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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Warrior freshman will start at receiver

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

UH FOOTBALL

Who: Boise State (0-0 WAC, 1-2 overall) vs. Hawai'i (1-0, 1-2)

When: 6:05 p.m. Saturday

Where: Aloha Stadium

Tickets: $38 (sidelines), $32 (South end zone), $27 (North end zone), $22 (seniors, students in North end zone). Tickets are available at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, through charge-by-phone (944-2697) or by logging on to etickethawaii.com

TV: Oceanic pay-per-view live; 10 a.m. Sunday on K5

Radio: 1420-AM

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A college freshman's first semester is rarely easy.

It is even more difficult for a receiver enrolled in University of Hawai'i coach June Jones' advanced course in the four-wide football offense. The counter-attacking scheme requires a receiver to run routes based on the defensive coverage.

"He's very smart, so he's catching on quickly," Jones said of Michael Washington, who will replace injured left wideout Ian Sample in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Boise State.

Jones said Sample will miss three to six games after suffering a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Saturday's 24-0 victory over Idaho.

Chad Mock, a fourth-year junior, yesterday moved from right wideout to Sample's position on the left side. Jordan Slye, who played at Washington as a freshman, also is a candidate. Against Boise State, 5-foot-7, 160-pound Washington will earn the start in his fourth collegiate game.

Washington has caught 12 passes, tied for third on the team, for 77 yards. He has no drops.

"It's sad that Ian is hurt," said Washington, who was raised in Aliquippa, Pa. "He really helped me out a lot. There's a lot to learn in this offense, and he was willing to share his knowledge. But it's time to grow up. This is the big leagues."

Washington's speed — 4.27 seconds over 40 yards — was apparent in the highlight videotape sent to the UH coaches in January. As a junior, he displayed play-making ability, with 14 of his 22 receptions resulting in touchdowns.

"When you're 5-7, you'd better be fast or you're not playing," Jones said.

Most of all, Jones said, "I'm impressed with his intelligence. He can pick up what we're doing out here."

Washington said his grandparents, who raised him after his parents divorced, instilled tireless study habits. His cumulative grade-point average was 3.6, ranking sixth in his senior class at Aliquippa High.

"The best way to learn is through repetition," Washington said. "I try to read something over and over until I understand it. In football, I try to watch films and study the plays over and over."

He also keeps fit catching passes after practice, and by doing 400 push-ups and 300 crunches before bedtime.

Washington said he also has learned to cope with the 4,660 miles between Honolulu and Aliquippa.

"I'm not homesick, but I miss my family and my girlfriend," he said.

When thoughts of leaving trespass his thoughts, "I remember that God put me here for a reason," he said. "I want to enjoy it and make the best of it here."

ILAOA AT RUNNING BACK

Nate Ilaoa, who has struggled with a sore right hamstring and conditioning since the start of training camp, yesterday moved from slotback to running back.

Ilaoa, who was a slotback in his first four injury-filled seasons at UH, was the surprise starter at running back against Michigan State. He gained a team-high 76 yards.

Soon after being reassigned to slotback last week, he aggravated the hamstring injury. He was limited to the Warriors' final offensive series against Idaho last week.

With Bryan Maneafaiga recovering from a pulled left hamstring, and freshman Mario Cox struggling to learn the blocking schemes, Ilaoa was on the move again.

"We think he can boost our running game," assistant coach Ron Lee said.

INJURY UPDATE

Jones said it will be a "game-time" decision on whether right tackle Dane Uperesa, who has a sprained right ankle, will be available to play against Boise State.

Yesterday, right guard Brandon Eaton practiced at right tackle, and Marques Kaonohi and Larry Sauafea rotated at right guard. Sauafea, who was signed as an offensive lineman in February 2003, moved to the defensive line last season. He decided to move back to the offensive line during the past training camp.

Slotback Patrick Olchovy, who suffered two broken back ribs in a preseason scrimmage, resumed practicing yesterday. "Sometimes my back feels a little sore, but my ribs are completely healed," Olchovy said.

Nose tackle Renolds Fruean, who is recovering from a severely sprained right ankle, said his return date has been pushed back to next week.

MORE FOR THE FANS

As part of the "Pack the House" promotion for Saturday's game, the first 10,000 fans to enter Aloha Stadium will receive a free megaphone.

The Western Athletic Conference also will distribute promotional items as part of the league's "Play Up" tour.

In addition, fans with a UH CreditBack card will receive four tickets for the price of two. The tickets are good for seats in the end zone and upper level, and must be purchased in advance at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.