Last season's top rusher for the Hawai'i football team — Michael Brewster — is this season's assistant video coordinator, recording each Warrior practice from a platform 30 feet from the ground.

The image is symbolic of the uncertainty at running back that hangs over the Warriors. Because of injuries and bureaucracy, the Warriors (1-4, 1-2 in Western Athletic Conference) enter tomorrow's game against New Mexico State (0-6, 0-2) with no available running back who took a handoff last season. Freshmen Mario Cox and David Farmer will rotate at running back tomorrow.

"I'm always telling Michael, 'Get yourself suited up,' " said Mouse Davis, who coaches the UH running backs.

Brewster and West Keli'i-kipi, who split time in the Warriors' one-back offense, completed their NCAA eligibility in December.

Bryan Maneafaiga, a senior who started the first two games, will miss his fourth consecutive game because of a pulled left hamstring.

Kala Latuselu, who played in three games, is no longer on the team. "He's having a family problem," UH coach June Jones said.

Nate Ilaoa, who has started three games, has not practiced this week because of a "turf-toe" injury (sprained ligament in the big toe of his right foot). Although Ilaoa has vowed to play tomorrow, Jones disagreed. Left guard Samson Satele wore Ilaoa's No. 4 jersey during yesterday's practice.

"It's disappointing," Jones said of Ilaoa's injury. "Very disappointing."

Jones said the rehabilitation period varies for a turf toe. "Some guys don't miss a game," Jones said. "Other guys miss a year."

Jones said he leaves it to each injured player when to practice. "If they want to practice, they can practice," he said. "I don't hold them out."

Another potential candidate, Jazen Anderson, the younger brother of former All-Pro running back Jamal Anderson, will have to wait until January to join the team. Although Anderson apparently met the academic requirements to play — he earned an associate degree in August — his eligibility still is being reviewed.

JoPierre Davis, who auditioned at running back earlier in the season, is back at cornerback.

That leaves the Warriors with Cox and Farmer.

"David is dependable," Davis said of Farmer, who is used mostly as a backfield blocker. "Mario is coming along pretty good. He's getting better and better. He's becoming a better blocker."

Erik Pedersen, a freshman who has been used as a safety and on special teams this season, worked out at running back this week. "He was a high school running back," Davis said. "He's a pretty good one, really."

TWO CLEARED TO PLAY

UH right tackle Dane Uperesa (sprained left elbow, sprained right ankle) and strong safety Lono Manners (three dislocated fingers) have been declared fit to play tomorrow.

Teammates are referring to Manners as "Lobster" because of his heavily wrapped ring and middle fingers on his left hand and index finger on his right hand.

AGGIES LEARN TO ADJUST

New Mexico State was scheduled to arrive by chartered flight yesterday afternoon. The Aggies practiced on their Las Cruces campus yesterday morning.

"Hopefully, we'll be adjusted to the time change before the game," said coach Hal Mumme, referring to the 4-hour time difference.

Then again, this season has been an adjustment period for the Aggies. Mumme was hired last December.

Mumme has had difficulty implementing his wide-open passing schemes. Instead, he has modified the offense, relying on running back Justine Buries, who is second in the WAC with 80.2 rushing yards per game.

"We need to start playing a lot better," Mumme said. "If we stop turning the ball over, we can stop being our worst enemy."

QB LIKES TO TAKE DIVE

Quarterback Royal Gill, who transferred to NMSU in January, is experienced in learning on the fly.

Pressure to succeed? After one lesson in safety procedures, Gill sky-dived last summer.

"It's the most amazing feeling," Gill said. "You look down, and everything looks so small, like ants. There's nothing like free-falling. It went by so fast. Before you know it, you're pulling the cord."

Gill also said he enjoys cliff-diving in his native Idaho. "The highest one I jumped off was 50 feet," he said. I've got some crazy friends who jumped off at 75 feet."

The thing is, Gill said, "I'm no big fan of heights. It's weird. I love cliff-diving, but I hate being up high."

Gill said he is trying to limit his extra-curricular activities during the season. Shortly before enrolling at New Mexico State, Gill suffered a knee injury while wakeboarding.

"I got down here, and I couldn't work out because of my knee," he said. "I didn't tell the coaches what happened. I had to keep it quiet."

Gill said his unique first name follows a family tradition. "The males on my father's side have to have names starting with an 'R,' " Gill said.

While watching a college football game, Randy Gill heard the announcers mention Darrell Royal, Texas' famed football coach.

"When he saw a guy named 'Royal,' he liked that name," Gill said. "My mom was like, 'No.' Two or three years later, I was born, so I guess my dad won that argument. It's been a unique name for me, that's for sure."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.