Monday, March 26, 2001

FL MORRIS / STAR-BULLETIN
Hawaii's Josiah Cravalho, right, intercepts a pass and runs
it back and is tackled by Clifton Herbert as Mark Tate,
right, looks on during the 2001 Warrior Spring
Challenge yesterday at Cooke Field.

Stepping out
of spring

Warriors finish up spring
practice with 2,200 fans
watching at first Challenge

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

The third-string quarterback threw a touchdown pass. A fourth-team wideout caught one. And a freshman kicker hit two field goals and missed two extra points.

So went the University of Hawaii's 60-play scrimmage last night at Cooke Field, as the coaches and players concluded the third spring practice of head coach June Jones' regime.

A crowd of about 2,200 came out to watch the inaugural Spring Challenge that included interactive games with the media and the fans. From the marketing department to the coaches and players, everyone seemed happy with how things worked out.

"I think June (who missed all of spring due to a car accident) would be pleased with how this entire spring practice went," UH associate head coach George Lumpkin said after the scrimmage was done. "The defense played well. The quarterbacks were a little tight. But we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish."

FL MORRIS / STAR-BULLETIN
Hawaii's Chad Owens, left, runs with the ball as
Isaiah Alameda lunges to make a tackle during
yesterday's Spring Challenge at Cooke Field.

The first teams on both sides were in for about a dozen plays. Some projected starters played with the second and third units, especially on defense.

Overall, the defense did well, limiting the offense to only 40 yards on the ground and 120 through the air. Backup quarterbacks Nick Rolovich and Shawn Withy-Allen fared better than sophomore starter Tim Chang.

Chang had some nice completions in the seven-on-seven drills that preceded the scrimmage, but completed only 1-of-9 passes for 18 yards. Rolovich was 6-for-9 for 63 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to walk-on Ryan Richards on the final series.

"It was just a crossing route," Rolovich explained. "I had him all the way across the field. As soon as it opened up, I let it go. I'm pleased with how I played. I think the entire team did well.

"We came out here without our leader. Everybody played hard every spring practice for him to show what we could do. I think he would be proud of us. We did some good things on both sides of the football."

Withy-Allen, who had his best spring since joining the team four years ago, completed 4-of-7 passes for 34 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown to Clifton Herbert. He also scrambled for 13 yards on his one scoring drive and completed a 27-yard pass to Dan Berryman to set up the touchdown toss.

"Shawn came out every day and really had a solid spring," UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said. "All of our guys did well. We decided to give Jared Flint a little look. His arm has been sore most of the spring, but he said it felt better today."

Flint returned to action for the first time since injuring his rotator cuff just before last fall camp. He underwent surgery and appeared to be ready to compete this spring.

"But my arm started to hurt some, so I took it easy," said Flint, who completed 1-of-2 passes for 5 yards. "Today it felt great. It was really good to be back under center again. I'm looking forward to competing this fall."

So are several projected starters on defense, who decided to sit this one out because of injuries. Safeties Nate Jackson (foot) and Jacob Espiau (shoulder) didn't play last night. Neither did tackle Lui Fuga (shoulder) and linebacker Keani Alapa (knee).

UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa felt his units responded well, despite this lack of star power. Linebackers Pisa Tinoisamoa, Joe Correia, Chris Brown and Kevin Jackson continue to adjust to their new positions, while transfers Wayne Hunter and Travis Laboy try to get comfortable at defensive end.

"We looked at a lot of new guys at new positions," Lempa said. "Nobody got hurt, and that was our No. 1 concern coming into this game. I was pleased because there was some good intensity, good hitting and good tackling.

"We made some plays. We forced some fumbles and made some fumble recoveries, so from a defensive standpoint, I think we're ahead of last year, but I'm not saying anything else."

Unlike the two previous springs, Lumpkin doesn't anticipate any major cuts. The team will work in the weight room the remainder of this term, before returning to fall camp in August.

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu