EAST LANSING, Mich.— When University of Hawai'i running back Nate Ilaoa rumbled for a 41-yard gain in the fourth quarter in yesterday's 42-14 loss to Michigan State, eventually getting pulled down from behind, one of his first thoughts was:

"Old Nate would have had (a touchdown)," Ilaoa said.

In that he was not alone. "I think he would have, too," said June Jones, the UH coach.

The Ilaoa of two and three years ago — before surgery to repair a knee ligament, a gain in weight and subsequent hamstring injury — might have gone 72 yards for a score.

But in his first start since suffering the injury in the 2003 season opener against Appalachian State, Ilaoa turned in a creditable and team-high 76 yards on nine carries.

"He's about 80 percent but, for the first time, you could see his quickness and elusiveness," Jones said."

That's of no small importance to the Warriors who had only one rush of 40 yards or more last season.

"It felt good to be back out there running again," said Ilaoa, who is down to about 230 after reporting to camp last month at 249 pounds. "I'm about 85 percent, I guess. The juke was rusty. I've got to get my weight down some more."

Jones said he would like to see Ilaoa get closer to 210 pounds.

Ex-Warrior Robinson at game: Dan Robinson, who quarterbacked UH to the O'ahu Bowl in 1999, attended the game with his wife and four children. He said he is eight months away from graduating from dental school.

No more replay: Yesterday's game, because it took place in a Big Ten stadium, is the only one on the UH regular-season schedule that will involve instant replay.

The WAC does not have replay.

Nevertheless, no calls were overturned though Jones made a point of saying he believed the play on which quarterback Colt Brennan was hurt while throwing a fourth-quarter pass, should have been a touchdown. Officials ruled the receiver was not in bounds.

Identification problems: Broadcasters said they found UH's new road uniforms — silver numerals on white — difficult to follow.

The sun and nine-story height of the press box contributed to the difficulty.

Rematch in 2007?: UH and Michigan State are scheduled to play again in 2007 at Aloha Stadium though there has been speculation Spartans coach John L. Smith, no fan of playing in Hawai'i last year, might try to get out of it.

Jones said: "We can't wait for them to come over to our place again."

Smith said: "I'll be there for that vacation. I'm not gonna play that game. We'll just do that vacation part. Can't we just do that? I'd like to come over there and not have to play the game. (But) I'll be there in Nov. 2007."

The contract carries a penalty clause for cancellation.

Injury update: Quarterback Colt Brennan suffered what was described by UH officials as a "mild shoulder separation" upon being hit in the fourth quarter.

Offensive tackle Dane Uperesa suffered what was termed a sprained ankle.

Both were listed as probable for UH's next game, Sept. 24 at Idaho.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.