Warriors' loss aggravated by Kauka's injury

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

It is feared University of Hawai'i football player Jonathan Kauka's knee injury is severe enough to keep him from playing for at least several games, team officials said yesterday.

UH assistant coach Rich Miano said Kauka is considered to be the unofficial captain of the special teams.

"He's our leader," Miano said. "The injury is a travesty. He doesn't deserve to have that."

In Friday's 35-32 loss to Brig-ham Young, Kauka suffered ligament damage when a Cougar player was blocked into Kauka's knee.

Kauka plays on the six specialty units. On punts, he is the upback, the so-called quarterback of that unit.

"He's one of the hardest workers on the team," Miano said. "He knows his role, and he's worked hard on special teams to earn a spot on the (60-player) travel roster. He exemplifies everything a special teams player should be."

UH coach June Jones praised Kauka's play and described his status as "a huge loss. We're going to miss him."

Kauka joined the Warriors as a nonscholarship player. Last month, he earned his bachelor's degree. Three days before the graduation ceremony, Jones awarded Kauka a full football scholarship.

"He's an unbelievable player and a great person," Miano said.

Strong safety Chad Kapanui will replace Kauka as the upback.

Safety Leonard Peters, who is recovering from injuries to his spleen and a kidney, is expected to miss the Warriors' next game, at Texas-El Paso, in two weeks. The Warriors have a bye Saturday.

Peters was playing strong safety when he suffered the injury in training camp. When he returns, he will compete against Sean Butts and David Gilmore at free safety.

Butts started UH's first two games, but Gilmore has played well enough to compete for the starting job against UTEP. "If anything," Miano said, "Gilmore is going to get a lot more playing time. He's doing a good job."

Freshman Kenny Patton also has played well, and will compete against Keith Bhonapha for the nickelback job. Patton was expected to redshirt this season, but he has consistently graded out as one of the Warriors' top four cornerbacks.

Cornerback Josiah Cravalho's knee sprain enabled Patton to make the trip to Provo, Utah, last week. Patton was supposed to be used only in an emergency situation, thus preserving his redshirt eligibility, but that plan was soon scrapped.

"We decided he's too good not to play," Miano said.