HAWAII FOOTBALL
Keomaka dismissed
Junior cornerback and special teams player Ryan Keomaka has been dismissed from the Hawaii football team for missing study halls, UH coach June Jones said yesterday.
Keomaka was suspended from the team prior to spring practice for academic reasons. He was reinstated in late August and played against Alabama and briefly against UNLV.
Keomaka made one tackle in the two games.
One of UH's fastest players, Keomaka stood out on special teams in 2004 as a walk-on freshman. He played cornerback extensively last year, including a nine-tackle game against San Diego State in which he also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble on the way to being the WAC defensive player of the week.
Jones was asked if he thought Keomaka might eventually be reinstated.
"At this time, no," Jones said.
Myron Newberry and Gerard Lewis have replaced him on the depth chart at backup cornerback. Guyton Galdeira takes his spot on outside containment on kickoffs.
Elimimian practices:
Inside linebacker
Solomon Elimimian, dogged by a strained knee ligament since the Sept. 2 game at Alabama, ran with the first-team defense yesterday. He still wore a brace on the knee, but moved well laterally.
"It's getting better every day, but I can't push too much now," Elimimian said.
Brad Kalilimoku, who led UH with eight tackles against UNLV, ran with the second team.
Jones said Elimimian (if healthy) and Kalilimoku will both play Saturday.
"Brad will find a niche in personnel groupings," Jones said.
Center Sam Satele, who injured his collarbone Saturday, practiced yesterday with the first team.
Free safety Leonard Peters missed practice to undergo therapy for his torn rib cartilage from the Alabama game. He played through the injury Saturday, intercepting a pass and batting down three others.
Versatile Veikune:
In fall camp, defensive line coach
Jeff Reinebold said Colorado/Fresno City College transfer
David Veikune would contribute to the Warriors effort at some point this season.
He didn't know then it would be by the second game. Veikune played early and often in the victory over UNLV, contributing two tackles, including a sack.
The 6-foot-3, 258-pound Campbell alumnus was especially suited to play against UNLV's lighter, quicker offensive line. He even played nose tackle for the first time in his life.
"He played every position on the front," Reinebold said. "When we went to the five-man front, he played there.
"You give him a task and he does it to the best of his ability every time."
UH allowed 73 rushing yards, the least since Idaho netted 41 in the Warriors' 24-0 over the Vandals last year.
The forgotten man was starting nose tackle Mike Lafaele, who held the point for the second straight game despite a sore heel.
"He's underestimated by everyone except his teammates and those who play against him," Reinebold said.