Pearl Harbor trip
special to Brown

UAB's visit to Pearl Harbor held extra meaning for coach Watson Brown and others in the Blazers' group that toured the Arizona Memorial on Monday.

Brown's father was a pilot during World War II.

"It was just very emotional for me," he said. "My dad, who has passed away now, fought in the war and was shot down in a plane and lived through it."

Some supporters of the team that accompanied them to Pearl Harbor served in the South Pacific, with a couple even recognizing names on the memorial wall.

"We're learning an awful lot of the traditions over here and there's no telling where we'd be in this country right now if it weren't for winning that war," Brown said. "And to know that it all started right here, it's neat to see."

The Blazers had a less-somber afternoon yesterday as the team visited the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.

QB or not QB: Hawaii's backup-quarterback situation was very muddled yesterday.

Fourth-year junior Jeff Rhode took the No. 2 reps, as second-year freshman Jack Rolovich dealt with food poisoning.

"He lost 12 pounds, and he's not really ready yet but might be Friday," quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said of Rolovich.

Junior Kainoa Akina has missed practice time due to the death of his grandmother.

If starter Tim Chang is disabled Friday, any of the three could play.

Rhode is scheduled to graduate before next fall, and there is the possibility he won't return to the team.

UAB defense gains depth: Defensive end Kyle Bissinger and safety Justin Whitmore, who have missed most of the season due to injuries, will likely see playing time Friday.

Bissinger, who was out with a knee injury, is expected to return to full duty as a backup end, while Whitmore, who broke his leg against Memphis back in September, may not see too much time at safety but will play some on special teams.

Brown said rotating defenders is a key to UAB's attempts to stop UH's run-and-shoot.

"We're going to keep rolling guys in, try to keep guys fresh for the most part," linebacker Zac Woodfin said.

Moenoa ailing: UH senior offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa missed yesterday's practice with flu symptoms.

If Moenoa is unable to start at his right guard spot Friday, the Warriors could replace him with senior Phil Kauffman, or move junior right tackle Brandon Eaton to his spot and slide sophomore Jeremy Inferrera in at right tackle.

Weems wins: UH sophomore wide receiver Marcus Weems edged true freshman linebacker Khevin Peoples in a 40-yard sprint after practice yesterday. Peoples beat cornerback Ray Bass in a similar race earlier this year.

Hawaii Bowl a hit: UAB's Roddy White, a first-team Conference USA receiver, gave the Hawaii Bowl some pretty high praise after practice yesterday.

"I feel like this is the second-best bowl out there after the national championship game," he said. "Coming out here and meeting new people and doing a bunch of new things while enjoying weather like this at this time of the year, you just can't beat it."

Even if this game were at the North Pole, the Blazers would be happy. It's the first in the 15-year history of the football program. UAB was not invited to postseason despite qualifying twice previously in the past five years.