VIDEO: Warriors prepare for New Mexico St.

But every day this week, there is another sort of kickoff between UH placekickers Scott Enos and Brian Blumberg.

UH coaches are not going as far as saying there is an open competition.

"We're just examining the situation, let's put it that way," said Chris Tormey, who coordinates the Warriors' special teams.

Enos, who transferred from Sierra Junior College in July, has handled all of the kickoffs and placekicks this season. But he has missed his past three field-goal attempts, one of which was blocked in last week's 49-36 victory over Utah State.

Enos was told he needs to speed up his snap-to-kick time. The goal is to complete the procedure in no more than 1.3 seconds.

He said hurrying his technique led to a missed field-goal attempt against Utah State.

"When you try to rush yourself, you get out of rhythm," Enos said.

Yesterday, Enos and Blumberg, a transfer from El Camino College, received an equal number of attempts during field-goal drills.

"We're trying to find the best guy," Tormey said. "We're trying to see that everybody has an opportunity to show what (he) can do."

Tormey said Enos has the stronger kicking leg.

Of Blumberg, Tormey said, "I like his get-off times. He gets the ball off quick on field goals. He was pretty accurate when we had the competition in fall camp. The competition was pretty close."

Enos said his emphasis is on relaxing on field-goal attempts.

Tormey praised Enos, but noted, "let's just say there's room for improvement."

Tormey added: "Competition is good when you've got two guys playing the same position."

BORN TO RUN

Running backs Leon Wright-Jackson and Alex Green — the first UH duo to each rush for at least 100 yards in the same game since 1995 — share another bond.

"We both have daughters," Green said.

Harlym Green is 1; Jayla Wright-Jackson is 3 weeks old.

"We hang out off campus, and we talk about our daughters," Green said. "I told him: 'Just be patient. She'll cry a lot in the early stages, but be patient with her.' "

That advice proved beneficial when Jayla had her first crying fit the past Monday.

"I was cheering her on, telling her to let it all out," Wright-Jackson said. "The key is to be sensitive. That's what I've been trying to do."

Both players are key to what they hope is a reborn running attack. Against Utah State, Wright-Jackson had 15 carries for 167 yards, and Green ran 10 times for 110 yards.

"You can't complain about that," Green said. "We usually get two or three (carries) a game. To get 10, 15 each is great. It keeps the offense balanced."

NEWS AND NOTES

• Right cornerback Jeramy Bryant, who missed the past two games because of torn biceps in his left arm, participated in non-contact drills yesterday. He expects to play in Saturday's game, but cautioned, "until we throw on the pads, I'm not sure." He will compete in contact drills today.

• Richard Torres, a safety and nickelback, relied on intensive rehabilitation to conquer a pulled left hamstring and play against Utah State. Now, he has to do it all over again. He said he aggravated the hamstring. "I have to go back to rehab and strengthen it again," Torres said.

But he noted he feels better than he did a week ago. "I should be able to play," he said.

• Wideout Royce Pollard, who has missed three consecutive games because of a hairline fracture in his left fibula, believes he might be ready to return. He worked out yesterday. "I believe I'm going to suit up," Pollard said. "If I can practice, I believe I can suit up."

• Left guard Ray Hisatake still is trying to live down his less-than-grand entrance the past Saturday. Hisatake and left tackle Aaron Kia were leading the Warriors onto the field. But Hisatake lost his balance, and fell face-first onto the Aloha Stadium FieldTurf.

"That was the first (UH) game my dad came to," Hisatake said. "I was really excited. I'm never in front, (but) I was in the front that game. I ran out, did a couple of excited jumps, and I tripped. I stepped on my shoe, and I fell flat on my face. The first thing I was thinking was I was going to be on ESPN highlights."

Hisatake recovered by doing a slap dance. But the moment will live on in defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga's father's camcorder. "Vaughn told me he watched it, like, 12 times," Hisatake said, laughing.