Cockheran, Sopoaga out
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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 yesterday.
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 on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
Jeremiah Cockheran aggravated a sprained right ankle on Saturday.
Isaac Sopoaga suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
"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 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.
Flying West
UH running back John West, who somersaulted over a diving Rice defender for a touchdown, gave himself an "8" for the landing.
"I have to stay humble," West said. "Besides, nobody's perfect."
Flying east
The Warriors will practice twice in Houston before playing Saturday's road game against Tulsa.
This season, UH is traveling by commercial flight for road games in the Central time zone — at Tulsa and Oct. 18 at Louisiana Tech. For each of those trips, the Warriors will leave Honolulu on Wednesday night on a direct flight to Houston. They will check into the hotel Thursday morning, sleep until the afternoon and practice that night and Friday morning. Friday afternoon, they will fly by charter to the site of the game.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
