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Notebook
Wednesday, March 22, 2000
The University of Hawaii suffered its first quarterback injury and it wasn't even on the football field. RAINBOW FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
Rolovich sidelined
with thumb injuryJunior college transfer Nick Rolovich slammed a dorm room door on his right thumb and will likely be out of the regular rotation until after spring break.
"I don't know, it's hard to say," UH head coach June Jones said of Rolovich's status. "He can still throw a little, but that thumb nail is coming off. We don't look for him to take too many repetitions this week. But hopefully he'll be back in there throwing the football after spring break next week."
Rolovich is considered one of the favorites in the quarterback chase. He and Jared Flint transferred here at midterm. The other three quarterbacks already in the program are Shawn Withy-Allen, Mike Harrison and Kevin Gilbride.
Rolovich didn't take part in any seven-on-seven or team drills yesterday morning. He did take some snaps from center and throw the football a few times while working with the scout team.
Jones said he won't name a No. 1 quarterback until after fall camp, so the missed time shouldn't hurt Rolovich's chances to be the starter for the opener with Portland State on Sept. 9.
Contact sport
Correa at practice
Nevada-Las Vegas transfer Laanui Correa attended his first practice yesterday morning, but probably won't suit up until after spring break.The defensive lineman is still weak after a bout with pneumonia. Jones believes he has a chance to be a difference-maker up front.
"I think he's going to be a really good player for us," Jones said. "I wish he had been able to take part in all of our spring drills, but pneumonia weakens you so much, we don't look for him to suit up until after next week's break."
Jackson makes debut
Free safety Nate Jackson took part in his first spring practice yesterday morning after arriving from Fresno State late Monday night."I think we got in around 11 p.m. and were back on campus at midnight," said Jackson, who is playing baseball this spring. "I'm feeling it right now, but it's good to be back out here."
Jackson said he plans to play baseball for UH head coach Les Murakami for the next three seasons. Jones gave his OK for Jackson, and quarterbacks Withy-Allen and Gilbride to play baseball this spring. Jackson is the only one of the three on the traveling roster.
"That was a big series for us up in Fresno," Jackson said. "We did what we needed to do. I like playing both sports."
Jones said he was glad to see Jackson back in there and doesn't expect him to miss any more practices the rest of the way.
"I told him he could miss when the baseball team was on the road," Jones said. "But we expect him to be here for the remaining (11) practices."
Tuioti's status unclear
Former UH defensive lineman Tony Tuioti wants to be an assistant next fall, but Jones isn't sure if he falls within the NCAA's guidelines.Tuioti has already graduated from school, so Jones isn't sure if he qualifies as a student assistant. If not, then Jones may consider him for a graduate assistant's post.
"We've got to check on the NCAA rules before we move forward on Tony's situation," Jones said. "We'd love to have him out here, but we have to see what the guidelines are first."
Tuioti said that he wants to attend graduate school, but will need help from UH to meet the tuition requirements.
"Hopefully, I can stay on scholarship after the spring as a student coach," Tuioti said. "I'd love to be out here working with my old teammates. It would be fun."
Small senior class
Don't look for too many of the original 25 scholarship players from the class of 1996 because there aren't many remaining."We are the survivors," senior wideout Ricky Lumford said. "There aren't that many of us still here."
In fact, there are only seven fifth-year seniors left from former head coach Fred vonAppen's first recruiting class. They are Lumford, place-kicker Eric Hannum, defensive lineman Olen Rosehill, and linebackers Anthony Smith, Joaquin Avila, Robert Kemfort and Chris Garnier. Garnier has been suspended for the spring for breaking team rules and may not return in the fall.
"My first year here guys like Glenn Freitas and Randall Okimoto were on the team," Hannum said. "I tell that to some of the guys on our team now and they don't even know who I'm talking about. It makes you feel old."
By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin