Libre hopes to play despite ankle injury
By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor
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There is one flaw in the contingency plan to replace University of Hawai'i running back Daniel Libre.
Libre said he hopes to play in Saturday's home opener against Weber State.
"I'm planning on it," said Libre, who was diagnosed with a high sprain of his right ankle.
Libre suffered the injury in the first quarter of the 56-10 loss to Florida. But he continued playing through the second quarter.
"It might not have been the best decision," he said of fighting through the injury, "but I was caught up in the moment. I wanted to win. I wanted to help the team win. I didn't want to let them down."
Libre was on crutches after Saturday's game. Yesterday, he was down to one crutch.
"I'm only using it because (the trainer) told me to use it," Libre said. "He told me it would help with my recovery."
Libre, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound senior, rushed for 35 yards on four carries. A long run was reduced because of a holding penalty.
Libre and Leon Wright-Jackson, who started, were splitting the work. If Libre is not available this weekend, slotback Kealoha Pilares is being considered as a temporary replacement, UH head coach Greg McMackin told reporters yesterday.
Pilares, a sophomore, led the Warriors with 388 rushing yards last season. He moved to slotback in the spring. He is the backup to right slotback Aaron Bain.
After yesterday's conditioning drills, Pilares said he had not been notified of the possible position switch.
"Whatever it is," Pilares said.
McMackin said there is a possibility that Jake Heun will be available to play. Heun has not practiced since Aug. 4, the first day of training camp, when he suffered a herniated disc.
Injuries have affected the depth at running back. David Farmer is sidelined with a sprained right knee. Linebacker Corey Paredes and quarterback Bryce Kalau'oka'a'ea have moved to running back.
LETULI WILL HAVE MRI
Left tackle Laupepa Letuli will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of an injury to the left AC joint, which is located between the collarbone and shoulder blade.
He suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly in the second quarter Saturday.
"It sucks," he said. "It feels like I'm always prone to injuries. It's the way it is, I guess."
Letuli outdueled Aaron Kia to win the left tackle's job. Kia played the position in the second half of the game, and is expected to start this week if Letuli is not available.
NOTES AND UPDATES
Blount will compete for playing time at slotback.
Stutzmann did not make last week's road trip because of walking pneumonia.
He said he began experiencing adverse symptoms Aug. 24, two days before the Warriors were to depart. X-rays showed he was suffering from pneumonia.
Stutzmann said he had a fever of 104 degrees. "I was delirious until about (last week) Tuesday," Stutzmann said.
He still is being treated with antibiotics.
"I was (mostly) in my bedroom all week," he said. "I didn't get out of bed until Friday evening, maybe."
He said he did not eat for "three or four days," and lost about 15 pounds.
"I'll be fine," Stutzmann said.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
