Hawaii reserves
had their day yesterday
With fall camp ending Sunday, time is growing short for some of the Hawaii football team's reserves to get their share of the action in practice.
Come Monday, the Warriors' attention will be devoted to their season-opener against Appalachian State on Aug. 30 and the first team will command the vast majority of the repetitions. With that in mind, UH coach June Jones gave some of the backups a chance to take their shots during yesterday morning's workout at the campus practice field.
Jason Whieldon took the majority of the snaps at quarterback during team drills yesterday with Jeff Rhode and Ryan Stickler working in a few throws as well. Jones said last night the practice decision was not based on the NCAA ruling that starter Tim Chang will have to sit out the season-opener.
"It was a nice change of pace being with the No. 1 guys," Whieldon said after practice. "This offense is all about experience and reps, and the more you get the more comfortable you are and the better you are."
The defensive line also held starters Lance Samuseva, Houston Ala and Abu Ma'afala out of the team portion of yesterday's practice to give the understudies more work.
"We told them to sit down and let the other guys get reps," Jones said. "We're looking at a lot of the other guys trying to get them ready in case they have to get in there."
The Warriors practice today and tomorrow and officially close fall camp with Sunday's session at Aloha Stadium. Starting Monday, the same day classes start on the Manoa campus, they'll practice from 7 to 9 a.m.
"It's been a long camp and a lot of people have gotten reps and gotten a chance to play," Whieldon said. "We've improved tremendously over the camp, little things and big things.
"It's nice to be done with camp and then you get into the routine with school and stuff. But camp was fun, it's a good time to bond with a lot of the guys."
Jones said the Warriors aren't planning to have another scrimmage during camp. The next time the team will have full contact will be in the Appalachian State game.
Change of pace: Hawaii's defensive coaches threw their unit a change-up yesterday by working on defending the option.
"That was a real different look," defensive end Kevin Jackson said. "Especially going against our offense the majority of camp, then they spring the option on us, it's kind of shocking."
The Warriors face Rice, a program rooted in the triple-option offense, on Sept. 27 in the first Western Athletic Conference game of the season for both teams.
Injury update: Jackson returned to practice yesterday after sitting out the previous two days with back spasms.
"It's pretty tough on the D-line and my back tightened up and locked up," Jackson said. "It was painful for a couple of days."
The defensive line has absorbed its share of injuries over the course of camp. Isaac Sopoaga, Travis LaBoy, Mel Purcell and Kila Kamakawiwoole were among those who sat out yesterday. Safeties Hyrum Peters and David Gilmore also spent the day resting nagging injuries.
Receivers Jason Rivers and Marcus Weems sat out with tight hamstrings. UH receivers coach Ron Lee said he's hopeful both will be back for today's practices.
Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 229-pound senior, played in all 26 games the last two seasons and had been performing well this summer until his back forced him to the sideline earlier this week.
"I hate being out," Jackson said. "I've been here five years and this is the second time I've ever been out. So I really hate standing and watching from the side."
Sheraton gets sponsorship: Sheraton Hotels & Resorts reached an agreement to take over title sponsorship of the Hawaii Bowl. Terms of the multiyear deal were not disclosed at yesterday's press conference.
Sheraton replaced ConAgra Foods, which terminated its agreement with the postseason college football game earlier this year. Tulane beat Hawaii in the inaugural postseason game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
