In an event named after a contrived holiday on “Seinfeld”— Family Football Festivus — the University of Hawaii put on a show that was sartorial and unique, not that there was anything wrong with that.
The Saturday afternoon festivities included food booths, musical entertainment, a kiddie zone and coach Nick Rolovich dressed in the top-hat attire of Rich Uncle Pennybags, the mascot of the Monopoly game. The outfit, which Rolovich obtained from a formal-wear store in Kaimuki, was supposed to be accompanied by a portable “jail.”
“Anybody who had a penalty,” Rolovich said, “we were going to put him in a jail. But I didn’t set up my jail. That’s OK. I would have forgotten, anyway.”
Rolovich was busy during the 74-play, intrasquad scrimmage. He used his cell phone to provide Facebook Live footage and commentary. He fired T-shirts from the ’Bow-zooka into the crowd — an estimated 1,800 attended the event — and interacted with the fans. He also coached the players in the second half.
Gov. David Ige, who served as honorary coach, left during the intermission. “We scored two touchdowns,” Ige said of his drop-the-mic departure.
The scrimmage provided disappointment (slotback Dylan Collie dropped a wide-open pass in the end zone) and redemption (Collie later caught a 3-yard scoring pass).
It featured a loss and a gain. Tight end Sione Kauhi, who dropped 50 pounds from a year ago, made a juggling touchdown catch.
“It seemed to be in the air a long time,” Kauhi said of Kyle Gallup’s 24-yard scoring pass. “It was a good play call.”
Kauhi redshirted in 2015, then was used sparingly last year while learning to play tight end. “I’ve got to get stronger,” said Kauhi, who showed toughness when he secured a 23-yard pass while being sandwich-tackled.
Dru Brown solidified his No. 1 quarterback status, going 3-for-4 for 38 yards. He did not play after the first series. Backup quarterbacks Cole Brownholtz and Cole McDonald had their moments. When both defensive ends crashed down, Brownholtz ran up the gut — and away from defenders — for a 55-yard touchdown. Brownholtz has a tendency to abandon the pocket prematurely. While the other quarterbacks are not permitted to be tackled during scrimmage-like sessions, Brownholtz always is designated as a “live” target.
McDonald directed the scout offense while redshirting as a freshman in 2016. He scrambled for 25 yards, and later made a sensational play when he eluded heat-seeking defenders and completed a 51-yard pass to Tristan Kamaka, who transferred from Midland (Neb.) University in January.
“I was reading the safety, like (receivers) coach Kefense (Hynson) taught me,” Kamaka said. “I saw the safety cross my face, so I crossed the field. I saw the quarterback rolling out. It was like a wide-receiver drill.”
McDonald said: “I saw him, and we connected.”
Genta Ito, a Japan-raised running back, closed the scoring with an 8-yard pinball run. “I just followed a blocker,” said Ito, who answers to the nickname “Fireball” or the Japanese equivalent, “Hinotama.”
The defense also made some big plays. Linebacker Russell Williams Jr. broke up two passes. Linebacker Ikem Okeke and defensive end Kaimana Padello had two backfield tackles apiece. Cornerback Cameron Hayes, whose mother made a surprise visit from the mainland, had an interception. The defense perhaps was motivated by the jersey exchange. The defense, which usually wears dark jerseys during practice, were issued white tops.
“We’re the dark side,” cornerback Roe Farris said. “We like dark colors.”
The Warriors practice Tuesday. Wednesday’s practice is closed to non-UH personnel. The annual Warrior Bowl is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. That event is free and open to the public.
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