Watson cognizant
of UH’s air devices

UAB's coach learned
the run-and-shoot
from the masters

You don't always have to be a member of a fraternity to appreciate the advantages and enjoy the parties.

Yesterday's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl news conference provided more evidence of that being especially true when it comes to the run-and-shoot. Offensive minds have sampled and borrowed and picked from the four-wide scheme for 30 years, without necessarily buying into the entire concept.

UAB coach Watson Brown was once a full-fledged brother. His Rice Owls operated the run-and-shoot when he was the top man there in 1984 and 1985. His biggest advisers were June Jones and Mouse Davis, two of the truest believers. The Hawaii coaches were with the Houston Gamblers then.

"June and I and Mouse go way back," Brown said. "I remember many times ... calling Mouse, asking him what do you do with this, what do you do with that."

Brown's UAB defense has to figure out what to do with it Friday at Aloha Stadium. The Warriors average 333 passing yards (third in the nation) and 34 points (16th) per game.

Brown identified faith and finagling as two traits of a successful run-and-shoot attack.

"We're in a passing league, but it's not this. These guys are very good. They're committed to what they do. They know what they're doing," Brown said. "What I noticed is they're very confident, they're patient. Things may not be going well early, and I know from the run-and-shoot background you just keep making the adjustments and figure out what's going on. They'll get to you sooner or later. You've got to mix it up real good against them. And that's hard to do in a week's time."

Brown also said what most consider a finesse offense pounds away on a defense's confidence and stamina -- especially when the Warriors are at home.

"They wear you down. They've got the fast track, they've got the heat. We're going to play three-deep on the defensive line. You've got to be as fresh as you can from the middle of that third quarter on," he said. "What I remember about this style of offense from when we ran it in the mid-'80s is the pass rush is good early sometimes. But run your screens and draws all of a sudden they're not around the quarterback as much. Look out, things start happening."

The Blazers are no offensive slouches themselves, with quarterback Darrell Hackney and receiver Roddy White among the nation's best. UAB flings it around for 241.5 yards a game.

Brown said some run-and-shoot concepts are ingrained in his offense.

"We still have a lot of the principles they have," he said. "Maybe not the same protections. We have a lot that might not look the same, but a lot of principles built in that are the same."

So it's obvious Brown's interest and knowledge of the run-and-shoot was more than just a passing fancy. And Jones is fully aware of it.

"I've known Watson for some time and have followed him with great interest. Watching the tapes -- and we've watched every one of them -- they've got some talented football players. We can tell it's going to be a very exciting game.

Rolovich OK: Backup quarterback Jack Rolovich was released from a hospital after severe flu symptoms sent him to the emergency room Sunday night. Rolovich was a victim of food poisoning, Jones said.

"Jack is fine now, he's all good to go," UH spokes- woman Lois Manin said last night.

Rabb to Boise State: Saddleback receiver Jerrard Rabb signed with Boise State yesterday, choosing the Broncos over UH, UNLV and Arizona.

Rabb, one of the most sought-after JC wideouts in California, will enroll at BSU next semester.