[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
The Hawaii football team practiced on the lush grass field of the Reno High School stadium yesterday in preparation for today's game (10:05 a.m. HST) against Nevada. UH’s practice ‘like normal’
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe Warriors went through their final tune-up in 85-degree heat with little breeze, but as a group appeared fresh after the two-hour practice. The coaching staff hopes a minimum-hassle charter flight, as well as arriving fairly early and an 11 p.m. curfew Thursday, helped the players adjust and remain focused.
"It was just like a normal Friday practice," coach June Jones said. "It went good."
Sophomore punter Mat McBriar's efforts stood out the most at practice -- he boomed several 60-yard kicks, perhaps aided by Reno's 4,000-foot elevation.
Two weeks ago, Jones said he did not think altitude would be a factor in the game. But earlier this week he mentioned it as one of several things the Warriors would need to adjust to in order to win.
The last time Hawaii won a game in thin air was at Nevada-Las Vegas, when the Rainbows took home a 58-30 victory on Sept. 30, 1995.
Fast track: Nevada's Mackay Stadium was resurfaced last year with FieldTurf, a synthetic material made of the bottoms of old basketball shoes. (The St. Louis School practice field has the same surface.) The texture of FieldTurf is somewhere between that of real grass and other synthetic surfaces like AstroTurf.
When: Today, 10 a.m. Hawaii vs. Nevada
Where: Reno, Nev.
TV: KFVE-TV, live
Radio: 1420-AM, live
Players say they like FieldTurf because it gives like grass but enhances speed like artificial turf.
"I liked it when I worked out at St. Louis. Basically it's the best of both worlds," UH wide receiver and Crusader alumnus Ashley Lelie said. "And no turf burns."
BYU a week later?: Hawaii athletic director Hugh Yoshida said "a lot still has to be worked out" if UH's home game against Brigham Young is to be moved from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8.
Toughening up: Although Hawaii and Nevada are somewhat similar in their offensive philosophies, they differ vastly in the way they practice.
The Warriors rarely scrimmage in practice, as coaches are wary of potential injuries. But the Wolf Pack have two or three "very physical" practices each week, Nevada coach Chris Tormey said.
"We've got to develop some physical toughness," Tormey said.
Short yardage: More than 2,000 Hawaii fans, including relatives of several players, were expected in Reno last week to see UH play Nevada. Last week's postponement changed that, and UH fans will be sparse among a crowd expected to be around 25,000 for Nevada's home opener. But Doug and Ginny Clowers, parents of UH defensive tackle Brett Clowers, drove from their home in San Diego for today's game. ... Hawaii remained a 6-to-7 point favorite last night. ... UH starting safety Jacob Espiau, who has battled shoulder and groin injuries throughout the early season, said yesterday he is ready to play.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
