Laupepa

Stephen Tsai writes that Laupepa Letuli was diagnosed with a partially torn MCL.

A magnetic resonance imaging showed the partial tear to the same MCL he injured earlier in the season. He missed three games because of that MCL injury.

"It's torn again, but I heal really fast," Letuli said. "I'll do the same rehab, and hopefully I can come back against Oregon State. That's my goal."

Mike Cavanaugh, who was UH's offensive line coach through the 2004 season, recruited Letuli and several other UH linemen. Cavanaugh is now Oregon State's line coach. And Letuli, who moved from offensive left guard last week to shore up a depleted defensive line, is now a defensive end.

"Each kid comes back a little differently," defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said. "It depends on pain tolerance and the strength of his knee. That's something we'll have to wait and see. I'm hoping he comes back soon. The 20 plays he played (against Utah State), you could see every play he got a little better and a little more comfortable."

Good luck to Laupepa in his recovery. Tsai also has a short profile of freshman linebacker Erik Pederson and news that OLB Tyson Kafentzis will get his first start since the Boise game after recovering from a hairline fracture in his right ankle.

Dave Reardon writes a profile of Louisana Tech strong safety Mark Dillard, who was a running back that killed the Warriors last year. Good move! Reardon also has an injury update on Leonard Peters.

Starting safety Leonard Peters said he will test his knee in practice today after declaring it "unstable" yesterday. He said he thinks it will be solid enough by Saturday to play.

That's what he told coach June Jones.

Jones: "Any better, Leonard?"

Peters: "Yes."

Jones: "Tomorrow then?"

Peters: "Guarans."

As for his torn rib cartilage from the beginning of the season, that is still bothersome at times.

"It's OK today, three days after the game. In between that time it's pretty sore," Peters said.

Rest it Leonard! Rest it!

Ferd Lewis writes a column contemplating when is a good time for Colt Brennan to come out of a blowout game. It might be halftime, judging from this article from the Shreveport Times.

The Bulldogs' defensive line is banged up with the most serious injury to starting tackle Josh Muse. Muse is questionable with shoulder and ankle injuries.

However, of even greater concern is the secondary, which has been decimated. The top two free safeties "" Abrams and Baker are out this week "" leaving third stringer Keeven Moore to make his second straight start.

At strong safety, starter Mark Dillard has been dogged by an injury to his sternum and hasn't been full speed for three weeks.Marquis Spurgon will likely make his third straight start.

Last week against North Texas, starting corner Weldon Brown, one of the Bulldogs' most valuable players, suffered a knee injury and is out for at least two weeks.

Shalamar Walker, who began the season as third string, will make his first career start opposite Tony Moss, who has been hobbled with shin splints.

Last week Walker saw his first significant playing time after Brown went down. He intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

"I was just trying to help the team out," Walker said. "I've been practicing hard and I knew something would come through."

This patchwork group will be put to the test against quarterback Colt Brennan and a high-powered Hawaii offense.

Man, sounds like Colt will have to come out in the 2nd quarter. It doesn't sound fair at all. Well, La Tech did destroy the Warriors in Ruston last year, so it's only right that UH does the same to them. I predict UH by 60. GO WARRIORS!!!!