HONOLULU – University of Hawai`i Warrior football head coach Greg McMackin conducted his weekly press conference, recapping last weekend's dramatic win over Nevada and commenting on this Saturday's road game at Utah State. Below are excerpts.

 

Winning is a lot better than anything else. We're really exited about the win over Nevada. It was a total team win on all three phases of the ball. What I'm really proud of is our players and our assistant coaches. They worked really hard last week, got some things done, got better as a football team, and it was a great team victory.

 

We knew we had a field goal, and we had our field goal unit ready to go on the field. We couldn't run the ball because it would take too much time, we wanted to go for the score or go out of bounds. We decided to throw the pass, and we knew it couldn't be intercepted.  Greg (Alexander) threw it in there, and it was a great catch by Malcolm (Lane) so we didn't have to worry about the field goal. 

 

We're going to continue to use two quarterbacks. At the beginning of the year we were going to have a certain role for Inoke (Funaki), because we knew he was talented and uses his feet. We want to run the run-and-shoot, but then because of my defensive career I know it's hard for another team to have to get ready for a mobile quarterback and the run-and-shoot. We are always going to have that in our package as long as Inoke is here because you don't get a guy like that everyday. 

 

We haven't talked who's starting, but Greg (Alexander) showed that he could run the run-and-shoot. I really liked how he handled the pressure at the end of the ball game. Looking right into his eyes he was a cool guy on the sideline and he was focused. I was really impressed with his temperament and his ability. 

 

I believe you play your best player and keep your guys fresh. Maybe that comes from my defensive background, but if you have something that is going to cause problems and it doesn't foul up your rhythm, then why not. I know what gives you problems from the defensive side, and that's getting ready for a mobile quarterback, or getting ready for the run-and-shoot, and if you have both of them that doubles your practice time and your problems at game time. 

 

There have been a lot of great players through here, and he's broken their records. The thing is that he's a team guy; he played outside when we played Brashton (Satele) inside. There isn't any higher character or person as far as loyalty to the team. I couldn't be happier that he reached that and he'll get a ball with the record on it when he graduates. 

 

We are going to still play him on offense. He's a playmaker. He's a key player on defense and that's where his future is. I think he brought the offense, especially the receivers to another level and we're going to play him both ways.

 

They are a team that gave us trouble last year. I think they are a well-coached team, and we are not going to take them for granted. Our team is trying to get better each week. It doesn't matter who we play, we are going to get better. Their quarterback (Diondre Borel) is running all over the place. Nobody is like the guy (Colin Kaepernick) we faced this week but he's a close second. He can throw the ball and he runs. We saw a good football team this week, and Utah State will be a good football team playing at their place, but our guys will be ready to play like they were against Fresno.