His right ankle was covered with an ice-filled wrap. He rode a golf cart to the training room. X-rays were not taken, and he is scheduled for treatment today.

When asked if he would practice Monday, Purcell said, "I don't think so."

Purcell had suffered a sprained left foot during the Aug. 19 practice. He did not practice again until Friday's workout at Aloha Stadium.

Yesterday, Purcell competed in most of the contact drills.

During the two-minute drill, Karl Noa replaced Purcell at left end.

Kila Kamakawiwo'ole, who had filled for Purcell while he recovered from the injured left foot, played right end yesterday, supplanting Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan, who is recovering from an illness. "Tony had a high fever and some

chills," UH defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said. "Kila has done a nice job at either side. He's going to be a guy we're going to have to put on the field quite a bit."

UH coach June Jones said Akpan, Kamakawiwo'ole, Noa and Ikaika Alama-Francis will rotate at right end. Alama-Francis, who underwent back surgery three weeks ago, is expected to resume practicing on Sept. 13, in time for the Warriors' second game.

Defensive tackle Fuga fit following long layoff

After competing in his first full practice since Aug. 14, starting defensive left tackle Lui Fuga declared himself physically fit.

Fuga has been recovering from a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

He participated in some defensive drills Friday and all of them yesterday.

"I waited a long time for this day," Fuga said. "It makes up for my two weeks of resting my knee. I felt OK. It's not the best, but it's OK for me to do some stuff."

The 1998 Waipahu High grad enrolled at UH in January 1999.

He missed the 2001 season after undergoing surgery on both shoulders and all but one game of the 2002 season because of a leg injury. The NCAA granted medical hardships for both seasons, enabling Fuga to compete this season as a sixth-year senior.

Elimimian sits, forcing scramble in secondary

Abraham Elimimian, the starting left cornerback and nickelback, did not practice yesterday because of a strained leg. The injury is not considered serious, but it did force a lineup scramble.

Ray Bass filled in for Elimimian at left cornerback when the Warriors were in their base 4-3 defense.

When the Warriors used five defensive backs, Bass stayed at left cornerback, free safety Lamar Broadway moved to nickelback and Leonard Peters, who is recovering from a bruised right shoulder, played free safety.

The Warriors are hopeful today's break, their first day off after 24 practices in the past 20 days, will help mend nagging injuries.

It's a baby girl for Moe and girlfriend

Although linebacker Tanuvasa Moe waited nine extra days for the birth of his third child, the experience was a rush.

Near the end of Thursday's practice, Moe was told his girlfriend, Summer Nahinu, had dilated 5 centimeters.

"I was on a bee line to the hospital," he said. "I drove out there in my pads. I didn't take off my pads until I got into the room. When I found out I had some time, I took a shower."

He served as Lamaze coach, chanting the hee-hee-hoo-hoo breathing technique.

"She didn't need me there," he admitted. "She was doing it on her own."

Teisha Sky Moe weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

"She's big," he said, "but I guess it's because she was in there for so long."

Freshman QB Graunke fine with redshirting

Freshman quarterback Tyler Graunke remains upbeat even though the NCAA Clearinghouse has yet to certify his eligibility for the fall semester.

"It's not a problem," said Graunke, a graduate of Salpoint Catholic High in Arizona. "They've got my transcripts. They haven't bothered to do anything with them yet. There are a couple of glitches here and there. There's a little miscommunication between my high school and the Clearinghouse. It'll all work itself out."'

Graunke played well in last week's controlled scrimmage. He agreed to redshirt this semester, after which he will have four seasons of eligibility remaining.

"It's a good situation," he said.

"Obviously I'm not going to beat out (senior quarterback) Timmy (Chang) for his job. I just want to be here as long as possible."