Despite a noticeable limp and restricted workout yesterday, Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan remained optimistic he will play against Charleston Southern tomorrow.

"It feels a lot better every day," said Brennan, who has a sprained right ankle. "If it continues to heal the way it's been healing, and Saturday I wake up and it feels good and I can go, I'm gonna go. No doubt about that."

During yesterday's practice, Brennan wore shoulder pads, threw lightly on the side, and only handed off in 11-on-11 drills. After consulting with head coach June Jones, Brennan did not throw passes during drills. He pushes off on his right foot when he passes.

"It's healing so well, I didn't want to aggravate it," Brennan said. "By Saturday night, I think it'll be good enough to play on."

Even if Brennan does not practice today, Jones said, "as long as it feels OK on game day, I'll let him play."

At Jones' request, Brennan traded crutches for a heavily padded medical boot when he is not practicing.

"I think the boot helps because it makes it easier to move around," Brennan said. "At the same time, I'm walking, and that's good."

Jones said: "He's good enough he can play in that boot."

Meanwhile, left wideout Jason Rivers missed his third consecutive practice because of tightness in his lower back.

This week, Malcolm Lane moved from the right side to practice as the No. 1 left wideout. Greg Salas, who had been Rivers' top backup, has practiced at right wideout.

"It's cool," Salas said of the position switch. "It's not really a big difference."

KAFENTZIS SUSPENDED

Safety Tyson Kafentzis will not play in the next two games as punishment for his role in a scuffle during Wednesday's practice.

Jones confirmed the suspension, but declined further comment.

Kafentzis also declined to comment.

Kafentzis, who will be allowed to practice, will also miss next week's road game against Idaho.

SPECIAL ATTITUDE PAYS OFF

Inspiration is not always instantaneous, and it took JoPierre Davis two years to appreciate the art and craft of special teams.

"It was my attitude," said David, an all-star high school running back/defensive back in Oakland. "After high school, I thought I was a hotshot. After watching Timo (Paepule) and Guyton (Galdeira) I realized I want to be on special teams. Timo is a killer on special teams. He's 'Special Timo.' "

Paepule said: "They call me that because of my special-teams' play. Special teams are important, and fun, too. I take a lot of pride in it."

Indeed, a line is forming to join one of the six special-team units.

In training camp, Korey Reynolds, a freshman from Alabama, decided to move from defensive end to compete for a berth on the kick-return team. As the No. 1 middle-wedge blocker, Reynolds was one of two true freshmen on the travel roster for the Louisiana Tech and Nevada-Las Vegas games.

Running back Mario Cox recently earned a starting job on the kick-return team. Because of his special-team value, Cox beat out running back Jason Laumuli for a berth on the last travel roster.

"Once you see a couple of guys motivated and doing good on special teams, it motivates you, too," said Cox, who wants to play on the kickoff team.

When Jones was hired in December 1998, one of his first acts was to sign Dennis McKnight as the special-team coach. Mc-Knight printed "Special Forces" T-shirts that he distributed to his players. McKnight left UH after the 2000 season, but returned last year. Although McKnight no longer distributes T-shirts, his emphasis remains.

"Coach McKnight said the kickoff and kick return are the first offensive and defensive plays of the game," Galdeira said. "It sets field position. It's important."

The Warriors start and end every practice with special-team drills.

"It's a pride thing," Galdeira said. All of us — Timo Paepule, Micah Lau, Rustin Saole, Dane Porlas, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane — take pride. It rubs off on other players, like J.P. (Davis)."

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

Three-quarters of Charlotte's 2003 Providence High defensive secondary will have a reunion tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.

UH's Ryan Perry and Charleston Southern's David Misher and Jon Carmon are Providence alumni.

During the offseason, Perry and Misher would train with Perry's father, Rod Perry, a former NFL cornerback.

"Misher knew about this game before we did," Perry said. "He said, 'Dude, we're going out there to play you all.' "

Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.