Tuesday, August 11, 1998

Glory not
on the line for
’Bows newcomers

Two junior college transfers
look to help contribute
on Hawaii's inexperienced
offensive line

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Wide bodies in football don't sign a lot of autographs, do a bevy of television interviews or get their pictures on the cover of "The Rolling Stone."

About the only time the big uglies up front on offense have their names mentioned is when they're flagged for holding or called for a personal foul. Pancake blocks receive rave reviews from teammates, but the real glory on those plays is usually reserved for running backs darting toward the end zone.

"The defense sets them up and we try to knock them down," UH offensive line coach Greg Olejack said after yesterday's first fall practice for the Rainbows. "A lineman has to be satisfied with just doing his job.

"I don't want to forget about the veterans because they came out of spring as a strong unit, but we've got some young guys out here who could help us in a hurry."

So far, the two biggest hits of fall camp are center Dustin Owen and quick guard Douglas Gosling. The two junior college transfers could have an immediate impact for the Rainbows. That doesn't mean they'll start in the season opener against the University of Arizona, but they will certainly play.

"Owen doesn't have the prototype body of a football player," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said of the 6-foot-2, 316-pounder. "But he has good feet and quickness. He also has solid upper-body strength, which is important down there in the trenches."

Owen seems to enjoy the battles up front. After yesterday's steamy workout at Cooke Field, he was the first player off the field. He gave a high-five to each fellow linemen as they trudged to the locker room.

"I had a good first day," Owen said. "I really enjoyed it. We had good team camaraderie and we got a lot done. The new guys out here are trying to make a difference from day one."

They will practice together again today before working out with the veterans in tomorrow's first two-a-days session. Meshing with the experienced players will be a key for Owen and Gosling if they want to play right away.

"I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and work as hard as I can at whatever spot on the line they put me," Gosling said. "I've been working some at guard and tackle.

"I'm just going to do my thing and be supportive of my teammates, whether I'm on the field or on the sidelines. I want to contribute any way I can. One thing I can say, the veterans have been cool about things. That's a big difference from junior college.

"I was one of only two freshmen to start at Bakersfield (Calif.) College, and the sophomores gave me a hard time about it. Here, you get the feeling that what's best for the team is what counts the most."

Like Gosling, Owen, a first-team All-America center from Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) College, wants to fit in and wait his turn. He realizes the game will be more difficult at this level.

"The biggest difference between junior college and Division I is the speed of the game," Owen said. "The whole game is faster and everybody hits harder.

"I think I'll do all right, but I'm going to have to cut some of this weight off the next two weeks so I can keep up with the veterans.

"I want to contribute to this team any way I can and help us win. If that means playing a lot, then great. If it means waiting my turn, then that's fine, too."

The Rainbows have only one returning starter up front in strong tackle Kaulana Noa. Andy Phillips saw considerable playing time at strong guard and center Keith Tomomitsu started one game last year (against Air Force).

But projected starting quick guard Jose Martinez and quick tackle Vincent Street saw more playing time on special teams than along the offensive front.

"It takes awhile to come together as a unit, but with a ton of quality repetitions, they can start to gel," Olejack said. "The existing guys we had did a good job in spring, but we're looking for Dustin and Douglas to step up and play right away and help us with our depth.

"The young guys can help us as long as they have the strength in the upper body and the legs and they grasp the system early. Then they can play."

And that's something vonAppen is expecting, especially from Owen.

"The offensive line begins with the guy at center," vonAppen said. "Dustin isn't a lot to look at, but he's my kind of player."