After being named the Western Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Week yesterday, Hawai'i linebacker Blaze Soares thanked two teams — the ones in green jerseys and the ones in white lab coats.

For it was the latter that helped Soares compete alongside the former.

"I'm thankful for the doctors and trainers who made everything possible," Soares said.

In 2007, there were whispers that Soares' career would end because of a painful stinger and shoulder injury.

"I couldn't even lift my arm," said Soares, who played that season virtually one-armed.

Then last year, on the second day of training camp, he suffered torn ligaments in the base of his left calf.

The doctors gave him two choices: 1) undergo surgery, or 2) undergo intensive physical therapy. Both would require him to miss the rest of the season, with no assurances he would ever be able to play again.

He opted not to have surgery, a decision he often would question.

"I had a lot of doubts," Soares said. "Some weeks I made big gains. Some weeks I'd make no gains. It was very frustrating. I tried to keep a positive mindset. And I put my trust in the man upstairs."

Soares did not participate in spring training. He made occasional appearances during the offseason conditioning program.

"We didn't even count him as a starter coming back because we didn't know if he was going to be able to play," head coach Greg McMackin said.

Soares opened the season as the starting strongside linebacker. He then moved to the middle for three games before going back outside.

"He had to suck it up to play this year," McMackin said. "He played hurt early, and now he's playing Blaze style."

Soares has been instrumental during the Warriors' four-game winning streak. In that span, he has amassed 37 tackles, including 12 in the past Saturday's 24-17 victory over Navy.

"Blaze played a particularly good game," McMackin said. "He was an inspiration."

Soares was in for all 57 of UH's defensive plays. He made the game-ending sack. After being hugged by teammates, Soares fell to a knee.

"He was so exhausted," McMackin said. "He left everything on the field. He's been through so much. I'm really happy for him."

Of his season, his first healthy one since his senior year at Castle High, Soares said: "You can never take anything for granted. I'm thankful for all of the blessings the Lord gave me."

FLU-LIKE BUG BITES

The Warriors' biggest scare last week might not have been Navy's triple-option offense.

Two players — receivers Royce Pollard and Joe Avery — were quarantined because of flu-like symptoms. Although they were not tested for H1N1, they were told to stay away from team activities, and their roommates were relocated to other living quarters.

Both players were treated, and they were declared healthy enough to suit up for the Navy game.

"It all worked out," McMackin said. "I give credit to our trainers, Eric (Okazaki) and Brian (Wong). They took care of it. The players got well. It was handled very professionally."

Quarterback Shane Austin said he is housemates with Pollard and Avery.

"I'm in the same room with Joe, and he had it the worst," Austin said. "They looked like they were on their death beds. I didn't want any part of it. ... I did not sleep there. I did not go into that house for a few days just as an extra precaution."

After all of the injuries and obstacles this season, McMackin said, "Nothing bothers me anymore. We just deal with it."