Faavi ready to The way Derek Faavi had his life planned two years ago, he figured he'd be serving his country today. Instead, he's representing his state as a member of the Hawaii football team.
jump into action
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The Hawaii center may start
Football notebook
against Alabama on SaturdayBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe Campbell High School product planned to become a warrior, not a Warrior, upon graduation in 1999. But Faavi might start at center for UH against Alabama on Saturday due to a knee injury to starting left guard Shayne Kajioka.
"I didn't want to play college ball at all. That wasn't my intention at all. I was going to join the military," Faavi said after practice yesterday. "But coach (former Campbell assistant John) Fia never gave up on me. He sent tape down here, met Coach Cav (UH line coach Mike Cavanaugh). Next thing I knew I was here on a recruiting trip.
"I guess I just underestimated myself," he said.
Cavanaugh thinks so highly of Faavi that he moved center Lui Fuata to left guard when Kajioka got hurt in Saturday's 20-19 victory against Cincinnati so that Faavi would be the line's "sixth man."
"He's a smart guy with pretty good technique. He bought into what we're doing on the field all the time," Cavanaugh said of the 6-foot, 266-pound second-year freshman. "A lot of times you can get away with an undersized guy at center. (Former starting center) Brian Smith was a 6-foot, 275-pound guy.
"(Head coach) June (Jones) and I watched him on tape and we liked him," Cavanaugh added. "The biggest thing he's got to do is get serious in the weight room and get after it. He's gotten bigger and stronger. But he'd look a lot better at 280 than he does where he is now."
Cavanaugh and Jones said Kajioka might still play, but Faavi is ready.
"He's always been one play away from being in there," Jones said. "Ever since he's been here he's shown some things that indicate he can play."
If Faavi does get his first starting call Saturday, he said he won't be in awe that it's against one of college football's most storied programs.
"I'm pretty excited. I've been watching them on TV since I was a kid. Great program, great history," Faavi said. "But at the same time I'm just trying to be relaxed, be focused and know my assignments, try to know the (Alabama) defense better than they know themselves. But it is pretty exciting."
Alabama's defensive line and Hawaii's offensive line might be their team's best units. The Crimson Tide lead the SEC in sacks, and the Warriors are best in the WAC at preventing them.
Faavi matches up against 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior nose tackle Kenny King, an Outland Trophy nominee who has seven tackles for loss among his 50 total stops.
Cavanaugh said Faavi showed what he can do last Saturday.
"He went in against a good football team and played well. He made the right calls and executed," Cavanaugh said. "I've got all the faith in the world in Derek Faavi and any of my guys."
When: Saturday, 2:45 p.m, gates open 11:15 a.m. Hawaii vs. Alabama
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: Sold out, except for 80 tickets in the student section ($3 with a valid ID and $21 for a guest (one per student).
TV: ESPN
Radio: 1420-AM
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