In the most breathtaking play of Hawaii’s football training camp, quarterback Sean Schroeder and wideout Billy Ray Stutzmann teamed on a catch-sprint-strut play covering 99 yards.
"Great play," head coach Norm Chow said, "but it didn’t count."
It was nullified because a running back aligned on the line of scrimmage jumped the snap.
"I didn’t see (the penalty)," Schroeder said. "I wish I had known that. I wouldn’t have run 100 yards downfield (to congratulate Stutzmann). It was an exciting play. We have to shore that up and make sure we don’t jump offsides."
In a dress rehearsal, the Warriors ran 12 situational plays in the final segment of Friday’s practice. The Warriors will have a scrimmage this morning beginning at about 10 a.m.
"It will be exciting to be in a game situation," Schroeder said of the scrimmage, which will have at least 80 plays."It’s been structured here in practice. Now we can actually play something that will be like a real game. The first scrimmage is not the end all, be all. But it’s a good indicator."
Today’s practice will end the Manoa phase of training camp. On Sunday, the Warriors will relocate to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a week.
Edwards takes it easy as kicking game is in flux
Cornerback Mike Edwards is being held out of most contact drills this training camp despite declaring himself physically fit following shoulder surgery in January.
"I feel I’m ready, but they want me to be careful," said Edwards, who will not participate in today’s scrimmage. "I’m going with the punches."
But Edwards was allowed to return kickoffs on Friday. The Warriors have a new return scheme in which receivers and running backs are used as midfield blockers.
"We have more skilled guys, more guys who can move around," Edwards said.
The Warriors often will have two deep returners. Will Gregory is practicing as the offset deep returner. Gregory is filling in for Chris Gant, who will miss two weeks of practices because of an ankle injury.
Edwards’ primary understudy at returner is Chinedu Amadi, who was notified of the assignment on Thursday.
"It’s a good opportunity," Amadi said. "I’m glad I got it."
Amadi also has been practicing as a punter. The usual punter, Alex Dunnachie, pleaded no contest to a drunken-driving charge last week. Dunnachie is allowed to practice but is suspended indefinitely from game action.
Amadi has had uneven performances as a punter.
"There’s a certain spot (on the football), when you hit it, it’s perfect and you can get a long hang time. I need to find it to kick consistently. Some days I know the spot, some days I don’t know the spot. It’s all about the drop, which I’m still trying to figure out."