With no football game this weekend, the Hawaii coaches wore their bye-focals in seeking depth at key positions this week.
"We had two goals this week," said coach Norm Chow, whose Warriors play against Rice in Houston next week. "One was to get some (preparation) stuff in for Rice. The other one was to find some depth."
In three practices this week, the Warriors auditioned running backs. Joey Iosefa, who suffered a fractured right foot three weeks ago, is not expected to recuperate in time for the Rice game. But his cast was removed and he did not need a walking boot on Friday.
Steven Lakalaka has started in place of Iosefa. Because Diocemy Saint Juste and Dominique Small were "chipped up," the Warriors were able to give reps to Jason Muraoka, Pareese Joas and Justin Vele at running back. Muraoka and Joas are walk-ons. Vele is a hybrid fullback/tight end.
Joas aced a tryout for walk-ons in February 2013. But it took him 17 months to earn enough credits to join the Warriors. He was a late addition to training camp this summer.
This season, Joas has practiced on the scout offense. On Thursday, while wearing the yellow scout jersey, he was summoned to the regular offense.
"He gives us a different look," running backs coach Wayne Moses said.
During Friday’s scrimmage-like sessions, Joas showed flashes of brilliance and inexperience. Joas scored on a 60-yard sprint around right end, but he also had an unforced fumble.
Moses said Joas is adjusting from scout work — in which scripted plays are alerted on placards — to the unpredictable defenses in scrimmages.
"There’s a big difference," Chow said, adding Joas "deserves a chance. Everybody deserves a chance."
Vele often aligns in the backfield as a fullback in a split formation. But there is a possibility Vele will be used as the lone back.
"It’s not the first time they talked to me about this," Vele said. "You have to do your best and take advantage of it."
The Warriors also evaluated the tight end position. Jordan Pu’u-Robinson has not played since the opener. Harold Moleni has started at tight end, and Vele has been used as the off-set tight end. Josh Long traveled to Colorado as a backup tight end last week.
During Friday’s practice, Tui Unga was moved from defensive end to tight end, a position he played for two weeks in spring training. Dakota Torres, a 2014 Punahou School graduate, also received reps at tight end.
"We’ll have to make some decisions," Chow said.
Chow said there are several freshmen, including Torres, who have been held out of games this season. Chow said they will only be used if they are needed, preserving their redshirt eligibility.
"It’s fairness to the players," Chow said.
Chow said videos and personnel have been evaluated.
"We’ll make some decisions," Chow said. "I think we’ll be good. We’ve answered some questions that we needed answered."
Chow said quarterback Ikaika Woolsey, who was pulled in the second half of each of the past two games, played well this week.
"Ikaika had a terrific week," Chow said. "I think he realized he had to be more productive, and I thought he had a good week."
