Hawaii's Leonard Peters tackled USC's Steve Smith in the first half yesterday. Peters will have an MRI today on his right knee, which he sprained later in the game.
USC puts the hurt
on UH
The Hawaii football team got one of its leaders back in time for yesterday's season opener against USC.
But the Warriors may have lost two more in the 63-17 defeat to the top-ranked Trojans.
Junior Kenny Patton's surgically repaired knee felt strong enough to allow him to start the game at cornerback. But concern after the game turned to the status of safety Leonard Peters and slotback Jason Ferguson.
Peters and Ferguson were both initially diagnosed with sprained right knees and will have MRIs performed today to determine the extent of their injuries.
UH coach June Jones said both may be lost for the season in his postgame press conference.
"We really need Leonard," Patton said. "You see how fast he plays out there, he's unbelievable. He's so smart, he makes the calls and he's worked his butt off."
Peters, UH's leading tackler last season and a team captain this year, was on crutches with ice on his knee at the end of the game. He recorded five tackles before suffering the injury.
"I made a hit on one of the running backs and a lineman just slammed into me and I couldn't get my cleat out of the turf," Peters said.
"It's your worst fear," UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano said. "If you lose, you lose, but you don't ever want to lose a player. Especially a senior who's worked his butt off."
Hawaii's Ikaika Alama-Francis sacked USC's Matt Leinart in the second quarter, forcing a fumble that the Trojans recovered. Leinart threw three TD passes yesterday, giving him 74 for his career and breaking Carson Palmer's school record of 72.
"If it's in his power, there's no doubt he's going to play," Broadway said.
Ferguson hurt his knee returning the game's opening kickoff. He stayed in the game and caught a 6-yard pass on UH's first offensive series. But he knew his knee wasn't right.
The disappointment cut deep for the graduate of Los Angeles' Fairfax High School, who had relished the chance to play against the Trojans.
"I've been looking forward to this opportunity," Ferguson said as he left the field on crutches. "Every time I come close to actually becoming the football player I dream to be, it's taken away from me."
"It breaks my heart," UH receivers coach Ron Lee said. "I'm just hoping it's a strain and we'll see what happens. I'm hoping for the best."
Patton had arthroscopic surgery on Aug. 22 and wasn't optimistic about his chances of playing as late as Thursday. But he was in the lineup when the Warrior defense finally took the field with 1:24 left in the first quarter.
"I just warmed up and I felt good, and Coach said if I'm OK I can play," Patton said.
He led UH with six tackles and got UH's first interception of the season, making a leaping grab in front of USC's Dwayne Jarrett in the end zone in the third quarter. It was only the 16th interception Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart has thrown in his career.
"The reason I got that pick was because the defense put pressure on the quarterback," said Patton, who said he will play against Michigan State. "Every big play takes more than one guy."
On the flip side, Patton also gave up a long touchdown pass when Leinart recognized that UH was blitzing and Patton was locked up one-on-one against receiver Steve Smith.
"He read our defense. I should have opened up earlier; I feel like I let my team down," Patton said. "But it's fine. ... It's one snap and clear. I don't remember those plays. It's over."
Left: USC's Reggie Bush ran in a 41-yard TD in the second quarter.
USC's Justin Wyatt slammed Hawaii's Ross Dickerson after Dickerson pulled in a first-half catch.
Hawaii's Ian Sample dove beyond the reach of USC's Darnell Bing, left, and Andre Woodert in the first half of yesterday's season opener at Aloha Stadium.
Hawaii's Michael Washington tried to haul in a pass while being defended by USC's Andre Woodert in the second half of yesterday's game at Aloha Stadium.
USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett broke away from Hawaii's Kila Kamakawiwo'ole yesterday. Jarrett caught three touchdown passes for the Trojans.
USC receiver Steve Smith tried to reel in a Matt Leinart pass under defensive pressure from UH's Kenny Patton.
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