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UH FOOTBALL

Jackson’s foot
still hurting

Free safety Nate Jackson's sprained foot is becoming a cause of concern for the University of Hawaii football team.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said yesterday Jackson tried to come back in Monday's rainy practice at Cooke Field, only to walk off in disappointment after just one play.

Jackson wasn't even in uniform for the Warriors yesterday, leaving Lempa and secondary coach Rich Miano using a variety of players in the base coverages, as well as the nickel and dime packages.

To further complicate matters, starting cornerback Feiamma Armstrong missed his second consecutive workout with a hamstring pull. He said yesterday he would be back in the lineup soon.

Backup safety Tavis Campbell has missed almost two weeks of workouts as well with a bad shoulder, forcing Lempa to improvise, especially in the special packages.

"Right now, we've moved Hyrum Peters into our nickel packages," Lempa said. "He's a little green, but we've got to prepare for whatever eventualities await us.

"I'm getting a little nervous because, let me tell you, Portland State is an excellent offensive team that averaged 39 points a game last year. This won't be any kind of walk-over for us."

Hawaii head coach June Jones remains hopeful that Jackson will make it back in time for the Sept. 9 season opener. If the Warriors were playing the University of Texas this weekend as originally scheduled, Jackson's status would be doubtful.

On a more positive note, defensive end Laanui Correa returned to practice yesterday after being sidelined for several workouts with an infected arm.

The minor injuries plaguing this fall camp have allowed the newcomers more repetitions. Two of those are freshmen defensive backs Tyson Hampton of Sacramento, Calif., and Abraham Elimimian of Los Angeles. Both are solid defensive backs who quickly caught the eye of Miano.

"We've liked them since the first day of camp," Miano said. "They have good skills with few bad habits. They cover well and close to the football quickly, which is something you look for in a defensive back."

Looking for backups

Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh is confident enough with his players to try them out at different positions up front in case the need ever arises to make a switch.

As an example, left guard Manly Kanoa played both tackle spots in yesterday's workout. If utility man Lui Fuata wasn't at one guard spot, he was at the other. Even center Brian Smith got into the act by playing some guard.

"We want to be prepared if someone should go down," Cavanaugh said. "Our guys are coming along very well, but you never know when an injury might get you. We may lose someone walking from the field to the locker room. So I just want our guys to get a taste of different positions in case we need them to go in there at a critical juncture of the game. Last year, we were lucky to be so injury-free."

Late for lunch

Jones has been so busy lately going here and there, he's not always at the right place at the right time. Take Monday's Quarterback Club meeting as an example.

The second-year coach was called upon to discuss foundation work with Gov. Ben Cayetano, causing him to be an hour late for his bi-weekly luncheon.

Everyone was about to go home when Jones walked in, apologizing for his tardiness. Running backs coach Wes Suan did a nice job filling in.

"But I was glad June made it," Suan quipped yesterday. "I thought they might start throwing those fruit baskets at me if I stayed up there much longer."

QB race still going

Jones denied reports after yesterday's practice that he already has decided who the starting quarterback will be for the Portland State opener on Sept. 9.

"If he knows, he hasn't told us," Mike Harrison said yesterday.

Jones told reporters after practice he didn't know why anyone would write that and reiterated that he would announce the starter among Harrison, Timmy Chang and Nick Rolovich this weekend.

Tickets hot commodity

Hawaii associate athletic director Jim Donovan said Monday the Warriors had sold 24,667 season tickets, up about 2,500 over last year.

He also confirmed that the Na Koa Club banquet on Saturday night grossed $166,000. The athletic department should net between $140-150,000.

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By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin