Bass' right knee sprained

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i running back Mike Bass has a sprained right knee and might miss this week's game at Boise State, UH coach June Jones said yesterday.

University of Hawai'i running back Mike Bass tried to get past Southern Methodist's Jonas Rutledge in the second quarter at Aloha Stadium Saturday night. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Hopefully, he won't be out long," Jones said, adding, he was prepared for the possibility of Bass missing some time because "it's his knee. It's very possible."

Bass, a sophomore from California, leads the Warriors with 206 rushing yards in four games. He averages 7.9 yards per carry. He also is the team's punt returner.

"He's very reliable and smart," Jones said. "He's starting to come along and, for a little guy, he's become a good blocker. ... We'd certainly like him not to be out."

If Bass cannot play, junior John West, who scored on an 8-yard run in UH's 42-10 victory over Southern Methodist Saturday night, would share time with senior Thero Mitchell in the one-back offense.

West's touchdown run came on fourth down, usually a situation when most head coaches would opt for a field goal. In deciding to call for a draw, Jones said, "I've been in that situation four times — three in the NFL — and every time I called that play, we walked in (for a touchdown)."

Known as a risk-taker, Jones indicated the move was hardly a gamble.

"It's just worked, that's all," he said.

West said: "When you get an opportunity, you have to take it. I've been waiting to play."

While UH's offensive output against SMU was significantly better than the previous week's performance against Texas-El Paso, Jones said there still is room for improvement. Television replays showed that receivers were repeatedly open against SMU.

"We're not as efficient as we need to be," Jones said. "We have a lot of yards. But if you have guys open, you have to hit them. ... We're physically not throwing it accurately."

Jones said third-year sophomore Tim Chang is the scheduled starting quarterback against Boise State. The way the game goes, Jones said, will dictate how backup quarterbacks Shawn Withy-Allen, Jason Whieldon and Jeff Rhode will be used.

Jones said he will decide Wednesday, the day the Warriors leave by charter flight to Boise, if Rhode will be included on the 60-player travel roster.

Jones also said he was not aware that pockets of Aloha Stadium fans booed Chang Saturday night.

"I didn't hear that," he said.

Jones said booing "comes with the territory. You'd better get used to it if you want to be a quarterback for very long."

Jones noted that UH fans once booed Nick Rolovich, who went on to set several school passing records.

When asked if he was ever booed, Jones, a former NFL quarterback, said, "every quarterback has been booed."

• Family ties: John Rhode already has picked out his attire for this Saturday's game between UH and Boise State.

"I might wear a Boise State hat and a Hawai'i shirt," said Rhode, who has sons attending both schools.

Jeff Rhode, a second-year freshman, is UH's fourth-string quarterback; B.J. Rhode, a senior, starts at quarterback for Boise State. (B.J. stands for "Baby John," a childhood nickname that stuck because he is the third family member named "John.")

In last year's meeting between the teams at Aloha Stadium, John Rhode recalled, "It was so cool to see both boys on the field warming up."

He said several family members will make the eight-hour drive from Eugene, Ore., for Saturday's game in Boise. "We hope Jeff will make the trip," John Rhode said. "The family would be disappointed if he couldn't be there."

John Rhode said he and his wife have worked out a driving schedule to Boise in which each takes a two-hour shift at the wheel.

"We have a set plan," he said. "It's worked out."

The Rhode brothers were both standout baseball, basketball and football players at Churchill High. There is a three-year age gap, and during a six-year stretch, a Rhode brother started at quarterback for Churchill.

John Rhode said his sons are competitive, noting they played daily Whiffleball games against each other in the family's backyard this summer.

"They have these different rules — hit it to one place it's an out, hit it somewhere else it's a homer," John Rhode said. "They're pretty competitive."

In addition to the pride of having both sons playing college football, John Rhode said the exposure has helped others learn the correct pronunciation of the family surname. He said it should be pronounced Row-dee.

"If somebody calls the house and asks for 'Mr. Road,' we know somebody is in telemarketing," John Rhode said, laughing.