Only two Hawai'i players sustained injuries in a 40-17 victory over Appalachian State last night at Aloha Stadium.

Starting slotback Nate Ilaoa left the game in the second quarter with what was diagnosed as a sprained right knee. He did not return in the second half, and is expected to have the knee examined today.

"I hope it's nothing serious," UH receivers coach Ron Lee said. "He's awfully dangerous when he gets the ball in his hands, as you saw tonight."

Ilaoa caught two passes for 51 yards last night, including a spectacular catch-and-run play for 41 yards.

Sophomore Clifton Herbert replaced Ilaoa in the third quarter, but did not catch any passes. Lee said Gerald Welch and Ross Dickerson can also play the position, if needed.

"We have some depth," Lee said. "But we really want Nate in there."

Starting cornerback Abraham Elimimian "tweaked" his left shoulder in the third quarter, but he declared himself healthy after the game.

"It's nothing," he said. "I'll be ready by the time we play (Southern California in two weeks)."

Last night was UH's first game on Aloha Stadium's recently installed FieldTurf.

• Quarterback sneak: Sophomore Se'e Poumele, who is listed on the roster as a receiver, saw action as the second quarterback last night.

He came in for one play in the first half, and then relieved starter Jason Whieldon in the fourth quarter once the Warriors had the game in hand.

In the second quarter, he got a surprise call with UH pinned at its own 1-yard line. He launched a long pass downfield, but it was intercepted by Appalachian State's Derrick Black.

• One-for-one: Appalachian State receiver Zach Johnson had a memorable first — and only — reception of his collegiate career last night.

Johnson scored the Mountaineers' first touchdown of the game, an eight-yard reception from quarterback Richie Williams in the second quarter.

Johnson played in only one game as a freshman last season and did not catch any passes. He was not among the four receivers listed on Appalachian State's depth chart prior to last night's game.

• Going long: Hawai'i kicker Justin Ayat's 48-yard field goal in the second quarter was the fourth-longest of his career.

Ayat also displayed his improved leg strength on kickoffs last night — five of his eight kickoffs went beyond the end zone for touchbacks.

• Up next: The Warriors said they are well aware of their next opponent, No. 8-ranked Southern California. The Trojans shut out No. 6 Auburn at Auburn yesterday.

"SC is no joke," cornerback Abraham Elimimian said. "We can't play like we did tonight and think we can beat those guys."