Moreland and Ilaoa
appear ready to go

Hawaii got encouraging signs at its two injury-riddled positions yesterday as cornerback Turmarian Moreland and slotback Nate Ilaoa both practiced well three days before the season-opening game Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Moreland entered fall camp as No. 1 at one of the corners, but he was dogged nearly by a sore knee that cut into his repetitions. Eventually, sophomore Ryan Keomaka took over the starting spot.

Moreland practiced yesterday and threw his body around as the first and second defenses devoured the offensive scout team.

"He got in there pretty good," coach June Jones said. "We'll see how he is on game day. Same thing with Kenny Patton."

Patton, considered a solid starter at the other corner, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 22. The normal recovery period is four to six weeks, but some athletes have come back in a week.

Patton planned to test the knee at full speed today.

Keao Monteilh and Omega Hogan are slated to play in place of Patton.

While Jason Ferguson appears to have the starting spot sewn up at one slot, Ilaoa remains in a battle with Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen on the other side. All four will play Saturday.

"He looked like he ran a little better. He pushed himself. But he's still not where he was two years ago," Jones said of Ilaoa, a senior who has been shelved since he got hurt in the opening game of the 2003 season.

At nose tackle, the No. 1 player on the depth chart, junior Renolds Fruean, remained out with a hip flexor problem. Tony Akpan is still getting reps there, as are Reagan Mauia and Fale Laeli.

No No. 3 yet: Sophomore Colt Brennan and second-year freshman Tyler Graunke will both play quarterback .

What about after them?

Jones said he hasn't chosen a No. 3 quarterback yet. The candidates are Kainoa Akina, Inoke Funaki, Jeff Rhode and Jack Rolovich.

Sellout looms: Around 1,000 tickets were left for Saturday's game after exclusive student sales ended yesterday, UH athletic director Herman Frazier said.

The tickets were to go on sale at 8 a.m. today. They are at the Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium (box office opens at 9 a.m.), UH Campus Center, RainBowtique at Ward Centre and Windward College's OCET office. They can also be gotten by phone at 944-2697 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or on the Internet at HawaiiAthletics.com.

They're all coming: USC arrives tonight, including injured players Jeff Byers, Clay Matthews, Michael Coleman, Mozique McCurtis, Whitney Lewis and Jeff Schweiger.

Also, linebacker Luthur Brown is questionable with back spasms. Punter Tom Malone (hip flexor) practiced and should be ready.