Medeiros, Pilares, Walker, Smith, Moniz, Etc., tonight's news

Jason Kaneshiro has some notes from today's practice.

Jon Medeiros is expected to get his first start at slotback against Boise State on Saturday. The spot opened up when Kealoha Pilares moved to outside receiver this week. Pilares looks to have the inside track at starting while Joe Avery is getting a look on both sides of the formation.

Medeiros turned in one of the big plays of today’s practice, snagging a 22-yard touchdown pass from Shane Austin to cap a 2-minute drill.

And so does Stephen Tsai.

• Adrian Thomas has been bothered by lower-back pain, but he expects to be ready for Saturday's game against Boise State. Austin Hansen has been taking reps at right tackle.

• Matagisila Lefiti has been practicing this week at right guard in place of Raphael Ieru, who has a nagging injury. Ieru is expected to start against Boise State.

Here's HawaiiAthletics.com's game preview and notes.

Tsai profiles cornerback Lewis Walker.

Walker, who is expected to have an expanded role in Saturday's game against Boise State, is the team leader in assists.

When he is not involved with school or football, he is an active volunteer. He has worked with the homeless and Foster Family Programs of Hawai'i. He also has been a guest speaker at elementary schools.

As a high school student in Utah, Walker used to serve food and distribute clothing every day at a homeless shelter.

"I wouldn't call it community service," he said. "It wasn't a job. It was something I wanted to do. It was a way to talk to people from different sides of life."

Tsai also writes about Chancellor Hinshaw giving the Warriors a pep talk, and Cayman Shutter's relationship with Bryant Moniz.

Moniz and Shutter will stand next to each other on the sideline when the Warriors are on defense.

When Moniz is in the game, Shutter said, "I watch what he can't see."

Shutter said his comments are concise.

"I know he's hearing a lot of different things," Shutter said. "I try not to overload him. I give him little pieces."

Jason Kaneshiro profiles Spencer Smith.

Kaneshiro also writes about Chris Leatigaga coming back from injury.

Whether Leatigaga would get that opportunity was in doubt in late August when his leg twisted in the Aloha Stadium turf and he was carted off the field during a preseason practice.

He spent the time since then rehabbing his knee, and was back taking repetitions in practice yesterday.

"I give Chris a lot of credit for working hard and all our support people who worked with him," defensive line coach Dave Aranda said. "There's been situations where guys kind of blow up weight-wise and guys who maybe aren't as diligent as they need to be. But Chris did all the right things. This is his senior year and he's really dedicated to helping us out."

Leatigaga was having a solid camp when he suffered the injury. Now after sitting out the first half of the season, Leatigaga is gradually working into game shape.

Dave Southorn of IdahoPress.com profiles Bryant Moniz.

Likely the quarterback with the longest hair in the nation, Moniz will be put on scholarship soon, according to head coach Greg McMackin.

"There's no doubt," he said.

After playing one year at Fresno City College in 2007 where he threw for 2,268 yards and 18 touchdowns, Moniz sat out 2008 before he decided to walk-on to the school about 20 miles from his hometown.

At the bottom of the depth chart looking up, Moniz had some motivation waiting at home.

"I'd have my girlfriend in my ear all the time telling me not to give up, and I have a daughter that I want to be proud of me," he said.

His ascension has not been lost on his teammates.

"You look at how far he's come and definitely, you're impressed," Hawaii receiver Greg Salas said. "He's done everything possible to get to this place, so he takes nothing for granted."

And Ferd Lewis writes that Greg McMackin is not a cyborg.