Turf Talk w/ Hawai'i's Jeramy Bryant

As half of our country shovels snow and puts chains on their tires to commute this Christmas Eve, some Americans will have to endure the harsh Winter time in the never appealing state of Hawai'i...ya right. Tonight's Hawai'i Bowl will be a good one, as the Warriors will play the Tulsa Hurricanes at Aloha Stadium. I was given the opportunity to ask Senior corner back, Jeramy Bryant some questions about the game, their defense, and more importantly, video games...

Question: What does it mean to you guys to be able to play a bowl game at home in front of the home fans?

Bryant: I think that its great experience to be able to be the home town team at your own stadium, and to have that opportunity to play one last time infront of your fans

Q: Your guy's offense likes to throw a little (or a lot actually. #1 passing offense in the NCAA). How does practice help the D prepare for games?

Bryant: I think it helps us a lot, especially with the coverage and blitz timing. The stats prove that we are used to seeing the pass, I believe were number 1 in the country in interception's at this point and time.

Q: Do you get time to play NCAA 10 on XBOX or PS3, and if so, how are your skills when the game is played on a TV rather than in real life?

Bryant: HAHAH I think its the same. I just enjoy trying to make a bunch of plays as does my team. We feel were he best in the country at what we do, but as far as what I'm rated on the game opposed to real life?????? overall could be better, but hey its a dream come true just to be on there.

Bryant is tied for second on the team in interceptions with 4, and is looking to pick off one tonight as the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl kicks off on Christmas Eve. Jeramy Bryant, stud on and off the field.

Recap and Review

The three bowl games this weekend ended up being a little more lopsided than expected, as the point spread's for each game were well covered. BYU finished the season with a decisive win over UTEP. BYU's defense stepped up big by forcing UTEP to be just 3-12 on 3rd downs, and complimented those numbers with 3 turnovers and 4 sacks.  In the second game of the day, Northern Illinois won 40-17 over Fresno State and it was the running game of the Huskies that got them into the endzone as QB Chandler Harnish scored twice himself, and running back Chad Spann found 6 points on a couple of TD runs that afternoon.

In the final game of the weekend, the Trojans of Troy took it to Ohio's Bobcat, winning 48-21. Troy's offense put up some astronomical numbers, as QB Corey Robinson threw for 387 and 4 TD's to 4 different receivers. The offense combined for 602 yards, and picked up 30 first downs. Ohio's defense seemed to have their hands full with all of Troy's offensive weapons. Troy moved the ball around both vertically and horizontally early with a reverse, back pass/flea flicker (I don't even know how to describe it it was so crazy). Senior wide out Jason Bruce threw a perfect spiral on the run to Robinson, who then threw it back down field to a different wide receiver. "I played QB in high school, so I still got it," mentioned Bruce. Plays like this helped open up the vertical passing game which led to the 4 passing TD's. "Once we started running our plays, and seeing how well they worked, we knew we would be in control." The few times the Trojans didn't score, punter Will Goggans went out to send the ball away, and after setting foot on the field, immediately won best goatee ever to participate in a bowl game. Goggans, who grew his facial hair out all year, let the blond masterpiece bask in the Superdome lights that evening. A true player on and off the field, Goggans did this so he could play Santa Claus as the team visited some young fans at a local children's hospital. The Troy football program showed that hard work, both on/off the field as well as in the barber shop, pay off greatly in the end.