Hawaii football starting center Derek Fa'avi is "out for the year," UH coach June Jones said after today's (Tuesday) practice.
The injury-plagued Warriors (4-5) have three games remaining at Aloha Stadium, beginning with Saturday's against Idaho (3-8 ). If UH sweeps the three games, it plays in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.
Fa'avi, a junior and third-year starter, missed last Friday's game at Fresno State with a right leg bruise. Today, Fa'avi still had a noticeable limp.
Starting right guard Uriah Moenoa started at center in place of Fa'avi at Fresno. Moenoa is battling knee and hamstring injuries himself.
Today, Phil Kauffman and Samson Satele took repetitions at center. If Satele, normally the starting left guard, plays center, second-year freshman Hercules Satele will play left guard.
"I haven't quite decided yet," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said.
On defense, Ray Bass, Turmarian Moreland and Keao Montielh are competing at cornerback to start instead of Abraham Elimimian, who is out with a hamstring strain. Starting linebackers Ikaika Curnan and Tanuvasa Moe are still battling ankle and hamstring injuries and their status for Saturday is not yet clear. Same with defensive end Tony Akpan, who has been in and out with a shoulder subluxation.
at least Hercules will get some playing time. Iv'e been waiting to see him play.
