Back to Practice

Stephen Tsai writes that the Warriors looked sharp as they resumed practice yesterday. The time off gave players a chance to heal.

Free safety Leonard Peters said he has healed from a broken rib cartilage that he suffered in the season opener.

"This is going to be the only game all season, hopefully, when I'm actually healthy," Peters said. "I feel good. (The pain) is gone. (The doctors) always told me I needed a week of rest, but I didn't want to rest because I didn't want to miss any games. Now, hopefully, I'm injury free for the last game."

Nose tackle Kahai LaCount yesterday received medical clearance to play in the Hawai'i Bowl. LaCount missed the final three regular-season games because of a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He was injured in the final minute of a 61-17 victory over Louisiana Tech.

UH has three personnel groups for different defensive schemes. In the "Jumbo" package, LaCount is the starting nose tackle.

"I'm glad I can get on the field and play one last time for my family, for the team," said LaCount, who will graduate on Sunday.

Cornerback Kenny Patton, who missed the past six games because of multiple fractures in his right collarbone, participated in drills yesterday.

"Kenny Patton is still iffy, but he was out here," Jones said. "I don't think he'll play, but I'll leave it up to him."

After practice, Patton said: "There's always a chance. God does miracles. I'm trying to get in shape. I feel tired right now. I haven't run like that in a while."

Jones said defensive end Laupepa Letuli will be available. Letuli missed the past four games after undergoing a second arthroscopic surgery to repair a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Really good news for all!

Dave Reardon writes about academic All-American Dane Uperesa, who has been busy writing his final thesis.

"I've been writing my thesis paper and it's about 40 to 50 pages. I had to dedicate a lot of time to the computer."

Uperesa is among the Warrior seniors who graduate Sunday. Yesterday, he learned he was named to the District VIII All-Academic team. Uperesa, who has a cumulative GPA of 3.63, is getting a degree in communications.
His thesis deals with the effects of media exposure on body image for males.

"In the research we came across reverse anorexia. Some guys work out too much and it can cause problems," Uperesa said.

For example, big man boobies. That's an unfortunate sight. I'm pretty sure that's not in Dane's paper, but it should be. Later in life, you'll need a Bro, aka "the manssiere."

The opportunistic Dennis Erickson should remind UH football fans of how lucky we are to have June Jones. As Ferd Lewis writes:

Apart from some interesting scenarios, what this latest round of musical chairs in the coaching profession underlines is how remarkable and how well UH has had it. June Jones is finishing up his eighth and best season, putting UH way ahead of the national average in retention, something often gone unappreciated.

At Idaho, which is seeking its third coach in three seasons, that's something they only dream about.

Sounds like Kalani Simpson is taking it somewhat hard.

Yes, we knew Erickson would do this. But we didn't know Erickson would do THIS.

"Had we known that we were going to end up in this situation we would never have gone down that road," Idaho athletic director Rob Spear told the Associated Press (and pretty much anyone else who would listen).

Yes, it's tough to blame coaches for taking what they can when they could in turn be fired at any second after a bad year, on a whim. But he's not some hungry young coach on the make -- he's still got 49ers money coming in. This isn't his last best chance. No, the worst part is that he left just because he could.

And finally, the Star-Bulletin with the breaking news.

Hawaii junior Colt Brennan is the Associated Press All-American team's third-team quarterback, it was announced today.

Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith of Ohio State is the first-team quarterback, and Brady Quinn of Notre Dame is second team.

Congratulations to Colt! Again!