Withy-Allen shows special ability
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Shawn Withy-Allen, the only University of Hawai'i football player with a hyphenated surname, is among several Warriors with a hyphenated job title.
Withy-Allen, a Kalaheo HIgh graduate, is a holder-guard-blocker-quarterback. Withy-Allen, a backup to starting quarterback Tim Chang, is a holder on kick attempts, a guard on punt coverage, and a blocker on kickoff and punt returns.
He was denied a chance to defend kickoff returns after suffering a pulled hamstring last year.
"That's my favorite job (on special teams)," he said. "I love that it's full force, a very high-risk position."
Withy-Allen said playing on special teams quenches his thirst for action. During practices, quarterbacks are not allowed to be tackled. "You don't get any contact at all," Withy-Allen said. "After a while, you want to go out there and hit somebody."
• It's the thought that counts: To help improve concentration, UH coach June Jones hired motivational speaker Jack Houck to teach the Warrior players how to bend metal spoons and rods with telekinetic powers.
With Uri Geller-like concentration, about 40 players were able to mind-bend the objects during last night's seminar.
"It was a tool to help put our mind right," said Chang, showing off a spoon he twisted.
Slotback Sean Stennis earned a badge after bending three objects. "Even though I'm a lightweight, I have internal muscles," the 153-pound Stennis said. "It was easy for me, because I used my mind, and my mind is the strongest part of my body."
Said Jones: "The little guys were able to get things done better than the big, strong guys. I guess it shows what you can do mentally if you get focused."
• Catching grief: During a goal-line drill yesterday, wideout Neal Gossett — the successor to Ashley Lelie, the Denver Broncos' first-round pick — dropped a pass in the end zone.
"Ashley would have caught that!" Jones yelled.
On the next play, Gossett made a diving catch.
"Ashley wouldn't have had to dive!" Jones mused.
Teammate Justin Colbert added: "Ashley would have dunked the ball!"
"I've heard it all," Gossett said. "It doesn't bother me, not really. It's going to happen in football. Somebody is going to compare you to somebody else who played before you. We're having fun. Coach Jones knows how to make it fun for us."
• Bring it on: Yesterday's first practice in full gear was highlighted by the one-on-one drill matching an offensive lineman against a defensive lineman.
For the most part, the offensive linemen dominated, protecting the player portraying the quarterback. Right guard Vince Manuwai and right tackle Uriah Moenoa were the most successful blockers; defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga and defensive ends Houston Ala and Kevin Jackson put on the most pressure.
Perhaps the best battle was between Manuwai, a candidate for the Outland Trophy as the nation's best lineman, and Lui Fuga, the team's strongest defensive lineman. Manuwai managed to hold off Fuga, who tried several power moves.
"I felt off," Fuga said. "The weather didn't help. It was depressing. I was a little nervous with everybody watching. Tomorrow should be a little better."
Manuwai said he felt "the pressure," mostly because of the off-field publicity he has received.
"You lose the battle and people will say, 'He thinks he's an All-American?' " Manuwai said. "Everybody has you under a microscope. You have to remember this is just a practice. Win or lose, this is all part of getting ready for the season."
