D-Line, Backup QB, Previews

Jason Kaneshiro looks at the depth of the UH defensive line.

While X-rays taken that night didn't show any breaks or nerve damage in his left knee, Leatigaga had an MRI performed yesterday.

Leatigaga, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior, redshirted in 2007 after transfering from Foothill (Calif.) College. He played in just one game last season, but after a solid spring entered this season looking to play a more prominent role in the defensive tackle rotation this season.

"Chris has been one of the hardest workers in the offseason," defensive line coach Dave Aranda said. "He dedicated himself to making a statement in his senior year."

Although the Warriors use two tackles in their 4-3 base alignment, the coaches consider Vaughn Meatoga, Rocky Savaiigaea and Tuika Tufaga starters in the defensive tackle rotation. They were followed by the trio of Leatigaga and redshirt freshmen Geordon Hanohano and Haku Correa on the second line of the depth chart.

"There's not a lot of places where you have six defensive tackles you're comfortable playing in the game," Aranda said. "Hopefully we can get that back."

Anyone know the status of JC transfer David Hafoka? He's listed on the official UH football roster again, which is good news. Last I read about him was from an August 7th article by Brian McInnis and Jason Kaneshiro.

Defensive tackle David Hafoka, a junior-college transfer who practiced with the Warriors in the spring, is not on the fall camp roster. He is being held out as a precaution due to a back strain.

Let's hope he's healthy again.

Stephen Tsai writes that the battle for the backup QB spot is still not settled.

It will be another few days before the coaches decide between fourth-year junior Brent Rausch and third-year sophomore Bryant Moniz. Greg Alexander is the starter for Friday's season opener against Central Arkansas.

A choice was supposed to have been made when training camp ended a week ago. But Rausch and Moniz have been impressive in 6-on-7 and team drills.

The coaches prefer to give Alexander two-thirds of the reps in passing drills, with the No. 2 quarterback taking the rest.

"The only rush is if you need a No. 2 guy, you've got to have that decision made," head coach Greg McMackin said. "I don't want to go all the way to game time."

Tsai also writes about Leon Wright-Jackson practicing as the Wildcat QB, and has an injury/haka report.

WACSports.com has an extensive UH football preview.

UPDATE: No wonder the WAC Sports article sounded familiar. It's a compilation of HawaiiAthletics.com's position-by-position previews.

And Jason Kaneshiro previews Nevada.