The University of Hawai'i football team is seeking to solve a numbers problem in its one-back offense.

Running back Bryan Maneafaiga, who started in the season opener, yesterday missed his second consecutive practice because of a pulled left hamstring.

Nate Ilaoa, the starter against Michigan State in Game 2, has been reassigned to slotback, his position during his first four years at UH. The option of Ilaoa returning to running back was dashed after he aggravated a strained right hamstring Tuesday. He did not compete in drills yesterday.

"It's always a concern when he doesn't practice," UH coach June Jones said of 5-foot-9 Ilaoa, who has lost more than 19 pounds since reporting to training camp weighing 249.

Maneafaiga and Ilaoa are expected to be included on the 60-player travel roster for Saturday's game against Idaho. Asked if Ilaoa will play, Jones said, "I have no idea. We'll see on game day."

Jones also classified Maneafaiga's availability as a "game-day decision." Mouse Davis, who coaches the running backs, said Maneafaiga "is on the bubble."

Freshman Mario Cox and walk-ons David Farmer and Kala Latuselu rotated at running back during yesterday's practice. Cox has the most potential (he can bench press 335 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds) but the least experience (he was declared eligible two weeks ago). He also is suffering from shin splints.

Asked if Cox can be functional this week, Jones said, "it's a little scary. ... But he'll make the trip. We're trying to get him to catch up."

Despite the unsettled situation, Jones did not appear to be concerned. "We practiced like we normally do," he said. "When one goes out, the next one goes in. We'll be fine with Mario, Dave Farmer and Kala."

UH also went to Plan B at right slotback, with right wideout Ross Dickerson practicing in the slot. Ilaoa and freshman Ryan Grice-Mullen have split time at right slotback.

"We're working Ross over there because we're so banged up," Jones said. "We're trying to keep (the options) alive, so if we get into a game and we have injuries, we can do it."

Dickerson leads the Warriors with an average of 20.1 yards per catch, remarkable considering most of his receptions have been on inside screens and hitch patterns. His yards-after-catch (YAC) average is 9.57, also a team high.

"The coaches are looking at me as a guy who can do something after the catch," Dickerson said.

Despite aggravating a sprained left ankle in the season opener, Dickerson said, the injury "doesn't slow me down. It's getting better."

NOTES

Nose tackle Keala Watson resumed practicing yesterday, increasing his chances of making his first collegiate start this weekend. Renolds Fruean, who started UH's first two games, will not play because of a sprained right ankle. Watson suffered a bruised right knee when he tripped on a water cooler Tuesday. "I iced it all (Tuesday)," he said. "It was just constant ice, ice, ice. I woke up, and it was all better."

Watson missed most of the 2004 season after he was diagnosed with a condition in which his blood does not clot quickly after he suffers a cut. He was prescribed an emergency blood-clotting medicine that allows him to play. He also has recovered from surgery to repair a broken scaphoid in his left wrist.

Watson, who is 6 feet 3, said he weighs 320 pounds — suitable weight for the point defender in the UH scheme. "In the 3-4 defense, the nose has to be the strongest guy in there," said Watson, who weighed 290 last season. "With my 320 weight, I'll be a lot more bold in there. Nobody will push me around."

Sophomore cornerback Keao Monteilh will make his first collegiate start. Although he has practiced at left cornerback this week, Monteilh will open on the right side. Kenny Patton, who is recovering from a sprained right shoulder, has indicated he is more comfortable on the left side.

The 60-player travel roster will be finalized today, but a tentative list includes 15 first-year Warriors. Jones said there is a possibility he will bring two backups to quarterbacks Colt Brennan and Tyler Graunke. Kainoa Akina is regarded as the No. 3 quarterback. Oregon-raised Jeff Rhode is a candidate because of Jones' preference of allowing a Mainland player to go on trips to areas near his hometown.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.