Guard rivals learn they are cousins

The Hawaii football team’s competition at left guard is all relative.

It was only through an informal conversation last week that Kapua Sai and Mike Milovale learned they were related. Sai’s aunt and Milovale’s uncle are married to each other.

"It’s pretty funny," Milovale said.

This was an improbable battle a few months ago. Sai was participating in Utah’s spring training. Milovale, who played at Hartnell College in 2011, was recruited as an offensive tackle.

But Sai earned a bachelor’s degree at Utah, then transferred to UH. He said he is fully healed from an injury to his ankle that he did not know was fractured.

"Everything is all good," Sai said.

UH head coach Norm Chow was Utah’s offensive coordinator in 2011. Chow said Sai is familiar with the schemes and the terms of the pro-set offense now installed at UH.

"My strength is I know the plays," Sai said. "I have to work on a few technical things."

Milovale was a tight end and defensive end through his junior year of high school. He moved to tackle as a senior, then remained there in his two years of junior college.

In his first few practices of training camp, it was decided Milovale would be a better fit as a guard.

"He’s very athletic," Chow said. "He’s a knee-bender."

It was a smooth transition for Milovale.

"I feel guard is easier than tackle right now," Milovale said. "I’m having fun at guard."

Chow said there is no rush to name a starter at the position. Both will be part of the travel squad for the Sept. 1 opener against Southern California.

"It’s a good competition," Sai said. "It’s always your position to lose or your position to gain. It’s a back and forth battle between Mike and I. It’s a good battle."

TE suits Cofer just fine

Craig Cofer is enjoying life on the other side.

"I came here to chase quarterbacks," said Cofer, who was recruited as a defensive end.

He moved to tight end in the spring, and now is atop the depth chart at that position. The Warriors brought in three true tight ends this summer, but none has been able to displace Cofer.

The tight end position was added this year when the Warriors switched to the pro-set offense. It was Chow who asked Cofer to change sides.

"Chow has been really good to have as a mentor," Cofer said. "I was a blank slate. He put everything into my head that I needed to know. He taught me things. He broke things down for me. I was lucky he coached so many great tight ends in the past and he saw me as a guy who could be that next guy for his offense."

Chow gave Cofer two goals for the offseason: Work on quickness and pass-catching.

Cofer and wideout Billy Ray Stutzmann worked on their speed and conditioning at Tactical Strength. Cofer maintained his weight (258 pounds) but lowered his body fat from 15.8 percent to 11 percent. He also employed several techniques to improve his hand-eye coordination. Every night, he plays catch by himself by throwing tennis balls off a wall. He often will close an eye during the drills.

During practice, he often aligns against defensive end Paipai Falemalu.

"He’s one of the better defensive ends in the Mountain West Conference," Cofer said. "I don’t think I’ll be seeing much better than him the entire year. He’s good to practice against."

Extra points

Monday was the first day the Warriors worked against full scout teams simulating USC’s schemes. The intensity will increase with today’s practice in full pads.

Chow also said he will have a status update on tight end Darius Bright, who is on personal leave while completing school work.