Posted on: Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Slotback Ilaoa out for season

 • Jones finds 'positive' in road trip

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i slotback Nate Ilaoa will miss the remainder of the football season after undergoing surgery last week to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Ilaoa, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, sustained the injury during UH's season-opening victory against Appalachian State on Aug. 30. He did not accompany the team on its recent two-game road trip.

"It will probably take him five to six months just to (recover)," said UH receivers coach Ron Lee. "It's a big loss ... a huge loss."

UH head trainer Eric Okasaki said Ilaoa underwent surgery last Wednesday.

Because Ilaoa sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt, he can not take another redshirt season.

However, he can apply for a medical hardship waiver, which — if granted — would allow him to play three more seasons after this one. His medical hardship case must be reviewed by the Western Athletic Conference and the NCAA.

Ilaoa finished fifth on the team last season with 46 receptions for 532 yards. He had secured the starting right slotback position prior to this season, and was described by UH coach June Jones as "maybe our best football player."

Juniors Se'e Poumele and Gerald Welch are expected to compete for Ilaoa's starting position this week in practice.

Hawai'i (1-2) will play host to Rice (0-3) in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

"It's a tough situation; I've been in it before," said Welch, who underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right knee last season. "We're thinking about Nate. We know we would be better with him in there, but we all just have to push through it."

Lee added: "Injuries are a part of the game. You don't like to see it happen, but when it does, you have to adjust with what you have."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.