It sure was warm at the Warriors’ first practice at Aloha Stadium this year. Here’s Ryan Mouton cooling down:
Because the JumboTron came with the package, the Warriors used it to announce the practice periods.
Back at UH, the players jumped into the cold tub.
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Another UH rule this year: When catching passes from the JUGS machine, helmets must be removed. That’s one way to assure that the receivers will be focused. Here are Greg Salas and Joe Avery catching passes from the machine:
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Don’t forget tonight is Heather McMackin’s Hawai‘i Wahine Football Clinic. The $10 fee includes a football manual, light refreshments and instruction from Heather McMackin and the UH football coaches.
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Thanks to John McNamara and Derek Inouchi, UH is launching its new-look Web site tomorrow. Same address (hawaiiathletics.com) but spiffy new toys, such as videos. Reporters were allowed to preview the site, and it is indeed a significant upgrade. It’s also easy to navigate.
For the first time this training camp, the service teams (previously known as the scouts) ran Florida’s plays in practice. The original plan called for the Florida plays to be implemented Wednesday. But because the Warriors have progressed rapidly, the timetable was moved up.
• Quarterback Greg Alexander, who had been bothered by an ingrown toenail and tender ankle, resumed practicing ttoday. He split reps with co-No. 2 quarterback Inoke Funaki.
• Dylan LInkner, who moved to left wideout Saturday, received extended work.
• Linebacker Solomon Elimimian did not practice because of an ankle injury, which is not considered to be serious.
• Right tackle Keoni Steinhoff did not practice today because of a tweaked ankle. He is expected to resume practicing in a couple of days. Aaron Kia and Brysen Ginlack practiced at right tackle.
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Cameron Allen-Jones has been impressive as a pass-rushing defensive end.
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Vaughn Meatoga has played a lot while defensive tackle Fale Laeli rests his surgically repaired knee. Meatoga reminds me of a young Tony Tuioti.
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You lookin’ at me?!? I’m lookin’ at you:
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And this is the warm-and-fuzzy sign that greets us every day:
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This is from Lon Gibson, father of basketbal player Matt Gibson: Lil Matt has signed a contract to play in Romania this season with U Mobitelco. He will be their point guard. Last season the team finished in the finals of the Romania League. Off to Transylvania.
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Mark Rodrigues, point guard on those giant-killing Chaminade basketball teams, attended football practice today.
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From our friend, Jaymes Song, of The Associated Press:
I am very happy, and humbled, to annouce the birth of Sophia J. Song, who was born at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 10:10 p.m. She is 6 pounds, 5 ounces and 19 inches tall. Baby and Mommy are doing great and resting comfortably.
Baby Sophia has the grace of her mother and the appetite of her father.
Colleen did wonderfully. Amazingly, she put in a full day at the office before delivery. The medical staff noted how calm and composed she was during the process, unlike the father.
The birth capped an intereresting day that started with following Obama around the island. I had to ditch the Obama media pool while the senator was munching burgers at the beach.
We decided to go to the hospital, just in case, before taking the long drive home. And the hospital admitted her and Sophia was born five days early.
Greg McMackin has implemented a new policy: Don’t take a knee.
With the increased emphasis on conditioning, the Warriors have been told not to ever hunch over, with their hands on their knees, during practices.
“We dont let anybody bend over,” McMackin said. “If they bend over, they’re too tired to play.”
The Warriors have worked their way into shape in a program implemented by Saint Louis Rams’ conditioning coach Dana LeDuc and maintained by UH’s Mel deLaura and Tommy Heffernan.
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It was a night of fun, singing, food, celebration and, in the end, tears.
Our karaoke call, attended by more than 50, featured the Bomb Squad (they made their own Jaegermeister T-shirts), Caryn Kunz’s amazing singing, a brithday celebration for Kelli Miura, and a fond farewell for Frank, Rob25’s husband.
Frank leaves Tuesday for his third tour of duty, this time to Iraq. He’ll be there a year. Thing is, Frank’s only concern is for his soldiers, 19-year-old guys who are going to look to him for leadership and guidance in a place where the days are long and sleep is not peaceful.
We wish for good health and safety for Frank and the others who serve our country.
Here are James, Frank and A-Joe:
Caryn Kunz and the belated birthday star Kelli:
Rep. K. Mark Takai, who’s also in the Reserves, and Esme:
Colt Brennan threw the go-ahead 33-yard touchdown pass to Jason Goode to lead the Redskins to a 13-10 victory over the New York Jets.
Today also is Brennan’s 25th birthday.
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The Warriors received one point in The Associated Press’ poll.
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• Nate Nasca moved from right slotback to right wideout today. He looked impressive, filling in for Malcolm Lane.
• Cameron Allen-Jones continues to impress as the defensive right end. Starter John Fonoti (hamstring) and Elliott Purcell (strained left elbow) did not practice today.
• The biggest drama was when an Advertiser photographer backed his car into a light post outside the grass practice field. He tried to drive away, but was stopped by a UH official. Campus security was called, and a report was filed. The driver and the car are fine. The pole is day-to-day.
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There was extra pressure on Dan “The Iceman” Kelly yesterday.
Coach Greg McMackin scheduled a “pool day,” abbreviating practice by an hour. But to dismiss practice, Kelly had to kick a field-goal from 53 yards. In previous years, a missed kick meant extending practice. This time, the players were told that they could go to the pool whatever the outcome. But if Kelly missed, he would have to run “gassers.” Kelly converted the field goal — barely. The kick struck the crossbar and bounced over.
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Brett Symonds, a 5-foot-9, 147-pound kicker from The Iceman’s hometown of Temecula, Calif., has earned the nickname of “Ice Cube.”
It was indeed the right time for the Warriors to name Brent Rausch as the No. 1 quarterback, even if the season does not open for another two weeks.
The Warriors were in need of a boost after Wednesday’s practices — the worst since training camp opened Aug. 4. It appeared the Warriors had hit the proverbial wall, in this case two practices that day totaling five hours.
Greg Alexander, who had been superb until then, was pressing — and stressing — because of a sore foot. Meanwhile, Rausch was on the ascent, earning the top grade in every practice since the past Saturday.
And so it was the perfect time to make a decision. With security — and more reps — Rausch would continue to develop. Alexander could use the lighter workload to heal. Best of all, while Rausch is assured of starting against Florida, Alexander and Inoke Funaki will continue to be evaluated. This decision, it is hoped, is a beginning instead of an end.
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• Elliott Purcell suffered what is being described as “elbow issues” during team drills yesterday. Purcell, who had been filling in for ailing John Fonoti at defensive right end, is not considered to be seriously injured.
• Daniel Lofton, who was making a push for the No. 2 spot at left wideout behind Greg Salas, suffered another nagging injury yesterday. Joe Avery appears to be No. 2 at left wideout.
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And here’s a picture of Beowulf’s favorite former UH player:
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Dan “The Iceman” Kelly is doing a telephone interview at the end of today’s afternoon. practice. Note whose cell he’s using:
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Craig “Captain Crunch” Stutzmann leads a stomach-turning drill. With their backs to the turf, in a crunch position, the receivers try to catch passes fired by Stutzmann.
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The players competed n a game of one-handed pepper. Drop a pass, go to the sideline. The final was between Malcolm Lane (left) and Greg Alexander. Alexander could not field Lane’s pass. (Watchig the action are Joe Avery, Jovonte Taylor, Jake Santos and Nick Rolovich.)
