Lakalaka cleared to play on Saturday

It appears running back Steven Lakalaka will be available to play in Hawaii’s road game against San Diego State on Saturday.

Lakalaka left last week’s game against Wyoming with what was termed concussion-like symptoms.

But Lakalaka has been symptom-free the past four days. He reportedly passed a baseline test. He practiced on Thursday.

Lakalaka has provided a boost for the Warriors in the absence of Joey Iosefa, who missed four games with an ankle injury and now is suspended for the next three games following an arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. According to police reports, his blood alcohol level was .155. He was arrested at around 4:15 a.m. and released on $500 bail.

Before the suspension, Iosefa was on track to play this week.

Lakalaka has rushed for a team-high 446 yards. He is averaging 99.3 rushing yards per start.

Diocemy Saint Juste, who rushed for 135 yards as Lakalaka’s replacement, has received extensive reps in practice this week. Justin Vele, who plays the hybrid tight end/fullback position, also is available as a running back. Walk-ons Jason Muraoka and Pereese Joas are part of the Warriors’ 64-player travel roster.

Inside linebacker Tevita Lataimua also had a lot of reps with the first-team defense during Thursday’s practice. Against Wyoming, inside linebackers Benny Fonua and Simon Poti each played all 63 defensive snaps.

The Warriors were scheduled to depart Thursday afternoon on a nonstop flight to San Diego and return to Honolulu on Sunday afternoon. They made contingency plans in case Tropical Storm Ana forces flight delays or cancellations.

"Obviously, if we can’t return, we have to have a hotel to stay at," head coach Norm Chow said.

But Chow said he had more pressing concerns.

"I’m worried about making a first down," Chow said. "I can’t control what I can’t control. I worry about things I can control. It’s not up to us (if there are flight problems on Sunday). It’s up to the airlines if they’re going to call it off. We can’t worry too much about that. I’m worried about trying to get by San Diego State with a bunch of guys who are banged up a little bit."

Defensive coordinator Kevin Clune also has been immersed in his game plan. The Warriors are atop the Mountain West’s West Division with a 1-0 league record.

"If we’re going to get stranded, except for Honolulu, San Diego might be the next nicest place to be stranded," Clune said. "I lived there for a year, and I loved it."