The University of Hawai'i football team packed a lot of aches and pains on its trip to Idaho yesterday.

Injuries remained a concern for the Warriors, who departed Honolulu yesterday afternoon for Moscow, Idaho. Hawai'i (0-2) will open its Western Athletic Conference schedule at Idaho (0-3) tomorrow.

"We're not as healthy as we need to be, but we're ready to play," head coach June Jones said. "We have a lot of guys hurt, banged up, and we're still not sure who may play and who may not."

Starting linebacker Ikaika Curnan and running back Bryan Maneafaiga were not able to practice yesterday due to injuries.

Starting guard Brandon Eaton and slotback Nate Ilaoa returned to practice yesterday after sitting out Wednesday.

Eaton (hamstring) and tackle Dane Uperesa (ankle) — the right side of the offensive line — are both expected to start despite lingering injuries.

Ilaoa started at running back at Michigan State two weeks ago, but practiced at slotback yesterday.

"Nate's still hobbling," Jones said. "I'm still not sure about him."

The running back spot also appears unsettled. Maneafaiga started the season opener against Southern California, but Jones does not expect him to be ready by tomorrow.

"We'll probably take him (on the trip), but I don't think he'll play," Jones said.

Freshman walk-on David Farmer got most of the repetitions with the first-team offense yesterday. Junior Kala Latuselu and touted freshman Mario Cox are also expected to make the trip.

Cox, who became eligible two weeks ago, is still learning the Hawai'i offense. "I'm not sure what his role will be yet," Jones said.

There are also uncertainties on defense.

Hawai'i defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said Curnan will likely sit out practice again today at the Kibbie Dome.

"We're giving him three days off, and hopefully on game day he wakes up and just feels better," Glanville said. "On the film, he was limping real bad and was not able to run like he can."

If Curnan is unable to play, freshman Solomon Elimimian would make his first collegiate start.

"I don't think you could find a rookie that has more football awareness," Glanville said of Elimimian. "Mentally, he is not a rookie."

Several other positions on defense could be revamped.

Freshman nose tackle Keala Watson, senior safety Landon Kafentzis and sophomore cornerback Keao Monteilh have all been working with the first-team defense this week.

Glanville said the injuries have been a factor in the shifting lineup, but added: "One thing you learn in football, you waste your time worrying about injuries because they're going to come."

In any case, the Warriors will have to be ready for Idaho quarterback Steven Wichman, who has completed 51 of 81 passes for 720 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Glanville described Wichman as "more accurate" than Southern California's Matt Leinart and Michigan State's Drew Stanton.

Glanville said the Hawai'i defense will probably have to be prepared for another "surprise" offense Saturday. He said USC and Michigan State both designed new plays specifically for the Warriors.

"The first two games, we didn't see anything they've ever done since or before," he said. "It's sort of a left-handed compliment.

"It's tough because our kids are trying to learn a defense and we practice it for three days and then (in the game) we don't see anything we practice against."

NOTES

Senior Jeff Rhode is expected to be the third quarterback tomorrow, behind starter Colt Brennan and freshman Tyler Graunke. Senior Kainoa Akina was the third quarterback for the road game at Michigan State, but he is not expected to travel this week.

Nose tackle Renolds Fruean, who got significant playing time at Michigan State, will not travel with the team because of an ankle injury.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.