The Hawaii football team has seven players listed as running backs. At the rate the Warriors are getting hurt, all of them might end up seeing action in the one-back run-and-shoot offense. Running backs
More than a Chance
banged up for NevadaBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comOnly one is listed as out for Saturday's game against Nevada -- Jonathan Kauka (who played on special teams) is gone for the season with a knee injury.
But starter Thero Mitchell (shoulder), Mike Bass (knee) and John West (ankle) -- who have accounted for 68 of UH's 83 carries by running backs -- are all battling injuries. Mitchell and West will probably be ready to play Saturday. Bass, who missed last Saturday's 58-31 loss at Boise State with a tear of the PCL in his right knee, might be available, too.
"He's probably still a little gimpy," Hawaii coach June Jones said of Bass, who hurt the knee Sept. 28 against Southern Methodist. "I told him I want him to go full-go on Thursday and if it's not ready then the other guys will play."
"The other guys" also include Michael Brewster, who did a good job when West and Mitchell came out of the BSU game. Brewster, a transfer from Tennessee, led Hawaii with 49 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
Jones said he does not foresee more playing time for Brewster, who has also returned 14 kickoffs for a 24.6-yard average and is a tireless scout team dynamo, unless necessary.
"He'll play if we need him," the coach said. "He did a great job and he's a good football player. We knew that before the game."
Brewster, said that's OK with him.
"I'm just trying to play a good role, do what I can do.
"I always look up to everybody. That's nothing new," the 5-foot-6, 176-pound sophomore said with a laugh.
Senior Josh Galeai and freshman Pesefea Fiaseu are also listed at running back, but have not played.
Inside receiver is another area where injuries are adding up. Freshman Nate Ilaoa will likely miss at least Saturday's game with a right-shoulder subluxation, and junior Gerald Welch will probably redshirt because of knee surgery last spring.
Sophomore starting cornerback Abraham Elimimian has been practicing since last week after suffering a hamstring pull in the Texas-El Paso game more than two weeks ago and will likely play Saturday.
Hard-luck Hardiman: Nevada safety Ronnie Hardiman, an asthma sufferer, will likely miss the UH game because of a respiratory problem.
Hardiman led the Wolf Pack with seven tackles and had an interception in Nevada's 28-20 victory over the Warriors in Reno last year.
Homecoming activities: The first 500 students at the 2002 Homecoming Bash on Friday receive a free ticket to Saturday's game.
One student will get to be a "Warrior for a Day" at the game with mascot Vili Fehoko.
The bash, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Bachman Lawn, includes a concert featuring Ten Feet and Natural Vibrations.
The new No. 8: No, linebacker Marco Chavez did not return to the team and reclaim his green No. 8 jersey, like quarterback Jason Whieldon did with the orange No. 8 after a two-week hiatus.
Safety Brown Faavae is wearing the number on defense now, practicing with the scout team.
Faavae, highly recruited out of high school two years ago, ended up at West Virginia. He sat out last fall to meet NCAA requirements, and decided he was unhappy with the Mountaineers this fall.
"I really didn't like it too much. The coaching staff and the system was good. But my heart wasn't really there," said Faavae, who played at Mater Dei High School in California. "I wanted to be somewhere else and it turned out to be Hawaii. Coach June Jones turned the program around and I wanted to be a part of it."
Faavae said he has a grandmother and other relatives here, but he is not related to former UH linebacker Junior Faavae.
Faavae can't play in games this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
UH Athletics