Posted on: Thursday, December 19, 2002
Warriors' McBriar gets more honors
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The honors keep rolling for the University of Hawai'i football team's no-name punter.
Mat McBriar, who does not average enough punts per game to appear in NCAA statistical lists, was an honorable mention on the Fox Sports and College Football News All-America team.
When told his first name was spelled correctly, McBriar mused, "They must know what they're talking about. I'll take it."
McBriar led the Western Athletic Conference in punting with a 43.7-yard average.
"It's funny how he doesn't show up in the WAC stats, but he was named All-WAC," said Tyson Helton, who coaches the special teams. "He's getting a lot of the credit he's deserved for a long time. Obviously we don't punt the ball very much. But in the past four or five games, he's come on strong, and now he's getting a lot of notice."
The New York Giants told the UH coaches that McBriar, a senior from Australia, is the top prospect at punter for the 2003 National Football League draft. McBriar has been told he will be invited to compete at the NFL Combine for top prospects.
"The pro scouts have been piping his horn for two years," UH coach June Jones said. "They're very aware of him."
McBriar has yet to be invited to any postseason all-star game. He said he plans to spend the winter break in Australia, then return to UH in mid-January. After that, he plans to sign with an agent.
"You only really get one shot at this," he said of the possibility of being drafted. "You might as well go for it."
• Stocking stuffer: The Warriors will be allowed to keep the white jerseys they will wear for next week's ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl.
In addition to per diem and the gift package supplied by the bowl, NCAA rules allow schools competing in bowls to spend up to $300 per player. Because the Warriors did not win the WAC, they are not eligible to receive league rings, according to a UH policy.
Instead, the school will allow the players to keep their jerseys, valued at more than $100 apiece. The school also will provide other goodies for the players.
UH has been designated as the visiting team, and must wear white.
• Snap and pop: While offensive lineman Vince Manuwai is on paternity leave — his girlfriend gave birth to the couple's second child Tuesday night — the Warriors are not practicing field-goal kicks.
Manuwai became the short-snapper because of the injury to Lui Fuata. Manuwai has snapped the last two games.
"He was a little rusty at first, but he's gotten better," Helton said. "He'll be fine as long as he stays calm."
