SPARKS, Nev. — Backup quarterback Jack Rolovich has requested — and received — a release from his UH football scholarship.

The move allows Rolovich, a third-year sophomore, to transfer to another school and immediately receive financial aid. Rolovich will remain at UH until the end of this semester.

"He probably wasn't going to play much here," UH coach June Jones said. "This gives him a chance to go to another school and play. I like Jack, and I wish him well, but he's got to do what he's got to do to play. Hey, I transferred twice."

Rolovich was competing for the starting job in spring practice in April. But he was not invited to the start of training camp in August.

Colt Brennan, who transferred to UH in June, has emerged as the starting quarterback. Tyler Graunke is the top backup, and Kainoa Akina is considered to be No. 3. Akina and Jeff Rhode will complete their NCAA eligibility at the end of this season, leaving Brennan, Graunke and Inoke Funaki as the only returning quarterbacks for 2006.

Rolovich's older brother, Nick Rolovich, was a UH quarterback in 2000 and 2001. Nick Rolovich is serving as a student manager this semester.

"It's sad it didn't work out," Nick Rolovich said of his brother's situation. He said he did not know where his brother will play next season.

DON'T BET ON IT

In the sports book at John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel, you can get 5 1/2 points if you take the University of Hawai'i over Nevada in today's Western Athletic Conference football game.

There is a halftime line — Nevada giving three — and a 64 1/2-point over-under betting line.

But if you are a staff member, coach or player at UH, the short walk across the lobby of the team hotel to place a bet on the game — or any game — is a violation of NCAA bylaw 10.3 which prohibits gambling on college or professional sports.

"You can't even make a so-called informal wager with a roommate for anything of value," said Sandra Niedergall, Nevada's director of compliance services.

Athletes are subject to loss of eligibility and schools and their employees could be sanctioned by the NCAA if found in violation.

On this trip UH coach June Jones said his players are not permitted to gamble anywhere in the casino, even those age 21 and over, and are not allowed to be in the sports book area. "No gambling," Jones said.

UH coaches said players attend a mandatory NCAA-provided anti-gambling session before the start of each season and also hear from speakers.

Until 2001 Nevada sports books did not accept bets on in-state teams and their games, a spokesman for the Nevada Gaming Commission said.

The rule was changed, in part, after Congressional proponents of a ban on all college gambling suggested Nevada was hypocritical for banning gambling on in-state games but allowing wagering on all other games.

The Western Athletic Conference said, to its knowledge, no member school has had a player, coach or staff member sanctioned by the NCAA for betting on its own games.

UNDER WATCHFUL EYES

Scouts from five teams — including three from the Washington Redskins — attended the Warriors' practice last night at Sparks High School.

When the 90-minute session concluded in 40-degree weather, the players let out a whoop and raced for the buses.

"To the hot tubs at the hotel," yelled one player.

LIVE TELECAST OF GAME

The game will be shown live on KFVE in Honolulu at 11 a.m., televised by SportsWest with former Brigham Young quarterback Blaine Fowler doing the color.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com and Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.