In a Texas two-step, University of Hawai'i cornerbacks Gerard Lewis and Myron Newberry have emerged as the leading candidates to start in Saturday's football game at New Mexico State.

"It's their job to lose," said Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville agreed, saying both are projected to start.

A vacancy was created in the secondary when left cornerback Kenny Patton suffered multiple fractures to his left collarbone in last week's 68-37 rout of Fresno State. Patton is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

C.J. Hawthorne was the starting right cornerback in five of six games.

But during yesterday's practice, Lewis and Newberry — referred to as the "Texas guys" by Glanville — were on the first team. Lewis was at left cornerback; Newberry was on the right side.

"It's 'Little Texas' left and 'Little Texas' right," Glanville said.

Each was born and raised in Texas, and transferred from Texas junior colleges during the summer.

Each is 5 feet 9.

Lewis, who answers to "G-Lew," weighs 172 pounds, runs 40 yards in 4.4 seconds and bench presses 225 pounds 12 times.

Newberry, known as "Shoeshine," weighs 170 pounds, has run a sub-4.4 40, and also bench presses 225 pounds 12 times.

"I want to prove I can do the job," Lewis said.

Newberry, who doubles as the punt returner, said: "I'm working hard, and hopefully that will pay off."

Glanville praised both as "high-character people who are good players."

Newberry and Lewis also were patient when A.J. Martinez, Hawthorne and Patton took turns starting at the two corner positions.

"They're both similar in their knowledge of the game," Miano said. "They're quick coming out of the break. They play low. They both tackle well, and they're both fast. They both have what we like to call 'top-end speed.' They're very good players."

Glanville said Martinez, Hawthorne, Ryan Keomaka and Guyton Galdeira also might receive playing time.

STEINHOFF STEPS UP

Keoni Steinhoff, a third-year sophomore from Damien, yesterday filled in for right tackle Dane Uperesa, who was bothered by tendinitis in his left knee.

Uperesa will start against New Mexico State.

Steinhoff's temporary assignment should become permanent after Uperesa completes his NCAA eligibility in December.

"I think he's probably, in my opinion, our sixth-best lineman," offensive line coach Dennis Mc-Knight said. "He's worked hard. He's a great technician. He has great natural leverage and body position. I think he'll be a great offensive lineman."

Head coach June Jones agreed, and recently offered Steinhoff a football scholarship beginning in January.

"I was excited when he said that," Steinhoff said. "But I think my family was more excited than I was."

Steinhoff has relied on financial support from his family and a summer job to pay for his tuition and school expenses.

Teammates call him "TNT" because he worked for his father at T&T Tinting Specialists.

"He's such a good guy," Uperesa said. "He might be undersized (6 feet 3, 275 pounds) at the (tackle) position, but he makes up for it with technique. He's probably one of the best technicians on the offensive line, and that includes the starters, too.

"He's getting better, and he works hard," Uperesa added. "This past summer, he was in the weight room every day with me. I know what he's been putting into it. I expect big things from him."Grice-Mullins practices

Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins, who has missed three games because of a sprained left ankle, yesterday resumed practicing.

"He looks good," Jones said. "He looks like he's well enough to play."

Jones said that if Grice-Mullins is healthy, he would start. Of Warriors with more than one reception, Grice-Mullins leads with an average of 17.3 yards per catch.

"I took it slow," Grice-Mullins said. "It takes me a little longer to warm up. Once I get the blood pumping in my ankle, it helps a whole lot. It's not as stiff. I'm proud of myself for the first real day back."

He said the left ankle was "a little sore" after practice, but "that's normal for a sprained ankle."

Last year, Grice-Mullins played the entire season with a shoulder separation that made it difficult to raise his arm.

"I can play with injuries," he said. "The ankle is different. If I were a lineman, and I had an ankle injury, I would be back in two weeks. But slots do a lot of cutting. We probably do more cutting than anybody, except for (running back) Nate (Ilaoa) when he's running crazy."

Yesterday, Grice-Mullins wore an ankle brace.

He said he will monitor any excessive swelling in his left ankle.

"I think I can play," he said. "That's the plan."

Meanwhile, left outside linebacker Tyson Kafentzis, who has missed three games because of a hairline fracture in his right ankle, also resumed practicing.

Kafentzis declared himself to be physically fit. He was the last cut to make last week's trip to Fresno.

Erik Pedersen, who moved from strong safety to inside linebacker yesterday, is listed as Patton's replacement on the 60-player travel roster to New Mexico State.

GREAT DANE COMING

Kasper Oelund, a linebacker from Denmark, said he plans to join the Warriors in 2007.

"That's what I'm going to do," Oelund said.

Oelund, who is 6 feet 2 and 205 pounds, was named to the European All-Star team as an inside linebacker. He played in the European championships, which draws players from football associations in more than 16 countries.

Oelund's coach knows UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold. Prior to joining UH last year, Reinebold served as the senior manager of international player development for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.

"My coach e-mails Jeff," Oelund said.

Oelund, who is on vacation here, attended yesterday's practice.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.