Right Tackle Poti is Unique @ PSU

There are times, Ako Poti admits, when he gets just a bit homesick for the familiar customs, food and faces he left behind.

Penn State's senior starting right tackle from Daly City, Calif., is of Samoan descent and there isn't much of a Polynesian community in State College. In fact, he might comprise it all by himself.

There also is the little matter of him being a junior college transfer, a species of Nittany Lion that is almost as rare. The only other such player on the roster is his main competitor for his starting spot, Nerraw McCormack, although McCormack is from the Bronx and presumably more on the same wave length with Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who even in his 60th season in Happy Valley doesn't bother much to conceal his Brooklyn roots. In any case, Poti and McCormack are the first juco transfers at Penn State since wide receiver Mike Alexander ran his last pass pattern in 1987.

The 6-3, 305-pound Poti could have gone to one of those Western Athletic Conference or Mountain West Conference schools -- like, for instance, Utah, where his father, Issako Poti, played football from 1983 to '87.

Every now and then, when he watches Utah or BYU play on television, Poti is reminded of the choice he faced in December 2006.

"Seeing all the Samoans and Polynesians on TV, I think, 'I could have been with them, my people,' " said Poti, who will make his fourth consecutive start on Saturday, when No. 12 Penn State (7-1, 3-1 Big 10) takes on Northwestern (5-3, 2-2) in Evanston, Ill. "But I grew up with Samoans. I wanted to break away a little bit."

He broke away to a land where the nearest palm tree is a photo in a travel brochure. It doesn't snow in Samoa and hardly ever in California, where Poti was an All-America at City College of San Francisco. The idea of experiencing something new lost some of its allure when Poti, who enrolled at Penn State in January 2007, stepped out into the chilly air a few times.

"I remember calling my mother," Poti recalled. "I said, 'Mom, I think I need a scarf. I never used a scarf in my life, but I think I really need one now.' "

Poti endured the cold because of the opportunity. He figured he would have a chance to play immediately, but what sold him on PSU was his first meeting with Paterno.

"Just hearing him say, 'I don't want you if you're not a good student,' kind of made Penn State look a whole lot better to me," Poti said.

Poti is a good student, in the classroom and on the field, according to PSU quarterback Darryl Clark.

"What I really like about Ako is that when he makes a mistake, he will apologize to us in the huddle," Clark said. "Then on the next play, he'll go out and put somebody right on their behind. You got to like a guy like that."

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UP CLOSE: Vic So`oto

Nickname: Vic
Favorite cold cereal: Raisin Bran
Favorite Bronco Mendenhall Quote: “Pursuits”
Why did I choose to play football over other sports: because I was offered scholarships.
Before a football game, I: Listen to my ipod and text my wife.
How did I spend my off-season: healing and getting married.
Who is the best player I’ve ever faced: Imari Malifua and Russell Tialavea in high school.
What would I like to do sometime in my life: climb Mt. Everest.
One place I would like to visit: American Samoa.
Who has had the greatest influence on my football career and why: My dad, he pushes me to be my best.
What do I want to be doing 20 years from now: Golfing.
How did I select my jersey number: My favorite player is Rodney Harrison.
What is my favorite hobby or activity away from football: Playing the guitar with Wally.
What is the best book I’ve ever read: The Book of Mormon.
People say I look like: Brian Kehl, The Rock, My dad and any other Polynesian teammate.
What is my most memorable athletic achievement or moment: Winning CIF in high school.
My most interesting class I’ve taken at BYU: Tom Golightly.
My favorite scripture: Ether 12:6
My favorite website: google.com
My advice to youngsters: Listen to your mom.
If I had to give up all of my possessions except one, what would be the one thing I kept and why: my autographed Bronco Mendenhall football, self explanatory.
If I were hosting you on a recruiting visit to Provo, the most impressive thing I’d have to show you is: LaVell Edwards Stadium, also self explanatory.
If I were on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” the person I’d call for my lifeline is: I’d slap Regis and take the million!
If I could play another position, what would it be: Kicker.
One rule I’d change in college football is: Roughing the passer.
If I could invite any three people to dinner, who would they be: three of my ancestors.
On game day my friends and relatives: text me good luck and feed me after the game.

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Defining Moment for Masoli and Ducks

Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is not one to get flustered, whether it be with the game on the line or dealing with an early season slump or this Saturday's Halloween treat, No. 4 USC at No. 10 Oregon (5 p.m., ABC).

"You could be talking to him during a timeout with a minute left in the game," CCSF offensive coordinator Dan Hayes said of his former pupil, "and it would be like you called him in the middle of March just to chit-chat."

Masoli struggled in his first three games this season, including an ugly loss at Boise State from which Oregon has impressively bounced back. He was 29-of-64 for 379 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions before coming alive (21-of-25 for 253 yards and three TDs) in a 42-3 thrashing of Cal.

In hindsight, his struggles could have been about timing with a new offensive line and new receivers. Last week, back from a knee injury, he threw for 157 yards and a touchdown and ran for 54 yards and two TDs in a rout of Washington.

"Jeremiah is just a winner," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.

And an even-keeled one.

"There are a lot of things on the line (against USC)," said the junior, who is 9-2 as a starter in Pac-10 games and 5-0 at Autzen Stadium. "We understand that, and we're a mature team, and all we have to do is go in and execute."

After throwing for 3,592 yards and 31 touchdowns at CCSF in 2007, he transferred and rose to No. 1 on the Oregon depth chart last season.

"Then he's on the cover of Sports Illustrated," CCSF coach George Rush said. "The second coming of Jesus. That can be a lot to handle. ... But I knew he'd be fine. He is clutch. He is money on the table."

Masoli will try and hurt USC with his quick decisions in the perimeter passing game. The Trojans, meanwhile, are excited about the emergence of running back Allen Bradford, as coach Pete Carroll has been trying to replace power runner LenDale White since 2005.

Kelly, asked about USC's latest "thunder and lightning" backfield of Bradford and Joe McKnight, said: "They've got thunder, lightning, hurricane, typhoon. You name a storm, they've got it; they've got so many running backs at that place."

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Notre Dame Freshman Linebacker Manti Te'o Speaks Softly, Hits Fiercely

On a biting, drizzly Midwest afternoon, Manti Te'o practiced without a long-sleeve shirt under his football pads. Reading blocking schemes and weather forecasts has become a dual priority for a Hawaii native who is decidedly anti-freeze, so this was a curious sight Tuesday.

As Notre Dame prepared to face Washington State, that's all it was: curious. Still, you half-expected to hear how the freshman linebacker grew polar fleece on his arms, or used his intensity to self-insulate. Hyper-hyperbole regarding Te'o is epidemic, primarily because he's measuring up to some tall tales.

"He's out there trying to kill everyone he hits," Irish linebacker Brian Smith said. "It's a joy to be out there next to him."

Case in point: Where others merely tackle, Manti Te'o gleefully commits felonious assault.

Plainly, since the program's best defensive recruit in years became a full-time starter three games ago, he leads the Irish with 27 tackles in that span, registering nine stops and 2 1/2 tackles-for-loss Saturday against Boston College.

He's thriving because he knows where to direct his explosive 244-pound frame. But that, of course, is far too ordinary a description.

"I don't know how else to say it, but I always used to like linebackers who would run through somebody's face," Irish coach Charlie Weis said. "That's what Manti does."

Or, as linebacker Scott Smith put it: "I think he'd hit anybody in the mouth, any time, anywhere."

That's jarring, too, after listening to Te'o discuss his affection for his little brother and a nagging homesickness, at a register just a notch or two louder than a whisper. So the "speak softly" part, he had down; it was a matter of applying the big sticks.

For that, Te'o had to navigate some mental hiccups. It was apparent from his first tackle -- dragging down Nevada's Colin Kaepernick from behind -- that he played like a deployed torpedo. Uncertainty just had him off-target.

"As a defensive player, the number one thing is being able to pull the trigger," Weis said. "Even when you know what to do, to just let it loose and go. When he first started playing he would be a little hesitant. You would see that momentary pause before he would finish off a play.

"That momentary pause is the difference between making a play and not making a play. Now that momentary pause is starting to vanish. When he sees it, he goes."

Te'o alone isn't a cure-all for a muddled Irish defense. But when he creates a high-impact presence -- like when he decisively terminated a Boston College screen pass in the fourth quarter last weekend -- it is an energy infusion that can't be overstated.

"The last three games, he's doing things he couldn't do early in the season," Irish defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta said. "He just loves to play and make plays."

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Aggies Get One More Commit

Less than 24 hours after securing a verbal commitment from Jordan quarterback Alex Hart, Utah State’s football team received another pledge.

Pleasant Grove tight end/defensive end Jason Fanaika verbally committed to the Aggies on Tuesday night.

“I just felt more comfortable there with everything that’s happening and coach (Gary) Andersen turning their program around,” Fanaika said. “I like the offensive coordinator (Dave Baldwin), he’s a really good guy.”

Andersen and his staff now have seven in-state recruits already committed for the 2010 signing class.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Fanaika is following in his teammate’s footsteps. This past summer, Pleasant Grove offensive lineman Bryce Walker verbally committed to Andersen and the Aggies.

“He’s a big reason why I committed,” Fanaika said of Walker. “... He’s been going up to all the home games and he’s been telling me that it’s looking good up there and the program looks more aggressive, like everything’s been turned around.

“He told me the atmosphere is so different than anywhere he’s been, so I want to go up there and try to help the team get to the promised land like coach Andersen has been talking about.”

Similar to what he’s doing at Pleasant Grove — on both sides of the ball.

Fanaika has caught 15 passes for 238 yards and five touchdowns for the 7-1 Vikings. Defensively, he’s recorded 14 tackles and four sacks.

Pleasant Grove, which won its first seven games before falling to Lone Peak last week, concludes the regular season Friday against Alta.

“We’re doing good,” Fanaika said. “Our coaches are doing a good job, our team’s just been getting the job done. We’ve got a big game this week.”

Fanaika, whose cousin went to USU, was also offered by Utah. He had been talking to BYU, as well.

Fanaika, who is a member of the LDS Church, said he’s undecided on serving a mission.

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UH Gets Prep Linebacker: T.J. Taimatuia

The Warriors defied the odds by securing a commitment from a top California high school linebacker.

"I'm excited to go play for the green and black," said T.J. Taimatuia of Artesia High.

Taimatuia is 6 feet 4 and 225 pounds. He is capable of running 40 yards in 4.7 seconds, and squat-lifting 410 pounds.

Last season, he amassed 95 tackles and five sacks in nine regular-season games. He was named the Suburban League's 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. He also was selected to the CIF Southern Section all-star team.

But this year, Artesia has struggled, and a coaching change recently was made. Still, Taimatuia received strong interest from Arizona, California, UCLA, Utah and Washington.

But Taimatuia said it was an easy decision to pick his favorite college team.

"Ever since I was 9 or 10, I've watched Hawai'i," Taimatuia said. "I've always liked the way they've played and the way their coaches coach."

Taimatuia has several relatives living in Hawai'i.

Taimatuia's cousin is David Katina, a defensive end who plays for Fa'asao Marist High in American Samoa. Last month, Katina made a verbal commitment to play for the Warriors in 2010.

"I used to sleep over at his house," Taimatuia said. "I never thought that, years down the line, it would play out like this. I thank God for everything that's happened in my life. Every day, I work hard and thank the Lord. I give him all of the glory. I'm thankful for this opportunity to play for Hawai'i."

Taimatuia's parents still live in American Samoa. He stays with an aunt, Laurie Saleaeaga, in California.

"I miss the island life and the beach," Taimatuia said.

He said White Plains is his favorite beach.

As for hobbies, he said, "I'm Samoan. I love to eat."

Ryan Zerbel, Artesia's assistant principal and assistant football coach, praised Taimatuia as a student and athlete.

"He's a natural linebacker," Zerbel said. "He has a real nose for the ball. He has a tremendous natural talent. He's a great kid. He's hardworking, respectful. He'll be a good future player for the Warriors."

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Iupati, Vandal Seniors, Have Paid Their Dues

Moscow, Idaho, with a population of about 24,000, is a tough town in which to hide, especially if you are Mike Iupati.

A mere description of "Big Mike," an offensive guard on the Idaho football team, doesn't do him justice. Yes, he's 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, but that's only part of it. The native of American Samoa, whose name is pronounced "Ee-you-PAH-tee," doesn't appear to have any fat on him, which seems impossible for someone who weighs 325. His head and shoulders, though, are disproportionately large. Three-hundred-and-twenty-five-pound men don't have V-shaped physiques. He does.

He is, quite simply, a mammoth man, which belies his soft-spoken and princely nature.

"He's super nice," quarterback Nate Enderle said. "He'd do anything for you."

What he wanted to do mostly the past three years was win, but that wasn't in the cards for the perpetually rebuilding Vandals. Iupati, who arrived in 2006 and saw limited playing time his freshman year, has been on teams that went a combined 7-29 from 2006-2008.

Give the townsfolk of Moscow credit for basic smarts, though. Whenever the gentle giant went downtown or walked across campus, no one ever said, "Hey, Iupati, you guys ever gonna win again?" Iupati would not have reacted, but why tempt fate?

It's easier to go to the movies or a restaurant or take a stroll across campus these days. The Vandals, who face Nevada at Mackay Stadium on Saturday, are off to a 6-1 start, 3-0 in the Western Athletic Conference, and have become a bit of a national media darling.

"It's nice to have all the community with us and not against us," said Iupati, who is rated as the top offensive guard in the country by NFLdraftscout.com, which projects him as a first- or second-round draft pick next April. "Everyone is complimenting us on how good we did last weekend, telling us, 'Keep up the good work. We're proud of you guys.' It's really nice seeing the Vandals (fans) have faith again.

"It's amazing how people listen to you. They never pointed fingers at us. But people listen now, especially when you win. It's fun to win."

Iupati, who moved to the States when he was 14, graduated from Western High in Anaheim, Calif., and arrived at Idaho weighing 340 pounds. He was recruited by some Pac-10 schools that he said backed off when they learned that he might not qualify academically.

He is the face of an offensive line that is a big reason why the Vandals are already bowl eligible (minimum six victories). Four of them are seniors who have a combined seven years of starting experience.

"Our offensive line unit is very close," Iupati said. "We communicate well with each other."

Three of the seniors -- Adam Juratovac, Irvin Stevens III and Bryce Sinclair -- all redshirted, which means they have been at Idaho since 2005. When Robb Akey arrived in 2007 he was their third coach in three years. He was also the fourth coach in a five-year stretch. Now in his third season, he's brought stability to the program.

"These kids had seen a lot of change," Akey said. "When you tell them you're going to do something, you'd better make sure you do it. I told them, 'I'm not going to give you a long list of rules. I'm not the principal or the sheriff. Just do the right thing.' ... Building that trust, that's one of the first things we had to get accomplished."

Iupati and his fellow seniors share a unique and fulfilling bond. There are only 11 of them -- Akey's first recruiting class is made up of juniors and redshirt sophomores -- and they'll leave Idaho, presumably after a bowl game, with a tremendous sense of pride.

"All the hard work we've put in, it means a lot to me," Iupati said in regards to being the first class to turn things around. "I feel like I've accomplished something before I leave."

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V.J. Fehoko Set For Texas Tech Visit

V.J. Fehoko has had a top five in place for a number of weeks now, so the next step is planning the long trips from Hawaii to go see the campuses.

The Farrington (Honolulu) inside linebacker told Sporting News at the beginning of his senior season that Texas Tech, Utah, Utah State, Hawaii and UCLA made up his top five. He told SN this week that Washington has since replaced UCLA.

He now has an official visit set up with Texas Tech in late November. His brother, Sam Fehoko, plays for the Red Raiders.

"I think it should be a good visit to Texas Tech," Fehoko (6-0/220) told SN. "If we keep winning, I think (Nov. 20) is still a bye week, even though we would be in the playoffs. I think by losing all their real big star players, (Texas Tech has) come down some since last year, but that was nice to see them upset Nebraska. That opened my eyes. They've proven themselves this year."

As far as the other schools on his list, he may not take visits to those schools until he finishes his senior season. Right now, the playoffs are first on his mind.

"I wish it was done," Fehoko said. "But at the same time I don't want to make the wrong deceision. I need to go see the programs for myself, to see if that's where I really want to be. You have coaches calling you daily, weekly, and it kind gets frustrating at times, but I'm pretty sure I'm sticking to my guns to wait it out."

Fehoko told fans what they could expect from him on the field.

"If I see you on the field, and you have opposite colors, I'm real nasty," Fehoko said. "I have no remorse. I want to dominate you. I play really smart football, and never take off plays. I'm pretty quick and strong. Those are my strengths on the field."

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Project One Hope

The University of Utah Student-athlete Advisory Committee, the Utah Alumni Association and the Polynesian Coaches Association are teaming up for a project called "Project One Hope" during Saturday's Utah-Air Force game. Members of each group will be collecting donations for families affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated the islands of American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga.

Many of Utah's football players have ties to the islands and some lost family members in the tragedy.

BYU Dismisses Safety Te'o

BYU has dismissed defensive back Shiloah Te’o from the team after a violation of team rules.

The school did not elaborate on the situation.

Te’o, a 5-foot-10, 206-pound sophomore from Laie, Hawaii, has played in all of BYU’s games this season as a reserve safety. He has five tackles, including one tackle for a loss.

Last season, Te’o played in 11 games on special teams recording five tackles and one fumble recovery.

Te’o is the cousin of Notre Dame freshman linebacker Manti Te’o.

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