Brewster and Keli'ikipi are seniors whose UH football eligibility will expire at the end of Friday's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. Asked why Bass would leave when the top two running backs won't be on the team in 2005, Jones said, "Because the same thing is going to happen next year. ... He would be rotating."

Jones said slotback Nate Ilaoa, who is not playing this season because of knee and shoulder injuries, will likely move to running back.

"I tell all of my kids they need to do what's best for them," Jones said. "Mike has been a great kid for us. He's part of our team. He's played well. He's played hard. Hopefully, it'll work out for him."

The NCAA allows a student-athlete five years to play four seasons. A player also must sit out a season if he transfers between Division I-A schools. As a fourth-year senior, Bass' eligibility clock will have expired by the time he is eligible to play for another Division I-A team. He can play immediately if he transfers to a Division I-AA, II or III school. Montana State competes in Division I-AA.

Bass' younger brother, cornerback Ray Bass, was dismissed from the team last month. Jones has declined to comment on Bass' situation, although people familiar with the situation say he had missed meetings and was tardy for practices.

Purcell may return to Samoa to help mom

Starting defensive left end Melila Purcell III said he is looking into the possibility of returning to American Samoa for the spring semester to take care of his mother.

Purcell's father is a U.S. Army reservist in the 100th Infantry Battalion, which is scheduled to serve in Iraq next year. Melila Jr., who lives in American Samoa, is on leave in Hawai'i and returns to Fort Bliss in Texas on New Year's Eve.

The NCAA requires football players to earn at least 25 credits each academic year. Purcell said he is checking if UH accepts credits earned at a community college in American Samoa.

As for his status next season, he said, "That's still a question mark. I don't know. I need to sit down with my Pops and see what's best for me. At the same time, I want to go back home and help out my family. ... It's going to come down to a last-minute decision."

Backup QB Rolovich returns from illness

Backup quarterback Jack Rolovich, who was treated at a hospital for a severe stomach ailment Sunday, participated in light drills yesterday. Jones said Rolovich lost about "10 or 12 pounds," probably from food poisoning.

"He certainly wasn't up to strength," said Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks.

Reserve quarterback Kainoa Akina missed yesterday's practice to attend his grandmother's funeral. He was a pall bearer.