The respect between Tyler Graunke and Dick Tomey is mutual.

Tomey, the former Hawaii coach and current coach of San Jose State, glowed about the Warriors' senior quarterback during a teleconference with Hawaii media on Monday, and Graunke was quick to reciprocate after yesterday's practice at the UH grass practice field.

Tomey was an icon in Tucson, Ariz., as coach of the hometown Arizona Wildcats throughout Graunke's childhood.

“;I've known Dick Tomey for half my life, ever since I was about 10 years old,”; Graunke said. “;And he's a really good friend of one of my best buddies' dad. He's a good family friend too, my grandma knows him. He's just a great guy, great coach. He's just like Coach (Greg McMackin), he cares about you as a person before he cares about you as a football player.”;

Graunke attended the same high school, Salpointe Catholic, as Tomey's children.

Although hampered by a sprained wrist, Graunke said he'll be ready to give maximum effort in the Warriors' WAC opener against Tomey's San Jose State Spartans on Saturday. He split first-team reps evenly with Inoke Funaki in the 7-on-7 periods yesterday. Funaki took all of the snaps in the team period to end practice.

“;I'm rehabbing it a lot, in the trainers' room as much as I can, and I got faith in my O-line to protect me and not let me hit my hand on any helmets or reinjure it in any way,”; Graunke said. “;So, I'm real healthy coming into this game and I'm real confident that I'm gonna play. I'm going to be 100 percent healthy, and I got confidence in our training staff, our coaches to put me in the best position possible to succeed.”;

Kelly feeling sharp

The Iceman has rediscovered his frosty touch ... in practice, at least.

Dan Kelly realizes he needs to connect when it matters, and he was glad to get in some long-distance kicks at the end of yesterday's morning practice.

“;I need the work, I need the reps, now more than ever,”; he said. “;It's more than usual, but it's nothing we can't handle and it's actually kind of nice.”;

The senior, who has started 1-for-4 on field goals this season, went 5-for-7 at the Manoa grass practice field. He was 2-for-2 from 47 yards, 2-for-3 from 52, 1-for-1 from 57 and was short and to the right on his 62-yard final blast as teammates chanted his name.

“;Into the wind,”; he said with a grin.

Laeli takes it easy

Defensive tackle Fale Laeli practiced sparingly yesterday as he recovers from a sprained ankle he suffered against Weber State. Josh Leonard and Keala Watson continued to take the bulk of the first-team reps.

“;Seeing how it felt. It's not bad, it's getting there,”; Laeli said. “;Being careful, I no like rush 'em and get hurt again.

“;Tomorrow I'll be ready to go. Tomorrow I'll be 100 percent.”;

Tackle Rocky Savaiigaea also continued his return, from a fall camp injury, with some reps.

Short yardage

Senior cornerback Ryan Mouton and freshman Rykin Enos each nabbed two interceptions during team 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.