Espiau opts to postpone surgery

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Placing his loyalty to the University of Hawai'i football team above his pro aspirations, safety Jacob Espiau has decided to wait until February before undergoing shoulder surgery.

If Espiau, who has a subluxed right shoulder, opted for surgery now, he would be at full strength in April, when National Football League teams extend mini-camp invitations to free agents.

But Espiau, a senior, said he would rather play now, even though the injury prevents him from scratching his left shoulder, swimming and fully raising his right arm. Espiau said he wanted to postpone surgery until after he plays in the Hula Bowl Feb. 2.

While it would "be a dream" to play pro football, Espiau said, "I'm not putting high hopes on it. The percentage of people who go to the NFL is really, really low. I'm not putting it on a pedestal, like that's where I need to go. If it happens, it happens."

Espiau, who was named to the Western Athletic Conference all-star team last season, said he needs two more semesters to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology. If he does not receive a pro football opportunity, he would like to travel overseas before working full-time.

"I want to go to different places, get it out of my system," he said.

• Screen gem: Quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen never realized that passing a screen test would lead to such a prominent role on telecasts of Warrior games.

In 1999, Withy-Allen volunteered to serve as a human screen on the sideline, shielding coach June Jones while he signals plays to the UH quarterbacks.

"I try to position myself so the (opposing) coaches can't see the signals," Withy-Allen said.

By standing next to Jones most of the game, "I'm on TV a lot," Withy-Allen said. "People always ask me, 'What are you doing out there?' That's why I started wearing my helmet."

Withy-Allen said the job helps him understand Jones' strategies. In turn, Withy-Allen serves as a calming influence.

"I've had to hold him back a couple of times," Withy-Allen said. "The official will give us a warning and in the heat of the moment, (Jones will) forget it, and I'll try to keep him back. Other than that, I pretty much try to stay out of the way."

• Yeah, yeah, yeah: Freshman running back Mike Bass said he has heard enough about his unsuccessful option pass in a 28-21 loss to Boise State last Saturday.

"It's over now," he said. "I messed up on it."

On third-and-2 at the Boise State, with UH leading 21-20, Bass rolled to his right and underthrew wideout Ashley Lelie. Justin Ayat missed a field-goal attempt from 52 yards on the ensuing down, and the Broncos then drove for the go-ahead touchdown.

"I thought I was going to make it, but (the pass) slipped out," said Bass, who was wearing gloves when he threw.

Although he said he could grip the ball effectively with gloves on, "I had time to take my gloves off, but I wasn't thinking," he said. "That might be the reason (the pass) came off like that. I wouldn't blame it on the gloves entirely. I can throw the ball. I just made a mistake."

• Health report: Wideout Tafiti Uso, who has missed the past three games with a dislocated shoulder, practiced yesterday but will not play Saturday against Miami (Ohio).

"If he were to take a shot on it, he would be hurting pretty bad," Jones said.

Jones said he does not expect defensive end Travis Laboy to play. "We'll see how it comes along," said Laboy, who has a sprained left ankle and sprained right shoulder.