Windy conditions worry Warriors
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
It was wet, windy and miserable.
But enough about yesterday's University of Hawai'i football practice in Manoa.
"It's not Reno weather," said UH coach June Jones, whose team left yesterday afternoon for tomorrow's road game against Nevada.
Although temperatures are expected to be in the 40s for kickoff, the Warriors' greatest concern is the chilly wind swirling from the Sierra Nevada range.
UH quarterback Tim Chang had said there was little the Warriors could do to prepare for the gusts. But Chang, who attended Saint Louis School, noted, "I know at Saint Louis, there are big gusts coming through Palolo Valley. We didn't have much of a problem (passing in practices)."
Although the Warriors were invited to practice today at Mackay Stadium on the Wolf Pack campus, they instead will work out for 90 minutes at an area high school field.
For the previous five road games this season, the Warriors have practiced once at the site of the game. The workout at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was not beneficial. Southern California routed UH, 61-32.
When told about the Warriors' concerns about the weather, Nevada running back Chance Kretschmer said, "Tell them not to worry. It's beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky."
• Health report: Strong safety Hyrum Peters, who skipped Wednesday's practice because of a sore leg, worked out yesterday. Jones said Peters will be able to start against Nevada.
H. PETERS
But Gary Wright will be scratched because of a sprained right ankle, forcing the Warriors to fill several areas. Wright is a backup cornerback, the dime back in schemes calling for six defensive backs, and the gunner on kickoff and punt coverages.
As the gunner, Wright, aligned wide of the formation, is the first defender to approach the punt returner. He is responsible for containing the returner — not allowing him to race around the coverage — until receiving help from the other defenders.
"If you can do that, you're doing your job," said Tyson Helton, who oversees UH's special teams.
Lamar Broadway, a third-year sophomore, is expected to replace Wright on defense and special teams.
• Scouting report: Nevada spokesman Jamie Klund said "about a dozen" scouts from the National Football League have requested credentials for the game.
The scouts will evaluate Nevada defensive end Jorge Cordova, who leads the Western Athletic Conference with 11.5 sacks, and Kretschmer, a fourth-year junior who led the nation in rushing as a freshman in 2001. Kretschmer said he will return for his senior season.
On the UH side, defensive end Travis LaBoy, defensive tackle Isa'ako "Isaac" Sopoaga, left cornerback Kelvin Millhouse and right wideout Jeremiah Cockheran have drawn the most interest.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
