Another week and another struggling opponent for the Hawaii football team. The Warriors' first four opponents are a combined 4-11. SMU much like Miners
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comSouthern Methodist comes to town with an 0-4 ledger after completing its nonconference schedule with a 52-16 loss at Oklahoma State last week.
As he said last week of Texas-El Paso, Hawaii (2-1, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) coach June Jones insists he is wary of SMU.
"They're going to play hard. They've played hard every game, they just haven't won. They're not fancy. They just play football and they've got some good players," Jones said. "They're trying to find a way to win. We've all been there and we know what it's like."
The Warriors beat the Miners 31-6 on the road despite 115 yards in penalties and a sputtering offense that netted 130 yards in the first half.
"We need to play mentally good football this week to win," Jones added. "And if we play like we played last week, we won't win."
Jones also has injuries to worry about. While the return of projected starting safety Leonard Peters (kidney, spleen) and backup quarterback Jason Whieldon (personal leave) should be a boost, the loss of cornerback Abraham Elimimian (hamstring) forces true freshman Kenny Patton into the starting lineup.
Peters has been out since early August. He hopes it won't take him long to be game-ready.
"I'm all clear, I've just got to get the mental part in now," Peters said. "The only thing I didn't get back physically yet is all my weight, but I'm working on that right now."
Starting middle linebacker Chris Brown's status is also of concern. His oft-injured left shoulder is bothering him again, and he had it in a brace yesterday. The senior captain has played through injuries throughout his UH career. But now that the Warriors have a capable backup in Chad Kalilimoku, Brown might get a chance to rest the shoulder Saturday. Another backup, Ikaika Curnan, is still not 100 percent after a knee strain suffered three weeks ago.
"We need to make sure Chad's ready," defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said.
Backup safety Matt Manuma's month-long battle with a strained left knee is almost over. He was off crutches yesterday.
"Thursday I should start running and practicing and next week hopefully get in shape for Boise State," said the sophomore who played a lot of special teams last year.
Not again: SMU keeps losing players for strange reasons. Before the season began, one quarterback, David Page, left the team for an accounting firm, and another, Kelan Luker, left when his rock band got a recording contract.
Now sophomore safety Alvin Nnabuife might be out for the season with a bizarre injury. Nnabuife, who started the Mustangs' first two games, underwent surgery for swollen lymph nodes in his chest. The source of the problem was an ingrown hair under his left arm.
Short yardage: AIG Hawaii is offering free Pay-Per-View coupons for a Warrior game to policyholders on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. They can be picked up at AIG offices. ... Former UH running back Dino Babers has been replaced as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M by Aggies assistant head coach Kevin Sumlin. Babers will continue to coach A&M's quarterbacks. ... Hawaii received five voting points in this week's coaches poll (Boise State got two and Brigham Young one). ... UH's Hyrum Peters is second in the nation in interceptions with 1.00 per game. San Jose State's Gerald Jones leads the country with 1.25 picks per game.