RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii slotback/running back Nate Ilaoa strained his right hamstring early in yesterday's practice.

Warriors see 2 go down
with injuries

Hawaii slotback/running back Nate Ilaoa strained his right hamstring early in yesterday's practice.

It wasn't much of a surprise, since Ilaoa reported overweight at 248 pounds.

For the second day in a row, coach June Jones expressed his disappointment over Ilaoa's conditioning. Jones expected the talented fifth-year senior to be a leader on a team that lost most of its veterans.

"I doubt he'll get on the field," Jones said.

Presumably, he meant the season opener against USC and not the entire season; Ilaoa, who hasn't played in nearly two years because of a knee injury, is listed as day-to-day.

There was more bad news at the "Y" slot later in practice, as second-year freshman Ryan Grice-Mullen, also high on the depth chart, suffered a sprained right shoulder. He is expected back tomorrow, but will probably have light duty as a precaution.

The injuries leave an opening for Pat Olchovy, the sophomore walk-on from Long Island, N.Y. Olchovy (5-feet-8, 176 pounds) put on 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason and kept his quickness.

He said his goals are simple: Stay healthy, run the right routes and catch the ball.

"I've just gotta keep lifting, do the hot tub, drink a lot of water. If you're not healthy, you can't play," he said. "I feel real good. I just have to execute. I'm looking forward to going against the defense."

Homecoming?: Senior defensive end Melila Purcell might have one more reason to put on a good performance in the season opener Sept. 3 against USC.

His father, also named Melila, is an Army Reservist serving in Iraq in the 100th Battalion. The unit isn't scheduled to rotate home until next year, but he saved his leave time to see his son play against the Trojans.

"He's doing good there," the son said. "Hopefully he can make it for the first game."

Jerry says: Even when defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville doesn't have much to say, he does it in an interesting way.

"No pads, no comment," Glanville said when asked how the guys in green are progressing. "We have to wait to see how we hunt and chase. We're about trying to get 11 guys to the ball, and we can't evaluate that until we're in pads going against the offense."

First day in full gear is Tuesday.

Short yardage: Former running back Michael Brewster was assisting video man Lopaka Ornellas yesterday, and plans to do so during the season. ... Tickets for individual games go on sale Aug. 15. ... The catch of the day was a 45-yard connection from Tyler Graunke to Ross Dickerson. ... A clean pick by receiver Desmond Thomas, standing in as a free safety, was a close second.