The leader of the Hawai'i football team's defensive secondary — left safety/nickelback Keao Monteilh — will miss the rest of the regular season after being diagnosed with a fractured left scapula.

Monteilh, a fourth-year junior from Saint Louis School, was told the recovery period is between four and six weeks. There are five weeks — four games — remaining in the Warriors' 12-game regular season.

"It's part of the game," said Monteilh, who was injured while making a third-quarter tackle in Saturday's 50-13 victory over New Mexico State.

Monteilh initially believed he suffered a stinger. But X-rays Saturday night indicated there was some damage.

A CAT scan yesterday showed the fracture to the left scapula, or shoulder blade.

Monteilh said he was told he could not start a rehabilitation program until "the bone attaches."

It is a significant loss for the 11th-ranked Warriors heading into the homestretch. After this weekend's bye, the Warriors play four games in four weeks.

Head coach June Jones said being without Monteilh is "pretty big because he's kind of a captain back there (in the secondary). He lines people up in assignment. He's just really a good football player. He made a lot of things happen. He made a great pick in the game. He's really kind of coming into his own, found his spot on the team."

Monteilh has two interceptions this season. The past three games, Monteilh has been the No. 1 nickelback in defenses utilizing five defensive backs.

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said Desmond Thomas, also a fourth-year junior, will become the starting left safety.

McMackin said second-year freshman Spencer Smith and junior-college transfer Erik Robinson will get work as second-team safeties.

Ryan Mouton, who played Saturday after missing the previous two games because of a knee injury, will serve as the No. 1 nickelback.

"I feel for Keao," Thomas said. "I pray he'll get better."

Thomas, who is 6 feet 2 and 175 pounds, is a hard-hitter despite bench-pressing a maximum 285 pounds.

"I don't bench that much, I don't weigh that much, but whatever I have, I use every ounce of it," Thomas said.

SAOLE OUT THREE WEEKS

Rustin Saole, a key member of several special teams, will miss three weeks because of a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

"I'm glad I'm not out for the year," said Saole, who initially feared he had suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament.

He said he will not need surgery.

BRENNAN HONORED AGAIN

For the third time this year, quarterback Colt Brennan was selected as the Western Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. For the third time, Brennan deflected the honor.

"I think Ryan was the one who really deserved it," Brennan said of slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins, who caught 13 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns.

On one of the scores, Grice-Mullins parlayed a 3-yard pass into a 42-yard gain.

"That's always great from a quarterback standpoint," Brennan said.

"I love it, too," Grice-Mullins said. "It's a lot more fun catching and running for 40 (yards) than catching one in the end zone."

While Brennan praised his teammate's recent surge (27 receptions in the past two games) Grice-Mullins said his quarterback was worthy of the weekly award after throwing six touchdown passes.

"He deserves it," Grice-Mullins said. "I mean, six touchdowns. He did a good job. He came out swinging."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.