Posted on: Sunday, August 22, 2004
Keli'ikipi, Ilaoa are 'iffy' for UH's opener
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones said running back West Keli'ikipi and slotback Nate Ilaoa are "iffy" for the Sept. 4 season opener against Florida Atlantic.
Both players are overweight and recovering from knee injuries suffered last season.
Jones said Keli'ikipi's left knee is not fully healed following surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
"Until his knee is 100 percent, he's probably three to five weeks away," Jones said. "Right now he would be real iffy (for the opener) unless he just busts his rear end over the next two weeks. It's possible. I'm not ruling it out."
Jones said Ilaoa's status is "the same way. His knee is not 100 percent. I'm not going to count on him right now until his knee is 100 percent."
Ilaoa suffered a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the 2003 season opener.
Jones said both players have "gained too much weight, and it's double jeopardy on their knees."
Keli'ikipi, who is 6 feet 1, weighed 280 pounds at the start of training camp. He is down to 266, his playing weight of last season, and he would like to lose another 16 pounds. The 5-foot-9 Ilaoa, who entered camp weighing 240 pounds, is down to about 225.
Their knee injuries created a chicken-or-egg dilemma: They couldn't lose weight because of their injuries, and their injuries couldn't heal quickly because of the extra weight.
What's more, Keli'ikipi said he was distracted "because of the offseason and all of the stuff that went on." He was suspended in May after being charged as part of a scheme to defraud a medical insurance account. Last month, he was reinstated to the team while his case is pending.
Michael Brewster, Michael Bass and Ryan Stickler have shared duties at running back in training camp. Se'e Poumele has replaced Ilaoa as the No. 1 right slotback.
Missed field goals delay team pool party
The football pool came down to Nolan Miranda's kicking.
Jones told the players he would cut short practice and allow a pool party if Miranda could make a 45-yard field goal. Miranda, a third-year sophomore from Kahalu'u, missed wide left.
After a few more practice plays, Miranda was given the same offer. His attempt, from 43 yards, also hooked left.
Miranda finally was true from 35 yards, triggering a wild chorus of "To the pool! ... To the pool!"
"I'm kind of disappointed," Miranda said. "I wanted to make it on the first one."
Jones said: "They needed a break."
The Warriors are scheduled to scrimmage during today's afternoon practice, which runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Birth of Moe's third child five days overdue
Tanuvasa Moe is a patient man. He waited four seasons before earning a shot to start at linebacker. Now he is awaiting the birth of his third child, who is five days overdue. He has a 3-year-old daughter and 1ý-year-old son.
Pigskin Pigout raised $120,000 for Warriors
The ninth Murphy's Warrior Pigskin Pigout raised $120,000 to the UH football team through ticket sales, and silent and live auctions. The money will be used to pay for training-table meals and other expenses not covered in the team's budget.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
