"We just needed to get away from it," UH coach June Jones said of the eight-day break leading to the two-hour practice at Aloha Stadium.

Despite the hiatus, slotback Chad Owens did not practice because of a sprained big toe and gout in his left foot. "We're dealing with diet and some other stuff," Jones said of Owens' foot ailment. "It's a hereditary thing."

Defensive tackles Isa'ako Sopoaga (flu-like symptoms) and Lui Fuga (pulled wisdom teeth) did not compete in contact drills. Neither did ailing middle linebacker Chad Kalilimoku and defensive end Travis LaBoy.

Cornerback Kenny Patton practiced and, according to Jones, will be available on an emergency basis for the bowl game. But Patton, who is expected to apply for a medical hardship, said his hamstring injury is not completely healed.

• Bowl perks: Although the Warriors have been designated as the home team for the Hawai'i Bowl, they will be allowed to use the makai sideline. The home team usually is assigned the (mauka) sideline opposite the press box — which, for this afternoon game, would be facing the setting sun. Jones said the Warriors will wear their all-black uniforms.

"I think the whole team likes to wear that, and it looks good on TV," Jones said.

Bowl officials said the Warriors' goodie package will include a watch, camera, three-piece luggage set, Oakley sunglasses, beach towel, backpack and aloha shirt. The Warriors also will receive $300 worth of prizes from the school.

• Recruiting update: The Warriors are in contention for two junior college wide receivers from California.

Greg Prator of Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga and Todd Watkins of Grossmont Community College in El Cajon have ties to the Warriors.

Prator's close friend is Jeremiah Cockheran, UH's offensive captain and starting right wideout. Cockheran also played at Chaffey.

"I talked to him a couple of times, and he told me (Hawai'i is) a good place," said Prator, who is scheduled to visit UH in January. "He told me to be smart and to make my own decision. Me, personally, I definitely like Hawai'i. As a receiver, who doesn't?"

Chaffey coach Carl Beach said the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Prator is "similar to Jeremiah, maybe a little bigger. He has good after-the-catch speed."

Prator has visited Temple, Utah State and Toledo. He has received interest from Arizona State, Oregon, Iowa and Iowa State.

The Warriors trained at Chaffey before playing Fresno State in 2002 and in between this year's road games against Southern California and Nevada-Las Vegas.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Watkins is being steered to Manoa by Grossmont assistant coach Dennis McKnight, who coached the UH special teams in 1999 and 2000.

Watkins, whose brother Travis is a USC offensive guard, doubles as a kicker. In the past two seasons, he has converted four field goals of more than 50 yards, including a 54-yarder this season, according to McKnight.

"He's a freak of nature," McKnight said. "He's a versatile weapon."

Watkins has earned enough credits to enroll in a four-year school in January.

He has visited Oregon State and Brigham Young, and is scheduled to visit Kansas State this week.

McKnight said he told Watkins: "If you want a shot at playing in the NFL, you need to be in a situation that will highlight your skills, to show people at the next level. Obviously, the Big 12 is a prominent conference. The Pac-10 is a prominent conference. If you're a d-lineman or a linebacker, you go to K-State. If you're a wide receiver, you go to Hawai'i."

Grossmont coach David Jordan said Watkins can run 40 yards in 4.45 seconds.

"We've had some great receivers, but he's got the most athleticism," Jordan said. "He can catch anything. He's an exciting guy to watch."

McKnight likened Watkins to former UH receivers Ashley Lelie and Craig Stutzmann.

"He might not be as blinding fast as Ashley, but he's damn close," McKnight said. "In my opinion, he's got Craig Stutzmann's hands and Ashley's speed, not to mention every one of his kickoffs goes into the end zone."

Grossmont (13-1) lost to City College of San Francisco (12-0), 38-35, Saturday in the California State junior college championship game. Watkins had four catches for 144 yards, including a 68-yard TD reception, and kicked five PATs.