Warriors lose defensive end Kamakawiwo'ole

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i junior defensive end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole underwent an appendectomy Tuesday night and will not compete in tomorrow's nationally televised road football game against 18th-ranked Boise State.

Kamakawiwo'ole

UH coach June Jones said he did not know when — or if — Kamakawiwo'ole will resume playing this season.

Defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said he is preparing as if Kamakawiwo'ole will miss between three and six weeks.

"We're going to miss him a bunch," Lumpkin said. "He's been doing really well. He is one of the smartest players on the field. He does a lot of things that people don't see with the naked eye, but he does things that keep us on track."

In Saturday's 46-28 victory over San Jose State, Kamakawiwo'ole was aligned wide — as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker — in the Warriors' new 3-4 alignment. On a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter, he made a jarring open-field tackle to end the Spartans' possession.

"I just hate it — hate it — that he won't be able to play," Singletary said. "I can't speak enough about him. He can play all over. He's the free safety of our defensive line."

Singletary said Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan is the leading choice to start at right end. It was feared Akpan suffered a dislocated shoulder against San Jose State. But further medical tests did not show significant damage.

"It might be defensive end-by-committee," Singletary said, "but I like the committee we've selected."

Lumpkin said: "They will step up and do a good job."

Lumpkin, who is recovering from nerve damage in his leg, is symbolic of the Warriors' health problems. Defensive tackle Matt Faga (hyper-extended right elbow), left end Melila Purcell III (bruised sternum, sore right foot) and safety Matt Manuma (strained left rotator cuff) are expected to be available to play. Middle linebacker Ikaika Curnan (sprained right ankle) traveled with the team to Boise. His availability will be determined tomorrow.

Weakside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe (strained right hamstring) will not play.

No place like home, even on game days

Boise State is the rare Division I-A team that does not spend the eve of a home game sequestered in a hotel.

The widespread practice is for a home team to stay in a hotel to limit outside distractions in the 24 hours leading to kickoff. UH, for instance, stays overnight at the Ilikai Hotel.

UH's Chad Owens, left, won't run into Boise State's Chris Carr, who is out with a broken collarbone. Advertiser library photo

Linebacker Andy Avalos did not think "it was that big of a deal until I started talking to guys from the other teams. Coach (Dan Hawkins) trusts us. He knows we're all about football on weekends and we're not going to be out messing around."

On the day of the game, the team will report for a morning meeting and then a walk-through practice at Bronco Stadium. "Then we get to go back home, and we're on our own until the pre-game meal four hours before the game."

The players earned the trust during their summer workouts. Zabransky said all of the returning scholarship players stayed in Boise during the summer. He said some of the recruits even joined in the unsupervised workouts.

"I think it builds the character of the team to stay here and go through the workouts, which are pretty tough," Avalos said. "It's pretty hot in the summer in Boise. It's about 100."

Avalos said the workouts mix football drills with agility and conditioning disciplines. Two days each week, the players would run up and down the steps of Bronco Stadium.

"I don't get to go home a lot," said Avalos, who was raised in Corona, Calif. "The hard work is worth it. On Saturdays, it all pays off."

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