Time can be set to Hawai'i punter Tim Grasso.

The higher his right leg can kick, the closer it is to the coming football game.

The day after a game, he can barely walk.

But on game day, the 5-foot-11 Grasso can raise his right foot 6 inches above his helmet.

"I work (the right leg) out so hard on a Saturday, I have to rest it for three days," Grasso said. "It's like a pitcher. It's an awkward motion for a pitcher to pitch a ball. It's the same kind of thing with the punter's hamstring. The punter's hamstring is not supposed to go up in the air like that."

Grasso's flexibility is a key reason to his improved punting this season, and could be an important factor in Saturday's road game against Fresno State, one of the top punt-return teams in the country.

Grasso suffered a torn right hamstring just prior to the 2007 season opener, and was never 100 percent the rest of the year.

At his best last year, against Fresno State, he estimated he was at 80 percent. At his worst, against Louisiana Tech, he was at 40 percent.

This season, Grasso is averaging 41.5 yards per punt, an increase of nearly 2 yards from last season. San Jose State averaged 1.0 yards per punt return in last Saturday's game.

Grasso is required to situational punt this season. If a returner has a difficult time with high kicks, Grasso will try to launch punts with significant hang time. If a returner has difficulty catching on the run, Grasso will attempt directional kicks outside the numbers on the field.

By kicking diagonally, a punt credited at 40 yards is actually traveling more than 45 yards in the air.

"If we let him kick it away, he could boom it 10 yards past what he does," said Ikaika Malloe, who coordinates the special-team units.

Because of the stress on his right hamstring, Grasso does not practice for three days after a Saturday game. He then will practice Wednesday and Thursday, and take off Friday.

On game day, his workouts begin while he still is in bed. He will attach 8-pound weights to his ankles. Then, while lying down and staring at the ceiling, he will curl his lower body, with his feet hanging above his face.

During the game, he will simulate punting between 80 and 100 times.

"I try to stay flexible the whole game," Grasso said.

Grasso, like all punters, is in a contradictory situation.

"If you play, it means your team is not doing well," Grasso said. "I honestly love the atmosphere of a successful team. I'd rather not play at all because it means the team is doing a good job. I told coach (Greg McMackin) straight up: 'I hope I don't have to play.' "

PUNISHMENT BY THE ROLL

Six Warriors were required to roll the length of the practice field as punishment for personal fouls incurred during the San Jose State game and "other incidents," McMackin said.

Quarterback Tyler Graunke had to roll because he was late to a team meal.

Offensive linemen Brysen Ginlack, John Estes and Aaron Kia were punished for committing personal fouls.

In Kia's case, he punched an opponent who had blind-sided him after a UH turnover.

"I let the emotions get the best of me," Kia said. "I deserved my punishment."

Kia has made significant improvement this season. He started the past two games at left tackle. While the coaches like his enthusiastic play, Kia acknowledged that he can't over-react when provoked by an opponent.

"That's not showing good leadership," he said. "It's not showing good discipline. It's going to give a bad name for the coaches and the university. It's totally avoidable."

KAJIYAMA OFFERS CLARITY

Brian Kajiyama, the Warriors' academic coach, issued a statement of clarification following the airing of an ESPN-produced story that portrayed him as being disappointed after he was reassigned from graduate assistant in July.

Kajiyama wrote: "I appreciate the piece that E:60 produced that shared my life story. However, I was disappointed in any instances which coach Greg McMackin and the University of Hawai'i program were negatively portrayed. That was not my intention. I appreciate the opportunity that Coach McMackin has provided me to continue being a part of the Warrior 'ohana. I will continue to remain loyal to the University of Hawai'i and will do my best in my new capacity."

Former UH safety David Gilmore was hired as a graduate assistant, and Kajiyama was named academic coach.

"We place a lot of emphasis on academics, which is why we put Brian in charge of that position," McMackin said.

Kajiyama, who is in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, is a doctorate candidate.