[ UH FOOTBALL ]
Warriors hope
to get kicks from
special teamsHawaii could use a jump-start
like the one it got in a win
against Tulsa two years ago
When Tulsa last hosted Hawaii at half-empty Skelly Stadium two years ago, the game was a thing of beauty for Warrior fans. UH was outstanding in all three phases of the game -- including special teams -- and won 36-15.
Justin Ayat, a second-year freshman then, kicked a 55-yard field goal. Another first-year player, Abraham Elimimian, combined with Keith Bhonapha (now a UH graduate assistant) on a safety off a Tulsa punt attempt that turned the tide.
From that point, special teams got better and better for UH in 2001, culminating in Chad Owens' records-breaking kick and punt return rampage in the 72-45 season-ending victory over Brigham Young.
But the kicking game has been erratic for Hawaii in the early going this season, although UH showed marked improvement in last Saturday's 41-21 victory over Rice. Elimimian's third blocked kick of his career, on an Owls field-goal attempt that could've tied the game, provided the game's final momentum shift.
The Warriors hope for more plays like that one and fewer like the bad snap on a punt that ended up as a Rice touchdown earlier in the game on Saturday when UH (2-2, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) tries for its first road win of the season against the Golden Hurricane (2-2, 0-0).
Hawaii's special teams were terrible Sept. 19 at UNLV, as Ayat missed a crucial 35-yard field goal and the Warriors suffered from miserable field position all game, partly due to three personal fouls on punts and kickoffs.
"We got a little better except for the punt snap. The punter (Kurt Milne) didn't react very well; he should've kicked it out of the end zone," special teams coordinator Tyson Helton said. "The field-goal block was a big momentum change for us. And we had good discipline, no penalties."
The victory in Tulsa in 2000 helped the Warriors -- who started the season 1-2, like this year's team -- on their way to a 9-4 final record. And the kicking game was definitely a big part of the jump start.
"We had a good special teams outing that game," Helton said. "Maybe we'll put it together again."
Line dance continues: Could the Warriors go with their fourth combination of offensive linemen in five games? Possibly, O-line coach Mike Cavanaugh said.
Second-year freshman Tala Esera graded out well in his first start, at right tackle. But the converted defensive lineman took quite a few reps at left tackle yesterday.
That's where true freshman Jeremy Inferrera has started the last three games. But Inferrera has a dinged foot from the Rice game.
"He's a tough guy, so I think he'll probably be ready," Cavanaugh said of Inferrera.
If Inferrera can go, Cavanaugh said he's not sure yet who starts at right tackle: Esera, or sophomore and Brandon Eaton, who started against USC and UNLV. Esera replaced Eaton, who had a mildly sprained ankle last week, but now Eaton is healthy.
"He had two knockdowns, some great sets, with leverage. He used his hands well stoning guys," Cavanaugh said of Esera. "He just needs to get consistent and confident. He has a lot of upside and potential for greatness. I was real pleased. Here's a guy who never played offense, started in training camp."
Injury update: Many more Warriors in addition to Inferrera are limping around.
As of yesterday, senior wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran's sprained right ankle had him confined to the exercise bike rather than running pass routes.
Cockheran said he would not be able to play a game yesterday if he had to, but he was still hoping to be with his teammates when they leave for Houston tonight.
Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga was walking with barely a limp yesterday after an MRI showed what team medicos expected -- a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament; he will probably miss one or two games.
Sopoaga's backup, senior Lui Fuga, said that on Saturday "some (Rice) dude rolled into" the ankle that was broken in last year's opening game and ended his 2002 season seven plays into it.
"But I think it's a good thing, because I got to test how it is after getting hit," said Fuga, who planned to return to practice today and did conditioning running on Monday.
Also, the broken bone in sophomore defensive tackle Abu Maafala's hand is healed enough where he can play Saturday.
Idol chatter: Senior defensive back Gary Wright was serious about trying out for American Idol. But when he found out the audition time yesterday at Aloha Stadium conflicted with practice, Wright decided to pass.
"Football means a lot to me. This is my senior year and I can't miss any practices. I gotta go on the road and be with the fellas my last year," Wright said. "The team means a lot to me. Plus I have two midterms and school and football are more important to me right now than trying out for American Idol."
