Warriors name captains

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In an announcement that was more of a formality, the University of Hawai'i football team yesterday named quarterback Tim Chang, left slotback Chad Owens, left defensive tackle Lui Fuga and left cornerback Abraham Elimimian as captains for the season.

UH coach June Jones says he will forgo his previous practice of picking two weekly captains. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

All of the captains are seniors.

In the five previous seasons, UH coach June Jones named two permanent captains. He rotated two additional captains each week.

But Jones said this year's voting was close enough to warrant four season-long captains.

"They carried almost all of the votes," said Jones, adding he won't pick weekly captains this year.

The captains serve as the liaison between the players and coaches.

"It's such a great honor, and it comes with great responsibility," said Chang, a Saint Louis School graduate on track to break the NCAA career record for passing yards.

"I'm going to be more of the non-vocal one and Chad will be the fireplug," Chang said.

Owens agreed, adding, "I've always been pretty vocal. I'll be real with the guys and say what needs to be said. If anybody is slacking, I'll tell him to pick it up. If somebody needs some confidence, I'll be there to give him a boost. It's all about being positive."

Fuga (partially torn knee ligament) and Elimimian (pulled leg muscle) did not practice yesterday.

"They deserve to be (defensive) captains," defensive end Melila Purcell III said. "I can't think of anybody else."

Even without the titles, "we know those four guys are the team leaders," cornerback Kenny Patton said. "They do what they're supposed to do."

Owens, who joined the Warriors as a non-scholarship player, described the new role as "a privilege. Even though we're captains, there are a lot of other leaders on this team. We have the title, but everyone is a leader in his own way."

Freshmen could get playing time this year

Eleven of the 17 scholarship players from this year's recruiting class are expected to play this season.

"I would say there are a lot of them who are not going to redshirt," Jones said. "I've always not been big on redshirting a player. If it benefits the kid, I'll redshirt him. But I want to put out the best team I can put out. If a freshman is better than somebody else, why would I redshirt him? That's not putting the best team out there."

Of the 18 players UH signed in February, two are not on the team. Defensive tackle Austin Jackson did not report and defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson did not earn enough credits to qualify this season.

In their absence, defensive end Paul Harmon, who was expected to enroll at UH in January, was invited to join the team early.

Jones said quarterback Tyler Graunke will redshirt this season. Wideout Desmond Thomas, who has played well but is slowed by a leg strain, also is expected to redshirt.

Defensive tackle Fale Laeli has injuries to both shoulders that might require surgery, defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said.

Offensive linemen Keith Ah Soon, defensive back Matt Kirschner and Harmon are learning the schemes and would be candidates to redshirt.

Jones said he will decide on a "game basis" when freshman quarterbacks Taylor Humphrey and Brandon Satcher will be used this season.

Manners battles Peters at safety

Strong safety Leonard Peters, who is resting a bruised right shoulder, did not compete in practice yesterday. Peters has fully recovered from offseason surgery on his left shoulder.

"It's not bad," Peters said of the latest ailment. "I'm just taking a break."

Lono Manners, who is challenging for playing time, replaced Peters on the first team.

"We're still in the audition stage," said Rich Miano, who coordinates the pass defense. "The thing about Lono is communication and playing. He hasn't played a lot. In terms of his camp, he deserves an opportunity to play. Will he start? I'm not sure. But we'd like to get him into the game and see what he can do."

Manners is the leader of several players vowing not to cut their hair this season. Defensive tackle Matt Faga is the first dropout.

"It was too hot," Faga said.

Backup cornerback Turmarian Moreland did not practice yesterday because of a pulled leg muscle.

Defensive tackle Billy Tafea, a former Farrington High standout, and 6-foot-3 wideout Joey Hew Len, who was raised in Sacramento, are expected to be cleared to practice.

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