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Notebook
Thursday, April 13, 2000
UH football Notebook
Spring game:
Rainbow Volleyball Playbook
time to impressIf you're going to make an impression at quarterback in this Saturday's spring game at Cooke Field, you'd better do it quick. University of Hawaii head football coach June Jones will run between 35 and 50 plays in the controlled scrimmage and will divide the playing time among the five quarterbacks.
"We haven't talked about what the rotation will be with Coach Jones, but if it's like what we've been doing in practice, Mike Harrison will be first up," quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said.
Kevin Gilbride will be second, followed by Shawn Withy-Allen, and junior college transfers Nick Rolovich and Jared Flint.
"I'm not sure which of the two junior college transfers we will go with first," Morrison said. "They have something going on in practice to determine that."
The two transfers are competitors on the field and roommates off it. Rolovich was slowed somewhat with a busted thumb on his throwing hand, but Jones believes both quarterbacks are getting a better feel for the offense.
"The guys returning were ahead because they've been around our offense for a year," Jones said. "The rotation we use in practice will probably be what we do for the spring game. Each guy will probably get two series to show what he can do."
Jones will also give each quarterback a hard look in the seven-on-seven drills in the session before the controlled scrimmage. The approach will be similar to the one Jones took last spring.
All five of the quarterbacks have had their moments through the first 13 practices. At this point, Harrison probably tops the depth chart. Although limited, the sophomore is the only one with any Division I experience.
Injury update: Cornerback Shawndel Tucker rolled up his knee and may have suffered a slight concussion as well during Tuesday's practice. He did not practice yesterday and could be held out of this Saturday's scrimmage.
He is the first starter to miss any significant practice time due to an injury. Jones has limited the contact throughout the spring, but some things are unavoidable.
"I talked with him last night and he said his knee was a little sore, so we'll see," Jones said. "(Safety) Tavis Campbell also hurt his knee at the end of last Saturday's practice. But he was back in there yesterday."
Offensive lineman Doug Gosling injured his shoulder last week and could miss the rest of spring. It's not known yet what's causing the pain that has forced the senior to wear a sling.
Jackson, Sims return: Safety Nate Jackson returned to practice yesterday after missing last week because of baseball. Defensive tackle Doug Sims also was back after missing the week due to his mother's funeral.
Jackson has missed almost half of spring because of two baseball road trips to Fresno State and San Jose State. His absence has allowed Jacob Espiau and Hyrum Peters more repetitions with the top two units.
Sims took part in today's workouts. The players and coaches offered their condolences. He will be a starter up front.
Pisa gets national pubLICITY: Sophomore linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa has yet to step on the field in a Rainbows uniform, but he's already receiving national publicity.
In this week's ESPN The Magazine, Tinoisamoa is mentioned as another reason why Texas didn't want to play Hawaii in the ill-fated Sept. 2 opener.
Tinoisamoa is on schedule to return to the Rainbows this fall. He had to sit out a year after the NCAA declared him academically ineligible last August. The San Diego standout was one math credit short.
"It's good for him because he's a little down right now," said assistant coach Dennis McKnight, who helped recruit him here to Hawaii. "We're hopeful he'll be back with us in the fall."
By Paul Arnett
RAINBOW VOLLEYBALL PLAYBOOK
No. 6 Hawaii vs. Pacific
First serve: 7 p.m., tomorrow and Saturday, Stan Sheriff Center.
By Dave Reardon