Warriors settle on starting rotation
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
After four weeks of practices, experiments and tryouts, the University of Hawai'i football team has settled on a rotation for tomorrow's season opener against Florida Atlantic.
"We're happy to finally be playing," senior offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa said. "We've been chasing that carrot all summer. Maybe that's why I lost so much weight."
Here's a position-by-position look:
Left wideout
Advertiser library photo
Starter: Jason Rivers (6-1, 189, So.).
Sophomore Jason Rivers missed the first week of fall camp, but has locked up the left wideout position.
Backups: Britton Komine (5-10, 180, Sr.), Marcus Weems (6-3, 192, Jr.), Ian Sample (5-10, 195, Jr.).
Outlook: Despite missing the first week of practice while awaiting academic clearance, Rivers reported in good shape, and is poised for a breakout season. Rivers excels off bump-and-run coverages. With Sample recovering from a leg strain, Komine, the starting right wideout, might spell Rivers.
Left slotback
Starter: Chad Owens (5-9, 174, Sr.).
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| Owens |
Outlook: Owens has fully recovered from a sprained big toe on his left foot, as evidenced by his strong workouts this summer. "I did a lot of running, and not as much lifting," he said. "In the weight room, I probably worked my legs the hardest." Owens said his increased stamina will allow him to also serve as the returner on kickoffs and punts.
Left tackle
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| Esera |
Backup: Dane Uperesa (6-5, 328, So.)
Outlook: As a Kahuku High senior, Esera was the "other" defensive tackle on the state championship team. While Jonathan Mapu, who signed with Tennessee, is serving a church mission, Esera has developed into an effective pass-protector in a relatively short period. He switched from the defensive line last year, then missed part of last season's training camp because of a heart murmur. "This is his first training camp (as an offensive lineman)," line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "He's improved tremendously."
Left guard
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| Satele |
Backup: Marques Kaonohi (6-0, 269, So.)
Outlook: Even after losing nearly 20 pounds, Satele maintained his strength. An athletic lineman, Satele is an effective on-the-go blocker on trap plays and screens.
Center
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| Faavi |
Backups: Michael Lafaele (6-1, 297, Fr.), Moenoa (6-2, 327, Sr.).
Outlook: As a Campbell High senior, Faavi's accuracy on shotgun snaps was the first thing to catch the UH coaches' attention. Since joining the Warriors, whose offense relies heavily on the shotgun, "he's become a tremendous leader," Cavanaugh said. "He makes all of the (blocking) calls up front." Faavi can bench press 225 pounds 26 times.
Right guard
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| Moenoa |
Backups: Phil Kauffman (6-1, 286, Sr.), Hercules Satele (6-2, 279, Fr.).
Outlook: A family tragedy led to Moenoa reporting to last year's training camp significantly overweight. He ballooned to 370 pounds at the start of spring practice. But a strict diet helped Moenoa drop 40 pounds during the summer. He lost some more weight during training camp and now weighs under 330 pounds for the first time in two years. "He's more committed this year," Cavanaugh said.
Right tackle
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| Eaton |
Backups: Jeremy Inferrera (6-2, 284, So.)
Outlook: Eaton fought off a strong challenge from Inferrera to retain his starting job. Although Cavanaugh prefers to not substitute, Inferrera is expected to share time at both tackle positions.
Right slotback
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| Poumele |
Backups: Welch, Patrick Olchovy (5-8, 169, Fr.).
Outlook: Poumele has made an easy transition to starter, replacing Nate Ilaoa, who has not fully recovered from knee surgery. Poumele is regarded as the team's most sure-handed receiver. He is so skilled he often catches passes one-handed — a habit the coaches are trying to break.
Right wideout
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| Komine |
Backups: Ross Dickerson (5-11, 190, So.), Rene Melson (6-1, 183, Sr.), Andrew Pearman (5-9, 165, Fr.).
Outlook: Improved speed (he dropped 10 pounds) and consistency in running precise routes helped Komine seize the starting job. Until this summer, Komine had played every receiver position but right wideout. Komine also will be used at left wideout, enabling the player he supplanted, Dickerson, to receive playing time.
Quarterback
Starter: Tim Chang (6-1, 200, Sr.).
Chang
Backups: Kainoa Akina (5-11, 186, Jr.), Jack Rolovich (6-3, 221, Fr.), Brandon Satcher (6-0, 186, Fr.), Taylor Humphrey (5-11, 207, Fr.).
Outlook: Unfazed by his pursuit of the NCAA record for career passing yards, Chang enters the season with unabashed confidence. His most glaring weakness in previous seasons — accuracy on long passes — is now history. "He's been unbelievable," Komine said. "For people to understand that, they have to come to practice. Even when people are in his face, he's making great throws."
Running back
Starter: Michael Brewster (5-5, 185, Sr.)
Brewster
Backups: Michael Bass (5-6, 183, Sr.), Ryan Stickler (6-2, 233, So.)
Outlook: If West Keli'ikipi were healthy, Brewster still would start. Brewster has developed into the Warriors' best back-field blocker, using his strength and under-the-shoulder-pad technique to slow pass-rushers. He also is an elusive open-field runner.
Left end
Starter: Melila Purcell III
Purcell
Backups: Kila Kamakawiwo'ole (6-3, 241, Jr.), Karl Noa (6-4, 225, Fr.), Justin Faimealelei (6-1, 244, Jr.).
Outlook: The Warriors' best pass-rushers — Purcell and Kamakawiwo'ole — are most comfortable on the left side. Purcell, who is recovering from a sprained left foot and sprained right ankle, competed in defensive drills yesterday and is expected to play. During training camp, Purcell has played "very bold, like he had a chip on his shoulder," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "He walked with a swagger and he played with a swagger. He was more aggressive. He did some stuff that was off the chart."
Left tackle
Starter: Lui Fuga (6-1, 294, Sr.).
Fuga
Backups: Keala Watson (6-2, 299, Fr.), Kahai LaCount (6-2, 297, So.).
Outlook: A knee injury that kept Fuga from practicing for nearly two weeks provided on-the-job training for LaCount, a converted offensive lineman, and Watson, a freshman. Watson has played his way into the rotation. Fuga, meanwhile, is taking advantage of his experience (after two medical hardships, he is entering his sixth season at UH). "When I see Lui, I see an old Michael Jordan, the one in the Wizards uniform," Singletary said. "He's not a dunker anymore. He's a smart guy who uses his experience to make his points."
Right tackle
Starter: Matt Faga (6-2, 324, Sr.).
Faga
Backups: Clarence Tuioti-Mariner (5-11, 261, So.), Darrell Tautofi (6-2, 296, Sr.)
Outlook: Faga inherits Lance Samuseva's unglamorous role of pocket crusher, the defender who occupies extra blockers, freeing teammates to swoop in for tackles. "He does the dirty work," Singletary said. "He can run for a guy who's 320 pounds. Most big men are lazy. They don't like to run. He welcomes work. When a defensive end says, 'I can't run,' I pop in a tape and show them 320 pounds going at it play after play."
Right end
Starter: Kamakawiwo'ole
Kamakawiwo'ole
Backups: Noa, Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan (6-7, 274, Jr.).
Outlook: Kamakawiw-o'ole's knowledge of the defensive scheme earned him a starting job at one of the pass-rushing positions. "He's really the professor of the defense," Singletary said. "He's that sharp. All that he's missing is a white coat and tie."
Strong-side linebacker
Starter: Chad Kapanui (6-0, 226, Sr.).
Kapanui
Backups: Tanuvasa Moe (5-11, 210, Jr.), C.J. Allen-Jones (6-2, 204, Fr.).
Outlook: Kapanui spent his four previous years drifting from position to position. Finally settling at linebacker, he spent the offseason shedding 25 pounds and gaining confidence. Allen-Jones and fellow freshman Khevin Peoples will be used mostly on special teams for the first few games.
Middle linebacker
Starter: Ikaika Curnan (5-10, 221, Jr.)
Curnan
Backups: Watson Ho'ohuli (5-11, 222, Sr.), Timo Paepule (6-0, 241, Fr.).
Outlook: As it turned out, it was hardly a gamble to move the team's leading tackler in 2003 from outside linebacker. "You can isolate Ikaika on one side, and he'll make only half the number of plays he can make from the middle," said linebacker coach Cal Lee, who was Curnan's head coach at Saint Louis School. "He's so active, people have a difficult time trying to block him." As a Saint Louis inside linebacker, Curnan averaged nearly 20 tackles a game.
Weak-side linebacker
Starter: Moe.
Moe
Backups: Curnan, Lincoln Manutai (6-0, 228, Sr.), Patrick Lavar Harley (6-0, 225, Sr.).
Outlook: Moe can play all three linebacker positions. "I think his speed is deceptive," Lee said. As a long-snapper last season, Moe often would out-sprint his teammates and be the first to reach the punt returner. Paul Lutu-Carroll, who is recovering from a partially torn knee ligament, is not expected to play this week.
Left cornerback
Starter: Abraham Elimimian (5-10, 185, Sr.)
Elimimian
Backup: Turmarian Moreland (6-0, 194, Jr.).
Outlook: Although he was one of the league's best cover defenders last season, Elimimian was overshadowed by teammate Kelvin Millhouse. This year, Elimimian volunteered to move to the left side, succeeding Millhouse, in the position matched against an opponent's best receiver. "He wants to be challenged," said Rich Miano, who coordinates the pass defense. Elimimian plays nickelback in schemes calling for five defensive backs.
Strong safety
Starter: Leonard Peters (6-1, 184, Jr.)
Peters
Backups: Lono Manners (5-10, 204, Jr.), Landon Kafentzis (6-0, 194, Jr.).
Outlook: Peters, who has fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, has improved his tackling in training camp. Manners has played well in UH's two intrasquad scrimmages.
Free safety
Starter: Lamar Broadway (5-11, 175, Jr.).
Broadway
Backups: Matt Manuma (6-1, 205, Sr.), Patrick Jenkins (6-0, 190, Sr.).
Outlook: Broadway has made the successful transition from cornerback. "I like his speed and aggressiveness," Miano said. "He can play safety like a cornerback."
Right cornerback
Starter: Kenny Patton (6-0, 187, So.).
Patton
Backups: Ray Bass (5-10, 175, Fr.), Omega Hogan (5-9, 164, Jr.).
Outlook: Perhaps it is the discipline from his training in karate, but Patton, a black belt, makes few mistakes despite his aggressive style.
Placekicker
Starter: Justin Ayat (6-0, 201, Sr.).
Ayat
Backups: Nolan Miranda (5-8, 163, So.), C.J. Santiago (6-1, 203, Fr.).
Outlook: Despite a pulled groin muscle, Ayat vows to kick tomorrow. More important, he claims to have overcome a kicking slump that cost him a starting job last season.
Punter
Starter: Kurt Milne (6-0, 196, So.)
Backups: Tim Wright (6-4, 210, So.)
Outlook: Both punters have been busy in recent weeks. Milne is the holder on placekicks, and Wright will be used on kickoffs.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
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| Who: Hawai'i (0-0) vs. Florida Atlantic (0-0).
When/Where: 6:05 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium. Tickets: $20 (sidelines), $18 (South end zone), $10 (North end zone), $9 (North end zone/senior citizens, ages 4-18), free (UH students, but tickets only available at Stan Sheriff Center). Parking: $5. Gates: Parking lot opens at 2:30 p.m.; stadium gates at 3 p.m. Radio: KKEA (1420 AM). Television: Live on pay-per-view; delayed at 10 p.m. on K5 (channel 5). |
