EL PASO, Texas >> The Hawaii football team arrived yesterday morning, got some sleep, and then practiced two hours last night at Jefferson High School in preparation for tomorrow's Western Athletic Conference opener against Texas-El Paso. Gilmore, Ala are
Miners not giving up
in position to startBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"We got a lot done, it went well," coach June Jones said.
Although the official word is that there is still no decision on the starters at free safety and defensive end, David Gilmore worked with the first team more than incumbent starting free safety Sean Butts, and Houston Ala got more reps at end with the first team than did Travis Laboy, who started most of last season and was second-team all-WAC.
The defense spent some of practice focusing on stopping the option.
"They run it about 15 times a game," Jones said. "So we need to prepare for it."
It looks like defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga's stamina and speed are improving. More than halfway through practice last night, Sopoaga tracked down speedy Mike Brewster all the way on the sideline after Brewster had caught a swing pass.
"Good job, Isaac," Jones said. "You look like a linebacker."
Whieldon returning?: Jones would not confirm a television report from Wednesday that stated quarterback Jason Whieldon told Jones he will return to the team Monday after quitting the Warriors last Monday.
"That's something I'm not thinking about right now," Jones said.
Whieldon did not return calls from the Star-Bulletin yesterday.
Short yardage: Redshirt freshman quarterback Jeff Rhode made his first road trip. He is the third quarterback behind starter Tim Chang and backup Shawn Withy-Allen, with Whieldon gone. Sophomore kicker Justin Ayat made all five field goals he attempted last night, the longest from 40 yards. ... UTEP freshman defensive end Tevita Fifita was born in Honolulu, but played high school football in Florida. His father is Haku, a WWE pro wrestler.
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