TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Hawai'i running back Nate Ilaoa suffered what was described as a concussion in the Warriors' 25-17 loss to Alabama last night and his status for the Sept. 16 game against Nevada-Las Vegas is uncertain.

"I don't know if we'll have him back," said head coach June Jones, who was not able to say if the concussion had been graded mild, moderate or severe.

Ilaoa was not available to talk to the media after the game and a new athletic department policy prohibits medical personnel from discussing injuries.

Ilaoa had four carries for 27 yards, including an 18-yard run that was UH's longest of the game, and a fumble before leaving the game after the first half.

Ilaoa was the most severely injured, Jones said. He said running back Reagan Mauia had two sprained thumbs.

Safety Leonard Peters said he had sore ribs after a player landed on him but wasn't sure of the extent of the injury.

A FAN IN AN INSTANT

A previous opponent of replay challenges, Jones said he's now a fan after officials backed up his challenge of an Alabama touchdown with 14 minutes, 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

After Jones' challenge, which would have cost UH a timeout had it not been upheld, officials ruled that Alabama receiver Keith Brown was out of bounds when he caught what was initially ruled a touchdown catch of 18 yards.

The Tide settled for a 27-yard field goal two plays later.

"Before I saw the instant replay on the screen, I knew he was out of bounds from where I was standing," Jones said. "I was kind of amazed. Then, I saw the instant replay and I said, 'You've got to be kidding.' "

SHULA RELENTS

All-Southeastern Conference linebacker Juwan Simpson, who had been facing the possibility of a suspension for a May incident involving charges of possession of an illegal substance and carrying a handgun, started for Alabama and led the Crimson Tide with nine tackles.

Head coach Mike Shula had refused to comment for several weeks on whether Simpson would be disciplined.

"He (Shula) gave me the nod before we went out (on the field)," Simpson said. "I didn't know if I was going to get to go but I was excited I was able to get out there and play. I didn't want to get my hopes up. It was his decision and I'm glad he made it."

Simpson paid a $300 fine on the handgun charge and must attend drug court for a year to have the drug charge dropped, the Birmingham News reported.

DANCING IN END ZONE

After a week of controversy about it, the Warriors performed the haka, their version of a Maori war dance, in the south end zone last night.

It came 21 minutes before the start of the game amid the stadium sound system blaring, "Sweet Home Alabama."

"I told them if they wanted to do it, do it in the end zone," Jones said.

It drew some boos from the student section fronting the end zone.

TAKING HIS TIME

Jones defended his choice to wait until 36 seconds remained on the clock before taking the second of three available second-half timeouts.

"Either way you are going to end up with, probably, a chance to get X number of plays and had I taken one earlier (it would have) been the same number of plays," Jones said.

"But we ended getting it out of bounds on a run and another thing, so it ended up working out but we were going to take shots at trying to throw it in the end zone," Jones added. "We got it there. We had two chances to throw it in the end zone."

NOTES

Former Warriors Vince Manuwai and Chad Owens of the Jacksonville Jaguars attended the game. ... Alabama suited up 113 players for the game — nearly double UH's 60-man travel roster — but played just 60 of them. UH played 38.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.