[ UH FOOTBALL ]

Warrior freshmen
make good impression

Clarence Tuioti-Mariner and Keala
Watson hold their own in opener

Just a few months ago, Clarence Tuioti-Mariner and Keala Watson were walking the line to pick up their high school diplomas. Last Saturday, they found themselves battling on the line for the Hawaii football team.

Overcoming some early nerves, the true freshman defensive tackles held their own in making their collegiate debuts for the Warriors.

Although the 35-28 overtime loss to Florida Atlantic put a damper on the night, the newcomers impressed their coaches with their effort at the line of scrimmage.

"I thought they did exceptionally well," UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "To ask two high school seniors to step into a Division I-A football game and compete and play the way they did was outstanding. I was really proud of them, I think they were proud of themselves and it's something they can build upon."

Tuioti-Mariner, who was playing for Corona (Calif.) High School at this time last year, and Watson, a Nanakuli graduate, entered the game in the first quarter and spelled starting tackles Lui Fuga and Matt Faga throughout the night.

"They played really well," UH coach June Jones said. "(Watson's) going to be a player, he'll get a lot of time again (next) week."

The freshmen combined for only 2 1/2 tackles, but held their ground against the Owls. Tuioti-Mariner came up with a stop of FAU running back Doug Parker on his first play as a Warrior.

"I was really proud of myself," Tuioti-Mariner said yesterday. "My first play I was in I was able to make a tackle, that's a moment I'm going to cherish."

What made the moment even more special for Tuioti-Mariner was having his father, Max, in the stands at Aloha Stadium. His cousin, Tony Tuioti, was a UH defensive lineman from 1996 to 99 and is now the head coach at Kalaheo.

"I was really nervous until I got in, then I was really hyped," Tuioti-Mariner said. "I wasn't tired because my mind kept telling me I just want to hit it. The adrenaline was unbelievable."

Singletary said the effect of having a game under their belts was evident during yesterday afternoon's practice.

"They had a hop in their step today, they were more excited about a lot of the things they've been taught," he said. "They were even more into their technique, flying around and trying to get better."

Although the Warriors are preparing to face an option team in Rice on Sept. 18, Jones said he won't hesitate to put the freshmen into the mix again.

"The assignments are actually easier on the D-line," Jones said.

Long day at the movies: Jones is fond of reminding his players to forget their mistakes and focus on their future challenges. After a bad play, move on to the next play. After a loss, look to the next game.

But Saturday's loss to Florida Atlantic was cause for a rare review in the film room.

"For the first time since I've been here," said senior captain Abraham Elimimian, who has been a starter in all of his four seasons, "everybody watched the offense. Everybody watched the defense."

The entire Hawaii team went over the whole FAU game tape together. Every positive play. Every mistake.

"For like five hours," Elimimian said.

Now Hawaii can clear it and move on.

Calm after the storm: UH cornerback Turmarian Moreland would have had an excuse for being a bit distracted heading into last week's game.

Moreland originally hails from Florida, which was bracing for the impact of Hurricane Frances as the Warriors were preparing to face Florida Atlantic.

"It came toward their part a little but not too much," he said. "I was very relieved.

"They'd been through it before so I was just trying to get focused on FAU."

Moreland, a junior transfer, made one tackle in his UH debut on Saturday.

"I can play a lot better than I did," he said. "I felt I got sidetracked, I was out of focus a little bit. I'm going to try to get back on point and play better against Rice."

Injury update: Several Warriors spent yesterday afternoon's practice out of pads after suffering injuries against Florida Atlantic.

Slotback Se'e Poumele sat out yesterday with a stretched nerve in his right hamstring as did Chad Owens, who left the game briefly in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit on the sideline. Running back Mike Bass (hamstring), kicker Justin Ayat (groin), and slotback Nate Ilaoa (shoulder) also rested. Ilaoa said a decision hasn't been made on whether to have surgery on the shoulder.

"I'm recovering and just staying out until I'm fully healthy and we'll go from there," Ilaoa said. "There's a lot of time still, the main thing is making sure I'm 100 percent."

Running back Ryan Stickler was hurt on the game's opening kickoff and will be out for a while with a fractured bone in his right shoulder.

Chris Cole, another reserve running back, has a sprained left ankle.

Running back West Keli'ikipi (knee) was back in practice yesterday after missing Saturday's game. The Warriors do expect to have defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis cleared to practice this week. Alama-Francis had back surgery during the summer.