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WARRIOR FOOTBALL

Miller opts for
Senior Bowl

University of Hawaii safety Dee Miller received an invitation last week from the Senior Bowl and has opted to play in that college all-star game.

The talented safety also signed to play in the Hula Bowl, but since both of those games are played on the same weekend, he has decided to go to the Senior Bowl for family reasons.

"My family doesn't get to see me play that often," said Miller, who hails from Mississippi. The Senior Bowl is played in nearby Alabama. "When I signed with the Hula Bowl, I told them that if the Senior Bowl officially invited me, I would go there."

Hawaii currently has four guys receiving invitations. In addition to Miller, linebacker Robert Kemfort, and defensive linemen Doug Sims and Joe Correia have been invited to play. Kemfort still has an outside shot at being invited to the Senior Bowl. If that happens, the Maui native will have to decide which game he attends.

"We're excited that both college all-star games are interested in our players," secondary coach Rich Miano said. "We have also received invitations from the Blue-Gray game, but the only way you can play in that game is if your team is not involved in the postseason."

Miller was rated by Lindy's magazine as the sixth best safety in the nation. Hawaii head coach June Jones believes Miller has a future in the NFL ahead of him and is pleased with the attention he has received this season.

"You like to have players like him on your team for many reasons," Jones said. "Dee is a special type of athlete and a good person, too. Whatever honors come his way are deserved."

Miller finished third on the team in tackles last year with 82. He also managed three interceptions, four pass breakups and four recovered fumbles.

"He's always around the ball," Miano said.

Lee out of hospital

Jones said this morning that wide receivers coach Ron Lee was out of the hospital and feeling better after undergoing triple bypass surgery last week.

"We're hoping he can be back in time for the Texas-El Paso game," Jones said. "But he's on the doctors' timetable not ours. We look forward to him being out here."

The 56-year-old Lee suffered a mild heart attack eight days ago. He was admitted to Straub Hospital where it was determined he would need surgery.

Since he has been out, Jones and quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison have been sharing his duties. If Lee isn't allowed to fly to El Paso, Texas, in two weeks, then it's likely his return will be in time for the game with Tulsa University on Sept. 30.

Gilbride returns today

Sophomore quarterback Kevin Gilbride missed the last few days of practice because his grandmother died last week.

"He went home for the funeral," Jones said of the transfer from Brigham Young University. "We expect him to be in today."

Gilbride is the son of former San Diego Chargers head coach Kevin Gilbride. He is not among the top three quarterbacks on the depth chart, but is still valuable to the team for scout team work.

"He was an option quarterback in high school," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. "And he gives us a real good look at the option when we're working on that defensively."

Injury report

Free safety Nate Jackson will suit up for this week's game against Portland State, but will not play unless absolutely necessary.

Backup Jacob Espiau will be the starter and may share duties with Jackson even upon his return. Last year, Espiau played in five games, amassing 16 tackles, before missing the last seven games with a nasty hamstring pull.

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Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin