[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
Hawaii starting free safety Nate Jackson said he is ready to play Saturday at Southern Methodist after suffering a concussion in last week's 27-24 loss to Rice. Nate Jackson hopes to play
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"How's the head? That's been the question of the week so far," Jackson said yesterday. "I got hit hard, but I just lost my breath for a little while and got a little dazed, but I'm fine.
"I went back in and got cut (block) and took a helmet to the thigh. That slowed me a step or two."
Despite missing most of the Rice game, Jackson is UH's fourth-leading tackler. He has been in on 22 stops, including 18 solos. The former Waianae High School standout has also broken up a team-high three passes.
Jackson also said yesterday he plans to play baseball again this spring.
Strong defense: SMU is 0-3 despite the best defensive statistics in the WAC.
The Mustangs top the conference with a per-game yield of 274.3 yards, good for No. 15 in the nation.
SMU has yet to give up 300 yards or more in losses to Louisiana Tech, Texas Christian and North Carolina State.
"But we will be severely tested by (Hawaii's) passing game," coach Mike Cavan said.
Offensively, the Mustangs have been hurt by turnovers. SMU has lost the ball three times in each game, and has a minus-4 giveawaytakeaway ratio.
Linebackers Vic Viloria (an all-WAC second-team choice last year) and Jarrian James were previously injured but are expected to play Saturday. Viloria is recovering from a sprained left ankle and James from a right hamstring pull.
Awesome Dawson: After a game-turning interception with a touchdown return, 14 tackles including four for losses, and a blocked field goal, Rice's Dan Dawson was named the WAC's defensive player of the week.
After his second monster game against Hawaii in two years (he intercepted three passes against UH in 2000), Dawson was also named to the Bronko Nagurski defensive player of the week and added to the watch list for the Nagurski annual award.
Fresno State running back Paris Gaines and Texas El-Paso kick returner Jahmal Fenner won the WAC's offensive and special teams player of the week awards.
Consistent freshman: Hawaii running back Mike Bass continues to establish himself as a complement to the run-and-shoot passing frenzy. The true freshman scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 3-yard run last Saturday against Rice.
He's been consistent game-to-game; Bass has now rushed for 72, 79 and 71 yards.
Short yardage: Senior linebackerdefensive end Joe Correia, who did not play Saturday due to a foot injury, practiced at full speed yesterday. ... The Warriors leave Honolulu tonight aboard Delta flight 1852 and arrive in Dallas tomorrow. They are scheduled to return to Honolulu at 5:31 p.m. Sunday on Delta flight 1579. ... Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa leads the Warriors with 2812 tackles, including four sacks among his six tackles for losses. ... SMU has been outscored 100-33 in its three losses. ... The Mustangs had a bye last week. ... Hawaii has lost five consecutive road games.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
