ASSOCIATED PRESS Hawaii's Colt Brennan scrambled five times for 48 yards yesterday and was sacked twice for 11 yards.

Ilaoa offers UH hope

EAST LANSING, Mich. » The old Nate Ilaoa showed up at a new position for Hawaii yesterday.

Ilaoa's team-high 76 yards rushing was way too little to make a difference in the 42-14 loss at Michigan State, but it did give the Warriors some hope for the rest of the season.

It was the senior's first meaningful action since he tore an ACL two years ago. It was also Ilaoa's first effort as a running back for UH.

"I was preparing myself for whatever Coach wanted me to do," said Ilaoa, who also played some downs at his more familiar slotback.

He started the game at running back, and his highlight was a 41-yard cutback jaunt in the fourth quarter.

"The old Nate would've had (the touchdown)," Ilaoa said. "But it feels good. They were kind of crowding the front side, so I expected to cut back."

Ilaoa, challenged by coach June Jones to be a team leader this year, started fall camp in Jones' doghouse when he reported out of shape. After his effort yesterday, it appears he's back in good graces.

"I thought he did some really good things," Jones said. "Nate's a very talented guy. He's got some ability, that's for sure."

Michigan State rover SirDarean Adams was impressed by Ilaoa's play.

"He's nice," Adams said of the player nicknamed "Nasty." "I like him. He's a competitor and he runs hard. He's a pretty good running back."

Ilaoa strained a hamstring on the second day of fall practice, and estimated he's at about 85 percent. He also said he's still trying to lose some of his 230 pounds to regain speed and moves.

"I'm getting the feeling back. The jukes are kind of rusty," Ilaoa said.

He also caught two passes for 3 yards.

Wounded Warriors: Several UH players were banged up yesterday. Most, if not all, should be healed up in time for the Western Athletic Conference opener at Idaho on Sept. 24.

Quarterback Colt Brennan aggravated a left (non-throwing) shoulder separation suffered in the USC game when he was hit late in the fourth quarter yesterday.

"It's not a real serious thing," Brennan said.

Nose tackle Renolds Fruean left the game with an ankle sprain, as did starting right tackle Dane Uperesa. Uperesa returned to the game after missing one series, but was on crutches after the game. So was Fruean.

Starting right guard Brandon Eaton left late in the third quarter with severe cramps and returned from the locker room with less than 2 minutes left in the game.

Brad Kalilimoku left in the third quarter with a hamstring strain, but returned. Another starting linebacker, Tanuvasa Moe, missed much of the second half because of dehydration.

Rubber game?: Michigan State coach John L. Smith wanted no part of playing at Hawaii at the end of last season, a game that the Warriors won 41-38, ending MSU's season at 5-7.

Michigan State is scheduled to play at Hawaii again in 2007.

"Yeah, we can't wait for that Hawaiian vacation," Smith said when asked if the Spartans would honor the contract.

Said Jones: "We can't wait for them to come over to our place again."

Short yardage: MSU starting running back Jason Teague was suspended and did not play. Smith declined to supply a reason. ... UH freshman Fetaiagogo Fonoti played in his first game after being cleared by the NCAA. The athletic defensive end made a tackle on kickoff coverage. ... The Warriors unveiled their new road uniforms. They are white with silver helmets. ... Former Farrington and Michigan State star Bob Apisa watched the game from the press box. ... Brennan scrambled five times for 48 yards (he was also sacked twice for 11 yards). "They were bringing it and dropping back deep, leaving 10 yards with no one. When I couldn't find a receiver and there was a huge hole by our O-line, I just took off and ran," Brennan said.