When Keith AhSoon left the field with a knee injury on Sept. 13 against Oregon State, it took one of Hawaii's few veterans on offense out of action.

Now the senior offensive lineman eyes a return this week as the Warriors (4-4, 3-2 Western Athletic Conference) prepare for a two-game road trip starting with Saturday's game at Utah State (1-7, 1-3).

AhSoon missed the last five games with a sprained MCL in his left knee and resumed practicing yesterday, concentrating at left guard. He started at both left guard and left tackle prior to the injury.

“;I've been out for a while so I just have to go in slowly and work my way back into fullspeed contact,”; AhSoon said after his first practice in more than a month.

Keith AhSoon:
Has missed the last five
games with a sprained
MCL, but was back at
practice yesterday

“;I'm trying to make that audition in this week's practices and hopefully I'll make that (travel) squad.”;

AhSoon suffered the injury on the third play from scrimmage against Oregon State. He attended practices last week, participating in conditioning runs, and got back into line drills yesterday.

“;When I got hurt it was just devastating,”; AhSoon said. “;I didn't think I was going to come back and my family motivated me to just be positive and keep my head up and don't be mad at things I have no control of. I have to deal with what's given to me, have fun and be positive about it. It was a challenge.”;

UH coach Greg McMackin said AhSoon was cleared prior to last week's game against Nevada, but the staff didn't want to rush him back.

“;I'm really excited about (AhSoon's return) because he's such a class individual,”; McMackin said. “;We'll practice him this week and see where he's at. ... He'll be a big addition and give us a lot more depth on the offensive line.”;

Aaron Kia has since started the last five games at tackle and Laupepa Letuli has started the last two at left guard.