Sports Notebook
Star-Bulletin staff
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Tuioti-Mariner is O-line’s sixth man
The Hawaii offensive line appeared set yesterday, with Keith AhSoon, Hercules Satele, John Estes, Larry Sauafea and Keoni Steinhoff from left to right.
"This is the third day since we started football practice that the same five guys have been able to practice together," offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said. "With us being this close to game day ... it's important.
"We're far from ready to open any champagne bottles, but we're coming," he added. "I think those five guys right now are pretty solid."
McKnight and head coach June Jones feel Lafu Tuioti-Mariner deserves a chance to play, too.
"Right now I think Lafu could play anywhere inside guard or center. It's still really close for him," McKnight said. "I think right now Lafu is probably the first guy inside if he's not starting."
Welcome back
Senior cornerback
A.J. Martinez made an appearance yesterday and shared a handshake and a laugh with defensive coordinator
Greg McMackin and teammates.
"Everyone was like, 'Who's that?' " Martinez said. "I stopped by camp every once in a while, so everyone's giving me a hard time. It's good."
Martinez suffered a hip injury in the offseason and didn't participate in fall camp. He said he's about two weeks away from being back at full speed. Martinez started the Warriors' first three games last year.
When he's healthy, he'll join a group of cornerbacks led by starters Gerard Lewis and Myron Newberry.
"I was definitely looking forward to at least competing for a job," Martinez said, "and then getting hurt, you get down sometimes, but you come out here and you realize why you're here, being with all the boys and it's fun."
Pigout time
Don Murphy of Murphy's Bar & Grill said a big crowd is expected for tonight's annual Pigskin Pigout fundraiser, but "the more the merrier."
Tickets for the fully-hosted evening are $100 and can be purchased by calling 531-0422.
It starts at 5:30 p.m. at Murphy's. UH coaches will be in attendance to chat with fans.