Moenoa promises
he’ll practice today
Uriah Moenoa thought he was ready. Mike Cavanaugh was ready to have him back.
But when it comes to returning to football practice from injury, the trainers have the last say.
Moenoa, Hawaii's starting right guard, has been the focus of much of the preseason, whether it be his efforts at getting down to playing weight or injuries to both feet.
The latest travail for the junior from Iolani School is a bruised right Achilles' tendon. He is listed as probable for Saturday's season-opener against Appalachian State after an MRI showed no serious damage. But Moenoa did not return to practice yesterday as expected.
"Yeah, I really thought today (Wednesday)," Moenoa said. "But the trainers thought otherwise. There's a little swelling in the back, but I could've practiced with it. But I guess they want me to rest it one more day so I won't aggravate it.
"No matter what, I guarantee I practice (Thursday)."
Cavanaugh, UH's offensive line coach, said he was disappointed, but he understands taking precautions.
"The training staff said he couldn't practice, so he couldn't practice," Cavanaugh said. "We thought he'd be back today, I think he wanted to be back today."
Junior Phil Kauffman will play if Moenoa can't.
"I have confidence in our first 10 guys," Cavanaugh said.
Elimimian returns: The Warriors did get some good news, though, as starting cornerback Abraham Elimimian came back to full-time duty.
Elimimian, a junior who started 18 games the last two years, missed most of the last three practices with a strained calf muscle.
His backup is senior Gary Wright, a walk-on who was awarded a scholarship two weeks ago.
Around the WAC: Fresno State will start backup Jeff Grady at quarterback Saturday at Tennessee because of Paul Pinegar's injury. Pinegar, the WAC Freshman of the Year in 2002, suffered a slight tear to his right pectoral two weeks ago and has practiced only in a limited capacity since.
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), UH students free (super rooter only). Available at Aloha Stadium, Stan Sheriff Center, UH Campus Center and Windward Community College's OCET Office. Or call 800-944-2697 or etickethawaii.com on the Internet.
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: KKEA, 1420-AM.
Parking: Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is $5. Alternate parking at Leeward Community College, Kam Drive-In and Radford High School.
Traffic advisory: 1420-AM is the official traffic advisory station and provides updates before each home game.
Bus: Roberts Hawaii School Bus will run shuttles to and from the stadium with pick-ups at six Oahu locations. Call 832-4886 for information and reservations.
