Defense fills holes opened by injuries

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two successful experiments have been parlayed into new opportunities for University of Hawai'i football players Kevin Jackson and Hyrum Peters.

Jackson, who has been filling in for injured defensive end Travis Laboy, now is the starting right end. Peters, who was auditioning at strong safety, is expected to start there for the Warriors' Aug. 31 season opener against Eastern Illinois.

UH coach June Jones' policy is that a player does not lose his starting job permanently because of an injury. But even though Laboy might be able to practice as early as tomorrow, Jones said, "K.J. would be a starter, anyway."

Jackson was promoted to the first team after Laboy, already recovering from wrist surgery, suffered injuries to his hamstring and right big toe. Laboy, who is the Warriors' best pass-rusher, has not competed in the past 11 practices of training camp.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa indicated Jackson is regarded as the starter because "he's practicing and the other guy is hurt."

Lempa added that Jackson "is doing great. Kevin is a good football player." The biggest difference between Jackson and Laboy, according to Lempa, is Laboy "is a bit more experienced."

Both players are juniors, but Jackson was a quarterback in high school. The 6-foot-5 Jackson weighed 229 pounds at the start of training camp, and 240 last weekend. He has added a few more pounds, thanks to three all-you-can-eat meals the school offers daily during training camp. When the fall semester begins Monday, UH can provide only one training table each day.

"I'm getting three good meals a day," Jackson said, "and it doesn't hurt to put on a pound or two."

Jackson has improved his ability to read offenses. "Maybe it's because I'm getting old," he said. "I'm able to recognize different things the offense is doing, seeing tendencies and stuff like that. I'm picking it up."

Peters, who was expected to start at cornerback, began practicing at strong safety last week after Leonard Peters and Matt Manuma suffered injuries. The plan was for Peters to learn the position in case of an emergency. Instead, "to me, right now, Hyrum Peters is the best safety we have," said Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs. "He can do it all. He can cover when we blitz, he can play the run, and he's smart and has great vision. I expect him to start all year long, every play."

Lempa agreed Peters would start, but was not sure at which position. Lempa said Peters would be used at strong safety against passing teams and at cornerback against running teams. In those scenarios, Lempa said, Kelvin Millhouse would play cornerback when Peters is at safety, and Chad Kapanui would play safety when Peters is at cornerback.

"We still haven't made a decision for the first game," Lempa said. "It depends on how Eastern Illinois attacks us."

Miano said it would be his preference for Peters to play safety. "Sometimes (opponents) isolate you on the corners," Miano said. "If he plays safety, he'll be involved in more plays. I guarantee you'll be hearing his name a lot this year."

• Odd man in: The first week of training camp, Millhouse was running behind Peters and Abraham Elimimian at cornerback. But Peters' move to safety has opened the way for Millhouse.

Millhouse missed four practices because of ankle and knee injuries suffered in last Saturday's scrimmage, but he has rebounded to play well in recent workouts.

Millhouse, who was on the second team in spring practice, reviewed last year's videotapes of UH games. "I'm my own worst critic, and I knew there were a lot of things I needed to work on," he said. "I broke down all of my mistakes, and I went into training camp knowing what I needed to do."

In addition, the coaches told Millhouse he needed to play more aggressively on running plays.

"I worked hard and had a good offseason," he said. "I'm feeling more comfortable in my game and my ability."

• You look mah-ve-lous: Former world boxing champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler attended yesterday's afternoon practice, posing for pictures with players and coaches.