[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
The Hawaii football team has received quite a bit of national recognition in the wake of its 38-34 nationally televised victory over Fresno State on Friday. Jackson, UH in national light
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comUH Sports Media Relations director Lois Manin said she got a call regarding safety Nate Jackson from Sports Illustrated on Monday. Jackson, who caused a key FSU fumble despite a leg injured in a motorcycle accident last week, was also profiled in ESPN The Magazine last week as one of college football's toughest players.
ESPN senior writer Gene Wojciechowski calls Jackson "the toughest Division I-A player we've ever seen," and cites wide receiver Ashley Lelie as runner-up for national player of the week in his current Movers and Shakers column on the Internet.
Lelie's game-winning touchdown reception from Nick Rolovich made the network's "Plays of the Week" feature.
Also, the Warriors are ranked No. 38 in The Sporting News.com's Top 40 this week.
Collegefootballnews.com lists Lelie as the ninth best receiver in the nation and 36th best prospect for next spring's NFL Draft. Lelie, a junior, has told the Star-Bulletin it is unlikely he will leave UH before his senior season.
What about Lui?: Defensive tackle Lui Fuga continues to practice, but said he "doesn't know when" he will be able to play. "I'm trying to get back, and I know the coaches want me back, but I'm only about 60 percent right now," he said. "I didn't know it would take this long."
Starting tackles Mike Iosua and Lance Samuseva have keyed Hawaii's improving run defense, but Iosua has been bothered by a recurring shoulder injury.
"Mike's shoulder is still bothering him," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "On any play, it can pop out. It popped out Friday and they were able to get it back in. He's a warrior. We've got to watch him during the week so that he doesn't bang it up in practice."
Singletary said backups Houston Ala and Brett Clowers have done a good job of spelling Iosua and Samuseva, but Fuga, a former starter, would be a big boost.
"I'd love to have him. Right now I think it's mental with him. When he feels he can get to the point where he can use his arms and his shoulder effectively, he can step right in. If we can get 20 or 25 reps out of Lui, that's big. We've developed some chemistry in there, but he would be a bonus, especially down the stretch against teams that like to run like Air Force, Miami (of Ohio) and we'll get some pounding from San Jose State."
Secondary concerns: UH practiced without two starting cornerbacks yesterday, as Abraham Elimimian continued to recover from a sprained ankle suffered in the Fresno State game and Kelvin Millhouse sat out with flu symptoms.
Both are expected to be ready for Saturday's game, secondary coach Rich Miano said.
Also, Jackson practiced yesterday. He said he suffered no ill effects in his stitched-up leg.
Safety Robert Grant (hamstring) and cornerback Gary Wright (concussion) were also injured in the FSU game, but both practiced yesterday.
Short yardage: The Spartans are scheduled to arrive tomorrow evening. The team returns to California on Sunday. ... Harrah's line favors Hawaii to win by 12 points.
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