[ UH FOOTBALL ]
Moenoa will likely
start SaturdayThe tackle is upgraded
to "probable" after suffering
a bruised Achilles' tendon
Uriah Moenoa's condition was upgraded to "probable" after a medical test on his injured right Achilles' tendon revealed no severe injury last night.
That means the starting right guard will likely play in UH's football season-opener Saturday against Appalachian State at Aloha Stadium.
Hawaii vs. Appalachian State
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $19 sideline, $17 south end zone, $10 north end zone (adult), $9 north end zone (students/ seniors, age 4-high school), free for UH students free (super rooter only). Available at Aloha Stadium, except for student tickets at Stan Sheriff Center. Also at Ticket Plus outlets or by calling (808) 526-4400.
TV: KFVE (Channel 5), delay at 10 p.m., with rebroadcast Sunday at 9 a.m. Also available live on Pay-Per-View. Call 625-8100 on Oahu or (866) 566-7784 on neighbor islands to subscribe.
Radio: 1420-AM.
Parking: Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is $5. Alternate parking at Leeward Community College, Kam Drive-Inn and Radford High School.
Traffic advisory: 1420-AM is the official traffic advisory station and provides updates before each home game.
Moenoa suffered the injury during Sunday's practice at Aloha Stadium and underwent an MRI yesterday afternoon to determine the extent of the damage. The test showed that the tendon is merely bruised and Moenoa will probably be able to play Saturday after some rest.
Moenoa was "not likely" to play Saturday according to UH's weekly news release that came out early yesterday and listed as "doubtful" on the injury list.
Moenoa, a junior who has started UH's last 26 games at tackle, was on crutches yesterday after the injury.
"I got kicked in the back of the leg so it's a little tender right now," Moenoa said after the Warriors' workout yesterday morning at the UH campus field. "It was a little sore (on Sunday), but I guess it got worse over time."
If Moenoa can't play, Phil Kauffman will replace him.
Kauffman (6-foot-1, 291 pounds) is in his fourth year in the UH program. He pushed Derek Faavi for the starting center job during fall camp and also practiced at both of the guard spots.
"I think (Moenoa) will be all right," Kauffman said. "But if not, I just have to do my best to step up."
Moenoa reported to camp overweight at 365 pounds. He said he has since shed 30 pounds.
"I went through all of camp so I want to be ready for Saturday," Moenoa said. "I'm going to do everything possible that I can do and whatever the trainers can help me to do to be on the field Saturday night.
"It's part of the game, injuries happen. Sometimes things don't go the way you plan it, but you just have to face it and do what you can."
If Moenoa can't play, he will be the second projected starter to be taken out of the UH offense's lineup for Saturday's game. Quarterback Tim Chang will serve a one-game suspension for a violation of the Western Athletic Conference's six-credit rule last year.
Defensive tackle Keali'i Aguiar also missed yesterday's practice with a strained arch. Cornerback Abraham Elimimian sat out team drills with a strained calf, but is expected to return in time for the game.
Getting focused: After drilling the fundamentals into the players over a rigorous fall camp, the UH coaching staff began implementing a game plan for Appalachian State yesterday.
"We're going to do what we do, we're just going to fine-tune things," UH defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said. "We're going to make sure everybody's right in their assignments, that everybody understands the plays ... that they may run against us."
The Mountaineers return two starters on offense and seven on defense. In addition to the Mountaineers' new personnel, Lumpkin said a shuffle in Appalachian State's coaching assignments makes preparing for the game a bit trickier.
"They still have same guys there, but with somebody new calling the plays it might be a different flair, a different touch of when they're going to run vs. when they pass," Lumpkin said. "It's something we'll have to adjust to. But as long as you're technically sound, you should be OK."
Walk-ons arrive: UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano said the Warriors coaches plan to keep between 10 to 15 walk-ons this season. Miano, a former UH walk-on himself, coordinates a program that produced current starters Chad Owens, Hyrum Peters and Britton Komine. Miano said all of the players joining the team as walk-ons were invited by the coaching staff.
"A ton of local kids want to walk on to this program and it's gotten to the point where we call them 'preferred walk-ons,' " Miano said. "Either we recruited them or we evaluated them to a point that we know they can help us."
The new walk-ons will begin actual practicing later this week after physical exams are completed and other requirements are met.
More hurts: In addition to Moenoa and Elimimian, wide receiver Mike Akiu (out, lower left leg fracture), defensive tackle Lui Fuga (out, recovering from left ankle surgery) and wide receiver Daniel Inferrera (doubtful, strained right hip) are also on the injury list.
Short yardage: The Warriors practice from 7 to 9 a.m. today through Thursday. Friday afternoon's walk-through is closed to the public.
