Colt works some overtime

Most Hawaii football players got to head straight away for a shower and day off after yesterday's 3-hour practice ended. But a Heisman Trophy candidate's work is never done.

Quarterback Colt Brennan first spent a solid 5 minutes talking to a high school athlete, giving advice on drills to improve quickness. Then he began signing autographs for some of the estimated 250 fans who attended the practice, and he did some interviews.

Twenty minutes later, Brennan was still on the field, chatting with friends and fans. Today, his day off is interrupted with a Sports Illustrated photo shoot.

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Brennan said he doesn't mind the attention that many athletes consider a distraction.

"The actual football is what you look forward to, but this isn't too bad because it's just while I'm walking off the field," Brennan said.

He's an accommodating signer, asking if his signature on a mini-helmet should be personalized. When told no, he's asked if it bothers him knowing some of the items he signs go up for sale immediately. A photograph autographed by Brennan goes for $14.99 on ebay, but that could go up depending on how he plays in the future.

"Nah, it's just part of it," Brennan said. "I'm not making any money so it's not a big deal."

Any pet peeve about autograph seekers?

"Only one thing really sucks," he said. "When people want me to sign their kid's skin, it takes a lot of time and holds up the line. And it just washes off, anyway."

The Running Dan

Dan Kelly used his legs to turn in one of the highlights yesterday -- though without actually kicking the ball.

After the junior kicker booted his first couple of kicks through the uprights during the field-goal period, holder Tim Grasso took a snap and flipped it back to Kelly, who took off around the right side and kept on chugging to the end zone with defensive end Amani Purcell and safety Jake Patek bearing down on him.

"That was just motivation to get the heck out of the way," Kelly said. "A good slap is more contact than I ever want. But it was something fun. ... It was just something coach drew up in the sand right there for us."

The duo tried another fake a few snaps later, though this time Kelly short-hopped a pass back to Grasso. But Kelly doesn't think the Warriors will have much occasion to pull out the trick plays in the fall.

"I hope we're never in need of it," he said. "I know our offense is going to be ready and we're not going to be worried about needing any fakes to get through games.

Starting young

Anelu Lafaele is a long way from being eligible for college ball, but still found his way onto the field yesterday.

The 1-year-old son of senior defensive tackle Mike Lafaele scampered onto the field a couple of times, nearly getting into one of the line drills before mom scooped him up.

"Ever since he got out of the car he's been trying to run on the field," said Mike, still trying to corral Anelu after practice. "He's real excited about football."

With his wife, Teri, working most mornings, the Warriors' Saturday practices are among the few times Lafaele gets to see his family during fall camp.

"It's hard on my wife," he said. "She's taking care of everything at home, taking care of the family ... and trying to make a living for myself and my family. It's hard not seeing my kids for a while, but they come to practice so it's good fun."

Short yardage

Starting middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian (slight hamstring strain) and freshman safety Le'Marcus Gibson (dehydration) did not practice yesterday. Both are likely to be back tomorrow. ... JC transfer cornerback Calvin Roberts attended yesterday, observing from the side with Gibson. Roberts still had some minor indoctrination details to take care of.