Uiliata willing to help meet Hawaii’s needs

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Then Waipahu quarterback Liatama Uiliata reacts after a touchdown pass Nov. 26, 2022.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Then Waipahu quarterback Liatama Uiliata reacts after a touchdown pass Nov. 26, 2022.

PULLMAN, Wash.—After working in a restaurant for the past year, Tama Uiliata is used to saying “next.”

But on Saturday it was Uiliata’s turn. With slotback Pofele Ashlock unavailable to play, Uiliata made his first start for the University of Hawaii football team.

“In football, the next one has to be ready,” UH coach Timmy Chang said. “We’ll look back at what Tama did and what he can do, and try to help him. He’s a good player.”

Uiliata caught an 8-yard pass from Brayden Schager, then made a quick move to add 2 more yards on the drive. He also nearly made a spectacular one-handed catch, but was unable to secure the football. “That was close,” he said. “I should have gone up with two (hands). It’s up to me.”

Uiliata was a standout player at Waipahu High, being used as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver as a senior in 2022. He committed to UH with the intention of delaying his enrollment until January. While grayshirting last fall, he worked at Eggs’n Things in Ko Olina and trained with Waipahu coach Bryon Carvalho.

At the start of spring training, Uiliata suffered a hamstring strain. While he rehabbed, he was able to study every detail in the playbook.

Don’t miss what’s happening!

Stay in touch with breaking news as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!

Email 28141 Register By clicking to register, you agree to Star-Advertiser and Google i. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Uiliata and her girlfriend are the parents of a 5-month-old daughter. “It’s nice,” he said of fatherhood, adding that it provides a spark to “work hard every day.”

It was hard work that allowed Uiliata to move into the catcher rotation. He made his debut in UH’s last series against Boise State last week. He was then notified that he would be in Saturday’s starting lineup.

“Sticking to my fundamentals and training,” Uiliata said of preparing for the starting role. “Going over my works over and over until it crystallizes in my head.”

Running back/receiver Tylan Hines said, “Tama’s ready. Our young dawgs are not nervous. They’re ready, they’re ready. And when you’re ready, you’re confident. He did a great job. I’m proud of Tama “.

Sinclair makes the most of his opportunities In the scrimmage against Boise State running back Ashton Jeantry last week, Justin Sinclair stepped into the starting lineup. Sinclair is considered a safety in the box who is rated to defend the run.

On Saturday, Washington State faced a fourth-and-2 at the UH 37. Running back Leo Pulalasi caught the handoff and ran into a trolley named Sinclair. The Cougars turned the ball over on downs.

“I saw the gap open and I just shot it,” Sinclair said. “It was fun. He brought some energy to my team.”

Sinclair finished with six tackles, including five solo stops.

Players step in for ailing Warriors With shoulder Pofele Ashlock, wide Dekel Crowdus and safety Peter Manuma unavailable to play on Saturday, Chang had to call on the reserves. Alex Perry, who started in place of Crowdus, had two catches for 21 yards. Safety Meki Pei contributed five tackles. Deliyon Freeman, who started in place of ailing cornerback Caleb Brown, and Cam Stone held WSU wide receiver Kyle Williams to four catches for 59 yards. As a UNLV wide receiver two years ago, Williams caught eight passes for 184 yards against UH.

“Football is a tough game,” Chang said of the injuries. “Boys hit each other.”