Warriors will not
scrimmage after
spring practice

Coach June Jones says UH
doesn’t have enough bodies

First the spring football game was done away with. Now, there will be no scrimmage at the end of official offseason drills next month, Hawaii coach June Jones said.

Springing ahead These are the dates for Hawaii football spring practice, which is open to the public at the UH grass field, 7-9 a.m.: March 29, 30, 31, April 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 22*. *Details to be determined for final spring practice

"We just don't have enough bodies," Jones said. "We've got six to eight guys getting operated on."

Defensive linemen Fale Laeli, Clarence Tuioti-Mariner and Tony Akpan, linebacker Ikaika Curnan and offensive lineman Samson Satele are a few of the veterans who are expected to sit out spring practice while recovering from various surgeries.

Since Jones took over the program in 1999, the Warriors have not played spring games. Instead, they have held offense vs. defense scrimmages using a scoring system that takes into account yardage gained, sacks and turnovers.

Jones' philosophy is to rarely scrimmage in order to avoid injuries in practice.

Jones said there will be some type of fan event on the final day of spring practice, which is scheduled for April 22. He said it is not scheduled for Aloha Stadium.

"We'll have some type of picture day," Jones said.

The final spring practice has typically included a scrimmage, autograph signing and photo opportunities for fans with players and coaches. Games for children and food booths have also been part of the event.

"We're still working out details (of this year's event)," UH athletic department spokeswoman Lois Manin said.

Last year, the event was at Aloha Stadium. In other years, it has been at Cooke Field on the UH campus.

In 2002, Jones had planned to hold the spring finale on Maui, but it would have violated an NCAA rule regarding distance from campus.

This year's first spring practice is March 29.

This year's practices are key, as the Warriors must replace at least five offensive starters from last year's 8-5 team, including record-setting quarterback Tim Chang and second-team All-America all-purpose player Chad Owens. Two starting defensive tackles, Lui Fuga and Matt Faga, and All-WAC cornerback Abraham Elimimian must also be replaced.

"We've got lots of young kids," Jones said. "We're reloading, so there will be lots of coaching-up. We won't know what we have until game day."

Hawaii opens its season against defending national champion USC on Sept. 3 at Aloha Stadium.