The University of Hawai'i football team will wait until tomorrow morning before naming its starting running back for that afternoon's road game against San Jose State.

"As we like to say, it's a 'game-day decision,' " UH coach June Jones said before the Warriors' scheduled departure yesterday afternoon.

David Farmer, a second-year freshman, started last week's game in place of Nate Ilaoa, who was recovering from a sprained right big toe. Farmer, Ilaoa and Mario Cox received an equal amount of practice time this week.

Farmer is the best backfield blocker. Ilaoa, who leads the Warriors with 179 rushing yards, and Cox are the top available runners. "We'll decide on a starter based on what we want to do," said Mouse Davis, who coaches the running backs. "If we want to pass, it'll be Farmer. If we want to run, it'll be one of the other guys."

Ilaoa's "turf toe" is still tender, and "he really hasn't run at full speed yet," Jones said.

Jones said Cox was supposed to have had an expanded role in last week's 49-28 victory over New Mexico State. But Jones said Cox, who also on plays on special teams, wasn't ready when the return unit set up for the opening kickoff. Jones said Cox did not miss any assignments this week.

"He took all of the reps, and he's getting better and better," Jones said.

Davis said Cox has been bothered by a sprained ankle. "He's taping it up, and we're trying to get him a different pair of shoes," Davis said. "That's going to help."

Running back Bryan Mane-afaiga, who started the first two games, was not on the 60-player travel roster. He will miss his fifth consecutive game because of a pulled left hamstring.

Also left behind was defensive left end Melila Purcell, who is recovering from a partially torn ligament in his left knee. Renolds Fruean, whose name was inadvertently omitted from the travel roster, will start at left end.

Meanwhile, it appears starting cornerback Kenny Patton will not be at full health. Patton is suffering from injuries to his left quadriceps and right shoulder. He has not missed a game this season, even playing in the opener a week after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

But Patton did not compete in contact drills this week. "He shows no sign of life at this time," defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said. "I've seen no signs that the body is alive. I see no signs of (Patton) being able to go."

A.J. Martinez, who did not practice Wednesday because of a pulled groin muscle, is expected to return kickoffs and punts. UH players are not allowed to be interviewed in the two days leading to a game, but Martinez yesterday indicated to reporters he would play.

BACK ON SOLID GROUND

Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary, who was hospitalized because of an anxiety-related incident last week, was cleared to travel.

"It's great to be back on the field and in the meeting rooms," Singletary said.

Singletary said the episode was related to his uneasiness of great heights.

Singletary, who usually coaches on the sideline, was assigned to the coaches booth on the loge level last week. The area is accessible by crossing a walkway bridging Aloha Stadium's end zone and sideline sections. The walkway, which is more than 10 stories high, bounces when somebody walks on it.

"That scared the daylights out of me," Singletary said. "That's what did it. Herman (Frazier, UH's athletic director) asked me, 'Was it the bridge?' I said, 'It absolutely was.' It bounces. I thought I was going down. I grabbed a hold of the railing. That extension thing is scary."

After reaching the coaches booth, Singletary recalled, "I was sweating and shaking. It was my first time being up there. I felt I couldn't help us. A couple of the coaches told me to go back down. It was a little too late."

During his one-night hospital stay, Singletary said he received calls from team members, friends and former players, including Isa'ako Sopoaga of the San Francisco 49ers and Travis LaBoy of the Tennessee Titans.

"I got a lot of love and support from the community," Singletary said. "It was unbelievable. I called my mom to let her know I was OK and didn't keel over."

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR?

Glanville recalled a favor he once asked of San Jose State coach Dick Tomey, who was UH's head coach at the time.

"I asked him to hire a friend of mine," Glanville said of the 1983 conversation. "Tomey asked, 'Does he have any experience?' I said, 'If he doesn't work out, I'll pay his salary.' He worked out. You probably know the guy. His name is June Jones."

Glanville and Jones had met in 1979, when Glanville was the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator and Jones was the backup quarterback.

"June was a quarterback, but he went to all of my meetings," Glanville said. "He liked what we did, and he studied it."

As quarterbacks coach in 1983, his only year as a UH assistant, Jones helped Raphel Cherry set several school passing records.

"Thank God it worked out and I didn't have to pay his salary," Glanville said. "He was making about 20 grand a year."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.