Purcell doesn’t practice
but will play

EAST LANSING, Mich. » Hawaii senior defensive end Mel Purcell did not practice for the third straight day as the Warriors arrived and worked out for nearly 3 hours at an area high school last night in clear, 65- to 70-degree weather.

But coach June Jones said Purcell, who observed practice in sweats, would play when UH takes on Michigan State tomorrow in the Warriors' first visit to Spartan Stadium. Players were not available for comment yesterday.

Sophomore Karl Noa took the first team reps in place of Purcell.

Freshmen Kirk Alexander at free safety and Solomon Elimimian at inside linebacker continued to get plenty of practice time. Senior inside linebacker Ikaika Curnan's quad injury appears to have improved, though.

Another freshman, strong safety B.J. Fruean, also worked with the first team. The starter at that position, senior Lono Manners, is healthy.

The Warriors arrived in Michigan yesterday morning after an all-night trip crossing five time zones. They rested before a practice that began at around 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and went until around 11:30 p.m.

"We're a little bit over because it was a long drive (from the hotel to the field), but it was a good practice," Jones said. "We had a good practice, just got to tighten up a few things. Hopefully, we'll look at the tape, correct it and be ready to roll."

Ilaoa to running back?: Nate Ilaoa will likely see action tomorrow -- but it might not be at his accustomed slotback position; Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen are locked in there.

Ilaoa, who worked out last spring at running back, has been getting a lot of repetitions there for the Warriors this week.

The 5-foot-9, 235-pound senior played in his first game since the 2003 opener last Saturday when the Warriors lost 63-17 to USC. But Ilaoa was in for just a few plays and didn't touch the ball.

In 2002, Ilaoa played in 12 games and caught 46 passes for 532 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed six times for 56 yards. He tore a knee ligament in the 2003 opener and hadn't played since.

"His leg is better and stronger," Jones said last night. "He's a good athlete. He gives us an athletic guy back there."

Senior Bryan Maneafaiga started at running back for UH last week. He rushed five times for 10 yards and caught a team-high six passes for 61 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown. Second-year freshman David Farmer carried three times for 16 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards, including a 7-yard TD.

MSU big back: The Spartans also run out of a single-back formation, with returning starter Jason Teague. But the Warriors must also prepare for Jehuu Caulcrick, a 6-foot, 245-pound sophomore who carried 14 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns in Michigan State's 49-14 win over Kent State.

"He had a big day," MSU coach John L. Smith said. "He's coming out of his shell and I hope it continues. He's a physical guy and he's starting to take the attitude, 'I'm not a run around 'em guy. I'm a physical guy. Let me show 'em."