Ho‘ohuli breaks
through depth chart

It's always good to view football depth charts with a healthy bit of skepticism. They are meant to be a general guide as to who might play when the lights go on and are often prepared before final decisions are made.

Hawaii coach June Jones was asked yesterday who his linebackers will be in Saturday's season opener against Florida Atlantic at Aloha Stadium.

"Our four best, Chad (Kapanui), TJ (Moe), Ikaika (Curnan) and Watson (Ho'ohuli), those four will rotate," Jones answered.

When told Ho'ohuli wasn't on the depth chart, Jones smiled and said, "Good. It's obviously a bogus depth chart."

The linebackers who are listed behind Kapanui, Curnan and Moe are freshmen C.J. Allen-Jones and Timo Paepule and senior Lincoln Manutai.

Banged up: Junior defensive end Tony Akpan had an ice pack on his left foot yesterday. He said he bruised the foot and he'd be back at practice today.

Senior slotback Chad Owens missed practice time yesterday after he was kneed in a hamstring, but he said it won't affect him Saturday.

Senior backup safety Patrick Jenkins sat out yesterday after experiencing back spasms. He also expects to be ready to play.

Reserve freshman cornerback George Perry has a sprained left ankle that was heavily taped.

Field trip: Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger planned to take his team to visit Pearl Harbor tomorrow.

"I think it's important to take the time to learn about something that is so significant in our history," he said.

Short yardage: Florida Atlantic went 6-1 on the road last year. ... FAU offensive coordinator Larry Seiple was a punter and receiver on the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team for which Schnellenberger was the offensive coordinator. ... Hawaii has won its last three season openers.