Our readers asked questions about the University of Hawaii football team. We did our best to find some answers.
Question: Who will be UH’s honorary captain for this week’s game against Nevada?
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You’ve got UH football questions? We’ll try to find the answers. Submit your questions to beat writer Stephen Tsai either on his popular blog — hawaiiwarriorworld.com/category/warrior-beat/ — or via email at stsai@staradvertiser.com. Every Wednesday during football season, Tsai will answer a few of the questions in the print edition of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Answer: Michael and Michele Ma will serve as honorary captains. Their son, Marc Ma, was an ‘Iolani School graduate and Nevada defensive lineman who perished during a paddle-board outing on Lake Tahoe in June.
“I think it’s such a sad story,” said UH head coach Nick Rolovich, who was Nevada’s offensive coordinator the previous four years. “He was such a special kid. He was from Hawaii. He played at Nevada. I recruited him. He represented everything that a good local boy is supposed to portray. He was great in school. He worked hard. He was humble. … (Making his parents captains) is the right thing to do.”
Rolovich recalled that Ma “never did not have a smile on his face — unless he was trying to sack the quarterback. Then he was determined to do that.”
Q: Will there be live streaming of the game?
A: Unless there are unexpected changes to the situation, live streaming is unlikely to be available this weekend.
Q: Do the Warriors stop recruiting a player once he commits to another school or do they continue to recruit until he signs a letter of intent?
A: “I treat them like they’re committed to that school, and we move on,” Rolovich said. “I just think you’re committed or you’re not committed. There’s no such thing as half-pregnant. If somebody commits and then de-commits, we’re on them right then. As soon as we know they’re de-committed, we’re back on them.”
Rolovich added that he usually gives a player a few days after a recruiting trip to make a thoughtful commitment.
“I’m not going to pressure anybody,” Rolovich said. “If I have to trick you to come to Hawaii, you’re probably not going to last here.”
Q: What is left tackle Dejon Allen’s status?
A: Allen is healthy and taking reps with the first-team offense.
Q: Will the Warriors ever have a mascot again?
A: “I hope so,” Rolovich said. “I didn’t have enough time to get it done this year. I’d like to. I think it adds to the game-day atmosphere. It gives something for the fans to identify with, and the nation to identify with. I think it’s something we need to address sooner than later.”
Q: Does the coaching staff have a prescribed number of touches for each member of the committee of running backs or is it more situational?
A: “It’s more situational,” Rolovich said. “We could have done a better job of getting Paul (Harris) a few more touches earlier in the season. I think we have a good problem where we have three backs who can be productive. In an offense where we’re not necessarily saying we’re going to run the ball, it gets a little bit hard.”
Q: Why doesn’t UH try John Ursua on kickoff returns?
A: Rolovich said Ursua, a slotback, is best suited for punt returns. Kickoff returns, Rolovich said, is “something he may be able to grow into. We feel we have some guys who also can contribute in the kickoff-return game.” Paul Harris, Keelan Ewaliko and Dejaun Butler have rotated as kickoff returners.
Q: Why does offensive line coach Chris Naeole wear a different color shirt than the rest of the staff on game day?
A: Actually, Naeole said, he has worn an all-black attire — polo shirt and shorts/ pants — for every game since he was hired by UH in 2013. It is Naeole who is the constant.
Q: Any chance of bringing back the all-black home uniforms?
A: Although Rolovich would like to use all-black uniforms, they are not available for this season. “This jersey combination was in the works — same with the white helmets — before I got the job (in November 2015),” Rolovich said. “I’d like to see the dark helmets come back, too. I’d love to see an all-black uniform. I think it would be really good. I think people kind of identify with us when we come out with the (all-black uniforms).”
Q: Are recruiting efforts “re-extending” to Texas?
A: The Warriors “spot” recruit in Texas, meaning they will pursue particular players in that area. That strategy was employed in recruiting a player from Minnesota. The Warriors’ recruiting bases are Hawaii, California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Australia, Las Vegas and Utah.
