Grasso awarded final starting job by Jones
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By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Tim Grasso has been named the No. 1 punter, filling the last starting job on the University of Hawai'i football team.
"He's the best of what we have," head coach June Jones said of Grasso, a junior who played at Saddleback Community College last season.
Jones said Grasso beat out Briton Forester as the successor to Kurt Milne largely because of his play during the Warriors' Aug. 18 scrimmage at Aloha Stadium.
"I think he's an athlete," Jones said. "He's a gamer."
Told of Jones' decision after yesterday's 65-minute practice, Grasso said: "That's a first for me. It's awesome. It's something I've been working for. I worked my butt off all summer long for that moment to be named."
Grasso focused on two areas: his catch-to-kick time and the hang time of his punts.
When punting in the end zone or near the goal line, the catch-to-kick goal is 1.6 seconds. He is permitted up to two seconds in other situations.
For hang times, the recommended formula is a tenth of a second per yard. A 42-yard punt should have a hang time of 4.2 seconds.
"They want me to have a real high punt that goes 40 yards and gets fair caught every time than probably one that goes 50 yards but is not very high," Grasso said. "I'm feeling my hang time is getting better. When we're focusing on hang time, a lot more punts are getting fair caught."
Of the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Grasso, Dennis McKnight, who oversees the punters, said: "I like him best because he doesn't look like your prototypical punter. He's a thick guy. He kind of reminds me of (former UH punter) Chad Shrout, and I loved Chad.
"(Grasso) is quick and compact," McKnight added, "It's one, two, and the ball is out of there."
LB SOARES INJURES LEG
Starting strongside linebacker Blaze Soares did not practice yesterday because of an injured left hamstring, and his availability is in question for Saturday's season opener against Northern Colorado.
"If he's not ready to go, I'm just going to hold him (from the game)," Jones said. "We've got a tough couple of road games after this one, and we've got to have everybody available."
Soares had missed nearly three weeks of practices because of a stinger in his left shoulder. The stinger is no longer a concern.
If Soares is unavailable to play this week, Brad Kalilimoku will start at strongside linebacker. UH's base defense employs three linebackers. But defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said the Warriors have four No. 1 linebackers — Soares, middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian, weakside linebacker Adam Leonard, and Kalilimoku.
"If one guy is out, the next guy will step up," McMackin said. "That's the way we are. That's the name of the game."
McMackin praised Kalilimoku, who has played all three linebacker positions and strong safety during his UH career.
"Kalilimoku is outstanding," McMackin said. "(Linebacker coach) Cal Lee has done a great job with him. Kalilimoku is an outstanding hitter who can run. He gives you speed, and he'll hit you. He's a smart player."
FONOTI, IERU UPDATES
Health report:
UH HAS RESERVE POWER
McKnight, who coaches the offensive line, said Brysen Ginlack, Clarence "Lafu" Tuioti-Mariner and Laupepa Letuli are the primary backups.
McKnight said Ginlack can play both tackle positions.
Tuitoti-Mariner is the top reserve at center and right guard. Letuli is the main backup at left guard. McKnight also said Aaron Kia is in the mix.
McKnight said Ginlack has gone from the nickname "Bulla" to "Chewbacca," a character in the Star Wars movies.
"He looks like Chewbacca," said McKnight, making the character's tongue-rolling greeting.
McKnight dubbed Letuli as "Wolfman.""His hair is flying everywhere," McKnight said. "He's wild and crazy, like a wolf."
SLOTBACK CREATES BUZZ
Every day, it seems, starting right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins is making a fashion statement. Last week, he had the bumblebee look, dressed dreadlock to shoes in black and gold.
"I got it from my mom," he said of his fashion sense.
It all begins with the shoes. He owns about 25 pairs of Jordans, Nikes and DCs in Hawai'i.
"I look into my box," Grice-Mullins said. "I tap a pair of shoes, and whatever color comes out, I go from there. I get a (matching) shirt and hat, and keep it going."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
