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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, August 30, 2006

UH senior running back
Reagan Mauia

Video Inteview: Reagan Mauia

At 280 pounds, running back Reagan Mauia starts "salivating" when he comes face to face with 180-pound defensive backs.

GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser


Reagan Mauia made the unusal switch from defensive nose tackle — he started against Michigan State and Idaho — to running back. Let all defensive backs beware. Now 70 pounds lighter at 280, Mauia still carries a punch when carrying the ball, reminding UH coach June Jones of his former NFL running back, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.


Tell us the secret to your weight-loss program and what food do you miss most in your quest to pare down further. Also, what goes through your mind as you're barreling downfield and see only a 180-pound defensive back in front of you?


"Not too much of a secret, I would like to say discipline. You couldn't do it if you didn't really want to do it. What I did, when I first started, I started cutting off rice, all the bad food. Unnecessary carbs like rice, pasta, fats, burger places. I miss Jack in the Box. Right now I'm at the weight where I want to be, so I'm comfortable. I'm starting to eat again. My daily routine would be: I would wake up and have some vegetables and tuna, plain tuna. No nothing. And that would be for breakfast. And then for lunch probably, chicken, skinless, without any sauce on it or anything. I didn't read books or anything. I got an idea of putting in protein, high protein, high fiber. And low on your carbs.

"When I started, I was playing running back last year. When I held the ball running with it wasn't comfortable. It just didn't feel right, it didn't feel natural. That's why I had a couple of fumbles last year during the San Diego State game. ... Coach Mouse (Davis) said my arms and upper body were just too big to hold the ball comfortably. I took it upon myself to lose the weight. Now when I hold the ball it feels kind of big. Bigger than it did last year. It feels comfortable. ...

"We're run and shoot, but I think we've got a running game this year. Coach Jones is putting in some good stuff in our offense. He feels a little bit more comfortable with us being in the backfield. We've got backs who can protect and run and catch. Our running game is going to be something to look forward to this year."


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