Sunday, August 26, 2001
[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
Things are The Hawaii football team's first full-contact action of fall practice yesterday was brief, but told the story.
falling in place as
2-a-days end
With 2 weeks left until the season
opener, the Warriors are deepBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe first-string defense stopped the first-string offense. But the second- and third-string offenses moved the ball with ease against their defensive counterparts.
"Our depth is better on offense than it is on defense," Warriors coach June Jones said. "The defensive first group is starting to come together, but we're a little thin. That concerns me, but hopefully we'll get lucky and stay healthy."
UH has nearly two weeks before it opens against Montana at Maui's War Memorial Stadium on Sept. 8.
Hawaii isn't really banged up, but more tired and sore, as two-a-days ended yesterday. The Warriors take today off before regular practices begin tomorrow at 7 a.m.
"Yeah, we're not as fresh as we were the first week," quarterback Tim Chang said. "We're trying to hang in there. If you can't do it physically, hopefully you can prepare mentally."
Half the starting secondary was out at the end of the week, as cornerback Hyrum Peters missed several sessions with a left hamstring pull and safety Jacob Espiau has a right ankle sprain. Both are expected back tomorrow.
Defensive lineman Travis Laboy is still recovering from a sore hamstring, and wide receiver Tafiti Uso has a scraped leg.
"We don't have anything major," Jones said. "So I'm hoping we go to the one-a-days and they get a little more treatment and with a little more rest they'll start to come back."
Defensive lineman Lui Fuga said he wants to return from shoulder surgery rehab in time for the season opener, but defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said that is very unlikely. The coaches would rather not rush Fuga back and risk re-injury to either of his shoulders.
"We were rotating some guys, but now we're pretty set with our base team," Lempa said. "Our line will be the best four pass rushers, whoever we decide they are."
They will probably come from among Laanui Correa, Mike Iosua, Wayne Hunter, Houston Ala, Lance Samuseva and Kevin Jackson.
Chris Brown remains the middle linebacker, flanked by Joe Correia and Pisa Tinoisamoa. Correia comes out in passing situations for nickel back Robert Grant.
Grant and David Gilmore have played for Espiau. Kelvin Millhouse, Josiah Cravalho and Gary Wright had extra work at corner in Peters' absence.
On offense, the biggest question is at running back. Coaches say Thero Mitchell is the most complete player, but they are excited about the potential of freshman scatback Mike Bass.
"We'll make a decision some time before the first game," Jones said.
Can Bass help protect the quarterback?
"He blocks his man and knows his assignments," Jones said.
Wide receivers coach Ron Lee said he has eight to 10 pass catchers who are ready to play. There might be even more, as players like Mike Akiu Jr., Omar Bennett and Chad Owens made some nice grabs late in camp. The four starters are all back; Ashley Lelie and Craig Stutzmann still figure to be the go-to guys.
Chang is nearly entrenched at starting quarterback, but Nick Rolovich has looked sharp and has game experience. Questions still remain about Jared Flint's arm strength, due to shoulder surgery last year.
The offensive line remains solid. Lui Fuata, Manly Kanoa, Brian Smith, Vince Manuwai and Uriah Moenoa still hold the starting spots. Manuwai is a nominee for the Outland and Lombardi awards.
Now the Warriors can concentrate on preparing specifically for Montana, the Division I-AA runner-up of a year ago.
"We already have started. When we go into regular game preparation practice next week we'll spend about half the time working on what the opponent does," Jones said. "We'd be able to play (tomorrow). You never know if you'd be able to win, but we're ready to play."
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