ALOHA from ALOHA STADIUM

[indianmustang]

thanks again for the updates ,nice reading about kyle

[SMU 86]

PonyPride, I know it was a tough decision to go to Hawaii, but thanks for taking one for the team.

[PonyPride]

PonyPride, I know it was a tough decision to go to Hawaii, but thanks for taking one for the team.

Anything for the www.PonyFans.com faithful.
Someone had to do it. It's what I do — I'm a giver.

[PonyPride]

I can guarantee you one of the most excited people in Aloha Stadium today is SMU strength and conditioning coach Vic Viloria. Those who remember him as a former SMU linebacker, No. 55 was an extremely emotional player. Talked at length with him last night, and he admitted that he expects to be nervous and have pre-game butterflies before today's game, but assured me he won't let that interfere with his duties of getting the SMU players stretched, limbered up and fired up to play today. As a player, Vic was so emotional there were times it seemed like he might need his rabies vaccine updated, but that was a reflection of how passionate he is, about the game of football and about SMU. The man with a Mustang tattooed on his right bicep said that he has "the best job in the world," that if he didn't have a family to support, he'd probably do his job for free, and that SMU football is a large part of what he does ... and who he is. Should the Mustangs win today, there will be few, if any, prouder than Vic.

[PonyPride]

Another freshman who seemed remarkably composed this week in practice was DE Margus Hunt. Maybe it has to do with his history of competing in elite, international track meets, or maybe it is a reflection of his growing confidence as he learns the game, but he seems like he's ready for the biggest game of his young career.

[PonyPride]

Hey Smoopower — nice work with the Hawaiian-style backgrounds on the message boards.
You're the best, my man.

[PonyPride]

Really nice sight: a group of about 20 defensive players just gathered in a circle, arms locked around each other's shoulders, swaying back and forth in a loud cheer. Several players took turns jumping into the center of the circle to lead the cheers, including Bennie Thomas, Tim Crosby ... and Sterling Moore, who said Monday he plans to play. He's dressed and looks ready to go (with his new red pseudo-mohawk 'do).

[SmooPower]

Hey Smoopower — nice work with the Hawaiian-style backgrounds on the message boards.
You're the best, my man.

wassup

[PonyPride]

Brian Kajiyama, the former Hawaii fan/student who developed a remarkable bond with Jeff Reinebold and other Hawaii coaches before joining the UH staff as a graduate assistant, is on the Mustangs' sideline, decked out in SMU gear. His reunion with Coach Reinebold and his family, as well as June Jones and other members of the SMU staff and team, during practice this week was really beautiful. It's hard to believe anyone could have witnessed it and not felt goosebumps or tears.

[PonyPride]

Mustang Band in the house.

Seeing a lot of PonyFans, too. Just saw BUS and PonyLove walk by below the pressbox.

[mrydel]

Did you ask Vic about next year, or is that a closed subject right now?

[PonyPride]

Crowd is still sparse, but the PA announcer just announced the teams, the head coaches, athletic directors and university presidents.

Highlight: the biggest cheer (by far) was for June Jones.
Lowlight: "SMU president Gerald R. Turner"

[PonyPride]

Serious clouds rolling in. Hope they don't affect the game. In-game blogging isn't allowed, anyway, but that could cut things short if the rain hits.

[PonyPride]

Have seen a bunch of the t-shirts SMU handed out to airmen and airwomen (is that the right term?) at Hickam Air Force Base.

[PonyPride]

Mustang Band, cheerleaders and poms are on the field. Band sounds fantastic.

Peruna just made his first official dash up the field at a bowl game.