Catching up is tiring for transfer Jones

The cornerback hopes practice time leads to playing time

HAWAII CORNERBACK Keenan Jones is learning there isn't much time for resting when you're trying to play catch-up.

The junior-college transfer spent much of yesterday's practice rotating in at right cornerback during the defense's drills and didn't get much down time during the team period to end the workout either. His break lasted exactly one play before he was summoned back onto the field.

"They're running me ragged, but it's all for the good of the team," Jones said after catching his breath. "They're getting me familiar with the defense, knowing my assignments, and not only my assignments but the whole defense's assignments."

Jones, a late addition to the UH roster, didn't receive clearance to practice until Aug. 26, a week before the Warriors' season opener at Alabama. Jones had earned an associate's degree from Compton City College but also needed a waiver for a class approved before he could participate with the team.

After missing all of fall camp and another week of practice once school started, Jones didn't make the travel roster for the Alabama game. He's now using the Warriors' bye week to get up to speed with the Warrior defense and is looking to make his UH debut in next week's home opener against UNLV at Aloha Stadium.

"He'll play in the game, I'm sure," UH head coach June Jones said. "If not on defense, he'll play on special teams."

And after waiting out the administrative process, Keenan Jones isn't picky about his assignment for the game.

"Hey, whatever they want me to play, I'll be there," he said.

Keenan Jones (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), a heralded prep standout in California, was expected to contend for a starting job at cornerback when he signed with UH out of Compton C.C. in February. But with the late start, he's got a lot of ground to cover in picking up the system while also working himself into game shape.

"He's a long way away," June Jones said. "Hopefully he'll learn the plays fast and get a chance to get in there."

"It's getting my motor running, getting my footwork back," Keenan Jones said. "I'm kind of rusty, so it's another practice under my belt, but I'm getting better every day.

"I'm a fast learner when it comes to doing it, getting the reps done on the field. It was kind of hard just going over it, just seeing the plays. But it makes it a whole lot easier when you get out there and really do it."

Jones was in Manoa last week, trying to keep himself ready by running and lifting, while the Warriors were in the southeast for the game at Alabama. Watching the Crimson Tide hold on for a 25-17 win only fueled his excitement to get into the mix.

"Oh man, I was pumped. I felt like I was right out there," he said. "I was rooting them on and they did a real good job."

Jones' prep alma mater -- Narbonne High School (Harbor City, Calif.) -- visited Oahu last week for a game against defending state champion Kahuku. Jones said he wasn't able to attend the game on the North Shore won by Kahuku 25-6.

"I was here getting homework done, but I heard about the game," he said. "They're real young right now. A couple of the guys, when I was leaving they were coming in as freshmen. So they're still getting their stuff together. They'll be all right."

Bouncing back:

Reagan Mauia went into the books as the first UH player to score a touchdown in 2006. And few were as surprised by that distinction as Mauia.

"The whole time we were preparing for Alabama, Nate Ilaoa got all the reps carrying the ball and I got all the reps with protecting," Mauia said. "I was just going in to block, but I knew if my number was to be called to carry the ball I'd step up to the plate."

Mauia factored more into the running game when Ilaoa was forced out with a concussion, and the third-quarter score on a shovel pass provided a moment of redemption for the senior. Mauia fumbled inside the Alabama 5 earlier in the period.

"That was a big mistake on my part and I should have protected the ball a little bit more," he said. "I knew I had to make up for it. I owed my team, the offense and the defense, a lot.

"I was really happy that Coach trusted me right after the fumble. For him to call that (play), when I was in the huddle I was like, 'Coach knows I can do it and I'm going to do it.' "

Still, Mauia's main contribution was as a blocker, and he came away with two sprained thumbs for his efforts.

"The defensive ends didn't even want to rush on the outside because they knew I would be there," he said.

Picking it up:

With some of the UH starters recharging during the bye week, backups have gotten more action this week.

Marques Kaonohi played center with the first string offensive line in place of Samson Satele yesterday. On defense, Brad Kalilimoku worked with the first unit at outside linebacker after being moved from strong safety this week and could contend for a starting spot.

"He looked pretty good over there," UH defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said.

Freshman Blaze Soares is getting more reps at inside linebacker with Solomon Elimimian resting his knee. Dane Porlas was in for Leonard Peters at free safety alongside freshman strong safety Spencer Smith. David Veikune got a look at nose tackle.

WAC vs. Pac:

While UH is idle, it'll be a big week for the Western Athletic Conference as five members face opponents from the Pac-10.

Boise State hosts Oregon State -- UH's final regular-season opponent -- today in a game televised on ESPN at 1:30 p.m. Hawaii time. On Saturday, Idaho travels to Washington State, San Jose State hosts Stanford, Nevada visits No. 25 Arizona State, and Fresno State hosts No. 20 Oregon on ESPN2.

In other games on Saturday, Utah State plays at Arkansas and New Mexico State hosts New Mexico.