For his first performance of this football season, University of Hawai'i running back Reagan Mauia earned two (sprained) thumbs up.

Asked to list the most impressive Warriors in a 25-17 loss to Alabama, head coach June Jones yesterday started with the 5-foot-11, 282-pound converted nose tackle and junior-college offensive lineman.

"Reagan Mauia was a powerful player," Jones said. "He did a lot."

The game's wrapup will note Mauia rushed three times for 15 yards, and lost a fumble at the Alabama 2 on the Warriors' opening drive of the second half — a turnover induced when he tried to protect his knees from a heat-seeking defender.

But the video — the only measuring tool college coaches endorse — showed Mauia was an effective replacement for Nate Ilaoa, who did not play in the second half because of a concussion.

En route to a 16-yard touchdown off a shovel pass, Mauia leaped over cornerback Lionel Mitchell, who was attempting a rolling tackle.

In the four-wide offense, the running back is primarily a backfield blocker. On one play against Alabama, Mauia froze outside linebacker Juwan Simpson, a top pass-rusher, with a two-handed shove.

On another play, a pass-rusher approached Mauia, who went into a blocking stance, and then retreated before contact could be made.

What's more, Mauia played despite suffering two sprained thumbs and aggravating a sprained ligament in his left shoulder.

"It's from blocking," Mauia said of the thumb injuries. "In the game, you're going all out. It's like survivor mode. You go on natural instincts. For me, it's to use my hands. I used to play on the offensive line, and I'm really good with my hands.

"In the game, I was doing a lot of sumo punching — straight to the chest. If there was an easy target, I was going to take it. It's the way I block. It's so vicious and fast, I don't think about my hands. I'll punch anything. My hands get a little bit swollen, but nothing major."

ILAOA TAKING IT EASY

Despite insisting he is "feeling good" after suffering a concussion, Ilaoa was not allowed to compete in conditioning drills yesterday.

While his teammates ran a series of 55-yard sprints for 10 minutes, Ilaoa was on the exercise bicycle.

Athletic trainers told Ilaoa he needed to be evaluated daily.

"I might take it easy for a few days, but I'm not missing any games," Ilaoa said. "I'll be ready by the end of the week."

UH has a bye this weekend. Its next game is Sept. 16 against Nevada-Las Vegas.

JACKSON IN ACTION

Under terms of the new return policy, slotback Marquez Jackson will receive more playing time.

Jackson, a second-year freshman from Georgia, has been told he will be used as a punt returner against UNLV.

"He was a returner in high school, and I want to give some of the scout-team players an opportunity to earn positions," Jones said. "For home games, we can dress everybody. We're going to try and utilize some of the other guys."

Although Jackson was competing as a punt returner in training camp, he was not included on UH's self-imposed 60-player travel roster for the Alabama game.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity to come around since I missed it the first time," Jackson said. "I want that to be my job because I feel that's the best way for me to help this team. Returning punts is something I want to do, and what I feel I do best."

Jackson, who is 5 feet 8, has gained 11 pounds since last season and now weighs 155.

C.J. Hawthorne, the starting right cornerback, was the punt returner against Alabama.

"I'll support whatever the coach says," Hawthorne said. "This is the UH team, not the C.J. team."

LEONARD GOES DISTANCE

Inside linebacker Adam Leonard said he was more pleased with his endurance than with his team-high 11 tackles against Alabama.

Except for long-passing situations and three downs in the third quarter, Leonard played the entire way in his first NCAA start. Leonard, a sophomore, missed his senior season at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Last year, he played in eight games, mostly on special teams.

"Defensively, there were games I played only one or two plays," Leonard said.

Leonard and inside linebacker Solomon Elimimian trained in Seattle this summer. The conditioning work paid off when Leonard made an important sack in the fourth quarter.

Assigned to protect the perimeter on the left side, Leonard instead cut inside to make the sack after John Parker Wilson stepped into the pocket.

Leonard has been bothered by a strained right quadriceps, and did not sprint yesterday.

"I know my limits, and I have to make sure I get treatment," he said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.