Cockheran, Sopoaga injured, will miss Tulsa game

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two of the University of Hawai'i football team's top players — wideout Jeremiah Cockheran and defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga — are injured and will miss Saturday's road game against Tulsa, UH coach June Jones confirmed today.

Cockheran, who is a co-captain, aggravated a sprained right ankle on UH's first series of the third quarter in a 41-21 victory over Rice yesterday at Aloha Stadium.

"He's pretty banged up," Jones said. "I don't think he'll be able to run."

In the second half of that game, Sopoaga, a senior, suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Jones said the injury is a "grade 2" on a three-point scale, a condition that is considered to be moderate.

Although UH slotback Nate Ilaoa underwent season-ending surgery two weeks ago after being diagnosed with a "grade 2" tear, Ilaoa's injury was to the anterior cruciate ligament. A tear to the MCL, unlike one to the to the ACL, can heal without surgery, a UH spokesman said.

Jones said Sopoaga will miss "one or two games," although "he's tougher than most guys."

Abu Ma'afala, a sophomore backup defensive tackle, is expected to play this weekend. Ma'afala was unavailable for the Rice game after suffering a broken hand during practice last week.

Meanwhile, backup inside linebacker Watson Ho'ohuli has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and might miss the rest of the season.

Linebacker Tyrone Brown is listed as "doubtful," meaning there is 25-percent chance he will be available for the Tulsa game.