University of Hawai'i defensive left end Melila Purcell II is optimistic he will be available to play in Friday's nationally televised football game against 24th-ranked Wisconsin.

Purcell suffered what he described as a "hyper-extended" left elbow in the Warriors' 50-23 victory over Utah State on Nov. 12. Purcell did not participate in last week's three practices, and the Warriors had a bye this past Saturday. Purcell, whose left elbow is covered with a flexible brace, did not compete in contact drills yesterday.

UH coach June Jones predicted Purcell will practice today or tomorrow. "We'll see how it is with the brace," Jones said. "He played with it before. I would anticipate he'll play."

Purcell said his left elbow is "sore," but "it's getting better."

Although he vowed to play this week, Purcell was cautious about his effectiveness.

"I really don't know," he said. "I haven't done anything (in practice). I just started running."

Renolds Fruean, who is recovering from a severely sprained right ankle, is Purcell's immediate replacement. Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan also will be used at left end in the Warriors' 3-4 defensive alignment.

The defensive ends are key in defending Wisconsin, which relies heavily on a perimeter running attack. Brian Calhoun, a running back who transferred from Colorado, is tied for the national lead with 22 touchdowns.

"I looked at that team, and if I were (Barry) Alvarez, I wouldn't retire," said UH defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville, referring to the Wisconsin coach's plans to step down at the end of this season. "I would go another three years."

Fruean has played all three positions on the defensive line. He started the first two games at nose tackle before suffering a badly sprained right ankle. After missing three games, he played left end before moving to right end.

"He makes plays, but he can't run because of the ankle (injury)," Glanville said.

Fruean said: "I'm probably 90 percent. The (right) ankle is the sore part. It was really badly sprained. My bone shifted. The ligaments were pretty much torn or extended. They were going to do surgery, but they decided to let it heal on its own."

MORELAND HOPING TO PLAY IN SEASON FINALE

Cornerback Turmarian Moreland, who is recovering from a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, said there is a "slight" chance he will be able to play in the Dec. 3 season finale against San Diego State.

"Miracles do happen," said Moreland, who suffered the injury against Utah State. Yesterday, Moreland was limping.

"When I first got hurt, there was no way I could play again this year," he said. "I couldn't even lift my leg. I feel a lot better. As for a percentage? Let's just say, 'There's a chance.' "

In four starts this season, Moreland, a senior, has a team-high four interceptions.

"All of a sudden, people were noticing No. 6 could play," Glanville said. "It's a crime, when you're helping your team, to get hurt."

Moreland said: "That's football. I did what I had to do to make the team better. I gave 100 percent. I put the team in position to win. I don't have too much disappointment."

Ryan Keomaka, who started the first two games, will open at right cornerback against Wisconsin.

"No. 9 has to step up, pay attention and do things right," Glanville said of Keomaka. "He's got the ability."

Keomaka has played the entire season with torn ligaments in his right thumb. He will undergo surgery during the offseason.

"I'm not concerned about my finger," he said. "I have to use my other nine fingers, whatever I've got left. I still have seven more (healthy fingers) than Lono (Manners, the strong safety)."

NO CHEESY REGRETS FOR CURNAN ON SCHOOL PICK

Ikaika Curnan, a senior inside linebacker, said he has no regrets about his decision to turn down a scholarship offer from Wisconsin.

"I really liked it there," Curnan said of his visit to Madison, Wis., in January 2001. "I was going to go there. I was all set to sign. Two days before the (start of the) signing (period), I changed my mind. That was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make in my life. But I wanted to play in front of my family and the rest of my friends."

Curnan said the visit included the first time he had touched snow.

"It was nice," he said. "And coach Alvarez is a nice guy. ... He's got a nice house."

As for his memories of Wisconsin, Curnan said: "There's a lot of cheese. ... A lot of beer, too."

Curnan has been slowed by an ankle injury most of the past year. Still, he said, "I made the right decision to stay home."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.