Tuesday, September 11, 2001
UH injuries may force After a season opener in which the Hawaii football team allowed one touchdown in beating Montana 30-12, the Warrior defense could undergo wholesale alterations for Saturday's game at Nevada.
changes on defense
Iosua and Espiau are nursing
more than one injury, possibly
causing a lineup shuffleBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comInjuries to tackle Mike Iosua (knee, shoulder) and safety Jacob Espiau (abdominal pull, shoulder) could keep both starters out against the Wolf Pack.
Robert Grant would replace Espiau. If Iosua is out, it could cause a chain reaction of position changes.
"Mike was in everything," UH coach June Jones said. "And so all of a sudden, in every (defensive package) you've got some changes."
Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said Joe Correia, who started at outside linebacker Saturday, will move back to defensive end, where he played last year. That could move Houston Ala, who started at end, to tackle, where he played some last year, Jones said.
Other injuries to cornerback Josiah Cravalho (hamstring), Ala (shoulder), tackle Wayne Hunter (hamstring), linebacker Keani Alapa (hamstring) and linebacker Bronson Liana (concussion) could also affect how UH lines up in Reno. Jones and Lempa said they'd have a better idea later this week.
Hawaii used 20 defensive players against Montana, Lempa said, partly due to the injuries and UH's multiple packages.
"(Linebacker) Kilinahe Noa was fourth string last week and he was in for about 25 snaps," Lempa said. "The good thing is this could help us develop some depth for later in the season."
Jones also said he is thinking of moving a player to defense to give the front four some needed help. Projected starting tackle Lui Fuga continues to recover from shoulder surgery and end Travis Laboy eases in after a long struggle with a hamstring. Jones declined to say who might move until he talks to the player involved.
"We need Lui, but I don't think he'll be ready this week," Lempa said. "He wants to come back now, but the problem with these guys is they want to get in there and practice when they shouldn't. Usually it's the other way around and they won't practice if they have a hangnail."
Laboy might play Saturday.
"We don't know how good he is," Lempa said. "He has the tools. You don't have to practice too much to rush in from right end."
One encouraging note from the Montana game was the emergence of backup tackle Brett Clowers.
"He played every special team play and he had real intensity at defensive line," Jones said. "He made some down the line plays, plays away from him, which you've got to do. Those inside tackles gotta make plays laterally, and he did that. I was pleased with his play."
The offense came out of the Montana game without any injuries that might cause lost playing time, running backs coach Wes Suan said.
Kalani Simpson contributed to this report.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
