[ WARRIORS FOOTBALL ]

Freshmen filling in
for injured Warriors

True freshmen could be truly tested Saturday at Michigan State, as Hawaii took a close look at Kirk Alexander and Solomon Elimimian at practice yesterday because of injuries at free safety and inside linebacker.

Alexander, who played only on kickoff coverage in Saturday's season opener against USC, could be pressed into action because of the loss of starting senior free safety Leonard Peters to a knee injury for at least half the season. Senior Lamar Broadway replaced Peters and will likely start, but Alexander is precocious physically (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and has picked up the system quickly.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said the only way to find out if Alexander is ready is to throw him into the fray.

"We'll bring him along. He's a real good athlete, a real good person. He hits, he's not afraid. So we've got a lot of plusses going for us," Glanville said. "He lacks experience, but the only way I know you get experience is to play."

Elimimian (5-11, 224) was one of the bright spots for UH in Saturday's 63-17 loss, even though his four tackles (two for loss) came late in the game against USC's reserves -- two of the stops were of tailback LenDale White, who would start for almost any other team.

"I was just happy I got my chance to perform," Elimimian said. "No matter what the score, I just said to myself, 'If I get in I'm going to try to make a difference.' And also I was trying to get the feel for the college game, since it was my first game."

Elimimian has been moved from backing up sophomore Brad Kalilimoku at the "Mack" spot to the "Buck" position manned by senior Ikaika Curnan.

"Forty-one (Elimimian) did a good job," Glanville said. "In fact 51's (Curnan) got a quad, must have caught a helmet on the quad, so we're working 41 in there because 51 can't move today."

Senior Tony Akpan will remain at nose tackle after moving from end, but Renolds Fruean, who was No. 1 on the depth chart until a hip injury in training camp, returned to practice yesterday, Glanville said. Fruean could start at MSU.

"He was back today and looked like he's always looked, quick. He weighs 286 and moves like he's 235," Glanville said. "We could've used him (against USC)."

Sophomore Ryan Keomaka is still the tentative starter at left cornerback, but sophomore Keao Monteilh could take over.

"We're watching 35 (Monteilh) and 9 (Keomaka). We want 9 to practice better. If 9 practices good I think he'll play good. He needs to practice like he wants to play. Thirty-five practices good and we know what he's going to do in the game. And 24 (Kenny Patton, the other corner) did an unbelievable job for a guy one week out of surgery."

Coaches' homecoming: Head coach June Jones and Glanville are no strangers to Michigan, especially Glanville.

Jones and UH special teams coordinator/running backs coach Mouse Davis were assistants together for the Detroit Lions in 1989 and 1990.

"I had a great time in Detroit. The summer and spring is beautiful up there," Jones said. "We had a run there once we got it going. I've been to Michigan State two or three times because (former Lions head coach Wayne Fontes) is a Michigan State guy and we worked out a few guys there for the pros, too."

Jones said he likes East Lansing.

"It's a great college town, a tremendous college town. The town is about their college, that's how it is in the East. They're gonna have 20,000 students at the game. You saw their basketball crowd, it's the same way, one of a kind," he said.

Glanville was born in Detroit and went to college at Northern Michigan. His first NFL job was coaching special teams and defense for the Lions from 1974 to 1976.

"My college teammates are coming and I've got 30 family members coming. And it's close to the Michigan track, I raced a lot there," said Glanville, who raced autos while out of coaching the past 10 years. "I love the Michigan track. You get to run 205 mph for 4 hours and not get a ticket. How can you beat that?"

Short yardage: Senior defensive end Mel Purcell was on the sideline with a bruised foot, leaning on crutches. Purcell and Jones said it is minor and he will play. ... Junior college transfer Andre Taylor will return kickoffs Saturday, Davis said. Taylor returned two kicks for 40 and 21 yards against USC.