HONOLULU — The Hawaii football team played the long game with its 2024 spring game.
UH, mindful of the future, focused on getting its reserves and newcomers the most work during Sunday evening’s exhibition at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. In front of a few hundred fans, the Rainbow Warriors went through a normal practice warmup and drills routine, then graduated into a controlled 11-on-11 scrimmage in which only about half of the team’s 99 rostered spring players participated.
Third-year coach Timmy Chang was clear about the competition’s objectives to cap 15 spring team sessions that was timed only a couple of months after the close of the 2023 season, in which UH went 5-8.
[Note: See below for more photos of the spring game.]
“We held a lot of guys out and at the same time you don’t want to get anyone injured. But you want to develop depth,” Chang said. “We’re developing young men on and off the field, and they had a lot of good reps. It was a good 15 practices.”
Incumbent starting quarterback Brayden Schager was an observer during the one-hour 11-on-11 competition, as was backup Jake Farrell and just about every other returnee who has seen playing time as a Rainbow Warrior.
It was the first time the team went to live competition with officials in the spring. But many on the roster sat out nursing injuries lingering from last season, or from spring practices.
As the team decided who would play and who wouldn’t, “I paid attention to the guys that I didn’t want to get out there, to be honest with you,” Chang said.
Sophomore linebacker Jamih Otis, who had eight tackles as a freshman, was among those cheering from the sideline for the 11-on-11s. The full team signed autographs from fans on the mauka sideline afterward. Admission was free for fans, with a handful of food trucks on site.
“I didn’t go too much today, but it was really good to see my other players play,” Otis said. “I know how much work they put in. it was good to see everybody working. We have so many talented players this year. My whole team is really slept on, I feel like.”
The UH defense is still working on its identity under its new coordinator, Dennis Thurman.
"We’ve been putting in multiple coverages, but one thing about Coach Thurman, he’s going to put us in situations to be who we are," Otis said. "He’s just trying to find our identity right now. His biggest thing is flying to the football."
Sunday was no-contact for the quarterbacks, who are now officially under the tutelage of assistant Dan Morrison after his many unofficial visits as an advisor to the team last season. Redshirt freshman John-Keawe Sagapolutele and true freshman Micah Alejado were at the controls for the intrasquad battle, which did not feature a kicking game.
Alejado, an Ewa Beach native and graduate from prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman (Nev.) rifled a touchdown to former Waipahu standout Tama Uiliata, while Sagapolutele found Waialua alumnus Cayde Mahuka for a score.
For Alejado, there has been little rest since leading Gorman, the MaxPreps national champion, to an undefeated season in November. He played in the Polynesian Bowl last month, which led almost directly into spring ball at UH.
“It’s been a long time, but I’m blessed to be back here and I had a lot of fun tonight,” Alejado said.
“We (quarterbacks) weren’t live, but they allowed us to get as many yards as we can without getting touched,” he said. “Every time I had to scramble, I scrambled and I got out of the pocket and made some plays.”
His TD connection with Uiliata, his UH roommate, went for about 20 yards. Official statistics were not taken.
“It was a mesh to the right concept, but the pressure came from the left,” Alejado said. “It gave me a little outside pocket, so I escaped outside, (Tama) had his guy beat on a couple steps … open to the (end zone) corner … and I threw it. Touchdown.”
The two have been friends since they were on the same LoPro 7-on-7 team in middle school, Uiliata said.
“We’d just talk about plays in the room. Chemistry’s going well with him,” said Uiliata, who grayshirted last season. “(And) I want to give a shout-out to John-Keawe Sagapolutele, he’s my cousin. So I have chemistry with all the quarterbacks.”
Uiliata said he spent his grayshirt year focusing on patience and doing his job under his high school coach, Bryson Carvalho, while also working at a restaurant that called for similar concepts of teamwork.
“If I don’t do my job, it’ll affect the group or the people that you’re working with,” Uiliata said.
Chang said he wants the offseason focus for his players to be on their individual development, understanding schemes in all three phases, being technical, and building their bodies up for the rigor of the season.
The 2024 campaign is expected to begin against Delaware State of the FCS in place of Oregon on Aug. 24, though that has yet to be made official.
UH is in pursuit of its first winning season and bowl game appearance under Chang. He said future spring schedules won't necessarily call for practices in February; it depends on the timing of spring break and whether UH plays in the postseason.
“We need them to be dedicated, to be consistent, to be disciplined,” Chang said. “I think it’ll happen with the type of group that we have. The last two years they took cracks, and it’s time for them to start delivering them. … It’s a big offseason for us.”
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.