Warriors lose 1
receiver, regain another

UH's Ian Sample is out with
an injury, and Pat Olchovy is
expected to return to practice

Hawaii lost a receiver but expected to get one back today.

Starting senior wideout Ian Sample was diagnosed with a torn posterior cruciate ligament after he bruised a knee in the Warriors' 24-0 victory at Idaho on Saturday. Surgery is generally not required and the normal course of recovery is two to six weeks.

The good news for UH is sophomore slotback Pat Olchovy told coach June Jones he expected to return to practice today. Olchovy had worked his way into the playing rotation after walking on to the team last year, but he suffered broken ribs in a scrimmage Aug. 22 and has been out since.

"I'm back to heavy lifting, running, I guess they're healed," Olchovy said. "I'm rested and ready to go. I can't wait to get in there."

Olchovy will add depth behind freshmen Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen who have established themselves as solid starters.

True freshman Mike Washington replaced Sample against Idaho and will start against Boise State on Saturday at Aloha Stadium, Jones said. Washington caught seven passes for 46 yards against the Vandals, but a possible touchdown sailed by him when he didn't know the ball was coming.

For the season, Washington has 12 receptions for 77 yards. Sample has caught 12 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown.

"He was really coming on," Jones said of Sample. "He had a history of injuries since he's been with us. He made a lot of big plays for us and we're gonna have to fill in there with a freshman that is, right now, probably not as good as Ian. But he'll grow up fast getting to play more."

The AstroTurf surface at Idaho's Kibbie Dome may have caused Sample's injury, Jones said.

"Nobody hit him. ... It was just a quick move that blew it," Jones said. "Hopefully in two years when we go up there they won't have that again. But everybody's in a fiscal budget thing."

Starting junior right tackle Dane Uperesa is "game-to-game," Jones said, after Uperesa aggravated an ankle sprain he first suffered Sept. 10 at Michigan State. Brandon Eaton moved from right guard to replace Uperesa. Larry Sauafea and Marques Kaonohi filled in at Eaton's spot against Idaho.

Elimimian to start again?: True freshman inside linebacker Solomon Elimimian was credited with just one tackle in his first start, replacing injured senior Ikaika Curnan.

But Elimimian's fourth-quarter interception helped him earn more playing time, and possibly another start, against Boise State, Jones said.

"It's too early to say, but there's a good chance he will (start)," Jones said. "He's certainly warranted getting a few more snaps."

Jones also wants to get another freshman inside linebacker, Adam Leonard, some playing time this week.

WAC honors Kamakawiwo'ole, Brennan: UH defensive end/linebacker Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and quarterback Colt Brennan were named Western Athletic Conference defensive and offensive players of the week yesterday.

Kamakawiwo'ole helped lead the Warriors to their first shutout since 1999 with seven tackles, including a sack. Tanuvasa Moe, the other outside linebacker, also put forth a good effort with a team-high eight tackles and a devastating hit on Idaho receiver D.J. Smith.

But Kamakawiwo'ole said some of the most important work he and Moe did went mostly unnoticed.

"Most of the plays were going inside, because as outside linebackers our job is to force the play into the middle," he said. "It pretty much depends on the play. We can't just blitz anytime, it's scripted. The nose tackles (Keala Watson and Michael Lafaele) did a good job, too. Everybody did."

Brennan passed for 347 yards and three touchdowns on 34-of-44 accuracy.

Jones said Brennan's strong numbers so far (he has completed 73 percent of his passes with six touchdowns to one interception) are augmented by strong intangibles.

"He's real competitive and has kind of a game composure," Jones said. "He has the ability to be laid back yet let a guy know when he's doing something wrong. He's a leader."

Free stuff: The first 10,000 fans to enter Aloha Stadium on Saturday get a free megaphone as part of UH's "Pack The House" promotion.

The WAC will also distribute rally towels as part of its "Play Up" marketing campaign.

Also, fans with a UH CreditBack card can get four tickets for the price of two purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center box office (end zone and upper level only).

Boise State at Hawaii

When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 6:05 p.m.

TV: Live on pay per view digital channel 256. Call 625-8100 on Oahu or (808) 643-2337 statewide. Delayed 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. on KFVE Ch. 5.

Radio: KKEA-1420

Internet: sportsradio1420.com

Parking: Lot gates open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is $5. Alternate parking at Ford Island ($5 including shuttle), Leeward Community College (free, $2 shuttle), Kam Drive-In ($5, fee shuttle). Shuttles are from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and approximately one hour after game ends. Parking also at Radford High School ($4 no shuttle). No tailgating at alternate parking sites.

Stadium gates: Open at 3 p.m.

Stadium security: No weapons, backpacks, coolers, umbrellas or megaphones are allowed in the stadium. Fanny packs, purses and handbags will be permitted subject to check.

Tickets: Prices range from $5 for students to $38 for sideline. Available online at hawaiiathletics.com, by phone at 944-2697 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or at the Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium, UH Campus Center, RainbowTique at Ward Center and Windward Community College's OCET office.

Warriors win
WAC honors

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan and defensive end/linebacker Kila Kamakawiwo'ole were named Western Athletic Conference offensive players of the week yesterday.

Brennan completed 34 of 44 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns Saturday in a 24-0 victory at Idaho, running his season total to 78-for-107, or 73 percent. He has passed for six touchdowns and just one interception (which was due to a receiver’s error as much as his own). He has thrown 103 passes since the lone interception, by USC’s Darnell Bing.

“I always knew right from the beginning he was very accurate,” UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said of Brennan, a sophomore transfer who has been at UH only since the summer. “The thing that’s interesting is his ability to pick up what we’re doing so quickly. He’s accurate anyway and gets the ball out quickly.”

Kamakawiwo‘ole was in on six tackles. Two were for losses of 13 yards, including a sack of 8 yards. He also broke up a pass. Kamakawiwo‘ole was a defensive end last year. This season he usually aligns as an outside linebacker in UH’s 3-4 defense, freeing him up more to make big plays.

Idaho coach Nick Holt said UH’s scheme is a “defense you don’t see a lot, although it’s coming back now a lot in the NFL.”

“They were stout up front and got a lot of edge pressure,” Holt added, speaking during yesterday's WAC teleconference.

Also yesterday, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said he will meet with UH officials this week about the Warriors road uniforms. The jerseys have drawn complaints from broadcasters, spotters and statisticians because the numbers are hard to see.

“My opinion is the uniforms do not meet the NCAA regulations,” Benson said. “I can’t say what the options are now, but it’s important.”

UH’s next road game is Oct. 8 at Louisiana Tech.