Akey breaking in Vandals

This is the fifth in a series on UH opponents

STORY SUMMARY »

A day after the final starter on the defense was named, Hawaii football coach June Jones answered one of the few remaining questions about the offense's first 11: Barring the unforeseen, senior C.J. Hawthorne will start at Z (right wide receiver) ahead of Malcolm Lane, the coach said.

UH Opponents The Star-Bulletin will preview Hawaii's opponents every day until the start of the season. See today's story on B3: Monday Northern Colorado Tuesday LaTech Wednesday UNLV Yesterday Charleston Southern Today Idaho Tomorrow Utah State Sunday San Jose State Monday New Mexico State Aug. 28 Fresno State Aug. 29 Nevada Aug. 30 Boise State Aug. 31 Washington

Jones said both will play, though, with Hawthorne getting the starting nod because of a bit more assuredness in his routes and reads.

The offensive line looks set, although right tackle Keoni Steinhoff and backup center/guard Lafu Tuioti-Mariner made things interesting to those depending solely on rosters for IDs by switching jerseys yesterday.

Tuioti-Mariner does, however, still have a chance to unseat Larry Sauafea as the No. 1 at right guard before UH kicks off with Northern Colorado at Aloha Stadium a week from tomorrow.

"Right now, I know I'm the sixth man, but I still have a shot," Tuioti-Mariner said. "I'm just waiting for my time."

Running back remains a three-way race and Jones still plans to play David Farmer, Kealoha Pilares and Leon Wright-Jackson. The one who's in when the game starts depends on what the first play is going to be, Jones said.

Punter is another race too close to call, as Tim Grasso and Briton Forester continue to battle it out.

Starting safety Jake Patek and No. 2 middle linebacker Timo Paepule joined starting defensive tackle Fale Laeli and backup defensive end John Fonoti among the walking wounded yesterday.

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Robb Akey was all smiles, talking about his upcoming debut opponent as Idaho head football coach.

"I thought it was important to have a warm-up game," Akey said.

The little scrimmage is against No. 1 USC.

Akey will need to keep that sense of humor, even after the Trojans are done doing whatever they do to his Vandals on Sept. 1.

Idaho is trying to bounce back, not only from a 4-8 record in 2006, but also from the psychological damage of Dennis Erickson abandoning the Palouse for Arizona State.

Akey is Idaho's third coach in three years (the man who left after 2005 was Nick Holt, now a USC assistant and the guy who scheduled this season's opener). What makes Akey's claims of being in Moscow to see a job through any more valid than those of Holt or Erickson?

"I say when you do something, back it up with your actions," said Akey, who sent nearly 20 Vandals who didn't meet up to his commitment standards on their not-so-merry way. He did give them all a chance.

"I told them you've got a fresh start with me. Those of you who are perfect angels, polish up your halos," Akey said. "I didn't come to be the principal or the sheriff. I came to do things right and win games."

Idaho will be lacking in depth, but some star power still haunts the Kibbie Dome in seniors Stanley Franks and David Vobora.

Franks is a 5-foot-11, 167-pound cornerback who led the nation with nine interceptions last year. He took one back 98 yards against Utah State.

Vobora (6-1, 240) is a senior linebacker who led Idaho with 134 tackles last season. He was seventh nationally in stops. The other two starting linebackers are also seniors: Brandon Ogletree (6-3, 224) and Jo'Artis Ratti (6-1, 220).

"He (Vobora) has tremendous leadership ability," Akey said. "Always in the right place at the right time."

Five other starting defenders return, including safety Shiloh Keo, who started all 12 games as a true freshman last year.

Five starters on offense are back, but quarterback Steve Wichman must be replaced. The top candidate is redshirt freshman Nathan Enderle.

"We've only got a few football players left," Akey said. "A few of them might be playing a few ways. That's the way they used to play the game, right? That's not a joke."

Patek sidelined

Senior starting safety Jake Patek observed practice yesterday with a thigh bruise suffered in Wednesday's workout.

"I tried to fight it off, but it's a little too tight. I don't like watching, period. It feels like you're separated from the team," Patek said. "At the same time it doesn't bother me. Young guys like (true freshman) Le'Marcus (Gibson) got some much-needed reps."

Junior Desmond Thomas replaced Patek on the first string in most of the defensive packages.

Patek could be back as soon as today, but doesn't plan on rushing his return unnecessarily.

Elimimian mixes it up

Starting linebackers Blaze Soares, Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian continued to ramp up the intensity after their return from injuries. Elimimian, in particular, was more active yesterday coming off his strained hamstring.

"My morale is up. Missing almost two weeks is kind of demoralizing as a competitor," said Elimimian, who missed two games with a knee sprain last season. "It was my first day to really get some work in."

Schedule note

Tomorrow morning's practice is slated to go from 8:30 to 11 and is open to the public.

The June Jones Foundation walk also starts at 8:30 a.m.

Idaho Vandals 2006 Results (4-8) at Michigan State L 27-17 at Washington St. L 56-10 Idaho State W 27-24 at Oregon State L 38-0 at Utah State W 41-21 New Mexico State W 28-20 at Louisiana Tech W 24-14 Boise State L 42-26 at Hawaii L 68-10 Nevada L 45-7 at Fresno State L 34-0 San Jose State L 28-13 2007 Schedule Sept. 1 at Southern Cal Sept. 8 Cal Poly Sept. 15 at Washington St. Sept. 22 Northern Illinois Sept. 29 Hawaii Oct. 6 at San Jose State Oct. 13 Fresno State Oct. 20 at New Mexico St. Oct. 27 at Nevada Nov. 3 Louisiana Tech Nov. 17 at Boise State Nov. 24 Utah State