Warrior slotback Ilaoa to miss season opener
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i slotback Nate Ilaoa will not play in the football season opener because his surgically repaired right knee has not fully healed.
"We'll just have to see how it goes," Ilaoa said of his return date.
Ilaoa
The Warriors open their season Sept. 4 against Florida Atlantic. After a bye, they play a Sept. 18 road game against Rice in Houston.
"At this point, I don't know how long he'll be out," UH coach June Jones said. "We're going to wait until his leg tests 100 percent."
Ilaoa, who was projected to start at right slotback, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 2003 season opener. He underwent surgery two weeks later.
Ilaoa said he does not experience constant pain, but "some of the muscles are acting up. I have to wait for (the knee) to get stronger."
He said it will be difficult to miss the opener.
"But things happen for a reason," he added. "I want to make sure I'm 100 percent before I come back so I don't mess anything else up."
Se'e Poumele, a fifth-year senior from San Diego, will open as the right slotback. Last season, Poumele split duties as a slotback and quarterback in short-yardage situations.
"I'm happy to be a starter," he said. "But I'm good friends with Nate and I really feel for him. It's a bummer. I wish he could go out there with us."
Keli'ikipi likely to miss opener
Jones said it is likely running back West Keli'ikipi also will miss the season opener.
Ilaoa
"I haven't talked to him specifically, but I wouldn't think he would play in the first game," Jones said.
Keli'ikipi is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Michael Brewster, who began his collegiate career at Tennessee before transferring to UH in 2001, will start at running back.
Melila Purcell III, who is projected to start at defensive left end, was able to participate in defensive drills yesterday. He had not practiced since suffering a sprained left foot Aug. 19.
"I'm OK," Purcell said as he sprinted to breakfast yesterday.
Defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who is recovering from a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, said he will resume practicing Monday.
Defense looks strong in 40-play scrimmage
In a private screening of next week's opener against Florida Atlantic, the Warriors' defense made a strong showing in yesterday's full-contact scrimmage at Aloha Stadium.
The 40-play scrimmage matched UH's defense against a UH scout team portraying Florida Atlantic's offense.
Of "Florida Atlantic's" 21 running plays, eight went for negative yards. The Warriors also made a sack and intercepted a pass.
Bryan Maneafaiga broke away for 43 yards off a power sweep down the left sideline. But cornerback Ray Bass, who was positioned at the far side, raced across the field to chase down Maneafaiga and strip away the ball.
"He's learning how to play," Jones said of Bass, who filled in for ailing cornerback Turmarian Moreland in the nickel defense. "He got the fumble. He never gave up. He did what you have to do."
Bass said: "It was a live scrimmage. You can't give up on any play."
The other big play came when Chad Owens scored on a 90-yard punt return. Owens, the starting left slotback, is returning to full-time return duties for the first time since his freshman season in 2001.
The practice was the only one the Warriors will have at Aloha Stadium before the opener. Reporters were the only outsiders allowed to attend.
Jones said the Aloha Stadium workout helped prepare the first-year players.
"I don't want them to have big eyes when they come out of the tunnel (from the locker room) for the first game. It was a good change. Sometimes you have more concentration when you do little changes."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
