Harvey Unga ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns and No. 19 BYU converted two interceptions and a blocked punt into scores while holding off Colorado State 42-23 Saturday.
Max Hall passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Cougars (3-1) won the Mountain West Conference opener one week after getting blown out at home by Florida State.
The Cougars still had some defensive lapses in the second half, but built a 21-0 lead off Colorado State's mistakes in the first quarter.
Hall was 18 for 29 for 241 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Grant Stucker completed 30 of 50 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams (3-1, 0-1), whose six-game winning streak ended.
Colorado State got within 28-17 on a field goal early in the fourth quarter and answered Unga's third TD run with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Strucker to Tyson Liggett to make it 35-23 after the two-point conversion failed. But the Rams could not keep matching BYU to overcome the deficit.
Unga ran for 88 yards in the second half and became the first Cougars player to top 100 yards this season.
The Cougars led 21-0 after the first quarter, needing only a pair of plays on each drive to cover the short distances to the goal.
Colorado State receiver Rashaun Greer tipped both intercepted passes high enough that a defender was easily able to grab it. Brian Logan had the first, leading to Unga's 4-yard touchdown run barely two minutes into the game, then Andrew Rich grabbed the second at the Colorado State 39. Hall threw a 37-yard pass to O'Neill Chambers down the sideline, then Hall faked out everybody with a bootleg and trotted into the end zone with 3:04 left.
The Cougars got the ball right back when Matt Marshall blocked a punt and BYU went up 21-0 on Unga's 5-yard run with 25 seconds left in the first.
Hall's pass to McKay Jacobson for an apparent touchdown was overturned for pass interference called on Dennis Pitta. It was one of 10 BYU penalties called in the game, but Pitta redeemed himself on the next play with a diving catch on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Hall to put BYU up 28-7. It was the first time all day BYU was able to drive any distance, going 82 yards on 10 plays to get the margin back up to three touchdowns.
Short sleeves are enough to cover most of the elaborate tattoos that adorn Michael Hoomanawanui's upper arms. And a ponytail can disguise his voluminous hair.
But when the Illinois tight end walks down student-populated Green Street or strolls campus wearing his colorful kikepa, nothing can dissuade passers-by from casting surprised looks.
A colorful skirt on a man's 6-foot-5, 270-pound frame tends to turn heads.
"People don't say anything," he said. "But I see them looking out of the corner of my eye.''
It's part of Hoomanawanui's message.
The long hair, tattoos and kikepa are the senior's way of honoring his Hawaiian culture, which he has studied through books and hours of stories ingested during annual visits with relatives on the islands.
Hoomanawanui (pronounced huh-oh-muh-NOW-ah-noo-ee) grew up in Bloomington, Ill., but developed a bond with family history after his parents were divorced and he lived with his father, Isy, who was born in Hawaii.
"I always realized I was different," he said. "But as I grew older, I realized I was special and used it to my advantage to learn about the culture and about my family, putting everything in perspective.
"I come from a culture of putting others before myself. That has played into my role at Illinois, starting slow and then getting a couple of passes here and there, but not fretting. Being patient.''
Patient: the meaning of the family name.
That attribute helped as Hoomanawanui, known to his teammates more simply as "Uh-oh,'' slowly blended into the Illinois offense. He started with no catches as a freshman and progressed to five as a sophomore.
Last year, he blossomed with 25 receptions and is expected to be a key target for quarterback Juice Williams this season. He has four catches for 53 yards in two games.
The Mackey Award candidate also is one of the most sure-handed Illini receivers, making him a prime target near the goal line. He is projected by several NFL draft websites as a mid-round pick in 2010.
"He's always been a great catcher, but now he understands the game so much better,'' coach Ron Zook said. "He's big and strong, he's a leader and he's getting better as a blocker. He has soft hands, and he was a basketball player and knows how to position his body.''
Hoomanwanui's body has made statements on and off the field. His confidence in wearing the kikepa rubbed off on teammates Arrelious Benn and Chris James, who each have one but have not been seen wearing them in public.
In four years at Illinois, he has added six tattoos — all incorporating family or cultural elements. His right arm includes a representation of his sister, her favorite Hawaiian flowers and a "band of strength.''
He has a tattoo of the family Aumakua, or protector, which is a shark. The other arm includes tribal representations. And he has the Hawaiian islands across his back.
"A lot of people get tattoos that don't really have a meaning; it just looks cool,'' he said. "Every one of mine has a special meaning, and they all come back to family and culture.''
The same goes for his shark-tooth necklace, which was carved by a family friend with symbols that represent energy. And there is the hair. Hoomanawanui arrived at Illinois with a short-cropped look but has let his hair flourish, Troy Polamalu style.
"You see a lot of Polynesian players who do that in the NFL or college,'' he said. "It's loyalty to the program and to my family. Plus it stands out a little more, so maybe Juice will see my hair and know who I am."
Hoomanawanui hopes to introduce himself to a few more opposing defenders in coming weeks, starting with Saturday's game at Ohio State. At 270 pounds, he is a load for any defensive back.
Illinois nickel back Dere Hicks has occasional encounters with his tight end in practice and gives up nearly 100 pounds.
"He's a good athlete for a tight end,'' Hicks said. "He can block, he can catch and he has exceptional speed for a guy his size."
Hoomanawanui has scored only four touchdowns in his career. But this week he was reminded that the three times he scored the Illini's first touchdown in a game, the team won.
That includes their trip to Ohio State in 2007. He planned to remind offensive coordinator Mike Schultz of that fact this week.
"I've got to let Schultz know that,'' he said. "I've got that on my to-do list.''
Pac-10 defenses are getting some recognition, with the Hendricks Award adding three conference defensive ends to its watch list: UCLA's Korey Bosworth, Stanford's Tom Keiser and Arizona's Brooks Reed.
Already on the watch list were: Arizona State's Dexter Davis, Oregon's Will Tukuafu and Stanford's Erik Lorig, Still missing: USC's Everson Griffen, California's Cameron Jordan and Tyson Alualu and Washington's Daniel Te'o-Nesheim.
Alualu and Griffen, notably, have 2.5 sacks and 2.0 sacks respectively.
Says the press release: "The Mid-Season Watch List, which will remain open to adjustments through our first vote, now includes 40 players. This list will be shortened to include five to six finalists in the final weeks of the season, and the final vote will be concluded on December 7th. The 2009 Hendricks Award winner will be announced December 9th."
When the Washington Huskies opened the season against Louisiana State and its dangerous returner, Trindon Holliday, UW coaches played it safe, kicking the ball away from him.
But the Huskies gambled Saturday at Stanford, deciding to kick it deep to the Cardinal's Chris Owusu, who already had two returns for touchdowns this season and came in leading the nation in kickoff return average at 52.8.
The move backfired on the Huskies as Owusu took the kick at his own 9-yard line, found a seam, and quickly darted through the middle of the field essentially untouched for a touchdown to put Stanford up 7-0 just 10 seconds in.
Owusu's third return for a touchdown tied him for the Pac-10 season record with USC's Anthony Davis in 1974 and UCLA's Matthew Slater in 2007.
It also meant that Stanford had scored a TD on its opening possession in all four games this season.
It was also the second straight game that UW won the toss and elected to defer and then saw the opponent score. Last week, USC drove for a TD on its first drive.
The Huskies learned their lesson from there as they kicked it short on their following kickoffs of the first half, not allowing Owusu to get the ball.
Owusu is a sophomore from Oaks Christian High in Southern California, the same school as heralded UW commit Nick Montana, a quarterback who has said he will sign with the Huskies as part of the Class of 2010.
Jeremiah Masoli answered his doubters by throwing for 253 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's 42-3 upset of sixth-ranked California on Saturday.
Masoli went into the game without a scoring pass this season, prompting many Ducks fans to call for his benching. But he responded by completing 21 of 25 passes for the Ducks (3-1), who had 524 yards in total offense to Cal's 206 yards.
Tailback Jahvid Best ran for just 55 yards for the Golden Bears (3-1). Widely considered a top Heisman contender, Best went into the game ranked third in the nation with an average of 137.33 yards on the ground per game.
Oregon tight end Ed Dickson had 11 catches for a career-best 148 yards. He caught all three of Masoli's scoring passes.
Five games into the season, linebacker V.J. Fehoko has made at least four sacks in each game for Farrington High School (Honolulu). After every sack, he points to a special group of his fans in the crowd -- his family.
"I just let them know that they're my main priority and that I love them and they're the reason I'm out there hitting quarterbacks," he said. "I love seeing them at games."
Last season, the No. 4-ranked linebacker in the ESPNU 150 led the state in sacks with 20, and had 86 tackles (18 for loss), one interception and one fumble recovery. If that performance didn't raise the expectations for V.J., his last name did. V.J.'s two older brothers played football at Farrington, and both now play at Division I college programs -- Whitley signed with San Diego State in 2006, and Sam signed with Texas Tech in 2007.
"A lot of people ask, 'Are you going to be as good as your brothers?' but to me, I didn't look at it that way," V.J. said. "I knew that I would know everything they know and more. My own styles and everything come into it, so I never looked at it that way."
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto, who has known the Fehoko family since V.J. was in fifth grade, says there is no competition between the brothers, just encouragement.
"I think he embraces it, you know, the meaning of family, so he listens to his older brothers. … [They] give him real good advice, so I don't think there's any pressure, any need to feel like he has to live up to their names or fill their shoes, so to speak. He knows that he has their support and that he can do what V.J. likes to do or wants to do."
The brothers became close through football. When they were younger, their father, Vili, sat them down and asked them what they wanted to do when they grew up. Whitley, Sam and V.J. all said they wanted to play football.
And so their training -- and bonding -- began.
"We woke up at 4 in the morning to go run hills at a military base and push our Lincoln Navigator for a mile and stuff like that. That really pushed us to be the football players that we are," said V.J., who added that having older brothers to play and practice with also helped him.
For the Fehoko brothers, education is the reward for all their efforts on and off the field.
"In our family, we're not wealthy, so everything we work for, we basically earn it. I see that I can go to college for free and fulfill my dream. And to me, I thought that was the best thing in the world, doing something you love to do every day and then compete for it," said V.J., who has narrowed his list of top schools to Hawaii, Texas Tech, Utah, Utah State and Washington.
Whitley, Sam and V.J. talk to each other every day. V.J. says his brothers give him advice on recruitment.
"My brothers both are so supportive. One thing that I know and my brothers told me is that I got to go and see all my trips for myself if I fit in that program," he said. V.J. has one official visit planned so far, a trip to Texas Tech on Nov. 20.
His brothers also help him with drills and tips to improve him game, like how to read the other team's offense.
"I try to play like a college player because that's the way I'm coached," he said. "My brothers teach me everything from ball get-off to explosion to rapid fire and working a lot with your hands and techniques, so it comes from everywhere."
V.J., who has a 3.6 GPA, says he feels no pressure about making his college decision. He adds that it's not the same for his father, who feels the heat from most of the population of Hawaii. Vili Fehoko is Vili the Warrior, the University of Hawaii's mascot. While people think of his dad as the guy they see on the sidelines of UH games, V.J. thinks of him as a friend, coach and great guy.
"He's sacrificed so much for me, and I think that my dad gets so much pressure out here," he said. "Two of his sons going away to other colleges and not choosing Hawaii, he gets a lot of pressure out here. But he's so supportive and he's just like my brothers; he wants me to go where I'll be happy."
V.J. plans to announce where he will play in college at the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 2. He says his recruitment process is picking up and coaches are calling every day. He tells the coaches that he will play his heart out for them, no matter what position he plays.
"I have coaches tell me that I'm built like an inside linebacker but I move like an outside linebacker and I rush like a defensive end, so I say I don't really care where you put me as long as I'm on the field. And as long as I get to hit somebody, I think I'll be happy."
Okimoto knows first-hand how V.J.'s passion translates to his performance on the field.
"You can tell when you have a good player because they elevate the game of everybody else on your team, and that's what he does. He does it through his play, not by talking. His motivation is how he plays. He plays with a lot of heart, a lot of passion, and he's very consistent week in and week out," Okimoto said.
V.J. takes football and family seriously, and he is passing the football legacy to his younger brother, Breiden. V.J. (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) is channeling his older brothers and is teaching the game to his middle-school-aged brother.
"I think my little brother's probably going to be the best," he said. "I tell him every single thing that I know about the game. Not only is he mentally ready, but he's physically almost my size, so I think he's going to be real scary."
Having the support of his parents and brothers has helped V.J. develop into a highly touted player in the Class of 2010. He credits his parents with his on- and off-the-field success, which is why he always points to them in the crowd after making a big play.
"They go crazy," he said about his parents' reaction in the stands. "It means a lot to them. All I want to do is make my family proud and hopefully do really well while I'm doing it."
Kaluka Maiava's role in his first two games with the Cleveland Browns has been on special teams, but that doesn't mean the rookie linebacker and 2005 Baldwin High School graduate can't be a factor on defense this season.
''I think both (rookie linebacker David Veikune) and Kaluka are moving forward a little bit each week,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said at his news conference Thursday. ''And, they've gotten work with the unit, the defensive unit, through the course of practice.''
Maiava, a fourth-round draft pick out of Southern California, has two tackles through two games --- one on kickoff coverage and one on punt coverage.
Cleveland faces the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
When asked further about Veikune, who led the University of Hawaii in sacks last season, Mangini said: ''He's got some versatility, which is positive. So, he's worked outside. He's worked inside. He needs to keep improving with his overall understanding of the defense, of that week's opponent and contributing on special teams. Sometimes, you go to the game and you may not get any defensive reps, or offensive reps, but you make a real impact on teams. What we're look for, ideally, is everybody that goes to the game has an impact in whatever role they're asked to play.''
I've spent the better part of the last week trying to process Jesse Mahelona's death.
The former Tennessee All-SEC defensive tackle died in a car accident last weekend in his native Hawaii. He leaves behind a wife, an 18-month-old daughter and another child on the way.
I had the pleasure of covering Mahelona when he was at Tennessee, and the picture I can't get out of my mind is his radiant smile. Even on the hottest of days back in August as he trudged off the practice field, the sweat pouring down his face, he always wore that familiar smile and would greet you as if he'd known you his entire life.
Mahelona was a fierce competitor on the field. I'll never forget his performance against Alabama in 2004 on a sprained knee. The Crimson Tide outplayed the Vols most of the game, but Mahelona simply wouldn't allow his team to lose. I can still see him blowing through the Alabama offensive line and forcing the fumble that saved the Vols that day.
My prayers go out to Mahelona's family. He was taken from us much too soon.
For anybody who would like to help, a trust fund has been set up. Donations can be sent to Jesse Mahelona Trust, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC, c/o John Verble, 1111 Northshore Drive, Suite N-160, Knoxville, Tenn., 37919.
Will Tukuafu grew up as an avid Utah fan. He attended high school just down from the university at East High always attended Utah's football camps where he loved learning under coach Kyle Whittingham 's guidance and watched his brother, Pasa , play for the Utes.
All those good feelings toward the Utes will be put aside come Saturday though, when Tukuafu does everything he can to send the Utes home from Oregon with a loss.
The 6-foot-4, 272-pound Tukuafu is Oregon's star defensive end who ranked fifth in the Pac-10 in 2008 in tackles for loss (17.5) and tied for eighth in quarterback sacks (7.5).
He had seven tackles against Purdue to earn his team's Player of the Week honors and envisions another big game for himself against the Utes.
Having grown up as a Utah fan, Tukuafu has followed the Utes in their recent success and said he has made sure his teammates won't underestimate Utah.
"We have a lot of respect for Utah, we know they're a great team, and coach Whittingham has done a great job for them," he said. "They're similar to us. It's going to come down to who wants it more."
Interestingly, as much as Tukuafu has followed the Utes, his plans never were to be a part of the program. He was headed to BYU, but after working a year and going on a two-year LDS Church mission, discovered he was short on the academic requirements. He attended Mesa Community College instead and blossomed into one of the top junior college defensive lineman. He decided Oregon was the best fit for him to "try some new things out."
Now he can't wait to see his old friends and hopefully beat them.
"We're excited to play them down here," he said. "This stadium will get rocking, but I think Utah is used to this kind of thing. They've played in Provo and in the Sugar Bowl, we know Utah is going to come in here and play hard."
No hitters to hits
Throughout fall camp, Joe Dale wore a special shell over his jersey indicating he couldn't be hit after offseason shoulder surgery.
His first real action was the season opener.
The lack of hits though has apparently done nothing to soften up Utah's defensive back.
Dale leads the Utes with 14 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
The senior said he was a little tentative at first since he hadn't any live reps since the Sugar Bowl, but he is confident in his shoulder and in his play now.
"I still deal with some soreness, but it's not a big deal," he said. "I have to trust it's going to hold up."
Seventh-year pro Vince Manuwai (pictured) sat down with jaguars.com to discuss his favorite food, the position he would play if he didn’t weigh 300-plus pounds and how he uses a saying in Hawaii to keep him motivated.
What is your favorite TV show?
CSI. I like the suspense and trying to figure out who did the crime.
Favorite meal?
Eggs. I can eat eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
How do you like your eggs?
Sometimes I eat them over easy, sometimes scrambled.
What is a talent you wish you had?
Probably singing.
What was your first job?
I sold newspapers when I was in the eight-to-ten year-old range.
What did it pay?
Back then a newspaper cost about 35 cents so I made about seven cents on the paper plus tips.
Pet peeves?
I don’t like it when people say they’re going to do something and they don’t do it.
Who is the most influential person in your life?
My uncle. He supported me in everything I did and always gave me things I needed. He was one of those guys where if I asked for something, he’d give me whatever I needed, no questions asked. He was the only one who came to all of my high school games, college games and he comes to my NFL games. I learned how to succeed from him.
What other position would you want to play?
Probably D-line because of my size.
What if size wasn’t an issue?
Running back or safety.
What kind of an animal would you be?
A tiger.
What do you want to do after you’re done playing football?
Coach high school football. Coaching college or NFL would be tough with all of the travel.
Do you want to go back to Hawaii to coach high school?
Definitely. And coaching high school would allow me to be part of my kids’ lives more. I don’t want to put them through the lifestyle of coaching in college or the NFL. High school gives you more time. It isn’t a grueling schedule where you have to watch a bunch of film and go recruiting. I also want to watch my kids and see how they develop.
What is your motto?
One thing they say in Hawaii is, ‘Eddie would go.’ (Eddie Aikau) is the big-time surfer there. He used to surf the big waves, like 35 to 40 feet waves. Every time he surfed, one of the other surfers would say, ‘Eddie would go’ because he always went up against the big waves. When they use that saying, no matter how big the challenge is, you can do it. If I have to block someone that made it to the Pro Bowl for like nine straight years, I say ‘Eddie would go.’
Max Hall passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Cougars (3-1) won the Mountain West Conference opener one week after getting blown out at home by Florida State.
