[ UH FOOTBALL ]

Questions remain
as opener looms

The Warriors aren't quite set
on defense and special teams

Hawaii's offense is set, but questions remain on defense and special teams as the Warriors are three days away from their season-opening football game against Florida Atlantic at Aloha Stadium.

Junior Mel Purcell, the only defensive end with starting experience, said he might be ready to play Saturday, despite a sprained ankle.

"I think so. We'll see how it is Thursday or Friday," Purcell said.

If Purcell can't go at left end, second-year freshman Karl Noa would likely start in his place. Junior Kila Kamakawiwo'ole has moved ahead of junior Tony Akpan on the other side.

Two true freshmen, Keala Watson and Clarence Tuioti-Mariner, will back-up seniors Lui Fuga and Matt Faga at tackle. Coach June Jones expects them to rotate in Saturday.

"They will play, and they have great futures ahead of them," coach June Jones said. "Keala is big-time."

Junior Leonard Peters is nearly fully recovered from a bruised shoulder, and appears to have nailed down one of the safety spots, while juniors Lamar Broadway and Lono Manners compete for the other.

"(The shoulder is) feeling good," Peters said. "There was a lot of competition, there still is. But that's what keeps you on your toes."

At linebacker, second-year freshman Timo Paepule is listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind junior Ikaika Curnan, but senior Watson Ho'ohuli could see some action in the middle with Curnan moving outside, where he played last year. Senior Chad Kapanui and junior Tanuvasa Moe are listed as the starters on the outside, but freshman C.J. Allen-Jones and seniors Lincoln Manutai and Paul Lutu-Carroll might also play.

Senior kicker Justin Ayat was told by coach June Jones to be ready to play Saturday, although Ayat has been sidelined most of preseason camp with a groin pull. He kicked a few footballs last week, and won't again until tomorrow.

"I haven't taken many reps through camp," Ayat said. "But Coach Jones told me I have to be ready, to do whatever you gotta do, work it out, strengthen it and be ready to go. I would've liked to rest it a little more, but given this is game week and we need this first win, there's no holding back. Have to step it up and play through it. I spoke to the doctors. They recommend sit out and rest. But this being my senior year I want to play all the games. I'd rather play at 80, 90 percent. I should be ready to go."

Ayat said he still has "lingering pain" in his groin, and he won't try to kick again until tomorrow. If Ayat is unable to go, sophomore Nolan Miranda will likely get the call despite a shaky preseason in which he could've won the job, but missed too many field goals in practice.

"I need to improve on some stuff. There's some disappointment. If there's a time to shine, it's now. But that's just the way things go. Maybe it's just a sign I need to work on my technique some more," Miranda said.

Special teams coordinator Mouse Davis said Miranda or backup punter Tim Wright will handle kickoffs.

"Tim and Nolan both kicked off into the end zone today," he said.

Senior Chad Owens is listed as the first kickoff and punt returner. True freshman Andrew Pearman might get a kickoff or two to return Saturday.

"I don't know about that, we'll have to see," Davis said. "But we definitely want to give him a look, see if those little jets can get in gear."

Overall, Jones said he was pleased with yesterday morning's two-hour workout.

"We're getting closer," he said. "I think it was one of our better practices. But we've still got some simple things we're not doing that we need to get corrected."

Chang ready: Senior quarterback Tim Chang, a longshot candidate for the Heisman Trophy, has already received more national publicity than any previous UH player heading into a season. The reason is Chang is 2,218 yards away from becoming the NCAA career passing record.

He said that's not why he's looking forward to the start of the season.

"It's my senior year, and that makes it special," Chang said. "It's a great group of guys, and I want to play well for them. I'm going to try to not put us in a bad position, just do my part and contribute in any way possible."

Back in action: Junior defensive back Turmarian Moreland (groin) and senior receiver Britton Komine (hamstring) have both returned to practice after nagging injuries.

Moreland is a backup who might play in nickel and dime pass-defense packages. Komine is expected to start at left wide receiver.