Akpan to miss one game, but not opener

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan is scheduled to play in the University of Hawai'i football team's Sept. 4 season opener against Florida Atlantic.

Akpan and three teammates each received a one-game suspension for their involvement in an on-field fight following the Warriors' triple-overtime victory over Houston in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl in December.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier said the suspensions could be served in any of the Warriors' first four games this season. Frazier left the decision to head coach June Jones.

It was assumed Akpan would miss the opener against Florida Atlantic, which will be competing as a probationary Division I-A member this season. But after yesterday's practice, Jones said Akpan "won't miss the first game. He'll play in the first game."

Frazier, who is in Greece with the U.S. Olympic Committee, gave Jones until the week of the season opener to determine when the suspensions would be served. "We have the option to sit him out whenever we want to," Jones said. "He'll play in the first game."

Akpan, Karl Noa and Ikaika Alama-Francis are competing for the starting job at right defensive end. Alama-Francis might miss the opener after undergoing back surgery last week.

Akpan played two seasons on the UH men's basketball team before trying out for the football team in the spring of 2003. Akpan, who was raised in Nigeria, had not played football previously.

Akpan played in 11 games last season, mostly on special teams, and blocked a game-tying, field-goal attempt in a victory over Fresno State.

Jones has said he expects Akpan to be used in about 35 defensive plays each game this season.

Freshman QBs will get more time to adjust

Jones said he will not evaluate freshman quarterbacks Tyler Graunke, Taylor Humphrey and Brandon Satcher until the week leading to the Sept. 4 opener.

"We have a lot of work to put in, and their heads are swimming," Jones said after the third practice of training camp. "I don't even evaluate their throwing right now. They don't even know where the guys are going half the time. You can't really evaluate them now until they know what they're doing."

But Jones said the three are making progress, and he won't rule out any of them playing this season, even in the opener. Tim Chang, who is on track to set the NCAA record for career passing yards, fourth-year junior Kainoa Akina and second-year freshman Jack Rolovich are the other quarterbacks in camp.

"If the season started tomorrow, I'd say I'd put Kainoa in the game, but Rolo would certainly get a shot," Jones said. "But it can all change. We'll see how it goes."

Moenoa still sidelined with strained left knee

Uriah Moenoa, a fifth-year senior projected to start at right guard, is hopeful of competing in practice soon. Moenoa has a strained left knee.

"It's a little sore," he said. "I want to keep the physical activity down and let it heal properly."

Wideout Denny Flanagan, who has missed the past two seasons because of a torn left hamstring, is able to run without pain. Flanagan suffered the injury during a high school track meet in 2002. He has aggravated the injury several times.

"It's been hard to be patient," said Flanagan, who will join the team Aug. 23, the first day of the fall semester, when the NCAA allows rosters to expand. "I've played football my whole life. Taking two years off to watch it hasn't been easy."

Fifth-year senior Ekno continues to persevere

Training camp is afternoon rain, line coach Mike Cavanaugh's barking and offensive tackle Jonathan Ekno's quiet drive.

Ekno, a fifth-year senior, has played in parts of four games during his UH career. His playing opportunities don't appear any brighter this coming season.

"Of course, you get a little discouraged," said Ekno, who considered transferring two years ago. "That's natural. But you can't let yourself get down. The way I look at it, I have great coaches, I love Hawai'i and I love the team. Now that I look back, I'd never change anything."

Cavanaugh said: "Every program has a guy like him, a guy who does whatever you ask of him. He comes out every day and works hard. There's not a lot of glory, but he's learning through perseverance."

Ex-Warrior Ma'afala will redshirt at Cal

Former UH defensive lineman Albert-Hayward "Abu" Ma'afala has accepted a football scholarship from California.

Ma'afala left the Warriors last month, requesting — and receiving — a release from his scholarship.

In an e-mail to The Advertiser, Ma'afala said he will undergo surgery to repair a torn patella in his right knee. In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, he will redshirt this season and, after that, have two remaining seasons of eligibility with the Bears.

Love those black shoes, sweatshirt, sweatpants

Since joining UH in 1999, Jones has worn the same (faded) black sweatshirt, sweatpants and shoes for every practice. Superstition has nothing to do with his wardrobe.

"Those are the only clothes in my locker," he said. "You wear what you wear. I don't need anything more."

He added: "They wash them every day."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.