WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Cockheran injured, but will still play
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team suffered another minor setback when starting right wideout Jeremiah Cockheran was diagnosed with a strained right knee, a UH spokeswoman said yesterday.
The injury is not considered to be serious, and Cockheran, who did not practice yesterday, predicted he will return tomorrow.
"I'll survive," said Cockheran, who is a co-captain. "I'm tough, man."
Cockheran said he suffered the injured during Sunday's afternoon practice.
It was confirmed Sunday that starting right slotback Nate Ilaoa would miss at least the next two games because of a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. UH plays consecutive road games against Southern California on Saturday and Nevada-Las Vegas the following Friday.
"At this point, I really kind of think he's our best football player," UH coach June Jones said of Ilaoa. "It's very disappointing, but it's more disappointing for him. We'll rally up. Somebody will fill in and do a good job."
Left slotback Chad Owens is recovering from an infected left ankle. Owens is expected to start Saturday.
Preparing for liftoff: Jones said he has decided on his 60-player travel squad for the coming 10-day trip, but he won't make a public announcement until after he notifies the players tomorrow.
One confirmed player is defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who missed 25 of 26 games the past two years because of shoulder and ankle surgeries. Fuga played in the last game between UH and USC, in 1999, Jones' first season as UH coach.
"It's a great comeback for him," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "Lui is really looking forward to the chance. He's ready to go. He's had great practices."
Fuga is expected to be the primary backup to left tackle Isaac Sopoaga.
"He's certainly going to help us," Singletary said. "He knows all of the schemes. Lui's like a coach in many ways. He's always challenging me. He helps coach the younger guys."
Fuga is a 1998 graduate of Waipahu High. He visited but did not enroll at UNLV that fall before transferring to UH. He redshirted in 2001 after undergoing surgery to both shoulders and is seeking a medical hardship for last season. If granted, Fuga, who is studying for his master's, can play through the 2004 season.
What, me worry?: Jeremy Inferrera, a 2003 Saint Louis School graduate who is competing for the starting job at left offensive tackle, said he does not have time to worry about his lack of experience.
"I trust in what I've been taught and I listen to my coach," Inferrera said. "You cannot panic out there. If the coach puts you in and expects you to do stuff, you do it."
Inferrera said he spent the summer working out with UH's returning offensive linemen. "I learned a lot," he said. When training camp "came along, I paid attention and did what I had to do."
After the season-opening victory against Appalachian State on Aug. 30, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh challenged his players to become more aggressive blockers.
"I try to be physical all of the time, play 100 mph," Inferrera said. "Hopefully, that takes me where I need to go."
Feel the love: After playing in the 1992 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, UH was criticized for not bringing enough fans — a deficiency, critics argued, that would hurt the team's chances of being invited to another Mainland bowl.
But success under Jones is changing that perception. In 1999, UH supporters appeared to be in the majority for a road game against San Jose State. Jones said he expects a large UH following for the games against USC and UNLV.
"Now that we're having a little more success winning, every alumni, every person I know, everybody up at the UH wants tickets," Jones said.
With the large number of Isle transplants in Las Vegas, Jones recalled telling past athletic director Hugh Yoshida: "We ought to schedule Vegas in Vegas every year. Don't ever let them come here because (a UH game in Las Vegas will) be like a home game, even though it's a road game.
"I understand why people (from Hawai'i) don't go to Tulsa and Houston because it's too far," Jones added. "But West Coast-wise, everytime we play on the West Coast it's been pretty good."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051
