VIDEO: UH running backs are confident second week of fall camp

"Let my haters be my motivators," left tackle Aaron Kia said. "Somebody told me that on Facebook. I like that."

After allowing an NCAA record 59 sacks in 2008, the UH offensive line has been scrutinized in general and the offensive tackles in particular.

"As an o-line unit, there's always pressure," Kia said. "I try not to think about that. If you think about that, you lock out everything else. If you focus on one thing, you can't get whole game in your mindset."

Kia, a fifth-year senior, promises improved play this season.

"People always judge me without knowing what I was going through," Kia said.

Last year, his first as a starter, Kia endured tendinitis in both knees. He was told the condition was a result of overuse of the patellar tendon.

Kia said the pain started in his right knee, and when he over-compensated, it began to affect his left knee. And then back to his right knee.

"It went back and forth," Kia said.

Rehabilitation was complicated because Kia, who weighed about 275 pounds at the end of last season, wanted to gain weight. He focused on intensive leg-strengthening workouts combined with weight training to improve muscle mass.

He said the pain has alleviated in his knees. He also now weighs 293 pounds.

"It still hurts," Kia said of his knees. "I feel like an old car trying to get rolling down the hill. Once I start rolling, I feel great. The beginning part of practice I have to knock the rust off and work the engine."

LEWIS' MOTHER OK

Cornerback Lewis Walker's mother, who suffered a heart attack last week, is back in her Salt Lake City home and resting comfortably.

"She's doing a lot better," Walker said.

UH had arranged for Walker to go to Utah after learning of her condition last week. Instead, his mother insisted that he remain in training camp.

"The coaches and my teammates were there for me," Walker said. "That's how it is anytime anyone has a problem. It's comforting."

The practices, Walker said, "kept myself busy."

Walker, a second-year freshman, is competing as the No. 2 right cornerback behind Jeramy Bryant.

Walker, running backs Inoke Funaki and Chizzy Dimude, and wideouts Royce Pollard and Jovonte Taylor are competing for jobs as kickoff returners.

"It's wide open right now," Walker said.

JC CORNERS STEP UP

Two junior-college transfers — Lametrius Davis of Butte and Tank Hopkins of Navarro — are competing for the left cornerback's job. They have been alternating on the first team.

Davis, who was used mostly as a safety in spring training, is adjusting to playing in zone coverages. He was strictly a man-to-man defender in junior college.

"Saturday was my first practice, and I made little mistakes here and there," Davis said. "Today was better. I feel more comfortable in my coverages. It was a big day, I feel."

Davis, who weighs 190, is considered to be a physical bump-and-run corner.