Hawaii quarterback Ikaika Woolsey took a significant step in the quarterback competition and offensive lineman Ben Clarke might have found a permanent position at left tackle.
Those were the developments from Saturday’s football practice, the 11th of 15 this spring training.
Coach Norm Chow will not decide on a No. 1 quarterback until August. But in the scrimmage-like session, Woolsey was 10-for-12 for 73 yards and a touchdown. Woolsey also gained 11 yards on a quarterback draw.
"We moved the ball well," Chow said.
Woolsey appears comfortable in the Rainbow Warriors’ expanded spread attack, which features more rollouts, bootlegs and play-action plays. Woolsey scooted away from a manhunt, then fired to slotback Quinton Pedroza for an 18-yard gain. Two plays later, Woolsey and Pedroza teamed on what should have been a catch-and-sprint for a 49-yard touchdown. But a premature whistle abbreviated the yardage.
Woolsey also fired a 13-yard scoring pass to tight end Josh Long.
"I can’t make my throws unless the O-line is doing a good job up front," Woolsey said. "They’re doing a good job."
The offensive line was reconfigured during Thursday’s practice. Clarke, who has started all 24 of his UH games at center, was moved to left tackle. Kody Afusia moved from left guard to center, a position he was recruited to play.
Offensive line coach Chris Naeole notified Clarke of the move during a position meeting.
"I thought it was a joke, but I thought it would be fun," Clarke said. "It was. I don’t have to worry about snapping. I just have to focus on making plays."
Clarke said he played tackle at Chatfield High in Littleton, Colo.
"It comes naturally, I guess," Clarke said.
Clarke said he now has a better view of the defense.
"I can see safeties," Clarke said. "It makes it easier to help inside."
Chow said: "Ben’s doing a nice job. I know Chris (Naeole) used it as an experiment, but it might work out."
Afusia welcomed the move to center, where he now is responsible for calling out the blocking assignments.
"I’m definitely talkative," Afusia said.
Afusia is regarded as one of the leaders of the line. After Thursday’s practice, the linemen ran fence-to-fence sprints covering about 140 yards, with two areas ascending at 45-degree angles. Afusia, in full pads, led the way.
"I don’t like being beat," Afusia said. "I want to lead by example. If it takes being first running or being first to our (position) station, it doesn’t matter. I’d rather be first and lead by example."