When the music stopped, nose tackle Michael Lafaele was the University of Hawai'i football team's No. 1 defensive left end.

The game of musical linemen, sparked when left end Melila Purcell III suffered a knee injury last Saturday, resulted in a surprise choice.

"Nobody told me anything about moving until this morning," Lafaele said after yesterday's 2-hour practice in preparation for Saturday's game against New Mexico State. "The coaches came up to me and said, 'You have to learn how to play end today.' Whatever it takes to help the team."

Lafaele, a third-year sophomore from Farrington High School, had never played defensive end until yesterday's drills. "Last year was the first time I played on the d-line," he said. "All through high school, I played on the offensive line."

Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville was reviewing a pool of eight candidates before deciding to move Lafaele from nose tackle, where he started the past two games. Nose tackle Keala Watson practiced with the first-team defense yesterday.

"You try to get your best 11 on the field," Glanville said. "To have (No.) 93 (Watson) watching (No.) 67 (Lafaele) isn't smart. To have 67 watching 93 isn't smart. If one of our best is not in the lineup, you have to do something about it. That's all there is to it."

In UH's 3-4 defensive scheme, the nose tackle fends off tandem blocks from the center and a guard. The left end, aligned on an offense's strong side, fends off the tandem blocks of the guard and tackle or tackle and tight end. Glanville said Lafaele and Watson have the strength and girth to prevent offensive linemen from gaining "push" — advancing the line of scrimmage — and creating space for the ball-carrier.

"I like his motor," Glanville said of 310-pound Lafaele. "I like how hard he plays."

In some situations, UH's left end is required to align wide of the tight end as a pass-rusher. Asked if Lafaele can be an effective pass-rusher, Glanville said: "You've got what you've got. You can't make them faster. The bottom line is, you've got to play your best players."

But in those long-yardage situations, 240-pound Karl Noa or Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan likely will be used.

Renolds Fruean practiced sparingly at left end yesterday. Fruean started the first two games at nose tackle before suffering a sprained right ankle. "I'll be playing this week," Fruean said. "I want to get back on the field."

As for Purcell, the recovery period is between a week and a month, UH coach June Jones said. Purcell was diagnosed with a bone bruise and a "mild" tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He will not play this week.

"I don't know how long he'll be out," Jones said. "It's different for different guys. It could be two weeks, it could be four weeks. It depends on his personal work."

ILAOA MIGHT MISS GAME

Nate Ilaoa, who started the past two games at running back, did not practice yesterday after suffering a "turf toe" injury against Louisiana Tech. "I don't count on him" for this week's game, Jones said.

Freshmen Mario Cox and David Farmer yesterday rotated at running back. "Mario did some good things in the game" against Tech, Jones said. "Every time he plays, he'll get better and better. He did a good job on special teams."

Right tackle Dane Uperesa, whose sore left elbow was in a sling Sunday and Monday, practiced yesterday.

Strong safety Lono Manners also practiced despite three heavily wrapped dislocated fingers — the ring and middle fingers on his left hand, and index finger on his right hand. He said he uses student mentors to help him take notes.

"I can grip a pen, but it's with my thumb and my ring finger," he said. "I guess I have to get used to using both fingers to keep up with school."

For Saturday's game, Manners plans to receive an injection of painkillers in his hands. "It's all about the team right now," he said. "I'll do anything for the team, even if it means making sacrifices."

Jones said wideout Jordan Slye still is not available to play. Citing privacy laws, Jones cannot comment on the reason Slye is able to practice but not play in games. But people familiar with the situation said there is a glitch in Slye's eligibility. Slye, who played at Washington as a freshman, earned an associate degree from Compton College during the summer. A two-year degree is required for a player transferring from a junior college to play immediately for a Division I-A team.

"It's kind of frustrating, but you can't worry about things you can't control," Jones said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.