But even in Aberdeen, a town with a large military population, Allen-Jones was able to embrace his Polynesian and African-American cultures.

His mother, Florence, who is of Samoan ancestry, often prepared palusami, a dish featuring coconut cream, onions and pork or beef.

C.J. — he was named after his father, Carl Stokes Sr. — Florence and his stepfather, Albert Jones, sometimes conversed in Samoan.

Clarence Barnes, pastor of the Highway Holiness Church, encouraged Allen-Jones to celebrate his diverse background. Allen-Jones' graduation party at the church had a Polynesian theme.

"He's a nice young man, and he comes from a very nice family," Barnes said.

Allen-Jones said: "I was cool with my black side and cool with my Samoan side. My (high) school was diverse and accepting of all races."

He said he tried to educate classmates who "think of Samoans as big people who run around looking fierce and intimidating and stuff like that."

"The same food you eat," Allen-Jones would respond. "I just play the game like you do. I'm the same as you are."

Still, Allen-Jones was raised to make his own decisions. Despite scholarship offers from Maryland, Syracuse and Marshall, his heart belonged to the University of Hawai'i.

His uncle was a UH professor and his aunt, Frances Leau, recently earned a UH degree. "She always told me to go to the University of Hawai'i," he said. "She felt if I came here, I would be more comfortable, that I would have family to watch me."

Most of all, Allen-Jones wanted to attend the same school and play the same position as his idol — Pisa Tinoisamoa, a former UH linebacker now with the St. Louis Rams.

Allen-Jones expressed his interest in an e-mail to the UH coaches. They told him to send a highlight tape. He put together a videotape using crude footage from his Aberdeen High games.

His mother accompanied him on his recruiting visit to Hawai'i, and before leaving for the airport, she co-signed his letter of intent.

At the time, Allen-Jones was known as Carl Stokes Jr. After high school, he decided to change his name legally. His hyphenated name combines his mother's maiden name and stepfather's surname.

"I felt real proud," said Jones, who raised Allen-Jones since he was 5.

Allen-Jones then vowed to make a name for himself at Hawai'i.

"Ever since I chose Hawai'i, I promised myself I would get on the field as a freshman," he said. "I know I'm young and I have a lot to learn. But whatever it took to get on the field, I wanted to do it."

Allen-Jones and his family spent two weeks in American Samoa before he reported to training camp in August. He soon discovered that strength and quickness do not necessarily add up to playing time.

He struggled to learn UH's defensive scheme. He served as "headhunter," the left-side blocker on punt and kickoff returns. In the season opener against Florida Atlantic, "he was running down the field and getting his fanny knocked off," recalled Mouse Davis, who coordinates UH's special teams.

UH coach June Jones said: "He's (19) years old. He had a lot to learn. He had to mature and know his assignments. But he's an athlete and a player, and we knew he would pick it up."

Allen-Jones has ascended to second-string linebacker.

"We're trying to speed him up, but not try to force him so much," linebacker coach Cal Lee said. "It's not easy. To come out of high school and really pick it up, you can count it on your hand the people who can do it. We feel he can. He's coming along."

Lee said Allen-Jones' frame will allow him to gain another 10 pounds and play effectively at 230.

For now, Allen-Jones is making an impact on special teams.

In last week's 44-16 victory over Tulsa, Allen-Jones picked up a spare when he flattened two defenders with one block on Chad Owens' 66-yard punt return for a touchdown.

"I was rushing from the left end," he said of the return, which was fielded on the right hashmark. "Normally, I don't have anybody to pick up. (Davis) told me to run down the field and just find anybody to pick up. I saw my man Chad break out. I saw two guys trying to tackle him. I came full speed and tried to knock both of them down. I went right after the first dude. It was a good hit."

Davis said: "He had a great block on Chad's return. He took them right off of Chad's back. It was a good thing."

Center Fa'avi sprains right foot at practice

Center Derek Fa'avi aggravated a sprained right foot near the end of yesterday's practice. But the injury is not considered to be serious, and Fa'avi is expected to start against Nevada tomorrow night. Fa'avi missed the Tulsa game because of the foot injury.

Backup defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan aggravated a sprained left ankle for the second consecutive practice. He received ice treatment, then resumed competing in drills. But he was limping noticeably after practice.

Jones said freshman quarterback Brandon Satcher is likely to redshirt this season. Satcher, who runs the scout team's offense, was on the 60-player travel roster to Houston to play Rice.

Satcher is skilled on bootlegs and scrambles. Jones said backups Kainoa Akina and Jack Rolovich can fill Satcher's role in short-yardage situations.