Injured receivers
need inspiration
A week ago, Hawaii receivers coach Ron Lee was overjoyed with every aspect of his unit's performance when the Warriors beat Louisiana Tech on the road.
Yesterday, after a flat 31-15 victory over Texas-El Paso, and a practice in which his two starting wideouts sat out, Lee was less than thrilled.
"They caught the ball. I was happy with the routes," Lee said. "But I wasn't happy with their play on running plays, draws, screens. They didn't play very inspired football. And we need to. From now to the end of the season. That's my fault. Guys aren't playing as hard as they should. But we got through it. We've got to move on."
The Warriors (5-3, 3-1 Western Athletic Conference) leave tomorrow for a game at San Jose State (2-5, 1-3). The Spartans are 105th of 117 NCAA Division I-A teams in pass defense (271.14 yards per game) and UH is second in pass offense (391.38). But if the game were yesterday, two of Hawaii's top receivers would have been at way less than 100 percent.
Jeremiah Cockheran and Britton Komine both sat out yesterday's practice with minor injuries; Cockheran with his recurrent ankle sprain and Komine with a strained calf. Both remained after practice to work on what they could without running.
"I'd rather see them running routes," Lee said. "I hope they're back tomorrow."
Hula invitees: UH defensive linemen Travis LaBoy and Isaac Sopoaga have received official invitations to play in the Jan. 17 Hula Bowl Maui. But neither has accepted yet, game owner Dick Schaller said yesterday.
The two also expect invitations from the Jan. 24 Senior Bowl and possibly the Jan. 10 East-West Shrine Game.
Also, cornerback Kelvin Millhouse was invited to the Shrine game.
"We're earlier this year, but it will still depend on the players and their agents deciding on what games they want to play in," Schaller said.
Schaller also said he has hired 2003 Hula Bowl participant, Arizona quarterback Jason Johnson. Johnson will work in marketing and sales, Schaller said.
Short yardage: UH freshman receiver Jason Rivers returned to practice yesterday. He missed Saturday's game with a recurring hamstring injury. ... Sophomore running back Pesefea Fiaseu has returned to practice, having cleared up his academic issues. ... The Warriors practice here tomorrow and fly out on an Aloha Airlines charter direct to San Jose.
