McBride gets scholarship

There was no announcement, no ceremony.

One recent day, Hawaii coach Greg McMackin told linebacker Darryl McBride he would be awarded a football scholarship.

McBride was set to receive his first scholarship check Tuesday afternoon.

"I was happy," McBride said. "Words couldn’t express how I felt. I called my grandma and told her I was on scholarship. She’s happy now."

McBride, who joined the Warriors in August 2010, relied on his grandmother’s support, financial aid, student loans and grants to pay for his school and living expenses.

"I can enjoy school without having to worry about the financial problems," McBride said.

With Aaron Brown‘s suspension for Saturday’s game against Colorado, McBride will have an expanded role at weak-side linebacker. He practiced with the first-team defense most of preseason training while Brown was recovering from a hamstring injury.

"He’s a playmaker," defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said.

McBride was raised in Philadelphia, but spent his final two high school years in California. As a Mendocino College sophomore, he received several offers before suffering appendicitis. He had an appendectomy, and then lost about 20 pounds.

"The offers fell off," McBride said. "Hawaii stuck with me."

Associate head coach Rich Miano, who was the point recruiter, told McBride he could join the Warriors as a walk-on.

"I had trust if I worked hard, I could earn (a scholarship)," McBride said.

Miano said: "I think he felt a certain love, that we cared about him as a person. There was some mutual respect. We stayed on him."

Brown, Bright practice

Brown and wideout Darius Bright resumed practice Tuesday morning, a day after it was announced they would be suspended for Saturday’s game.

Brown and Bright were arrested Sunday morning following their alleged involvement in a fight in a Waikiki nightclub. Both were charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Athletic director Jim Donovan and McMackin said they would continue to gather information on the incident. They will determine Tuesday whether Brown and Bright will be included on the two-game trip to Washington and Nevada-Las Vegas.

The Warriors will depart next week Wednesday.

Neither player was made available for interviews following the 2-hour practice.

Brown, who was the No. 1 weak-side linebacker, practiced with the scout team that simulates Colorado’s defense.

Middle linebacker Corey Paredes again practiced at Brown’s spot at weak-side linebacker.

Bright took some reps in passing drills, but spent most of the practice tutoring his replacement, Allen Sampson.

Injury report

David Lefotu, who missed about two weeks of practices because of a knee injury, practiced Tuesday.

But Andrew Faaumu, usually the left guard, was the No. 1 right guard in team drills in place of Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, who still is recovering from flu-like symptoms.