Kapanui's versatility a boon to Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i football player Chad Kapanui had more than enough reading material during today's scheduled flight to Dallas.

Chad Kapanui is being prepared to play on every offensive, defensive and special teams unit.

"I'm going to be busy," said Kapanui, a redshirt freshman from Roosevelt High.

In last week's game against Rice, Kapanui was used as an upback on punt attempts and safety. With Tim Chang injured and the Warriors bringing only two quarterbacks on this trip, Kapanui has been named the emergency quarterback.

Yesterday, UH coach June Jones announced that Kapanui also will be used as the backup to kicker Justin Ayat and punter Mat McBriar.

"He's very talented," Jones said of Kapanui. "We think he can help us in a lot of ways."

Kapanui has not kicked since high school. His longest field goal was from 43 yards.

Ayat said he will tell Kapanui "to relax. Don't let anything get to you. Just focus on what you have to do."

"I'll take any advice he gives me," Kapanui said.

The transition to quarterback should be easier for Kapanui, who took several snaps yesterday morning. He was one of the state's top high school quarterback prospects in 1999, and played that position in last year's training camp before moving to linebacker and eventually running back.

"He'd better be able to do it," Jones said. "He has a little background at quarterback, and he can throw the ball. If anything, he certainly can hand off."

Kapanui said he still can throw a football 80 yards on the fly.

"This is only temporary," Kapanui said, noting that Chang should begin practicing next week. "But if the team needs me, I'll be there."

Kapanui might not be done moving. He said he plans to try out for the UH baseball team.

• Still No. 2: Jared Flint, listed as UH's No. 2 quarterback last week, admittedly was disappointing in not being promoted to starter after Chang was injured. Flint was used in the final three series of last week's 27-24 loss to Rice. Nick Rolovich will start against SMU.

"The competitive nature is I want to play," Flint said. "After I went in the last game, I thought I had a good chance to (start this week). But I want to win as much as anybody else. If that's with me, Timmy or Nick starting, more power to us."

• Correia makes trip: Defensive end Joe Correia, who did not play last week after aggravating a foot injury, was included on the 60-player travel roster.

In June, Correia underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot. Two weeks ago, a Nevada player stepped on his right foot.

"I'm at 85 (percent health)," said Correia, who has received two cortisone shots this year. "I'll just take one of those magical shots before the game, and I'll be OK."