Young players mix
it up in Scout Bowl

The annual scrimmage allows
reserves and scout-team members
to go full speed and full contact

When Leonard Peters arrived at the Hawaii football team's locker room yesterday morning, he could sense a buzz among the Warriors' younger players not normally associated with a standard practice.

"Most of the freshmen don't get there early, but today they were here early getting taped, listening to their headsets, like they were getting ready to play a real game," said Peters, a starting safety for the Warriors.

The Warrior reserves and scout-team members got their opportunity to play a full-speed scrimmage yesterday as the team held its annual Scout Bowl to close practice.

The offense vs. defense scrimmage has become an annual highlight of the team's second bye week of the season. With limited hitting allowed during practice, the scrimmage marked one of the few times many of the reserves will experience full-speed tackling this season.

"You don't have the coaches on you, telling you what to do," freshman linebacker C.J. Allen-Jones said. "It's basically letting your mind loose and just knowing your assignments and going out there and having fun."

Said Peters: "It's fun to see them get pumped up to play. I could see it in their eyes."

The scrimmage wasn't solely for the scouts though. A few players already in the regular rotation got into the mix, including cornerback Turmarian Moreland and freshman defensive linemen Keala Watson and Clarence Tuioti-Mariner.

With the scrimmage coming early in the season, it also marked an opportunity for some of the backups to impress the coaches in hopes of seeing more playing time.

"We wanted to get some guys some reps who are actually playing in the games and get a chance to get more snaps," UH head coach June Jones said. "We're looking at probably five or six guys who can possibly contribute on special teams."

The UH defense got the better of the action for much of the 40-play scrimmage. Freshman defensive back Dane Porlas provided one of the morning's big plays by intercepting a pass from Tyler Graunke and returning it 35 yards, aided by a couple of crushing blocks. For his part, Graunke hustled to make a hard tackle on Porlas and prevent a touchdown.

Taylor Humphrey, the third quarterback to get into the scrimmage, sparked the offense by completing all seven of his pass attempts for a total of 52 yards.

Defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis got his first taste of full contact since having back surgery this summer. He registered two sacks and had opportunities for a few more, charging into the backfield only to have the quarterback slip away.

"I know I have to work on that, breaking down my feet. But I'll make those plays though, I have confidence in myself," Alama-Francis said. "This was a good test for me; I know what I have to work on.

"It was so much fun," the sophomore said of the scrimmage. "It's a game -- you have to love it."

Allen-Jones turned in one of the biggest hits of the day, popping Andrew Pearman after the freshman running back broke through the line of scrimmage on a draw play.

"I told him I was going to get him yesterday during lunch," Allen-Jones said, showing off a fresh battle scar on his helmet. "He said, 'I'll see you during the scrimmage,' and, hey, I got my chance."

Bass to redshirt: Jones said senior running back Mike Bass will seek a medical redshirt this season. Bass, who hasn't used a redshirt year at UH, aggravated a nagging knee injury in the season opener against Florida Atlantic.

Bass' absence has been eased by the play of senior Michael Brewster, who leads the Warriors with four touchdowns. West Keli'ikipi, another senior running back, returned to the lineup last week after sitting out the FAU game.

Bass led UH in rushing with 558 yards in 2001 and has 1,181 yards and eight touchdowns in his three-year career.

Although the knee injury will likely keep Bass from playing this season, Jones sees positives in having him sit out and return next year.

"Sometimes it's an advantage -- he'll get more snaps," Jones said. "It's a positive for him and for us."

Watson back in action: Watson, a freshman defensive tackle, was cleared to practice on Thursday and returned to the field yesterday morning after sitting out most of the week with an undisclosed medical condition.

Watson and Jones declined to comment on the specifics of the Nanakuli graduate's ailment, but Watson said he was relieved to be able to play again.

"I wasn't feeling good and I had to go get it checked out by the doctor and I got cleared yesterday," Watson said.

"It's kind of scary. When they told me I couldn't play I was kind of shocked. But you have to be aware of those things, you can't brush it off. You have to listen to the doctor."

Watson made his debut against Florida Atlantic, rotating in for starters Lui Fuga and Matt Faga. He made the trip to Houston last week, but did not play against Rice.

"He's got a chance to be a big-time player if he works at it and turns it up," Jones said.

With Watson sidelined and Fuga resting a sore knee, Kahai LaCount got most of the first-team repetitions alongside Faga this week.

Fuga aggravated his sprained knee against Rice and didn't practice this week. He expects to be ready for next week's Western Athletic Conference game against Tulsa.

"It's tough, but I just have to play with it and deal with it, and hopefully I don't injure it again," he said.

Linebackers Ikaika Curnan and Tanuvasa Moe suited up for practice yesterday, but didn't participate in most of the drills. Both are nursing elbow injuries.

The Warriors have the weekend off and resume practice on Monday.