Injured slotback Ilaoa vows to 'be ready' for USC game
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football player Nate Ilaoa, who was diagnosed with a partially torn knee ligament, said he will "be ready to play" in the Warriors' Sept. 13 road game against Southern California. UH has a bye this weekend.
Ilaoa, a third-year sophomore from Virginia, said the swelling is down in his right knee. He did not compete in yesterday's practice, but said he will try to run today.
UH coach June Jones said Ilaoa's availability for the USC game will not be determined until early next week.
Ilaoa was injured in the first quarter of UH's 40-17 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday while making a cut move near the sideline.
A magnetic resonance imaging, which uses magnetic fields to create a picture of the body's interior, showed a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in Ilaoa's right knee. Doctors determined the tear was a "grade 2," or moderate injury. Ilaoa could play with the injury, although he would be at risk for further damage. If he undergoes surgery, the average recovery period is six months.
Clifton Herbert, Gerald Welch and Lenny Boatner worked out at right slotback yesterday. Although starting left wideout Britton Komine is expected to practice at right slotback, he did not compete at that position yesterday. Komine played left slotback last season.
Herbert, a fifth-year senior who started five games last season, is prepared to replace Ilaoa. "I need to take it up a notch," he said.
Against ASU, Herbert did not catch any of the three passes thrown in his direction. He dropped two.
"It wasn't my day," he said. "I haven't played that bad since I've been here. I have to come back the next game and play twice as hard."
• Back in control: Starting quarterback Tim Chang, who was suspended for the ASU game for failing to meet an academic deadline last fall, practiced with the first team yesterday.
"It was really difficult," Chang said. "The ball was all over the place. I'm trying to find the rhythm again, and I'm trying to get better every day."
Chang praised his understudy, Jason Whieldon, who passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns Saturday.
"When you have competition, at any position — wide receiver, running back, quarterback — it only makes the program and the team that much better," Chang said.
• Health report: Daniel Tautofi, a freshman linebacker from Kaimuki High, underwent season-ending surgery to repair a tendon injury in his left ankle. He will seek a medical hardship.
Mike Akiu appears to have recovered from a stress fracture in his left ankle. He is expected to practice today.
Defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who has missed 25 of the last 26 games because of shoulder and leg injuries the last two seasons, is hopeful of being added to the 60-player travel roster for the USC game. Fuga was held out of the ASU game.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051
