Warriors’ Ayat
nearing 100 percent
The senior kicker, who has been
suffering from a groin injury,
practiced without pain yesterday
Hawaii senior kicker Justin Ayat is expected to be back to nearly full strength for Saturday's game at Rice.
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Coach June Jones decided not to have Ayat -- or anyone else -- try a 43-yard fourth-quarter field goal that probably would have prevented FAU from tying the game and sending it to overtime.
Yesterday, Ayat kicked for the first time in a week, and easily made several extra points and short field goals.
Ayat said he kicked without pain.
"I'm not 100 percent, but a lot closer to it," Ayat said. "It's hard to tell, but the way I'm hitting extra points higher than last week, I'd say my range is back to around 50 yards. I haven't really tested myself yet, so maybe farther."
Ayat kicked a 55-yard field goal as a second-year freshman in 2001.
Jones and special teams coordinator Mouse Davis said Ayat will likely handle kickoffs at Rice. Backup punter Tim Wright kicked off against Florida Atlantic.
"As of right now I haven't taken any full kickoff reps, but I plan to do some before we leave (tomorrow)," Ayat said.
Poumele ready: Starting slotback Se'e Poumele practiced in full pads yesterday for the first time after suffering a stretched leg nerve injury in the FAU game. He pronounced himself ready to play.
"It's a lot better. There's a difference between being injured and hurt, and I think I'm just hurt," he said. "There's a few more days before the game, so I think I'll be good for Saturday."
He is listed atop the depth chart at "Y" receiver, backed up by freshman Jason Ferguson.
Gerald Welch is listed behind Chad Owens at the "H" slot.
Manners moves up: Safety Lono Manners is listed as a first-team linebacker on UH's depth chart this week.
He will play in a rotation with Chad Kapanui, the normal starter at linebacker.
"He fits what we try to do against Rice's wishbone," defensive backs coach Rich Miano said. "There will be different players coming in and out."
Battle-tested: Part of Abraham Elimimian wants Rice receiver Marcus Battle to play Saturday and part of him doesn't.
Battle missed the Owls' season opener against Houston with a hamstring injury. Rice coach Ken Hatfield said yesterday he doesn't know if Battle will play.
"The man's still dangerous. If he's in there, it's gonna be a tough day," Elimimian said. "I'll look forward to it though."
Battle was one of the few receivers to get the better of Elimimian last season, catching five passes for 156 yards. UH still beat Rice 41-21, with Elimimian's block of a field goal try one of the game's biggest plays.
Elimimian said playing cornerback against the wishbone is a dangerous proposition, especially for aggressive players.
"It's man, man, man coverage," he said. "And they hardly throw. You can't cheat on the run, because that's when they'll throw the slant and you're in big trouble."
Elimimian intercepted two passes against FAU. He hasn't had a receiver burn him for a touchdown in nearly two seasons. But Battle got behind him for a 69-yard reception that set up a Rice score in last year's game.
Redshirts: True freshman receiver Andrew Pearman will likely redshirt, Jones said.
The Warriors had originally thought about using the speedster for kickoff returns and possibly as a wideout, but sophomore Ross Dickerson returned kicks well against FAU.
Barring a spate of injuries at quarterback, true freshman quarterbacks Taylor Humphrey and Tyler Graunke will also likely preserve a year of eligibility. Jones said Humphrey could probably be ready to play this year with more repetitions, but junior Kainoa Akina and second-year freshman Jack Rolovich remain between him and starter Tim Chang at this point.
Short yardage: Owens rested a sore ankle yesterday, but will be ready for the game. ... It is "doubtful" Rice running back Thomas Lott will play because of a hip injury that kept him out of the Houston game, Hatfield said. His backup, Quinton Smith, is out with a dislocated elbow, so Marcus Rucker will likely start. ... Rice has been installed as an early 1-point favorite.
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