It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to open the inbox and address readers’ questions about University of Hawaii football.
Question: How much did the bye week help before last Saturday’s game against Nevada?
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Answer: “I think it came at a wonderful time,” said UH coach Nick Rolovich, noting it gave the players three days to focus fully on studies “before they had to worry (about) any football.” He also said it enabled ailing players to heal.”
He said the players also used the extra time to view videos helpful in preparing for Nevada. The players are able to access clips of specific situations with their tablets, cell phones and laptops. The coaches also are able to track the players’ viewership.
“I’m very grateful for that program,” Rolovich said. “I don’t know if it’s a Na Koa thing or a department thing. It really allows these guys to study when they have time, whether they’re in the bathroom — they can’t do it in the shower unless they have water-proof phones — or in bed. I tell them, ‘Give me 20 minutes off Snapchat, or whatever you give, and look at one cut-up a night.’ It shows investment.”
Q: Will UH change any travel strategies for this week’s road game against San Jose State?
A: The Rainbow Warriors will practice on campus on Thursday morning, then depart in the afternoon on a direct flight to San Jose. They will practice Friday in the Bay Area.
“I’m not over-thinking this one,” Rolovich said. “We’re going with the same routine we always go with when we’re on the road.”
Q: How is running back Mel Davis?
A: Davis, who was hospitalized for a few weeks because of a non-football condition, is back in school and trying to catch up on missed assignments. He is not expected to play this season.
Q: Given that Hawaii has been penalized in the past for performing the haka on the field, what is the criterion officials use in penalizing (or not penalizing) a team for a ha‘a or haka performance?
A: The haka was restricted under Western Athletic Conference guidelines. It does not appear the Mountain West Conference, which the Warriors joined as a football-only member in 2012, has any restrictions.
Q: What is the status of Daniel Lewis?
A: Rolovich said Lewis is “getting better.”
Q: What is the status of linebacker Ikem Okeke, and safeties Scheyenne Sanitoa and Kalen Hicks?
A: Okeke played in the Arizona and Nevada games. Sanitoa is expected to redshirt this season. It has not been determined if Hicks, who has not played in a game this season, will redshirt.
Q: Did the Warriors lose intensity in the fourth quarter when Nevada scored two touchdowns to close to 38-17?
A: Rolovich said he would have liked for the Warriors to add two more touchdowns while still holding Nevada to three points. “If that were a complete game, it could have ended 52-3,” Rolovich said.
But Rolovich emphasized Nevada is a good team that also played hard throughout.
“That wasn’t our best football that night in the fourth quarter,” Rolovich said.
Q: How have defensive lineman Viane Moala and Samiuela Akoteu improved this season?
A: Rolovich said both have developed under defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa’s guidance. “I think they feel they get better when they’re around Coach Legi,” Rolovich said. “I think Viane is going to be a really good player around here. And Sam is getting better every day since spring.”
Q: What’s the status of wideout Devan Stubblefield?
A: No final decision has been made, but the assumption is Stubblefield will not play this season because of a leg issue.
Q: What’s the status of wideout Isaiah Bernard?
A: Bernard, who has not played this season, is likely to redshirt.
Q: What is Coach Rolovich’s scheduling philosophy?
A: Rolovich has said his nonconference preference would be a game against a power-five team, one against an FCS opponent, and the rest against teams with comparable budgets and talent. But Rolovich noted the Warriors are scheduled so far in advance “there’s not a whole lot that can be done” in the near future.
“There’s a lot to be said about scheduling where you can win,” Rolovich said. “San Jose was in that position with Coach (Dick) Tomey at the end (of his tenure when they) were taking any money game they could get. I don’t know if that helped the program or not. They have to answer to that.”
