Brewster will start against Nevada

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i football player Michael Brewster learned the most important lesson about sports at a fishing hole in Houston.

Some days Brewster, using shrimp or liver for bait, would go several hours without so much as a nibble.

"It takes a lot of patience," Brewster said.

But he added, "I don't know how to quit. My mom always told me not to quit. She said, 'To quit is worse than anything. You can lose, but quitting is just terrible.' I can't give up."

That attitude has transcended to football. Brewster, a third-year sophomore, is prepared to make his first collegiate start at running back when UH plays host to Nevada Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

That will complete a long journey for Brewster, who, at 5 feet 6 1/2, was the shortest player on Tennessee's roster two years ago.

"That half-inch is important," he said. "If you're long-jumping, you can win or lose with a half-inch."

Despite making Tennessee's travel roster as a true freshman, he decided he wanted a scenery change. Brewster contacted UH, which had recruited him as a high school senior. He joined UH as a nonscholarship player last year, moving to the end of the line in the competition to play running back in the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense.

"I don't mind competition," said Brewster, who had to redshirt last season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

Last fall, Brewster was assigned to the scout team as a running back, where he became the pinata during defensive drills.

"I was trying to help out the defense," said Brewster, who would portray the opposing team's running back. "The better I played, the more it helped them."

Brewster was named the team's top offensive scout and, soon after, he received a football scholarship.

But in spring practice, he was one of 11 players competing at running back. At the end of training camp, he still was behind Mike Bass, Thero Mitchell and John West.

"It goes back to what my mom said: 'Don't quit,' " he said. "I try to give it my all."

Brewster was named the top kick returner for the season opener against Eastern Illinois. After injuries to Bass (partially torn knee ligament), Mitchell (sprained shoulder) and West (sprained ankle), Brewster played running back in UH's 58-31 loss to Boise State last Saturday. Brewster scored two touchdowns.

"It helped to be on the scout team," he said. "You're playing against some great players every day. If you can run against our defense, you can run against anybody."

After yesterday's one-hour practice at UH's grass field, several players joked about Brewster's new-found fame. Then a friend rode up on a bicycle and said, "Now that you're a star, do you have to go back to special teams?"

The answer is, "not yet." But even if he does, he does not mind waiting.

"I like playing and competing, and this is the best place to compete," he said.

Brewster then recalled a fishing outing a few years ago.

"We didn't catch anything all day," he said. "Then we got a bite. Instead of going back, we decided to stay out there the rest of the night. ... There's nothing like competition."