Aloha Stadium Practice, Leatigaga, Jovonte, Etc.

Stephen Tsai has a wrap-up of last night's practice at Aloha Stadium. There was some good news, and some really bad news:

Leatigaga was hurt during a one-on-one drill. His left knee buckled, and he fell to the turf in a dazed heap. Leatigaga was face down for about 10 minutes while trainers tried to offer medical assistance.

Later, Leatigaga was carried into a van, and taken to the hospital for an MRI.

"It was really disappointing," head coach Greg McMackin said. "We have to see how it turns out. I hope everything is OK. ... It was a freak thing. Nobody went down low. He sort of jammed his knee. It wasn't like anybody was going on his knees. I pray he's OK."

Jason Kaneshiro has some notes from the practice. He also profiles Jovonte Taylor.

Taylor is the leading contender to return kickoffs for Hawaii this season, and the Warriors hope his combination of speed and elusiveness can ignite the return game.

Along with Taylor, Kealoha Pilares and Royce Pollard have also taken turns returning kicks in practice.

The Warriors turned in several big plays in the return game last year. Malcolm Lane, who is redshirting this season, ranked 18th in the country in kickoff returns and Ryan Mouton's touchdown return at Fresno State sparked a historic road win for the Warriors.

Taylor flashed his potential with three returns for 57 yards against Florida, but he missed most of the season due to an illness.

"It's something I've always done," Taylor said.

"You have to read your blocks, but it comes natural. ... You have to have that feel for it. You have to be fearless. You have to know sometimes you're going to get hit. But you just have to get up and get back to it."

Kaneshiro also has some news about the likely punt returners:

Punt returning is an area where the Warriors are seeking improvement. Hawaii ranked last in the country (119th) in that category with a total of 62 yards in 31 returns.

Junior receiver Ryan Henry has gotten the most work returning punts, a role he's eyed since he arrived on campus. Dustin Blount and Greg Salas have also gotten work fielding punts in practice.

"It's something I take pride in. I take it serious. It's something I did in JUCO and high school and had fun with it," Henry said.

Salas, known for his sure hands, said he hasn't returned punts since high school, but "you just have to keep practicing it and it comes back to you. It's like riding a bike," he said.

And Kaneshiro previews Boise State.