UH substitutes making move up depth chart

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Even "CSI: Hawai'i" detectives would have difficulty explaining the mysterious appearances of defensive back Cameron Hollingsworth and running back Kala Latuselu on the University of Hawai'i football depth chart.

There had been no existing evidence either would be contributors this season.

Hollingsworth, a fourth-year junior who was recruited as a running back/receiver in 2001, was not invited to the Warriors' training camp in August.

In UH's one-back offense, Latuselu started the season as the backup to the sixth-string running back.

But inconsistencies and injuries have opened the way for both players. Hollingsworth is listed as the top backup to left cornerback Abraham Elimimian. Latuselu, understudy to Michael Brewster and West Keli'ikipi, competed with the first team during yesterday's practice.

"They've both worked hard," UH coach June Jones said.

Hollingsworth said his feelings were hurt when he was not included on the 105-player training camp roster. "I had to stay strong mentally," said Hollingsworth, who remained in Hawai'i during the summer instead of returning to Leavenworth, Wash.

He trained on his own during the day and worked as a security guard at night. "You never really want to get a real job," he said. "That motivated me to train for football. It's fun to play football."

Hollingsworth, 5 feet 11 and 167 pounds, rejoined the team at the start of the fall semester. After playing impressively on the scout team in drills against the first-team offense, he was promoted to second-team cornerback last week.

"Cameron has done his homework, prepared himself and worked hard," Jones said. "We reward guys like that."

Hollingsworth said: "It's starting to work out. Hopefully, I can contribute during the game."

Latuselu's journey was longer. Raised in Tonga, he moved to Hau'ula in 1989, when he was 8, on an education visa.

As a Kahuku High senior in 2000, he accepted a conditional scholarship offer from Utah. Under the agreement, Latuselu would go on a two-year church mission before enrolling at the Salt Lake City school.

"That was the deal," he said. "If I went on my church mission, the scholarship would be available when I came back. I didn't want to go. There was pressure to go, but for me, I didn't want to go. It wasn't for me."

Instead, Latuselu and Kalei Morita married, and he worked as an apprentice electrician.

"I was running pipes, pulling wire, hooking up lights," he recalled. "That was a great experience."

But he said, "I missed playing football." He also wanted to fulfill his promise of earning a bachelor's degree.

He contacted the UH coaches, then joined the Warriors for the 2003 training camp. He played in 10 games last season, mostly on special teams, and gained 13 yards on five carries.

Latuselu, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound sophomore, entered this season near the bottom of the depth chart. Then the injury list began to mushroom. Ryan Stickler suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on the opening kickoff. Michael Bass will ask for a medical hardship because of a knee injury. Chris Cole suffered a sprained ankle. Bryan Maneafaiga aggravated a shoulder injury during last week's intrasquad scrimmage.

With Keli'ikipi not fully healed from offseason knee surgery, Latuselu might be used more extensively this week.

"He's a tough kid and he really works hard," Jones said. "He does what's expected of him."

Warriors tightening up pass defense

For the Warriors, this week's to-do list includes ways to defend the tight end. The Warriors have relinquished four scoring passes this season — all to tight ends. (Rice halfback Joe Moore was aligned as a tight end when he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass.) Saturday's opponent, Tulsa, uses an offense featuring two tight ends.

UH defenders deny there is a trend. Jones has said Florida Atlantic's Anthony Crissinger-Hill, who caught two scoring passes, is a wideout aligned as a tight end.

UH safety Lono Manners said Rice's two touchdown passes were a result of the Warriors focusing too much on defending the triple-option running attack.

"They would run, run, run and then pass to the tight end," Manners said. "It would be much harder for us to defend because we would worry about the run."

The Warriors have two methods to covering the tight end. In short patterns, the strong-side linebacker is the primary defender. On long passes, the Warriors usually are aligned in a two-deep zone — Leonard Peters covering the left side, Manners assigned to the right.

Strong-side linebacker Chad Kapanui said UH's starting slotbacks provide adequate training.

"We play against our (first-team) offense every day," Kapanui said. "Our (slot) receivers are harder to cover than any tight end."

Starting linebackers are special breed

The Warriors are one of the few teams to use several starters on special teams. The three starting linebackers — Ikaika Curnan, Kapanui and Tanuvasa Moe — were on the punt-coverage unit against Rice.

"That's where you earn your colors," Curnan said. "That's the area where the coaches see what you've got."

Stickler suffered his shoulder injury on the season's opening kickoff, and Curnan incurred an elbow injury on punt coverage last week. Curnan will not play on special teams this week, although he is expected to start at middle linebacker on defense.

Jones said those injuries are rare, noting, "You don't usually get hurt on special teams, other than the return guys."

Jones said Southern California, last year's national champion, placed "their starters on special teams. ... You want to put the best players out there."

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