Warriors packing backup kicker

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Although Justin Ayat has declared himself physically fit to handle all of the place-kicking duties against Rice on Saturday, University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones was expected to add backup kicker Nolan Miranda to the 60-player travel roster.

Ayat

Ayat is recovering from a groin injury suffered Aug. 16. He was not summoned for any field-goal attempts in the season-opening loss to Florida Atlantic. During that game, he was used on UH's four extra-point kicks. Backup punter Tim Wright handled the kickoffs.

"Justin kicked pretty good," Jones said after yesterday's practice. "He looks like he's close to 100 percent."

In deciding to add Miranda, Jones said: "We're going to take every precaution. I don't want to get into a situation where we don't have a kicker."

Ayat said he will be able to handle kickoffs and placekicks. "I'll be fine in the game," he said.

Yesterday, he was wide left on a field-goal attempt from 52 yards. "I missed it, but my range was there," he said. "I have to make it through the poles."

The Warriors took three quarterbacks — starter Tim Chang, backup Kainoa Akina and freshman Brandon Satcher, who will run the scout team during the two practices in Houston. Jack Rolovich, regarded as the No. 3 quarterback, was not on the travel roster.

Backup running back Mike Bass also was left behind. Bass is suffering from a chronic knee injury.

"We're trying to get it well," Jones said. "Worst-case scenario: if he doesn't play again this year, he still has a redshirt (season available)."

Because Bass played in the season opener, he would have to apply for a medical hardship to gain a fifth year of eligibility.

Freshman's brother first recruit for 2005

Freshman linebacker C.J. Allen-Jones said his younger brother, Cam Stokes, has decided to play for the Warriors next season. High school seniors may not sign binding letters of intent until February.

"He decided before the season, when he came up here to visit me during summer camp," Allen-Jones said.

Allen-Jones said Stokes is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound defensive lineman who attends Aberdeen (Md.) High. Allen-Jones said his brother drew interest from Michigan, Maryland and Virginia.

Allen-Jones was known as Carl Stokes as an Aberdeen senior. He created a new surname to honor his mother, Florence Allen, and stepfather, Albert Jones.

"I wanted to give something back to my stepfather for watching over me my entire life," Allen-Jones said.

He said when Cam "turns 18, he's going to change his name to Allen-Jones."

UH has reserved scholarships for Inoke Funaki, a former Kahuku High quarterback who is completing a two-year church mission, and safety Chris Assily, a 2004 Kaiser High graduate. Both will enroll at UH in January.

Rice's Battle plan won't fool Elimimian

Rice coach Ken Hatfield said wideout Marcus Battle (hamstring) and halfbacks Thomas Lott (hip) and Quinton Smith (elbow) will not play because of injuries.

But UH cornerback Abraham Elimimian said he doesn't believe everything he reads in an injury report.

Told of Battle's published status, Elimimian said: "I'm not going to believe that until I know for sure. He's a real tricky guy. I want him to play. But if he doesn't play, that's too bad."

In UH's run-option defense, Elimimian is assigned to cover the lone deep threat — in this case Battle or his understudy, Ben Wiggins. Last year, Battle led the Owls with 45 catches for 763 yards.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.