Hawaii O-line
shuffles roles

Injuries to Fa‘avi and Moenoa force
linemen into unfamiliar positions

Nearly every morning after the final horn ends Hawaii football practice, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh smiles in all directions as he saunters off the field, eagerly anticipating greetings from visitors and questions from reporters. He stops and tells anyone willing to listen how much he loves "his guys," how proud he is of their toughness and competence.

Idaho at Hawaii Where: Aloha Stadium When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m. Tickets: $9 to $24, $3 for UH students for this game. TV: Live, Pay-Per-View, call (808) 625-8100 or (808) 643-2337 on neighbor islands. Delayed, 10 p.m. on KFVE channel 5, Sunday, 10 a.m. Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM.

And rightfully so. He's sent six of his guys to the NFL, and a couple from the current crop will likely follow. Cavanaugh jokes and jostles, beaming like a Navy chief on coffee break showing off pictures of his grandkids.

But twice, maybe three times a season, it isn't like that all. Yesterday was one of them.

Cavanaugh exited the practice field as quickly as possible, grimacing, eyes straight ahead, steam pushing the ballcap off his head.

"We had a bad practice," he barked, while quick-marching a direct line from the field to his office. The message was clear that would be all from him today ... other than a clipped "Probably Sam," when asked who would start at center, now that the first backup at that spot, Uriah Moenoa, has joined starter Derek Fa'avi on the injured list for Saturday's home game against Idaho.

Samson Satele and Phil Kauffman took over the duties in the middle of the line yesterday. Afterward, head coach June Jones said improvement is needed -- both in snapping the ball and in making blocking calls -- or the Warriors (4-5) might have trouble with Idaho (3-8) at Aloha Stadium on Saturday, despite being three-touchdown favorites.

"One of the solid positions for us this year has been the offensive line," Jones said. "But they didn't look good today. They have to practice better (today), or it could be a long night."

Satele, normally the left guard, is considered UH's best O-lineman by many, even though he's only a sophomore. But that doesn't mean he can jump in at center overnight.

"I played it as a freshman and sophomore (at Kailua High School)," he said. "But everything there was different. You just block whoever's in front of you. Here you make calls.

"It's difficult that we're shifting guys around, but there's a spot open. As for me and Phil, we have to make the right calls."

Kauffman -- a senior who has practiced extensively at all five line spots -- has more experience at center in practice, but not much at all in games.

If Satele plays center, his cousin, second-year freshman Hercules Satele, moves in at left guard.

"I feel good right now, but I still have a lot to learn. I need to let Derek and Uriah, as well as Coach Cav, coach me up," Hercules Satele said.

Brandon Eaton, formerly the starting right tackle, will probably start his third game at right guard (Moenoa's usual position), with Jeremy Inferrera again at right tackle. Tala Esera has started every game at left tackle.

Hawaii has allowed 12 sacks for 79 yards this season, and UH quarterbacks have attempted 440 passes.

'Dogged: Anyone who wears a visitor's uniform at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, Calif., gets an earful.

How about if you're a player who chose to attend the school that is losing 70-14 instead of Fresno State? UH second-year freshman Ray Bass said he got some special treatment from the Bulldog fans last Friday. They made sure to remind him of the decision he made two years ago.

"It was pretty wild. The stadium was crazy, nuts," Bass said. "But I have no regrets, I chose to come here to Hawaii, and this is where I want to be."

Individual defensive statistics aren't very important when a team gives up 679 yards. But for those interested, Bass made a career-high three tackles and forced a fumble. He and Turmarian Moreland will likely share time in place of starting corner Abraham Elimimian (hamstring) on Saturday. True freshman Keao Monteilh has been shifted from cornerback to safety again.

Any volunteers?: Jones was asked yesterday about his team being ranked 117th (last) in the nation against the run.

"We're hoping that you can make some tackles," he answered the reporter.

Precautionary: True freshman linebacker C.J. Allen-Jones did not suit up yesterday because of a mild shoulder bruise.

"It's just a precaution and I'll be straight for Saturday," said Allen-Jones, who started the past two games at strongside, and is expected to do so again against Idaho.

Another true freshman, Brad Kalilimoku, is slated to start his fourth consecutive game in place of Tanuvasa Moe, still out with a hamstring strain.

Vandals on their way: Idaho has also been injury-plagued this season.

The Vandals have started the same offensive line in consecutive games only once, and have gone through "a plethora of running backs," quarterback Michael Harrington said.

"We don't have a lot of guys to bring over," coach Nick Holt said. "We're pretty beat up, maybe we've got 58 or 57 kids. It's hard to find that many that are able to play."

Idaho is expected to arrive this afternoon and practice today at Aloha Stadium.

"We're going to go about our business like any other week," Holt said. "It's no different, other than we're traveling to a neat place."