Jones cool as kickoff approaches
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By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.Com Editor
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While many in the state are in a frenzy over tomorrow's historic football game between Hawai'i and Boise State, UH head coach June Jones remains calm, already thankful for the memories.
The winner of the nationally televised game earns the Western Athletic Conference's regular-season championship. UH and Boise have 7-0 WAC records.
It is the first time in the program's history the Warriors will be playing in what is essentially a title game.
But Jones appears to be immune to the hype, insisting, "The good Lord has blessed me. I don't worry about things."
He was at ease after yesterday's appearance on the nationally syndicated Jim Rome Show, which was televised from the grass practice field.
"It was like a normal interview from (KITV's) Robert Kekaula," Jones said, with a shrug and smile.
Jones said he does not dwell on records or milestones.
"That's the way it's always been for me," Jones said. "It's about the players, not that other stuff. Already this year, I don't remember stuff about games. People ask me, and I don't remember plays. But I remember the look on (quarterback) Tyler Graunke's face when he came off the field against Nevada. I remember the way (defensive tackle) Michael Lafaele plays. Those are the things you remember and appreciate."
No matter the outcome tomorrow, Jones said, this season has "been fabulous. It's great to be around the coaches and players. It's wonderful to watch the good Lord touch the hearts of all of the kids on the team. It's been really fun. We have great leadership within the locker room. We really have good kids."
Jones said he awakens before sunrise every day.
"I can't wait to go to school," he said. "I really look forward to it."
Two of Jones' close friends in coaching — Mouse Davis and Jerry Glanville — left UH in the spring to coach at Portland State.
"We talk every week," Jones said. "I think both are coming to the game. They're very supportive. I appreciate that."
JONES RETURNING
Keenan Jones is poised to return kickoffs.
"For sure," he confirmed. Ryan Mouton, Malcolm Lane or Michael Washington will be the other returner.
Jones, a junior from Los Angeles, has one kick return for 27 yards. But the coaches are impressed with his aggressive, no-frills running style.
"That's what you have to do," Jones said. "You can't be in there and dance around."
Last week against Nevada, there was at least one return that should have resulted in a touchdown but wasn't because of a poor read. The coaches believe that Jones, who can run 40 yards in 4.57 seconds, is quick enough to sprint to daylight.
"I'm a little flashy, but you've got to keep your mindframe straight," Jones said. "You can't go out there and be cocky. This game humbles you. At the same time, you have to be confident. All of the guys on offense are making plays. You want to go out there and do the same."
Jones has made a successful comeback after being dismissed from the team last spring. He had missed mandatory meetings and assignments. In recent weeks, he has won over the coaches with his upbeat attitude.
"I wouldn't say I'm a model guy," Jones said. "I'm nobody. I'm not a role model, by any means. I try to keep my sense of being when I'm around here, and try to be a good example and not embarrass the program. They teach you that here as well as football. Being a man, for one, and going out there and handling business."
LAELI PRACTICING
Defensive tackle Fale Laeli, who is suffering from rib and hip injuries, resumed practicing yesterday. He is expected to start at left tackle.
"It was good to practice," said Laeli, a fourth-year junior from Saint Louis School. "They said 'it's good,' and they said I can play."
He said the ailments "don't hurt me."
SHIRTS SELLING
Peter Deptula played a little more than a season for the Warriors in the mid-1980s. But he remains an active supporter.
His company, Surfvivor Media, Inc., is expected to sell more than 10,000 T-shirts promoting the Boise State-UH matchup as a WAC championship game. The T-shirts picture the likeness of both teams' helmets and logos.
As part of the licensing agreement, 14 percent of the proceeds go to Boise State, UH and the WAC.
T-shirts may be purchased at Foodland, Don Quixote, Navy Exchange, Footlocker (Ala Moana) and Novelty World at the Ward Warehouse.
They also are available by logging on to: www.surfvivor.com.
Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.
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UH vs. Boise State game information
Boise State vs. Hawaii WHEN: Friday KICKOFF: 4:05 p.m. at Aloha Stadium TICKETS: Sold out (50,000 capacity) TV: Live on ESPN2 (cable 21, digital 224) RADIO: Live on 1420 AM with Warrior pregame show starting at 2:30 p.m. GATES OPEN: 10:30 a.m. to lower parking lot, 1 p.m. to stadium Parking/security STADIUM PARKING Lower Halawa parking gates will open at 10:30 a.m. while all other parking gates will open at 11:30 a.m. ALTERNATIVE PARKING
All open at 11:30 a.m. Shuttle service begins at 12:30 p.m. and up to one hour after the game ends. Security will be present at all alternative parking sites. Ford Island: Parking is $5 per vehicle with free shuttle service and free admission to Aloha Stadium tailgate area. Leeward Community College: Free parking. Cost is $2 for shuttle service with free admission to Aloha Stadium tailgate area. Radford High School: Parking is $5. No shuttle service available. Free admission to Aloha Stadium tailgate area. Kamehameha Drive-In: Parking is $5 per vehicle with free shuttle service and free admission to Aloha tailgate area. ITEMS PROHIBITED FROM STADIUM
Weapons, fireworks, coolers, air horns, cans and bottles, umbrellas, outside food and beverage. All bags are subject to check. Express lanes are available for persons without bags. TAILGATING POLICY Fans will be asked to take down tents and vacate unused parking stalls in order to fill all stalls with vehicles. BUS SHUTTLES Roberts Hawaii is offering roundtrip "air conditioned" shuttle bus services to Aloha Stadium for $10 from three O'ahu areas. Central: Bus No. 1 will pick up at the Mililani Mauka Park n' Ride at 1:30 p.m. and go directly to the stadium. East: Bus No. 2 will pick up at the Hawai'i Kai Park n' Ride at 1:30 p.m., at Bank of Hawai'i at Kahala Mall at 2 p.m. and proceed to the stadium. Windward: Bus No. 3 will pick up at the Kailua District Park, Kainalu Avenue at 1:30 p.m., at Windward Mall Shopping Center on Alaloa Street facing Sears at 2 p.m. and proceed to the stadium. The shuttle will depart from Aloha Stadium a half-hour after the game ends. Reservations are required and service is first come, first served. Call Roberts School Bus at 832-4886 for reservations and additional information. The FootballExpress (City bus service) offers 17 pickup locations throughout O'ahu.
Cost is $3 one-way fare. Cash only/exact change (U.S. currency). No passes or transfers accepted. Honolulu pickup locations are at: Ala Moana (Ala Moana Boulevard, Makai of Ala Moana center), 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Downtown (Alapai Transit Center, express bus lot), 1:42 p.m, 2:12 p.m., 2:42 p.m. Palolo (Waialae, Palolo, fronting McDonald), 1:52 p.m., 2:22 p.m. University of Hawai'i (Sinclair Circle), 1:30 p.m., 1:50 p.m., 2:10 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Kahala Mall (Waialae, Kilauea across mall), 1:10 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Kaimuki (Koko Head, Waialae, fronting Liliuokalani Elementary), 1:50 p.m., 2:20 p.m. Waikiki (Monsarrat at Kapiolani Boulevard), 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Hawai'i Kai (Keahole St., Hawai'i Kai Park & Ride), 1 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 1:40 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:20 p.m. Leeward / Central pickups are at: 'Ewa Beach (Fort Weaver, Kaimalie before 'Ewa Beach Shopping Center), 2:20 p.m. Kapolei (Kamokila Boulevard at Kahuhihewa State Building), 2:30 p.m. Mililani Mauka (Ukuwai Strett at Mililani Park & Ride), 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Village Park (Kupuohi Street, Royal Kunia Park & Ride), 2:30 p.m. Windward pickups are at: Kalaniana'ole/Kailua (acros Castle Medical Center), 12:25 p.m., 2:10 p.m. Kailua: Keolu/Hele (across Enchanted Lake Shopping Center), 12:40 p.m., 2:15 p.m. Kailua / Hahani (Kailua Shopping Center), 12:45 p.m., 2:20 p.m. Kaneohe Bay / Mokapu (fronting Aikahi Shopping Center), 12:50 p.m., 2:10 p.m. Kaneohe Bay / Makalani (across Windward City Shopping Center), 1 p.m., 2:20 p.m.
Buses will leave the stadium when the bus is full and the last return trip will leave a half-hour after the game ends. Information: 848-5555 or go to www.thebus.org FREE BUSES FOR STUDENTS
Six buses for 48 passengers each will depart the student residence hall area near Gateway House (Dole Street at East-West Road intersection) promptly at 2 p.m. Buses are scheduled to depart Aloha Stadium 30 minutes after the end of the game to return to UH-Manoa. |
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
