SALT LAKE CITY » The University of Hawaii football team gathered at a Brazilian restaurant on Sunday night to break bread — pao de queijo, to be exact — and to break free from the recent past.
Coach Norm Chow picked up the tab, then boosted morale with a mandate not to mention last Saturday’s 47-10 loss to Utah State. Instead, he implored the Rainbow Warriors to focus only on Saturday’s game against Navy at Annapolis, Md.
For the second game of this 10-day trip, the Warriors will be without senior defensive tackle Saui Matagiese, who is scheduled to undergo an MRI today in Salt Lake City.
Matagiese suffered an injury to his right knee in the second half against the Aggies. X-rays indicated there was damage to either his ACL or MCL. Chow said the MRI will identify the precise injury and help determine Matagiese’s projected recovery period. But Chow said Matagiese, whose right knee was in a brace on Sunday, will not play against Navy.
Chow said Matagiese will remain with the team the rest of the trip.
Mountain West Conference rules limited the Warriors to a travel roster of 64 players for the Utah State game. There is no travel limit for the nonconference game against the Midshipmen. Chow said he will not add another player to this trip.
Freshman Kennedy Tulimasealii is expected to replace Matagiese in the rotation. Tulimasealii did not play against Utah State because of a shoulder problem. He is healed and is expected to participate in this morning’s practice at the University of Utah’s facilities.
Wide receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann also will practice. Stutzmann was held out of the second half of Saturday’s game because of a strained knee.
Chow said running back Joe Iosefa, who was held out of Saturday’s game, will learn today if he can play against Navy. Iosefa has played only one series this season because of an injury that required a screw to be inserted into his left foot.
Sean Schroeder is expected to retain the starting quarterback’s job. There will be roles crafted for Taylor Graham and Ikaika Woolsey.
After Saturday’s game, the Warriors made the 86-mile bus ride from Logan, Utah, to Salt Lake City. They opted to remain in Utah between the Utah State and Navy games because it would save money and adaption time.
"We only have to go (two) time zones instead of (five)," Chow said
Utah is allowing the Warriors to use the Utes’ facilities this week. Chow was Utah’s offensive coordinator in 2011. UH quarterback coach Jordan Wynn and receivers coach Luke Matthews played for the Utes in 2012.
The Warriors will have an abbreviated practice today, and extended practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will depart for Maryland on Wednesday afternoon.
