For two years, Hawai'i football player Raphael Ieru grudgingly faced an opponent that could not speak but always told the truth.

"You get scared every time," Ieru said of his weekly appointments with the step-on scale in the UH locker room. "You can step on it, and you don't see the results you feel you should see."

But three weeks ago, Ieru finally conquered his taunting nemesis when the scale's needle pointed to the left of "300."

"I was super excited," said Ieru, whose weight had ballooned to as much as 365 pounds since joining the Warriors in August 2005. "It was unbelievable. I felt real good. I've been getting good comments from all of the coaches. That drives you even more."

As a reward, the now 296-pound Ieru can snack on a new role: No. 2 right tackle.

"Because he showed the dedication off the field to lose the weight, I'm going give him an opportunity to show what he can do," head coach June Jones said.

During the bye week, Ieru has received extensive work during team drills. His strength (benches 225 pounds 26 times) combined with his improved quickness have improved his stock as a perimeter blocker.

"He's playing his (butt) off," offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said. "He's reborn again hard. I'm very proud of him."

The 2005 McKinley High graduate was supposed to be the next big lineman. Unfortunately, that projection proved to be literal.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee in 2005, Ieru struggled with his conditioning.

"Sometimes my knee held me back, but I don't use that as an excuse," he said.

Last year, Ieru admitted, "I wasn't responsible. I took everything to the head instead of taking care of all of my priorities."

At the end of spring practice in April, Jones told the 6-foot-1 Ieru he needed to weigh less than 300 if he wanted to compete for playing time.

Ieru went on the Atkins Diet, eating salads and smaller portions of beef and chicken. He reduced his intake of carbohydrates and sweets. Ieru reported to training camp weighing 309 pounds.

"Coach Jones wanted me to lose more, but he was OK with 309," Ieru said.

Trouble was, Ieru went the opposite way, gaining six pounds.

"I felt bad," Ieru said. "I didn't want to disappoint anybody. We've got brothers out there fighting for you, and the best you can do is your part."

Ieru decided to commit to losing weight. He drank more water, avoided anything fried.

"You get used to eating small portions," he said. "You keep doing it, and you feel better about yourself."

Ieru said he has not reached his preferred weight of 290.

"People say that's too light for a lineman," Ieru said. "But people have different frames. There are big 290s and skinny 290s. You have to be in shape to play in this offense. There's a lot of movement, pulling, a lot of screens. There's a lot of fun stuff, too. It's not pass block and chill. You have to be quick on your feet and read the (line)backers and (defensive) ends. I'm trying to improve."

Ieru said he also has vowed to learn more about his Samoan ancestry. He said it is heartening to hear Mainland-raised teammates Colt Brennan, Davone Bess and Jacob Patek speak Samoan.

"I feel they're getting better than me," Ieru said. "That goes to show they're taking it serious. They want to learn about the Polynesian cultures. It's a big plus. That shows we're brothers on this team. That's what keeps us close."

MONTEILH EYES BOWL

Safety Keao Monteilh, who will miss the rest of the regular season with a fractured shoulder blade, vowed to play in the postseason bowl game.

"I'm playing in the bowl whether they like it or not," said Monteilh, who attended yesterday's practice with his left arm in a sling. "I think I'll be good to go."

Although he was told the recovery is six to eight weeks — there are five weekends remaining in the regular season — Monteilh said, "I heal a little fast."

He said his range of motion has improved and he has cut back on pain-killers.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.