Inferrera takes
starting role seriously
Don't look for jokes and giggles from Jeremy Inferrera.
Hawaii vs. Rice
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $23 sideline, $18 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 Inn and Radford High School.
Traffic advisory: 1420-AM is the official traffic advisory station and provides updates before each home game.
Hawaii's starting left tackle is dead serious, and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh likes it that way.
"He's all business. For a true freshman he's pretty mature. He doesn't smile very much," Cavanaugh said, cracking a grin himself. "Nice mean demeanor about him."
Junior right guard Uriah Moenoa said he tries to get Inferrera to lighten up at times.
"I don't want to loosen him up too much, or he'll be a clown like the rest of us. We already have enough clowns on the O-line," Moenoa said. "I like that he comes out aggressive and he's serious about his football. I think that's why he's in the starting lineup.
"He's done very well so far for a new freshman. I don't think I could have done as well just coming in," said Moenoa, who redshirted as a true freshman three years ago. "He still can improve a lot and he's working harder every day. I admire that about the guy."
Scout team defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis goes up against Inferrera daily in practice.
"He has real good talent to start on this offensive line," Alama-Francis said. "I try to do whatever I can to push him. He looks really good with his feet and his punching."
One year ago, Inferrera was playing against teams like Kamehameha and Pac-Five as a member of Saint Louis School's state championship team. Today he's getting ready for his fourth Division I college game, when the Warriors (1-2) host Rice (0-3) on Saturday.
"I'm feeling a lot more comfortable and my teammates are helping me a lot," the 6-foot-2, 281-pound Inferrera said. "The last three games built my confidence a lot more. I'm learning the system a lot more. I'm that much farther ahead."
The stability of UH's rebuilt offensive line has been a pleasant surprise. The Warriors have allowed seven sacks in three games (not bad for 173 pass plays), including only two against USC's vaunted defensive line two weeks ago.
But Hawaii goes into its Western Athletic Conference opener with two consecutive losses and in apparent disarray. The Warriors have had two starters suspended (quarterback Tim Chang missed the opener and slot receiver Chad Owens is out for the next two games) and lost another for the season to injury (slot receiver Nate Ilaoa). Also, coach June Jones has questioned the maturity and humility of his team after a multitude of errors in a 33-22 loss at Nevada-Las Vegas last week.
There have been no complaints about Inferrera, however. Cavanaugh said he has the proper bearing to go with his talent.
"He's got the power. He definitely has the attitude and the nastiness," the coach said. "To me the biggest thing about him is he's smart. He understands what's going on."
As the Warriors look for leadership from within, the first true freshman to start on the offensive line in Jones' and Cavanaugh's five years at UH could quickly become a quiet take-charge guy, along with second-year freshman Samson Satele, who starts at right guard.
Inferrera isn't dwelling on the losses of the past two weeks.
"This is where it starts, a new season," he said. "We've got to win from here on out."
Esera for Eaton?: Starting sophomore right tackle Brandon Eaton has a mild sprain of his left ankle and his practice was limited yesterday. Cavanaugh said second-year freshman Tala Esera will likely play if Eaton can't go Saturday.
"We'll see what happens. Tala's coming along. He's a real good athlete, very intelligent," Cavanaugh said.
Esera, a 6-foot-3, 283-pound converted defensive lineman, got in for 22 plays against USC.
Akpan to Nigeria: Defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan said he will go to his native Nigeria for his father's funeral service. Robert Akpan died last week.
Akpan said he's not sure when he is leaving, but the service is Oct. 17. He has missed several practices and the UNLV game with bruised ribs.
Another backup defensive end, Mel Purcell, said he will miss at least one more game with a sprained left elbow.
Receiver replacements: Receivers coach Ron Lee said he has options with starting slot receiver Chad Owens out for the next two games because of a suspension.
Coach June Jones said second-year freshman Ross Dickerson will start. But also look for starting wide receiver Britton Komine to move to slot at times as Komine's backup on the outside, true freshman Jason Rivers, continues to improve.
"Jason's getting better every day," Lee said. "And Ross is having his best practices of the season. He's excited."
Also, wide receiver Mike Akiu's ankle sprain is nearly healed and he expects to be ready for next week's Tulsa game if needed.
Owls land: The Rice contingent arrived yesterday and got in an hour of practice before it began getting dark at the field near Turtle Bay Resort.
"They've done a great job with the practice field," Rice sports information director Bill Cousins said. "It's better than the abandoned fairway we practiced at four years ago and the field near the stables two years ago."
