DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
After Hawaii's 41-40 win over San Diego State, sophomore Phil Kauffman gave senior Vince Manuwai a lei. Manuwai was selected second-team AP All-American.
It was no surprise to Hawaii offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh that his star pupil, senior guard Vince Manuwai, received All-America accolades from the Associated Press yesterday. Cav, Jones think Manuwai
should be first-team choiceBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut Cavanaugh, like head coach June Jones, doesn't understand why Manuwai was named to the second team rather than the first.
"He's always been an All-American in my mind. How he didn't make the WAC first team as a sophomore and junior, well, that's just unbelievable," Cavanaugh said. "He's done stuff on the football field I haven't even seen before. He's a devastating blocker, he's a leader, a great technician and a real smart player. It's one of those things where you see him and he adjusts on his own in a lot of situations. Smart, instinctive."
Since AP cut back on honorable mention choices and has recently done away with them totally, making any one of the world's largest news gathering organization's first three teams is noteworthy. Manuwai is the second Warrior to get such recognition in the past two seasons; wide receiver Ashley Lelie was picked to the third team last year. Defensive lineman Al Noga (1986) is the only UH first-teamer as selected by AP, which has had an All-America team since 1925.
"Obviously we hope it will help with recruiting," Cavanaugh said.
When Manuwai was told of the honor by the Star-Bulletin on Monday night, he was happy, but he took it in stride. He has other things on his mind -- Manuwai missed practice yesterday to be with his longtime girlfriend, who was at the hospital in labor with the couple's second child.
Welcome back: Dozens of Warriors players ran after practice yesterday afternoon. It was the first official workout since the end of the regular season as UH gets ready to play Tulane in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas.
"In some ways it's like we're starting over again," defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. "Some of these guys are sucking, breathing heavy. They look like they gained a couple pounds."
Walking (and running) wounded: All-WAC safety Hyrum Peters, who missed the season-ender against San Diego State after injuring his left knee vs. Alabama the week before, was running on the side yesterday. So was wide receiver Mark Tate, who tore up a knee in a summer moped accident.
Peters is more likely to play next week, but Tate said he thinks he might be ready, too.
"I felt good today," he said. "The first step is getting my medical clearance and then we go from there."
Inside receiver Nate Ilaoa (hamstring) and special teams player Josiah Cravalho (lower back strain) worked out individually but did not participate in team drills yesterday.
Schedule set: The dates for UH's 2003 Western Athletic Conference games have been set by the conference, completing the Warriors schedule.
Home games are against Rice (Sept. 27), Fresno State (Oct. 11), Texas-El Paso (Oct. 25) and Boise State (Nov. 8).
Road games are with Tulsa (Oct. 4), Louisiana Tech (Oct. 18), San Jose State (Nov. 1) and Nevada (Nov. 15).
Nonconference home games are against Akron (Aug. 30), Army (Nov. 22) and Alabama (Nov. 29).
Nonconference road games are at USC (Sept. 13) and Nevada-Las Vegas (Sept. 20).
Times are not set, and some dates could be changed due to TV commitments.
A bowlful of events: Several bowl week events are open to the public.
A football officials clinic will be held at UH on Saturday at 10 a.m. It is free and lunch will be provided to participants.
A "Barefoot on the Beach Pep Rally" is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Monday at Waikiki Beach near the Sheraton Moana. Coaches, captains, bands, mascots and cheerleaders from both schools will be at the free event. The ESPN movie "The Junction Boys" will be shown at 6:45 p.m.
There will be a kickoff luncheon Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, including coaches, players and fans. Tickets are $40. Call 922-4422 ext. 72168 for information.
Saturday's welcome dinner aboard the USS Missouri and Monday's golf tournament are sold out.
Short yardage: The Aloha Stadium parking lot opens at 11:30 a.m. on game day, and the stadium itself opens at noon for the 3 p.m. game. ... Today is the first day mid-year junior college transfers can sign on with four-year schools. But UH hasn't actively recruited any JC players yet this year.
