Keith AhSoon is proof that a day at the beach isn't entirely about rest and relaxation.

While sidelined with an injured left calf, AhSoon spent the past two weeks rehabilitating ... at Ala Moana Beach.

Yesterday, the senior offensive lineman returned to spring practice with the University of Hawai'i football team.

"It's the best feeling ever," said AhSoon, who is projected to start at left guard. "Sitting out was the most depressing feeling. They told me I would be out four to six weeks, but I was doing extra rehab and I guess it worked."

In addition to normal treatment from the UH training staff, AhSoon said he would spend his afternoons walking in the sand and also in waist-deep water at the beach.

"The ocean is a magic cure for anything, I'm telling you," said AhSoon, who is 6 feet 1 and 315 pounds.

Even while growing up in American Samoa, AhSoon said the beach became his sick bay.

"When ever we got a cut or felt banged up, we'd just jump in the water," he said. "It's like it gets your body all relaxed, and a couple days later, you're all better."

AhSoon said he injured his left calf during the first week of spring practices. Sophomore Bryson "Bulla" Ginlack replaced AhSoon as the first-team left guard over the past two weeks of drills.

"I was actually happy for him when he was filling in for me," AhSoon said. "I think Bulla is the most improved guy on the whole O-line."

Yesterday, AhSoon reclaimed his spot with the starting unit.

"Keith is a veteran," Hawai'i head coach Greg McMackin said. "When you get all those guys healthy in there, that's going to be a strength."

But AhSoon is also considered somewhat of a newcomer this spring. Last season, he started all 13 games at left tackle.

"Moving from tackle to guard is only one spot over, but it's a whole different look," AhSoon said. "This spring was supposed to introduce me to it, that's why I was so depressed when I got hurt. I'm still learning all the angles from the guard spot."

The offensive line has experienced multiple injuries this spring, so the projected starters have rarely practiced together.

Yesterday's first unit featured Aaron Kia at left tackle, AhSoon at left guard, John Estes at center, Lafu Tuioti-Mariner at right guard and Keoni Steinhoff at right tackle.

Laupepa Letuli, who is expected to compete for a starting tackle spot, has been out all spring with a pulled hamstring.

Raphael Ieru, a key reserve at guard, did not practice yesterday due to an ankle injury.

"We're banged up, but we're getting better every day," AhSoon said.Warrior Bowl at Aloha Stadium on Saturday

The Warrior Bowl — the end-of-spring intrasquad scrimmage — will be held Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

The team will be split into a "Green" squad and a "Black" squad. McMackin said the rosters were divided equally.

"We had a draft, but we went position by position so that the teams will be fairly even," McMackin said.

For example, Tyler Graunke is the starting quarterback for the Green, and Inoke Funaki is the starter for the Black. They are considered the co-No. 1 contenders this spring.

Also, All-Western Athletic Conference linebackers Solomon Elimimian (Black) and Adam Leonard (Green) were separated. The other projected starting linebacker, Blaze Soares, will not play Saturday because of a shoulder injury.

Not that it will matter much after the first quarter.

"Everybody's going to play," McMackin said. "But the defensive starters will probably play a couple of series and then sit out. Some of the key (offensive) linemen who have been hurt, I don't want them out there too long either."

McMackin said the first two quarters will be run like a regular game, with the clock stopping for incomplete passes and out-of-bounds plays. But the third and fourth quarters will feature a running clock.

He also said the defenses will not be allowed to hit the quarterbacks.

Defensive coordinator Cal Lee will be in charge of the Green squad, and offensive coordinator Ron Lee will be in charge of the Black squad.

The event will start with fan activities (including an autograph session) at 5:15 p.m., with the scrimmage to start around 7 p.m. Admission is free.

LAST CHANCE TO IMPRESS FOR WALK-ON PLAYERS

This could be the last week in a UH practice jersey for some of the walk-on players.

Because new scholarship recruits will join the team in August, some walk-ons on the spring roster will get cut.

"The problem is we have 25 recruits coming in this fall, and you can only have 105 total (players) in camp," McMackin said. "It's a tough situation. In the pros, when you cut a guy, you're cutting his livelihood. Here, you're cutting their heart because they really want to make this team."

One walk-on who impressed the coaches yesterday was senior receiver Nathaniel Nasca. He caught two deep passes during the 11-on-11 drills.

Nasca has been getting more practice time as an inside receiver recently because projected starter Michael Washington is out with a hamstring injury.

"It's unfortunate that other guys get hurt, but it's an opportunity for me to show what I can do," Nasca said.

Nasca, a Pearl City High graduate, played three seasons at Azusa Pacific (Calif.) — an NAIA program — before transferring to UH last fall. This spring is his first audition as a walk-on for the Warriors.

"My goal is just to make the team," Nasca said. "I know there's no guarantees, so I'm just trying to go out and work hard every day."

MOUTON WOULD LIKE TO BE A TRIPLE THREAT

Senior Ryan Mouton appears to have one of the starting cornerback spots locked up, and he said he would even like to try other positions.

"I think I can catch passes," he said. "I really would like to talk to the coaches about playing offense, too. Some receiver, I don't see why not?"

Mouton is also expected to be the Warriors' top return specialist. During punting drills yesterday, he was the first returner.

Last season, Mouton returned a kickoff for a touchdown, but did not get to return punts.

"It's another opportunity to get the ball and make a play," he said. "I don't mind returning (punts) at all. I'd love to be on the field all game if the coaches let me."

Fans, though, will have to find Mouton with a new jersey number this season. He was 27 last season, but switched to No. 2 this season in tribute to a friend.

Mouton said a former high school teammate named Matt Halton was killed during a stabbing incident in Texas in January. Halton wore No. 2 at Katy High.

"Every day I come out here, I represent him," Mouton said.

Calvin Roberts, who has taken over as the other starting cornerback opposite Mouton this spring, also switched jersey numbers. Last season he was 39; this season, he will be 23.

"My good friend, Evan Roman, wore No. 23 at College of San Mateo, and he gave up football last year for some personal reasons," Roberts said. "So I took it upon myself to wear his number and keep his spirits up."