Reflections on the milestones will have to wait.

Solomon Elimimian passed the 400-tackle mark on Saturday in a performance that earned him Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the week honors.

The Hawaii linebacker already owns the school's tackles record and moved into second place on the WAC's career list.

But those accolades remain in the background as Elimimian approaches the end of his career with the Warriors.

“;I don't think about them,”; Elimimian said of the statistics. “;My goal is just to beat Washington State and beat Cincinnati and go to a bowl game and finish my career out with a win in a bowl game.”;

The Warriors (6-5) face Washington State (2-10) on Saturday at Aloha Stadium and end the regular season the following week against Cincinnati. They can secure a berth in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl with a win in one of those games.

Elimimian earned his fourth career WAC player of the week award and first this season by recording a season-high 13 tackles, including 2 1/2 for losses, in Hawaii's 49-17 win over Idaho last Saturday.

He also tipped a pass that turned into an interception for the Warriors.

Elimimian has five double-digit tackle performances this season, three coming in the five games since he moved back to inside linebacker after starting the season outside.

“;He's been playing like that all year,”; Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin said. “;He changed positions for the good of the team. He's been a great leader.

“;I think he's definitely the best linebacker in the WAC.”;

McMackin rated Adam Leonard up there with Elimimian, who credited his latest award to the play of those around him, including a defensive front that controlled the line of scrimmage.

“;Our defensive line played tremendous,”; Elimimian said. “;When I get stats, a lot of it is because of them.

“;It's easy to play defense when 10 other guys are playing good defense, that's how it has to be. When everybody's doing their thing, we all shine.”;

Elimimian enters this week's game with 404 career tackles, placing him second nationally among active players He trails only Eastern Michigan linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw's 425.

“;It's all a blessing,”; Elimimian said. “;I just thank God for being healthy, because half of it is being healthy. There were a lot of times when I wasn't healthy and I didn't think I was going to go and God helped me push through it.”;

Making his case

While McMackin praised Elimimian's contributions, he also made a push for defensive end David Veikune for postseason honors.

“;I think David Veikune's the best player in the league,”; McMackin said during his press conference yesterday.

The WAC coaches are scheduled to have a teleconference today to discuss All-WAC selections, which come out next week.

“;I'm going to state that we have some pretty good defensive players,”; McMackin said, “;but David Veikune has played the best of anybody play (in) and play out on our football team. The pros are excited about him and he's pretty special.”;

Veikune leads the Warriors with 13 1/2 tackles for losses, including 6 1/2 sacks.

Role reversal

McMackin said Royce Pollard's start against Idaho was the result of an equipment problem for Malcolm Lane. McMackin said Lane had to have his shoulder pad repaired after returning a kickoff. Pollard made a 12-yard reception on UH's first play. Lane returned to rack up a career-best 144 yards and two touchdowns.

UH's most lopsided win of the season also allowed several other players to see more action. Senior quarterback Jake Santos saw his first playing time in his UH career on the Warriors' last possession. Receiver Nathaniel Nasca made his first reception of the season and running back Alonzo Chopp had two carries in his debut this year.