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POSTED: Wednesday, November 26, 2008

When Richard Torres grabbed an onside kick and bolted downfield last Saturday, it wasn't the first time he took an opportunity and did more than expected.

The Hawaii freshman joined the Warriors last spring figuring he'd have a redshirt season and some time on the scout team awaiting him in the fall.

                       

WARRIORS FOOTBALL Washington State (2-10, 1-8 Pac-10) at Hawaii (6-5, 5-3 WAC), 6:05 p.m. Saturday. TV: Oceanic PPV Ch. 255; Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM

Heck, at 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, simply keeping a place on a Division I roster would be considered an accomplishment for a defensive back his size.

But Torres not only stuck around, he impressed the coaches enough in practice to earn a job on special teams, then continued to move up the depth chart in the UH secondary.

Last weekend, he found himself on the field playing nickel back in UH's game against Idaho after injuries knocked the Warriors' starting safeties out of the game, forcing a shuffle in the defensive backfield.

“;Once I calmed down it was like practice, but faster,”; Torres said. “;Way faster.”;

Relying on the technique that helped him win the trust of the coaches, Torres held his own in finishing with three tackles in UH's 49-17 win.

“;He started catching our eye because technically and fundamental-wise he was outstanding,”; UH head coach Greg McMackin said.

“;He's been practicing with the second unit all season, so he got his opportunity, went in and did a great job.”;

The son of Kahuku head coach Reggie Torres, Richard—who played quarterback for most of his senior season with the Red Raiders—learned early on the importance of refining the little things in the game.

It was a lesson reinforced by his training on his way to winning state championships in wrestling and judo.

“;To learn the techniques you have to pay attention to details, so that helps in other sports,”; said Torres, who completed his prep football career by rushing for 108 yards and throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds left in Kahuku's 7-6 state championship win over Saint Louis.

After graduation, Torres delayed his enrollment at UH until last spring and spent the last football season on the coaching staff at Kahuku, helping his father with the defensive backs.

After a solid spring with the Warriors, Torres' grit eventually got him on the field earlier than expected.

Torres began the season with the scout unit on special teams. But when the staff sought candidates for the physically punishing wedge-buster group on kickoff coverage, Torres stood out despite his relative lack of size.

“;He was the craziest guy I saw that was willing to knock himself out,”; special teams coach Ikaika Malloe said. “;Not only did he earn that job, but he's making sure that nobody else can take it away from him, and I think it's contagious.”;

Along with covering kicks, he helps set up the wedge on kickoff returns and is part of the “;hands team”; on onside kicks.

Which brings us back to his aforementioned return against Idaho.

After the Vandals scored in the fourth quarter, Torres caught the ensuing onside kick and didn't settle for just falling on the ball.

Seeing an opening, he took off and weaved his way down to the Idaho 14 to set up the Warriors' final score of the night.

“;I just got the ball and it was instinct, follow my blockers,”; Torres said.

“;The first thing I thought was just catch the ball because that's my job. When I caught the ball, no one hit me so I started running. I got so excited, it was good fun. It felt like I was running quarterback again.”;

 

Pilares hurting

Slotback/running back Kealoha Pilares left practice early yesterday, still bothered by a sprained foot that he's played through for the last two games.

He's taking a day-to-day approach to the injury.

“;Yesterday I tried to run. Tried to go today and couldn't do it,”; Pilares said, his foot in a walking boot after practice. “;Just have to stay off of it, I guess.”;

 

Holiday greetings

The Warriors will have their customary morning practice tomorrow and take the afternoon off for Thanksgiving.

McMackin said the team makes sure all of the players, particularly those far from home, have a place to celebrate the holiday.

“;Usually the local guys take some guys home so the mainland guys can enjoy Thanksgiving with them,”; senior safety Keao Monteilh said.

 

Graunke sits out

Senior quarterback Tyler Graunke didn't attend yesterday's practice while “;taking care of a personal issue,”; McMackin said. Graunke hasn't played since the first half of UH's game against Nevada on Oct. 25.