He has experienced the emotional low of suffering a knee injury two days before the 2002 season opener, and the identify crisis of a Mainland announcer pronouncing his first name as Ee-kuh-ee-kuh.

He also has been this season's defensive highlight, leading the Warriors in tackles and interview requests during the past month.

Along the way, Curnan — who prefers his surname to be pronounced ker-NAN — has learned the only constants are hard work and a mother's love.

As a reminder to the latter, he tattooed the image of his mother's face on his right arm. "It shows your mother always stays with you," said Curnan, a third-year sophomore from Saint Louis School.

Daily workouts have become his daily bread, satisfying his hunger to improve. "I want to keep getting better," Curnan said. "I learned you have to take advantage of what you have. You can only take from what's on your plate."

"It blew out my candle right there," said Curnan, who had never suffered a serious injury. "I was kind of down about it. I was ready for the season, and then I got hurt. It was pretty bad."

His injury had a two-fold impact: it slowed Curnan's development and it forced UH to use middle linebacker Chad Kalilimoku, a junior college transfer who had a redshirt year available. Curnan eventually returned at midseason, playing special teams, but neither he nor Kalilimoku were used extensively.

Curnan regained his quickness — he can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds — and moved into the job at weakside linebacker vacated when Pisa Tinoisamoa decided not to return for a fourth season. Tinoisamoa, who starts for the St. Louis Rams, left an indelible impression on his successor.

"I always loved watching him play," Curnan said. 'When I was a senior in high school, I saw him play (at UH). He was a middle linebacker then. He was heavier, about 250 pounds. I liked his style. I like how he rushed to the ball. He had good instincts. I loved how he took on the blocks. He had a certain style that was just him. I try to duplicate it sometimes."

The 5-foot-11, 218-pound Curnan is regarded as a skilled technician who is able to take on heavier offensive players. He is at his best in the open field, when he sprints into the path of a running back, sets up in a low stance and delivers the knockdown.

"I like to fly around and sacrifice my body," he said. "It's all about leverage. Leverage always wins. That's why I like going against a bigger guy. If you get underneath him, get a good drive going, then you can give him a little pop."