HAWAII FOOTBALL
Kahui comes up big
The Maui product was too small for recruiters but big enough for SDSU's coaching staff
WHEN HE WAS a senior at Baldwin High School on Maui four years ago, Kurt Kahui put together a videotape to prove he could play linebacker at San Diego State, where he planned to walk on.
It didn't work out quite the way he envisioned.
Aztecs defensive line coach Jim House viewed the tape, and Kahui found himself in the trenches. At just 6-feet-1 and 250 pounds, Kahui was and is small for the front four. But House saw and sensed a relentless energy that could make up for his lack of bulk.
Today, Kahui arrives with his SDSU teammates in Hawaii. The Aztecs (5-6) play the Warriors (4-7) at Aloha Stadium on Saturday in the final game of the season for both teams.
"In some ways it's just another game," Kahui said in a phone interview Tuesday. "But I'm really looking forward to it because of family and friends coming to the game. Everybody's coming, plenty from Maui."
Kahui said he wasn't recruited much by UH. But not many other Division I schools were interested in him either, despite 33 sacks in his junior and senior years at Baldwin.
He chose to go to San Diego State because he remembered watching Marshall Faulk star for the Aztecs. Since his arrival there, Kahui has gone from non-entity to team captain. He has 65 tackles this year from his defensive end position. He was moved from defensive tackle, where he was even more undersized.
How did he survive and thrive?
"Speed and brass ... and technique," Kahui said. "A lot of eye recognition, seeing what's going on and dealing with it every play. You have to have the attitude of 'Go hard or go home.' "
The Aztecs coaches appreciate his spirit.
"Kurt's very vocal -- he's like a coach. He's got a great motor," San Diego State coach Tom Craft said. "I fell in love with him. He went from a walk-on, had a catastrophic injury to become the heart and soul of our defense."
Kahui missed most of the 2003 season with a broken arm. Especially since he hasn't used a redshirt year, he might receive an additional season of eligibility from the NCAA. If that happens, Kahui might outlast the coaching staff; Craft is reportedly on the hot seat and might not be retained at San Diego State after this game, even if the Aztecs win their third straight game.
"It's always a lot of pressure in something like this," Kahui said. "Things could happen off this one game. We just have to execute and hopefully it shows we're headed in the right direction with these coaches.
"We're trying to look at the whole picture. We want to have a strong finish to help move the program in a positive direction. With this last game we're hoping to continue the momentum into next year."
Akpan the tight end?: When NFL scouts see UH senior defensive lineman Tony Akpan, they automatically think tight end. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound former basketball player served that role yesterday on the scout team, drawing applause from defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville.
Warriors coach June Jones said if Akpan has a future in pro football, it is probably as a rush end.
"I have talked to quite a few (scouts asking about Akpan) and I've kept kind of a highlight reel for him. He had a play yesterday in practice that is what scouts look for (on defense). He's going to get a look because he's such a natural athlete. I'm not sure how his hands are for (tight end), but certainly his size is tremendous," Jones said.
"I would say not having the background in football and only playing two years, he probably needs to focus on rushing the passer. When he gets to pro ball, that would be the only thing he does, not playing the run. I think he has the athleticism and speed to do that. Tough guy and great kid."
Mauia the running back?: Jones said playing 340-pound nose tackle Reagan Mauia at running back against Wisconsin wasn't a novelty stunt.
Mauia continues to work out in the one-back set and could see more action there Saturday.
He carried twice for 3 yards and dropped a swing pass in the final minutes of the 41-24 loss to the Badgers.
"He has great feet and unbelievable balance," Jones said of the former junior college offensive lineman. "A powerful blocker."
Jones said he is confident Mauia can be effective next season at the new position after losing weight and learning the blocking schemes in spring practice.
Receiver recruit: C.J. Hawthorne, a receiver from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, is among prospects visiting this weekend.
He has completed his associate's degree work and could enroll at UH in the spring.
Short yardage: San Diego State tight ends coach Dennis McKnight was UH special teams coach in 1999 and 2000. ... Aztecs senior cornerback Jacob Elimimian, brother of former UH cornerback Abraham and freshman UH linebacker Solomon, broke an arm in September and missed the entire season. ... The Aztecs signed four high school players from Hawaii to letters of intent last spring, but none has played for them this year. Offensive lineman Trask Iosefa, a Punahou graduate, is expected to enroll at SDSU this spring. Kahuku graduate Micah Strickland, a running back, has returned to the islands from a junior college.
SAN DIEGO STATE AT HAWAII
Where: Aloha Stadium
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.; gates open at 3 p.m.
TV: Live on pay per view digital channel 255. Call 625-8100 on Oahu or (808) 643-2337 statewide. PPV delayed rebroadcast 10:30 p.m. Free rebroadcast Sunday, 10 a.m. on KFVE (Ch 5).
Radio: KKEA-1420
Web: sportsradio1420.com
Parking: Lot gates open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is $5. Alternate parking at Leeward Community College (free, $2 shuttle), Kam Drive-In ($5, free shuttle). Shuttles are from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and approximately 1 hour after game ends. Parking also at Radford High School ($3, no shuttle). No tailgating at alternate parking sites.
Tickets: Prices range from $5 for students to $30 for sideline. Available online at hawaiiathletics.com, by phone at 944-2697 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or at the Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium, UH Campus Center, RainbowTique at Ward Center and Windward Community College's OCET office.
Senior night: Fans 65 and over may buy two tickets for the price of one. The offer is available at the Stan Sheriff Center today and tomorrow, and Aloha Stadium through Saturday.
Student buses: Four free buses will pick up students in front of Gateway House (2653 Dole Street), leave for the stadium at 4:30 p.m. and return 45 minutes after the game ends.
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