Yap fills the gap left by Ingram’s injury

A week later, the snap judgment favors Hawaii football player Beau Yap.

Yap has drawn praise as long snapper Luke Ingram’s fill-in. Ingram has been held out of practice because of a sore shoulder.

Although Ingram expects to play in the Sept. 3 opener against Colorado, Yap has been long-snapping during practices.

“He’s consistent,” UH head coach Greg McMackin said of Yap’s snaps. “And, quite honestly, he throws an easier ball to catch on PATs and field goals. Luke can really throw it. He’s the best. Beau’s snaps are fast enough, but you can handle them.”

Acknowledging Ingram’s speedy snaps, holder Shane Austin said: “That’s like saying nobody is as fast as Usain Bolt (the sprinter from Jamaica).”

Austin said Yap is consistently accurate.

“I don’t have to worry about a bad snap,” Austin said. “He hits me right in the hands every time. That makes my job easy. That makes the kicker’s job easy.”

Yap, a defensive end, was used as a long-snapper in Pop Warner and at Kamehameha Schools. He said Ingram has provided helpful tips, such as using hip movements to increase his power.

In addition to the placekicking session, Yap launches about 25 snaps before every practice. During his spare time, he snaps to his father, Boyd Yap, a former all-state running back.

“All of his hard work paid off,” Austin said. “The best thing is nobody notices us. If nobody notices the snapper and holder, then we’re doing our job.”

Taimatuia’s time to shine

With Art Laurel resting a sore shoulder, T.J. Taimatuia has taken most of the reps as the No. 1 strongside linebacker.

“He’s making the most of the opportunity,” defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said.

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Taimatuia also is used in the hybrid rush end/linebacker position known as “elephant.”

“He’s able to hold the point on the run and rush the passer,” Aranda said. “He’s agile enough to drop back into coverage. He’s a good elephant-type guy.”

Taimatuia said he feels healthy after missing the 2010 season because of a fractured left foot. He said a bone grew over the break, necessitating surgery to insert screws into the area.

“Now that they did that, I’m healthier than ever,” he said.

Where there’s a Will

With the travel roster limited to 68 for nonconference games, coaches are trying to decide who will be among them.

McMackin said freshman running back Will Gregory, who has had a productive camp, is on the “bubble.”

“He’s a good player, but we have three guys ahead of him,” McMackin said.

To increase his chances, Gregory serves as the blocking back on kickoff returns.

“I never did kick returns before,” Gregory said. “They said to go out there. It’s cool.”