On the final night of August, the Hawaii football team reclaimed its turf.
Since the spring game in April, the Rainbow Warriors had been unable to use the Ching Athletic Complex — which sports the only artificial surface on the Manoa campus — because of renovations. That forced the Warriors to practice seven times at off-campus sites to preserve their heavily worn grass practice field.
While a new track is still being installed at Ching, the Warriors negotiated an agreement to allow them to practice there for two hours on Saturday night.
“I appreciate all the effort that was put into making it happen for us,” coach Nick Rolovich said. “It helped give our grass field a good rest. I think everybody gave a little bit. I think we all have to give a little bit as we make the improvements on the lower campus.”
>> Click here to see photos of the Univeristy of Hawaii football team at practice.
The evening practice enabled the coaches to spend the morning analyzing video of Friday night’s game between Oregon State and Oklahoma State. The Warriors, who had a bye on Saturday, play host to Oregon State this week. Rolovich also wanted to give the scouts and developing players a chance to compete in game-like situations under the lights. The Warriors staged a mostly full-contact, 33-play “Warrior Bowl.”
“We gotta get some guys ready,” Rolovich said. “It’s a long season. We’ve got four games with a lot of guys. We wanted to see where they’re at.”
Rolovich was referring to the year-old rule in which a true freshman is allowed to count this as a redshirt season if he does not play in more than four games in 2019. Last year, quarterback Chevan Cordeiro was able to benefit from the rule. In the season opener against Arizona, linebacker Darius Muasau and safety Steven Fiso were the only true freshmen to play.
“A lot of the scouts work hard,” Rolovich said. To get a chance to show what they’ve got in a game-like situation, that’s why they’re here.”
The scrimmage provided some big plays. Justin Uahinui, the No. 3 quarterback, and freshman receiver Chance Beyer collaborated on a 45-yard scoring play, the only touchdown of the scrimmage. Uahinui was the only quarterback who was not allowed to be hit.
“He needs some throws,” Rolovich said of Uahinui, who is behind Cole McDonald and Cordeiro on the depth chart. “He made a good throw for a touchdown. It was good to give him some live work.”
After Uahinui departed, the defense roared in unison when Rolovich announced: “The quarterback is live.” Defensive tackle Doug Russell made a jarring tackle, and linebacker Kalani Kamakawiwo‘ole was credited with two sacks. Strong-side end Chance Kalaugher produced an acrobatic play when he sealed the edge, then as he was slipping backward, sacked Boone Abbott. Abbott had been a difficult target on scrambles. On one, after being chased out of bounds, he leaped over a table behind the sideline.
On the sack, Kalaugher said: “They always say, if you take it, you gotta make it. My goal was to make it on that play.”
Kalaugher was a standout basketball player at Kaiser High who went to play hoops at Saddleback College. He transferred to UH, but when he could not secure a spot on the basketball team, he joined the football squad. After nearly five months of training, he is “all in” on football, refocusing his mind-set. “Every day when I get up, it’s more physical, more contact,” he said.
Kalaugher, who was admittedly a rugged basketball player, said he embraces football’s physical nature. “Every time I touch somebody, it’s not a foul,” he said. “It’s what we’re supposed to do. I’m happy with it.”
Wesley Faagau had the full experience during the scrimmage. In one series, he aligned as the running back. After a carry, he went to the sideline, took off the white No. 1 jersey, and raced onto the field as a linebacker in a green No. 63 jersey. “It’s fun to play football,” Faagau said.
