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[UH FOOTBALL]




Brown put on Lombardi list


By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

Hawaii linebacker Chris Brown is among 59 players from across the country on the watch list for the 2002 Lombardi Award. The award goes to the top lineman in college football.

Brown led UH in tackles and was third in the Western Athletic Conference with 10.3 a game. The converted defensive lineman made first-team all-WAC in his first season as a linebacker.

"It's an awesome feeling to know that I'm considered to be up there with the top players," Brown said. "That gives me more motivation to keep proving it on the field."

Warriors coach June Jones said the senior from Damien Memorial High School is deserving of the recognition.

"He's become a great leader," Jones said, "on the field and off."

Going bowling?: A significant hurdle must be overcome April 25 if Hawaii is to have a chance of hosting a bowl game this year. That's when the NCAA board of directors meets and considers whether to lift a moratorium on new postseason games.

"It boils down to who the board of directors will listen to," said WAC commissioner Karl Benson, who is with one of two groups trying to bring a postseason game here.

The NCAA management council is recommending lifting the ban, but the football issues oversight committee wants the ban on new games to remain in place, Benson said.

"If the moratorium is lifted, that opens the door for a Hawaii bowl in 2002," Benson said. "Charlotte and Sacramento want new bowl games, too."

Rough day for O-line: Senior right guard Vince Manuwai knows he and his linemates didn't put up their best showing yesterday during 11-on-11 drills. Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh was loud and clear about his displeasure as defenders swarmed through holes in the usually solid wall.

"We were good in one-on-ones, good in drills," Manuwai said. "But we weren't ready for whatever reason when we went up against the defense. Sometimes it's just not your day. The problem was consistency. It's all of us. Anyone can lose their job. I have to remember that even though I started two years I can lose my job."

Not likely, as Manuwai is being touted for postseason honors, and is generally considered UH's best offensive lineman.

"The defense threw some new twists at us," said Tyson Helton, who helps Cavanaugh. "One film session and the O-line will be fine."

Gossett gets it: Wide receiver Neal Gossett's quiet-but-confident style is helping the senior in his quest to replace third-team All-American Ashley Lelie in the starting lineup. He said he doesn't feel added pressure because of how good his predecessor was.

"That's just part of football. I have my own goals to achieve. One of them was playing college football, and now I'm getting a chance to play. Hopefully I can help us get to a bowl game," Gossett said. "I don't really think about it (replacing Lelie), except when he calls and we talk. I listen to him, because he's been where I'm at now."

Gossett has been one of the most consistent players this spring.

"He's waited his turn and worked really hard," Jones said of the senior from Waipahu High School. "Every time we had a chance to get him in games in the past he made plays. Now it's his turn to do it every week."

Short yardage: Na Leo Pilimehana has been added to the entertainment roster for the Spring Challenge on April 14, capping spring camp. Also, according to revised information from UH, children 3-and-under, not 4-and-under, get in free to the event . ... Redshirt freshman wide receiver Frank Rivers continues to recover from a groin pull. He ran yesterday and may return to full practice soon. ... Jones said the Warriors might have a full-contact scrimmage this morning.



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