Freshman Bass making case for starting spot
| • | Defense wants to cut time on football field |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
All signs point to Mike Bass of California being named the fourth true freshman to start at running back for the University of Hawai'i in the past 25 years.
While UH coach June Jones remains vague on the subject — "We're giving the same reps to everybody," he said — Bass has opened every drill with the first offensive unit.
When asked if he was the No. 1 back, Bass said, "I can't say for sure, but I think so."
Jones has said that no matter who starts at running back, the 5-foot-6, 160-pound Bass will be used in up to 40 offensive plays a game. Last season, the Warriors averaged 70.7 offensive plays per games.
"We have a couple of guys who (can play running back), but he's a different athlete back there," Jones said. "He has a lot of quickness, and he's so small he's hard (for a defender) to find."
In the past 25 years, only three running backs — Gary Allen in 1978, Nuu Faaola in 1982 and Charles Tharp in 1997 — won full-time jobs as true freshmen. Junior Lopati and Jamal Farmer had success as redshirt freshmen.
"Until he gets into a game, you don't know what will happen, but it looks like he can make the step up from high school to this level," Jones said. "I'm sure he'll make his share of mistakes as a freshman. But he also will make some great plays. He's a great runner."
• Injury update: Defensive end Travis Laboy, who is recovering from a hamstring tear, has participated in light workouts the past two practices, but it is unlikely he will play in Saturday night's season opener against Montana.
Laboy estimated he is 65 percent healthy, but there still is some pain.
"I think I could definitely play and I could definitely help, but I don't have enough reps to show the coaches I can go. And it might not be fair to the other players because I haven't practiced a lot."
Jones said all of the projected starters are expected to play. Safety Nate Jackson has been used at cornerback in recent drills, but "we're just playing him there in case something drastic happens. We want Nate to play safety, and we expect him to play safety."
The athletic trainers said safety Jacob Espiau (muscle strain) and boundary cornerback Hyrum Peters (pulled hamstring) will start against Montana.
• Get a grip: With Nick Rolovich receiving more work as a backup quarterback, punter Mat McBriar is now the No. 1 holder.
"It does seem unnatural," said McBriar, an Australian who did not play organized football until joining the Warriors last year. "I'm trying to learn how to place it, but I'm still rusty."
McBriar was chosen because the kickers and punters train separately from the rest of the players.
McBriar said his friends and family in Australia follow the Warriors by listening to broadcasts on the Internet.
• Special guest: Former UH quarterback Mike Stennis is in town on a business trip with basketball great Magic Johnson.
Johnson, who recently purchased a chain of hamburger restaurants, is looking to open some in Hawai'i.
Stennis also is successful. In addition to owning six Golden Bird restaurants, he is a trustee for the California state university system.
In January, Stennis will be running for a Los Angeles Council seat. "I've always been a politician," he said.
