Heat inspires Warriors’ mind-set

Manoa’s temperature was hot.

University of Hawaii defensive coordinator Tom Mason’s temperament was even hotter.

Annoyed by the defense’s lethargy, Mason called “timeout” during Tuesday’s red-zone drills to deliver a kick-okole speech. His players responded with two red-zone interceptions.

It was a rare outburst for Mason.

“There’s a time when you have to step up and be a coach, too,” Mason said. “I didn’t like the way practice was going. I didn’t like our mind-set. I didn’t like a lot of things we were doing out there. I thought we were just getting through it. We can’t get better doing that. We can’t win if we’re practicing like that. It was time to step up and be a leader.”

Cornerback Jalen Rogers, who intercepted a pass, said: “I feel right now the (defensive backs) might be one of the strongest parts of the team. When (Mason) tells us to step up, I feel people really reflect off how we play. When it’s time to step up, the DBs have to be No. 1 to step up.”

Safety Marrell Jackson had his second interception of the spring when he caught a pass that deflected off wideout Quinton Pedroza.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Jackson said. “I saw the ball, so I was a ball hawk with it.”

It was a difficult play because Jackson had to change directions.

“You’re going one way thinking the receiver is going to catch it,” Jackson said. “Then the ball gets deflected, so you have to re-route yourself. You have to be kind of athletic for that.”

Rogers will play any position

Rogers played cornerback, nickelback and dimeback in 2014. In the spring, he practiced at safety. This fall, with the exception of a few drills, he has been used at cornerback.

Now Rogers is seeking to play what he dubs “OTF” — on the field.

“I’ll do anything to get on the field,” Rogers said.

Garcia-Williams adjusts

For now, Jerrol Garcia-Williams said his big adjustment is to being a full-time inside linebacker.

“I’m getting used to it,” said Garcia-Williams, who was an outside linebacker in 2013 and rotated between inside and outside during last year’s training camp.

But Garcia-Williams suffered a torn ACL and partially torn meniscus in his left knee in the second game of the 2014 season. His ACL was repaired with a graft from his left hamstring.

While his ACL and meniscus are healed, he continues to work on strengthening the hamstring.

He said his focus is on perfecting the inside linebacker’s technique in the 3-4 base defense.