[ WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
Hawaii receiver Marcus Weems couldn't make the catch as Dan Principe defended during last night's spring scrimmage.
Warriors show off
new bloodJack Rolovich and three other QB
hopefuls help offense outscore
defense in spring game
Hawaii football fans didn't get to see a lot of their old favorites in last night's spring scrimmage at Aloha Stadium.
Hey, what do you want for free?
Quarterback Tim Chang did throw in 7-on-7 warmup drills, but he and established starters like guard Samson Satele, linebacker Ikaika Curnan, cornerback Abraham Elimimian and defensive end Melila Purcell sat out the 60-play live action. Most of the fans couldn't even see coach June Jones. But they heard him, since he was up in the rafters helping with play-by-play and scorekeeping chores.
The 3,500 or so on hand did get a good look at some new guys who could help out in the fall, as well as a few veterans who might have solidified starting positions.
As for the No. 2 quarterback spot (which could be very temporary, anyway, if the incoming freshmen have anything to say about it), Jones said there is no specific pecking order as spring camp came to an end.
Once again, though, he mentioned the potential of freshman Jack Rolovich, who is in a pitched pitching battle with junior Kainoa Akina.
Rolovich completed nine of 15 passes for 110 yards last night, as the offense outpointed the defense 80-65.
"I would say Jack, the more he develops, the better he gets," Jones said. "He throws the ball pretty accurately. He's still probably a year away from really feeling comfortable with our system."
Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang took a snap during a seven-on-seven drill prior to last night's Green and White game at Aloha Stadium.
Akina didn't seem comfortable at all on the first two plays, as junior defensive end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole recovered his fumble on the first, and senior defensive tackle Matt Faga smothered senior running back Michael Brewster after a botched handoff.
Akina completed eight of 12 passes for 145 yards.
"In the beginning I was nervous, in front of the live crowd," Akina said. "But I settled down and played within myself. I was happy with my performance after that pick."
The interception was by senior safety Matt Manuma, his second in the past three spring finales. Picks are huge in these affairs, counting 25 points each.
Akina also threw the only touchdown pass of the night, a 55-yard streak to sophomore Sean Stennis. (All plays start on the offense's 45-yard line).
"It was a fake handoff, so I kind of baited the safety. Made like I was going to block, so I was open coming through," Stennis said.
Defenders Dan Principe and Trumaine Oto tried to bring down Orlando Wong.
Walk-on junior Ian Sample also was impressive, with four catches for 75 yards, and sophomore Ross Dickerson, a converted slot, solidified his starting spot at wide receiver with two catches for 23 yards.
"Ross showed up, just like I thought he would," Jones said.
Junior walk-on Bryan Hinton carried three times for 50 yards, and might have earned himself an invitation to fall camp.
"We had kind of an idea he'd have a shot at being a productive guy," Jones said. "Yeah, he helped himself definitely tonight."
The defense also helped itself to six sacks, including two by sophomore defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, a converted basketball player. Junior defensive end Tony Akpan, another former hoopster, also pressured the QBs consistently, as did freshman end Karl Noa.
"It looks like we've got some good edge rushers," Jones said.
After Akina and Rolovich split the first 40 plays at quarterback, sophomore Ryan Stickler and junior Jeff Rhode did the same with the last 20.
Stickler completed four of six passes for 49 yards, and Rhode completed two of six for 24.
"Some good, some bad," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "We still have a lot of work to do."
Hawaii coach June Jones signed autographs prior to last night's Green and White game at Aloha Stadium.
