[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
When Hawaii junior defensive tackle Lui Fuga says he's not ready to play, you can believe it. Fuga out this week
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comFuga was named the Warriors' Most Inspirational Player last year after he willed himself into action all season. He injured a shoulder in camp last fall and played hurt in 11 games. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound former Waipahu High School athlete was in on 42 tackles in 2000.
Last spring, it was discovered Fuga had injured the other shoulder and he underwent surgery.
UH and Fuga were hoping he could rehab in time for the Sept. 29 Aloha Stadium game against Rice.
That might still be a possibility, but Fuga said yesterday he won't be healthy enough to play if Hawaii's game next week at Nevada is a go.
"I'm struggling with everything," Fuga said. "I always go about it one week at a time, but I don't think I'm close to being ready. I've just gotten back to a 135-pound bench press."
Call-up unlikely: Sophomore defensive back Dan Berryman was on active duty with the U.S. Army a mere two years ago, stationed at Schofield Barracks. But Berryman said he won't be pressed back into military duty in the near future, even though the government is recalling Reservists and National Guard members after Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
"If I wasn't in school, I'd be in the Reserves," said Berryman, who was a motor transport specialist in the Army. "But the program I'm in is part of the G.I. Bill and I'm not in the military anymore. I might join the Air Force after graduation, though."
Berryman served in the Army for 31/2 years before enrolling at UH and walking on to the football team.
Berryman, a 6-foot, 172-pound athlete from Lake Oswego, Ore., has also played wide receiver and punter and other special teams spots for the Warriors.
Short yardage: Coach June Jones was pleased again with the team's focus for the third consecutive practice. The Warriors have the weekend off before resuming practice at 4 p.m. Monday. ... Sophomore Clifton Herbert made the catch of the day yesterday, with a sliding grab of a Nick Rolovich pass about 20 yards downfield. ... Nevada starting left guard Kika Kaululaau is a former Waianae High School standout. The Wolf Pack is promoting the 6-foot, 305-pound senior as an honors candidate. ... Jones is scheduled to speak at Monday's meeting of the Honolulu Quarterback Club. Assistants Mike Cavanaugh and Wes Suan are the scheduled speakers at the Na Koa luncheon.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
