of the game against Fresno State last Saturday was judged by the WAC to be a legal hit. Even on slow-motion replay it was difficult to tell if it was helmet to helmet or whether Bulldog linebacker Marcus Riley led with his shoulder.
It appeared to me that the hit was brutal but clean, and was for Colt an unfortunate consequence of getting out of the tackle box and trying to make a play.
There were some anxious moments before Brennan arose on wobbly legs and was helped to the locker room. As we go to press, his availability for Friday’s game at Nevada is in doubt.
Rarely has one play completely sucked the energy out of a near sell-out crowd at Aloha Stadium.
Players are bigger, faster and stronger than ever before, and what has always been a violent game now seems downright dangerous.
“The way the game is going now,” says UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano, himself an 11-year NFL veteran, “I’m not sure I want my son playing football. It can get scary out there.”
I had the same thought. I don’t think I’ll forbid my kids to play football, but if they choose another direction, I’ll have no complaints.
Have you ever noticed that the people clamoring for big hits and against new rules for protecting players are invariably people who haven’t played any serious football?
* Warrior RB Daniel Libre was impressive in his first game action. The Big Isle native averaged more than 10 yards on his six carries and showed an ability to get to the hole quickly. Along with Leon Wright-Jackson and David Farmer, Hawaii elevated its running game. Hard to believe that level of productivity from two walk-ons (Farmer is now on scholarship) and a transfer. Oh, that’s right, Libre is also a transfer from California football powerhouse Menlo College.
* Like many Hawaii football fans, I’ve learned more about concussions in the last week than I’ve known in my entire life.
A series of incidents around the Fresno fan section were quite disturbing. Some Hawaii fans have taken to cursing, taunting and throwing items into the visitor sections, escalating at times into punches. Aloha Stadium security, including HPD personnel, have to do a better job monitoring unruly fan behavior. No visiting fan should be subject to that level of abuse. A strong, swift response to the first wave of hooligans will go a long way to eliminating the problem. Do we want Hawaii to get the same reputation for an unpleasant stadium experience as that of, well, Fresno? No, we don’t.
* The Rainbow Wahine soccer team has now won the WAC tournament and received its first berth in the NCAA tournament. A terrific season for head coach Pinsoom Tenzing and his team. The Wahine have drawn Colorado in Boulder in the first round this weekend. If they win, they’ll get the winner of Portland-Denver. Portland is the No. 2 seed in the country.
You go, girls!
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