There is a 36-day break between last Friday's season opener and the Hawai'i football team's next home game.

That might be enough time for the FieldTurf-induced scrapes to heal.

Several Warriors noticed that the 6-year-old FieldTurf, installed in 2003 as part of the requirements for keeping the Pro Bowl in Hawai'i, no longer offers a soft cushion. The "blades" are worn down, and the paint coating, several Warriors noticed, provides a rough surface.

"It's not very forgiving," said UH quarterback Greg Alexander, his left shin covered with salami-colored abrasions. "It feels like you're playing on concrete sometimes."

Cornerback Jeramy Bryant did not work out Sunday because of a "deep incision" on his right leg caused after he slid on the FieldTurf. He said the cut might require a couple of stitches.

Left slotback Greg Salas' right forearms also were marked with cuts.

"The turf is hard," Salas said. "It hurts when you get tackled on it. ... It was that way last year. I've always had scabs (from turf burns). They never go away because I always rip them off in games when I get tackled."

On the plus side, the turf offers good traction, helping increase a player's speed. The downside, defensive end Paipai Falemalu said, is the FieldTurf feels like "carpet. It doesn't give too much."

Falemalu's knees were covered with abrasions.

UH head coach Greg McMackin said he noticed there were more reports of turf-related cuts.

"I don't know if it's just worn down," McMackin said. "It does seem a little thinner than last year. I have no answers."

Regardless of the condition, Alexander said: "You can't do anything about it now. It's football. You can't complain. If you fall down, you're going to get scraped. Whatever. You have to keep playing and not worry about it."

McMackin said he was told a new artificial turf will be installed next year.

"I know (stadium manager) Scott Chan and his staff do a great job, and they've got plans in the future," McMackin said. "Both teams have to play on it. Nobody has an advantage."

SALAS HONORED BY WAC

Salas' move from left widout to left slotback has paid off.

After catching seven passes for 180 yards, including the 66-yarder that set up the winning touchdown, Salas yesterday was named the Western Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week.

"It's great for the WAC to give that honor," said Salas, a third-year junior from Chino, Calif.

Smart move to slotback?

"For one game, anyway," McMackin said, smiling. "He's a good player. He'll be good wherever he plays. He has great hands. He's quick. And he's strong. He's hard to bring down. There are a lot of missed tackles on him because he's such a powerful guy. (Defenders) aren't used to those kind of big guys (playing) inside (receiver). And he's as quick as any slotback."

In past summers, Salas returned to California, where he trained at several locations. This year, he decided to remain in Hawai'i during UH's first summer session.

"It paid off," Salas said. "It helped me get chemistry with the quarterbacks. I got to know their tendencies, and they got to know mine. We're comfortable with each other now."

Alexander said: "I probably threw to him every day over the summer. We've got a really good feel for each other. He makes a lot of good plays. He made a lot of big plays for us Friday night, and he's going to be doing that for us all year."

Salas also said he benefitted from watching videos of former UH slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins.

Salas said he focused on "how they got open, and what they did. I watched a lot of film. I tried to get into my playbook and really study it."

SATELE EARNS START

Whether right end Fetaiagogo "John" Fonoti or left end Elliott Purcell is healthy or not, Liko Satele will start at one of the defensive end positions in Saturday's road game against Washington State, McMackin announced yesterday.

In the 25-20 victory over Central Arkansas, Satele started in place of Fonoti. Satele had four tackles — three unassisted — and helped contain the perimeter in the second half. The Warriors held the Bears to six points after the intermission.

"We were concerned because he was inexperienced," McMackin said. "He played fast and hard, and he's got excellent speed. He really showed some stuff."

As a freshman in 2007, Satele attended Lambuth University, an NAIA school in Jackson, Tenn. He redshirted last season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

Against Central Arkansas, Satele played 59 downs.

"That was the most I've played — ever," said Satele, who was a running back/defensive end at Word of Life Academy. "I was a little busted up after the game."

Satele was concerned about his late-game energy.

"The excitement and adrenaline kept me going," Satele said. "I thought I would be tired late in the game. I think I get more tired in practice."

Fonoti did not practice yesterday. He said an MRI showed he suffered a hyperextension of his left kneecap.

"I'm getting better," Fonoti said. "Hopefully, I'll be practicing soon."

Fonoti is expected to be on the travel roster for the two-game trip against Washington State and Nevada-Las Vegas. The Warriors depart tomorrow afternoon.

"Everything should be good," Fonoti said. "Hopefully, I'll play this week."

FALEMALU FILLING IN

Because Purcell and Victor Clore were not available to practice yesterday, converted linebacker Paipai Falemalu worked as the No. 1 defensive left end.

Falemalu redshirted last season because of torn ligaments in his right shoulder that eventually required surgery. He did not compete in contact drills in spring training.

Falemalu moved to defensive end at the start of training camp.

Because of injuries, he was pressed into duty against Central Arkansas. He made two tackles in 20 downs — one was an assisted stop in the backfield — and earned a grade "just above 70 percent," assistant coach Dave Aranda said.

"That's good for a first time out," Aranda said. "A lot of those (first-time Warriors) came to the sideline, and we asked, 'What did you see?' And they would say, 'I don't know.' He asked good questions. Starting from where he started and ending up where he ended up, he made a lot of progress."

Falemalu said he is feeling more comfortable at defensive end.

"My teammates help me with my plays and my techniques," Falemalu said. "The coaches are really doing a good job teaching me."

McMackin said Falemalu is quick enough off the perimeter to cause problems. That was not the case when Falemalu was an outside linebacker.

"I've always liked to get speed on the field," McMackin said. "Paipai is an average-speed linebacker, but he's a fast defensive end. Just like Aaron Brown. We moved (Brown) from safety, and he became a fast linebacker. That's part of my philosophy. Speed is very important."

Aranda said Falemalu, as expected, made some mistakes.

"The alignment and assignment mistakes can be easily corrected," Aranda said. "He played hard. He was physical. He ran to the ball. His intensity and aggressiveness really played out well."

Aranda also said Falemalu is learning how to play both end positions.

"Our depth is such he needs to play," Aranda said.

Purcell, who has a deep contusion of his left quadriceps, and Clore, who suffered a concussion against Central Arkansas, are expected to play against Washington State.

FOUR GET GAME BALLS

McMackin awarded game balls to Salas, outside linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, free safety Mana Silva and punt returner Ryan Henry.

As part of the praise-away plan, they will not receive the balls until after they complete their UH eligibility.

Kiesel-Kauhane and Silva each had 10 tackles against Central Arkansas.

It was the second complete UH game for Kiesel-Kauhane, a fifth-year senior.

"I feel good," Kiesel-Kauhane said of his stamina. "I put in the time. It's not just conditioning. It's mental focus. We're getting used to (playing longer)."

Last year, Central Arkansas allowed a total of 25 punt-return yards. Friday night, Henry had five returns for 50 yards. In 2008, the Warriors amassed 62 punt-return yards in 14 games.

"I'm happy I got the first game under my belt," said Henry, a fourth-year junior who redshirted last season after transferring from a junior college. "I was happy I was able to contribute and help out."

Henry is a backup slotback. But returning punts, he said, "is my only opportunity, really, to get on the field. I'm trying to do something with it."

Henry, who fields about 15 punts per practice, said he prepares by fielding Alex Dunnachie's booming punts.

"Catching punts that high in the air really helps me out," Henry said.