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Sports Notebook


Moe moving around


It doesn't matter where Tanuvasa Moe lines up. As long as he's somewhere on the field he's happy.

The junior linebacker was primarily a long snapper his first two years at the University of Hawaii, but is now bidding for playing time at weak-side linebacker, working with the first unit this week in practice.

"This is sort of an experiment," Moe said. "We're trying out some new players there and I like it a lot. I like playing anywhere as long as I get to be out there. Hopefully I can get on the field any way possible."

With newcomer Bryce Runge assuming long snapping duties this fall, Moe is working full-time at linebacker. He began camp on the second unit, but was moved up to replace Paul Lutu-Carroll, who went down with a knee injury last week.

Moe was a backup at middle linebacker last year. He was moved to the strong side in the spring, and was shifted to the weak side when Lutu-Carroll got hurt.

"With the Mack (middle) and Will (weak side), the reads aren't that much different," Moe said. "When I went to Stub (strong side) that was a big transition for me because you're more up on the line fighting with the tight end and trying to read things from closer up. Because I had my Mack reads down from last year, it's more smooth."

Senior Chad Kapanui is working with the first unit on the strong side and Ikaika Curnan, the team's leading tackler last year, returns in the middle.

Moe could be challenged for playing time by several talented newcomers, including true freshman Khevin Peoples, and he's been impressed by their efforts so far in practice.

"They're very athletic and fast," Moe said. "The way camps are set up now we're kind of rushing through things a lot more, so they don't have as much time as we had when we came in as freshmen to learn the plays. But they've been surprising all of us and picking up things very fast. They're trying to soak up everything they can and they're looking real good."

Curnan is also getting some time at the Will position he shined at last season as UH's leading tackler.

"I'm taking some reps outside because Paul's out. Played that last year, so I'm just trying to refresh my memory in case I have to make a move. Watson (Ho'ohuli) goes in the middle and I play outside. It's all right. Whatever I can do to help the defense."

Tired legs: After nearly two weeks of running out for countless passes nearly three hours each day, wear and tear has taken its toll on Hawaii receivers.

Several Warriors have had to rest at various times this week, including starting right wide receiver Ross Dickerson.

"Ross has a slightly rolled ankle from summertime and all the running's aggravated it," UH coach June Jones said. "It's par for the course."

Others who have needed time on the side this week are Britton Komine (hamstring), Ian Sample (hamstring), Gerald Welch (back), Andrew Pearman (hamstring) and Nate Ilaoa (knee/shoulder).

Chang listed: UH quarterback Tim Chang is among 40 players on the watch list for the Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award.

Chang is poised to break the NCAA all-time career passing yardage record. He needs 2,218 yards to eclipse the mark held by Ty Detmer.

He is also one of 41 players on the 2004 Maxwell Award watch list and is a candidate for the Davey O'Brien Award, which goes to the nation's top quarterback.

UH is promoting him as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Scrimmage Sunday?: The Warriors are tentatively scheduled to play some tackle football among themselves during Sunday afternoon's practice, which starts at 2.

Jones confirmed the scrimmage would be Sunday ...

" ... If we're going to do it," he said, probably mulling whether it's worth risking any more injuries, especially to defensive linemen.



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