Posted on: Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Keli'ikipi unlikely to return this season

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i running back West Keli'ikipi is expected to miss the rest of the regular season because of a torn meniscus in his left knee, UH coach June Jones announced yesterday.

Jones said there is a possibility Keli'ikipi might have suffered ligament damage in his left knee during the Warriors' 24-14 road loss to Nevada Saturday.

"I would say he's out for the year," Jones said.

UH has three regular-season games remaining, all at home, beginning Saturday against 0-11 Army.

Keli'ikipi, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound junior from Wai-'anae, said he was injured when he awkwardly planted his left foot at the end of a 24-yard, catch-and-run shovel play in the first quarter. In the second half, he was on crutches, his left knee secured in a metal brace. After the game, Keli'ikipi had told reporters there was a possibility he suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament, although the comment was incorrectly attributed to a UH spokeswoman in an Advertiser story Monday.

Sunday, Keli'ikipi underwent a magnetic resonance imaging, a procedure that uses magnetic fields to create a picture of the body's interior.

An injured meniscus sometimes can be treated without surgery. The meniscus is described as a cartilage disc that acts as a cushion between the ends of bones that meet in a joint.

From the MRI, Jones said, it did not appear as if any of Keli'ikipi's ligaments were torn, but an arthroscopic probe might show otherwise. "But for sure, the meniscus is torn," Jones said.

Keli'ikipi is the Warriors' second-leading rusher with 247 yards. He averages 6.7 yards per carry. He is valued as a short-yardage specialist — he has a team-high six rushing touchdowns — and a physical blocker.

The other backs are Michael Brewster, John West and Michael Bass. None is taller than 5 feet 10 nor heavier than 180 pounds.