Warriors chill out before BYU practices
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The football scrimmage was over, and there was only one thing left to do. University of Hawai'i safety Nate Jackson and defensive end La'anui Correa emptied the contents of a water cooler on quarterback Nick Rolovich.
The trouble was, all that was in the container was crushed ice. Rolovich ended up resembling shave ice.
"That's just wrong," said Rolovich, who retaliated by dousing Jackson.
And, so, the Warriors' most playful practice came to a chilling conclusion. UH coach June Jones said the players do not have to meet until Sunday's banquet. The Warriors will begin preparing Monday for the season finale against Brigham Young Dec. 8.
"We wanted to let them have a little fun," UH coach June Jones said of yesterday's practice, which featured a 30-minute, full-contact scrimmage involving scout members and reserves.
Quarterback Jeff Rhode borrowed offensive tackle Uriah Moenoa's jersey. "It was a little sweaty," Rhode said.
In the scrimmage between the offense and defense, Shawn Withy-Allen ran 4 yards for the tying touchdown — at least according to Jones.
"He was the lone scorekeeper," Withy-Allen said of Jones, who designed the scoring system. "I have no idea how many points we had, but Coach Jones said the score was tied."
Then Withy-Allen won it with a conversion pass to slotback James Yates, a walk-on from the Kamehameha Schools.
"It was good to get some live action," Withy-Allen said. "The defense was breathing hard. That's good to see."
• You bring it, you wear it: Aloha Stadium officials will allow fans to bring floral lei to the season finale against Brigham Young Dec. 8, but plastic bags are not permitted. Candy lei also are prohibited.
Stadium spokesman Les Keiter said fans may leave the lei in their cars, and retrieve them in the fourth quarter. Stadium re-entry will be allowed.
• Wait 'til next week: The Western Athletic Conference will announce Monday, at the earliest, where regular-season champion Louisiana Tech will play in the postseason. The WAC athletic directors met in a conference call Tuesday.
As a financial partner, the WAC is assured berths in the Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose, Calif., and Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. The Silicon bowl invited Fresno State (10-2), which finished in a second-place tie.
The WAC is seeking a trade to place Louisiana Tech, guaranteed a postseason berth, in an area bowl. If not, Louisiana Tech will play in the Humanitarian Bowl. One option considered is matching WAC members Louisiana Tech and Boise State in the Humanitarian Bowl, which is played on Boise State's home field.
