[ COLLEGE FOOTBALL ]
Keli’ikipi plans
for return
Hawaii running back West Keli'ikipi is ready to play in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 25 after recovering from a knee injury suffered last month.
"He's working out and the trainers think he's ready. So he should be good to go," running backs coach Wes Suan said yesterday.
Keli'ikipi missed the last three games of the regular season after he tore the meniscus in his left knee in a loss at Nevada on Nov. 15. He underwent arthroscopic surgery the following week.
The 6-foot-1, 260-pound junior from Waianae in his first season with the Warriors was quickly becoming a fan favorite with hard running and consistent blocking.
In 10 games, Keli'ikipi carried 37 times for 247 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 154 yards and another TD.
"I've had lots of time to rest. I'm doing lots of stretching, running and lifting," said Keli'ikipi, who added that he has already successfully completed his coursework for the fall semester. "I feel almost 100 percent now, and I still have two more weeks to get ready."
Recruiting time: Several UH assistants are on the road recruiting this week.
The Warriors might sign a junior-college athlete or two on Wednesday, the first day mid-year transfers may do so.
Hawaii has only around 14 scholarships available for the incoming class.
Letter of intent day for high school athletes and JC players entering in the fall is Feb. 4.
Certification clarification: UH coach June Jones' statement Monday that he'd keep his team out of the Hawaii Bowl if it wasn't certified academically in time drew a news release from the Manoa chancellor's office yesterday.
The statement said UH has been working closely this year with the Western Athletic Conference to comply with a rule requiring athletes to pass six units in the just-completed semester if they are to play in postseason. UH did not comply last year, claiming the end of the semester was too close to the game.
"We expect to have all athletes accounted for with this system no later than Thursday or Friday of next week (Dec. 18-19), and to be able to forward the certification report to the WAC in time to meet any pre-Hawaii Bowl requirements," said Ron Cambra, associate dean for the College of Arts & Sciences, the office responsible for academic advising of student athletes.
Coaches' corner: Former UH offensive coordinator and current Navy head coach Paul Johnson and Tulsa head coach Steve Kragthorpe are among the six semifinalists for the Eddie Robinson/FWAA Coach of the Year Award.
Pete Carroll (USC), Gary Patterson (TCU), Nick Saban (LSU) and Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) are the other candidates. The winner will be named Jan. 8.
Johnson led the Midshipmen to an 8-4 record, including victories over Air Force and Army for Navy's first Commander-in-Chief's Trophy since 1981.
Kragthorpe was named the WAC Coach of the Year on Monday. He led the Golden Hurricane to an 8-4 mark and to Tulsa's first bowl game in 12 years.
Saban was named coach of the year by the Associated Press yesterday. Kragthorpe was tied for third in the panel's voting, and Johnson was tied for fifth.
Short yardage: Houston is scheduled to arrive a week from tonight. ... Hawaii will practice 10 consecutive days prior to the game, beginning Monday. ... There are several bowl-related events in which fans may interact with the athletes, including a pep rally on Dec. 22 and a banquet on Dec. 23. Call 922-4422, ext. 72168 for more information.