When the music stopped yesterday, two University of Hawai'i receivers ended up in different football roles.

The game of musical receivers continued with sophomore slotback Jason Ferguson moving from the left side to the right, and second-year freshman Dylan Linkner ascending to No. 1 left wideout.

The competition at right slotback was thinned because of injuries to Nate Ilaoa (pulled hamstring) and Ryan Grice-Mullen (strained right shoulder). Linkner replaced starting left wideout Ian Sample, who suffered a sprained back during Saturday's practice.

"We're low on numbers," UH coach June Jones said. "Three guys went down, so we want to look at different players. Dylan's worked really hard. He deserved a look."

Linkner was surrounded by success growing up in Kailua. His father Jim, a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano winner, is singer Keali'i Reichel's engineer and producer.

Linkner's own musical experience was limited to playing trombone in the Kailua High band. It was on the football field where Linkner was entertaining as a sure-handed receiver. He turned down other opportunities to join UH as a non-scholarship player.

"This is home," said Linkner, who is 6 feet and 191 pounds. "Born and raised in Kailua. When coach Jones came here, he built a great program. It made me want to come here even more."

Linkner worked out daily at UH this summer. He entered training camp as the immediate backup to Sample. Yesterday, he said, "my number got called, and I was ready. It was good to get first-team reps."

Linkner is easily recognizable for his long bleached hair. "The last time I cut it was for graduation in high school (in June 2004)," he said. "I did a quick trim last year because my sides were getting a little wild."

Ferguson and his roommate, freshman Davone Bess, have emerged as the top two slotbacks. The thing is, both opened training camp at left slotback. The injuries opened the way for Ferguson to practice at right slotback yesterday. Jones said the routes are similar at both slots, easing Ferguson's transition.

"I'm not sure if they'll keep me over there, but it was nice to be on the field at the same time as Davone," Ferguson said. "We have a little chemistry."

Although they shared the same position, Ferguson said of Bess, "we don't play as if we're competitors. We try to push each other. I have a hard time waking up, but during the summer, he woke me up every morning to work out."

Instead of focusing on running and power lifting, Ferguson said, "we worked on football drills. We caught so many balls. We caught the ball maybe two, three hours a day. Even on weekends, when we weren't running routes, we would play catch in the parking lot outside of our house. We worked not just on catching the football, but catching the football only with our hands, to perfect the for-sure catch. We had this thing where we had to catch every single day. We didn't want to take five steps forward and two steps back. That's three steps. We're five-step guys."

WEDDING BELLS RING

Kila Kamakawiwo'ole proved why he is considered to be one of the Warriors' fastest linebacker.

Ninety minutes after sprinting to the locker room following this past Saturday morning's practice, Kamakawiwo'ole was walking down the aisle at his family's Lamb of God church.

"I was worried about time," he said of his wedding to his long-time girlfriend, Iwalani. "We made it."

They are parents to twin sons, Kila Jr. and Kalanikau. Kamakawiwo'ole said he proposed this past Easter. "I'm very happy," he said.

CURNAN STILL RECOVERING

Ikaika Curnan, who is projected to start at inside linebacker, said he does not know when he will be able to compete in 7-on-7 drills. Curnan is recovering from surgery on his right ankle. "I'll be playing it by ear," he said.

Inside linebackers Brad Kalili-moku and Timo Paepule have worked with the first team.

MIRANDA SET TO RETURN

Placekicker Nolan Miranda said he is on schedule to rejoin the team Aug. 22, when the active roster may expand.

In June, Miranda announced he was leaving the team because of undisclosed personal reasons.

"A little more than a month ago, things changed," he said. "I don't want to say what's changed, but things have changed for the better."

As a non-roster player, Miranda is not allowed to attend meetings or participate in any team drills. But he is watching practices, and kicking on his own on the neighboring soccer field. Freshmen Daniel Kelly and Jeremy Shibata are the only kickers in camp.

"I don't know if I'm stronger, but I feel I'm kicking the ball farther," Miranda said.