WARRIOR FOOTBALL
UH grateful for evening kickoff at Alabama
The later starting time means less heat for the players and more sleep for fans watching from Hawaii
Hawaii football coach June Jones got good news yesterday as his players reported for fall camp.
Kickoff for UH's season-opening football game at Alabama on Sept. 2 will be at 1:07 p.m. Hawaii time, according to an announcement on the Alabama football Web page.
"Our understanding is that the game will not be part of the SEC television package, allowing a later start," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said.
"We have not yet been officially notified by Alabama, but assume that the time posted recently on their Web site is correct. Therefore, we are happy that kickoff will be at 6 p.m. rather than in the afternoon. It will definitely benefit our players."
Jones agreed.
"It's better than one o'clock for us," he said. "The heat."
Warriors fans in Hawaii -- other than early birds -- should like it, too. They won't have to get up early to watch the game on TV because of the 5-hour time difference.
Something to prove: Sophomores Mario Cox and B.J. Fruean are back on the team, but won't be in fall camp, Jones said.
"They just got reinstated today, but they're going to focus on schoolwork," the coach said. "They have to prove to me that they're reliable in the classroom."
Cox, a running back/ linebacker and Fruean, who worked out at linebacker and safety last year, probably won't be back on the field until spring practice, allowing them to redshirt this year.
Junior cornerbacks Ryan Keomaka and Keao Monteilh might return to the team Aug. 21, the first day of school, Jones said.
Junior college transfer Keenan Jones, another cornerback, is awaiting confirmation of his associate's degree. Senior wide receiver Ian Sample was still waiting for the outcome of his NCAA appeal for an additional season, and junior outside linebacker Amani Purcell still awaits a summer-school grade.
Pigout coming: The annual Murphy's Warrior Pigskin Pigout is Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Around 200 items, ranging from gift certificates to sports memorabilia and vacations will be available for auction.
Tickets are $100 and include a hosted dinner. All proceeds go directly to UH's Na Koa Football Club. Call 531-0422 or 754-1502 for information.
Practice times: Today's practice, the first of fall camp, was scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. and go to 11:30.
Tomorrow's workout is from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There is no practice Sunday.
The Warriors add shoulder pads on Monday, when they practice from 4 to 6 p.m.
The practices are at the grass field next to the softball stadium and are open to the public.