UH slotback Ilaoa dislocates shoulder
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
BOISE, Idaho — Another week, another mainstay of the University of Hawai'i football team lost to injury.
Last night it was freshman slotback Nate Ilaoa who left the 58-31 loss to Boise State with what was announced as a dislocated right shoulder that is expected to keep him out at least through next week's Nevada game, school officials said.
With five injuries sidelining key Warriors for as many games, it has become the "streak" the Warriors would just as soon do without this season.
"We didn't need any more injuries," said June Jones, UH head coach, whose team's depth has been tested from the beginning this season.
Ilaoa joins running back Mike Bass (torn ligaments vs. Southern Methodist), cornerback Abraham Elimimian (strained hamstring against Texas-El Paso), special teams performer Jonathan Kauka (sprained knee vs. Brigham Young) and defensive tackle Lui Fuga (broken ankle against Eastern Illinois) on the injury list.
The injury to Ilaoa comes just as he had become a force again for the Warriors after coming off a hamstring injury.
Clifton Herbert, who was replaced by Ilaoa in the starting lineup two weeks ago, is expected to take over the position.
• Promise kept: Boise State special teams coach Kent Riddle "promised" his punt return team it would block a UH punt in the game.
"He pours over those special teams tapes and he found something this week, a way to get two guys through there," said Dan Hawkins, the BSU head coach. "He did a great job of selling his (players) on what they had to do. He showed them over and over, telling them, 'Guys, I promise you we'll get one if you just follow what I'm telling you.' "
Chris Carr broke through the UH protection to block and recover Mat McBriar's punt attempt in the first quarter for a 14-3 Boise State lead.
It was the first touchdown off a blocked UH punt in 33 games.
• Deep into playbook: Jones said he "didn't have a problem" with Boise State going back to its bag of tricks — an attempt by running back Brock Forsey to pass to quarterback B.J. Rhode that fell incomplete with the Broncos leading 45-17 in the fourth quarter.
"They have to do what they have to do," Jones said.
Hawkins said he wasn't concerned about the score, "The bottom line is you want to play as hard and as well as you can for 60 minutes."
• B.J. Rhode gains bragging rights: Boise State quarterback B.J. Rhode rubbed in the Broncos' triumph over his little brother, UH backup quarterback Jeff Rhode, telling family and friends outside the locker rooms: "I'm 2-0 — and you can't catch up."
Boise State also beat UH last year when B.J. was a backup and Jeff redshirted.
"I told him it is only 1-0 because he didn't play last year and neither did I," Jeff said. "Unfortunately he won't be around when we play them next year at our place because he's a (fifth-year) senior."
