[ UH FOOTBALL ]
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa, right, blocked Dejuan Gatling during UH football practice at the school's field yesterday.
Moenoa battling
the bulgePersonal tragedy kept
the UH lineman from
preparing for fall camp
Mike Cavanaugh wants to see a lot less of Uriah Moenoa. If he doesn't, Moenoa could disappear from the starting lineup.
Hawaii's offensive line coach was counting on his most experienced starter reporting to fall camp this week somewhere around the 327 pounds at which he is listed. But Moenoa arrived at 365, and did not fare well in a conditioning test on Tuesday.
Cavanaugh hasn't threatened to take away Moenoa's starting position -- yet. But junior Ryan Santos is listed behind him on the depth chart at right guard, and Santos started at right tackle in the Hawaii Bowl. Highly regarded true freshman Hercules Satele is also on the list of right-guard candidates. Plus, Cavanaugh is more than willing to move guys around to get the top five on the field.
For a summer of too much chewing, Moenoa got a butt chewing.
"We're starting off real bad. I'm disappointed in what he came in to camp at and how he worked. You've got to have respect for yourself and the game. I'm disappointed," Cavanaugh said.
Cavanaugh knows Moenoa had a rough summer emotionally, as Moenoa and his family had to endure a serious personal tragedy the player would rather not talk about.
"Yeah, obviously I felt for him. But he could still work out two hours a day," Cavanaugh said. "Everybody's got personal things and problems. You would think a guy going into his third year as a starter would work out."
Moenoa is moving to right guard after starting all 26 games of his redshirt freshman and sophomore years at right or left tackle. The Iolani graduate has battled weighty issues his entire career. Yesterday he refused to use personal issues as an excuse.
"There's a lot of things, not just one thing, that happened with my family and extended family, my household, since last spring. I had to take care of things," he said.
"But I'm not letting anything stop me. I still have some things to take care of (at home). Sadly, I had some things that took me away from preparing for football. I know I have to work 10 times as much as my teammates now."
Moenoa said it doesn't bother him that Cavanaugh -- as well as others -- has taken him to task for reporting out of shape, regardless of the circumstances.
"If it was lies, it would bother me. But it's true. I did not prepare. I let Coach and my teammates down. I'm not going to make any excuses. I know what I have to do and I'm going to do it," Moenoa said.
"I let some things get in the way of what I have to accomplish here at Manoa, but it's all taken care of. I'm just here to work. I'll be ready for Appalachian State."
Senior left guard Shayne Kajioka said Moenoa's teammates are far from giving up on him.
"Any personal situation will take its toll," Kajioka said. "He has all of us to lean on, so he knows he has people he can count on."
Otherwise, Cavanaugh said overall he is pleased with his unit two days into fall camp.
"I was happy with (freshman tackles Dane) Uperesa and (Samson) Satele today. I think they're going to be real good players. They've just got to work, get a lot of reps and will be ready to go," Cavanaugh said.
Sophomore Derek Faavi is beginning to display some verbal leadership, and Cavanaugh likes that from his center. But he also said the sophomore is not a lock to start and two juniors will push him hard.
"I think there could be a good battle between him and Phil Kauffman," Cavanaugh said. "Another guy I won't be afraid to play is Lyle Castro. Lyle Castro will fight you to the death. I like his attitude. If he plays for us, don't be surprised."
Kajioka, the line's only returning starter at the same position he played last year, once again reported in excellent condition.
"He looks good. He did a great job in the offseason," Cavanaugh said. "Probably a little more muscle this year."
