"He hasn't practiced all this week because he was paying attention to classes, and this is the first day he didn't have classes and he's not here, so I'll just assume that he's not going to play this week," Jones said yesterday.

When reached last night, Jones said, "He will not play."

The Warriors play Houston on Thursday at Aloha Stadium.

Shortly after yesterday's practice at University of Hawai'i, Jones said he didn't know where LaBoy was, and last night said he had not spoken to LaBoy.

"I made the decision that anybody who didn't have their classes couldn't practice and wasn't going to play. He should be here. That kind of tells me he's not going to play," Jones said yesterday afternoon.

Later, near the UH locker room, LaBoy said that he had not talked to Jones, but he wasn't at practice because he was trying to get in touch with his teachers.

"His decision is his decision," LaBoy said. "You have to respect what the coach says. He mentioned the grade situation, so I'm not surprised. I know my grades are bad, but I've been trying to talk to all my teachers to make sure my grades are OK."

Jones said unless players were sick or physically unable to come, they should have been at practice yesterday.

He said that all the players knew the consequences of not showing up for practice, and that LaBoy was not the only player who would be kept out of the game.

At a press conference later yesterday, Jones said there were one or two players who were ineligible academically, but that it was against the rules for him to comment on who they were.

• Let the fun begin: As part of the pre-game activities, the University of Hawai'i football team went to Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park yesterday.

"I want to see what it is like," junior defensive back Abraham Elimimian said, "It's for the bowl game and it brings us closer together."

Last night, they attended a barbecue in Waikiki with the Houston football team, which arrived in Hawai'i on Friday.

• Safety first: A Honolulu Police Department officer spoke to the Warriors after yesterday's practice, telling them to "be careful in Waikiki, that we are representing Hawai'i as a whole, there are a lot of distractions out there," Elimimian said. "He told us to be safe and stay out of trouble."

• Owens ailing: Along with the injury to the big toe on his left foot, Owens said he was suffering from an upset stomach. "I think I ate something bad (Friday) night."

Owens said that he wanted to return to practice today, but still wasn't sure.

• Asia connection: The Hawai'i Bowl will be televised on a delayed basis in Asia.

"I think it is the biggest thing we can do for our school and our state, is to get to that marketplace, and we've been trying to do that," Jones said.