Memories of blowout
still fresh for UH

The Warrior seniors look for
their first win over Boise State
in Saturday's conference matchup

Kila Kamakawiwo'ole watched the Hawaii football game at Boise State last year on TV. It would've made him sick at his stomach if he weren't already dealing with an appendectomy.

Kamakawiwo'ole, a starting defensive end for UH, didn't make the trip to Boise. But the 69-3 loss to the Broncos had him blushing anyway.

"Seeing the score was pretty embarrassing," the understated senior said this week, after being named WAC Defensive Player of the Week. "This is my last year and we've never beaten them. We gotta win."

UH (1-2, 1-0 WAC) is an 11-point underdog as it prepares to host three-time conference champion Boise State (1-2) this Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

The last time the Warriors beat the Broncos was 1999, when June Jones was in his first year as UH coach and BSU wasn't in the league.

Like Kamakawiwo'ole, offensive lineman Brandon Eaton is in his fifth year at Hawaii and has watched or played in four losses to Boise State. The only margin of defeat less than 17 points came when both players were red-shirting in 2001.

This week, the Warriors brim with confidence after beating Idaho, 24-0, on the road last Saturday.

"I'm so ready to get a shot at them," Eaton said. "I'm ready to blow them out of the water. They don't know what to expect. They've seen film of us. But like someone in the NFL said, while they're practicing for what we did last week, we're doing something different this week."

Jones takes a more measured approach to what has been a one-way rivalry since Boise State joined the WAC five years ago.

Does Jones take the blowout of last year personally?

"I don't too much, I kind of let it slide," Jones said yesterday after practice. "But I know the players are certainly remembering that and we're hoping obviously that we can make some plays and keep pace with them and shut them down on defense as we're getting comfortable with what we're doing."

Uperesa listed as doubtful: Starting right tackle Dane Uperesa watched practice yesterday, resting his sprained ankle. He's listed as doubtful for Saturday, but started against Idaho despite being listed as out last week. He left the game when he re-sprained the ankle.

Jones said he wasn't sure if Uperesa will be healed enough to go against the Broncos.

"That's going to be iffy. I doubt that he'll practice, maybe on Friday. We'll see how it is on Friday," Jones said.

Uperesa said the ankle feels good and he hopes to test it in practice earlier than the day before the game.

"I'm optimistic," he said.

Eaton will play right tackle and Larry Sauafea and Marques Kaonohi will get equal reps at right guard, while Uperesa is out, the coach said.

"We'll make the decision on Saturday," Jones said.

Another new nose: Sophomore Michael Lafaele is listed as No. 1 at nose tackle this week. Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said it's no bad reflection on freshman Keala Watson, who started against Idaho.

Lafaele is the fourth starter at the nose in four games.

"He's probably going to be our guy to start this week. He did a nice job for us last week," Singletary said. "But I think they'll still get equal reps. Keala has that cast on his hand (which has healed slowly after surgery). He's got a billyclub. It looks illegal, but it's legal."

Washington moves up: Freshman wide receiver Mike Washington will start in place of injured senior Ian Sample (knee, two to six weeks), Jones said.

"This week I'm going to spend all my free time with my playbook and in the film room," Washington said.

Senior Chad Mock moves up to backup behind Washington.

Olchovy returns: Sophomore slotback Pat Olchovy participated in individual drills yesterday after being out for more than a month with broken ribs.

"Stayed away from the defense today. I'm not ready to get hit yet, still got to get back into shape. Other than that, it's great to be out here," Olchovy said.

While Olchovy was out, Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen established themselves as the top slotbacks.

"I'm happy for them. Now I've got to get in the weight room, work hard and be ready. There's a lot of games left," Olchovy said.

Ilaoa atop chart at RB: Senior Nate Ilaoa played sparingly on the artificial turf at Idaho's Kibbie Dome. But it appears his tender hamstring might be sound enough for him to start Saturday at running back.

He is listed ahead of Bryan Maneafaiga and David Farmer on the depth chart.

Never met: Boise State coach Dan Hawkins said he and UH defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville have never crossed paths before.

"I've certainly heard of him," Hawkins said of the former NFL head coach. "I know (Glanville's schemes are) not necessarily the norm. The biggest thing is he's got his kids playing hard and he's got them fundamentally sound."

Boise State at Hawaii Where: Aloha Stadium 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 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 ($3 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.