Knee injuries sideline two Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two of the University of Hawai'i football team's best players — offensive lineman Lui Fuata and strong safety Hyrum Peters — are recovering from knee injuries and will miss Saturday's regular-season finale against San Diego State.

Lui Fuata

Hyrum Peters Advertiser library photos

"You never know on those things, but hopefully he will," UH coach June Jones said.

Fuata, a fifth-year senior, is one of the Warriors' most versatile linemen. He started at left tackle for two seasons before moving to left guard during spring practice in March. During training camp, he switched to center, where he started in the Warriors' first 11 games this season. Against Alabama, he opened at left guard, replacing injured Shayne Kajioka.

"(Fuata's) been one of our best linemen for my four years here," Jones said.

Kajioka, who started the first 11 games before suffering a sprained right knee, is expected to open at left guard against San Diego State. Derek Faavi, a second-year freshman, will play center.

The Warriors also will have to play without Peters, whom defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa referred to as the "quarterback of our defense."

Peters suffered a slightly torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He will not need surgery, but medical officials have listed his availability as "doubtful" for Saturday's game.

"I would say he's not going to play this week," Jones said. "If he can play, he'd play, but I don't think he'll be able to play."

Leonard Peters (no relation) is expected to replace Hyrum Peters. Sean Butts, Lono Manners and Chad Kapanui also will compete for playing time at strong safety.

Meanwhile, Jones said that at second glance, UH quarterback Tim Chang played better than it first appeared against Alabama. Chang was intercepted four times and sacked four times.

"It's frustrating we didn't win, but after looking at the tape, I have more respect for Timmy than I've had before," Jones said. "He played one of his better games. We didn't protect him and he took some unbelievable hits, and he rallied us back."

While acknowledging that Chang "missed a couple of throws," Jones said, "really, a lot of his incompletes and a lot of his misses were not his fault. We didn't protect him when he was trying to get the ball out."

As a result, Jones said, Chang had to throw in conditions where defenders were "trying to knock the crap out of him. He played like the champion I think he is."

The Alabama loss cost the Warriors a chance to surpass their 11-2 record in 1992, when they won a share of the Western Athletic Conference title and defeated Illinois in the Holiday Bowl.

If the Warriors (9-3) beat San Diego State, they can tie their record for most regular-season victories.

• Awards banquet: A limited number of tickets are available for the Na Koa football awards banquet on Sunday at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Tickets are $50. For reservations, call Ben Yee at 734-6194 or 542-8912.