Green wins Capital One online award

Running back Alex Green is the people’s choice.

After rushing for a school-record 327 yards on 19 carries against New Mexico State, Green was named the Capital One Impact Performer of the Week.

He received 33 percent of the votes in the online poll.

Not the end for Ahmad

In UH football math, a subtraction is a plus.

Linebacker Po’okela Ahmad was on the initial list of Warriors who will play their final regular-season game Saturday. But after claiming he should have another season of eligibility, Ahmad yesterday was deleted from the senior list.

Ahmad is a 2006 graduate of Kapolei High School. He grayshirted that year, and was a part-time student in the 2006 fall and 2007 spring semesters. He did not join the Warriors until August 2007.

The NCAA allows each qualified player five years to play four seasons.

Ahmad is asserting that he was a grayshirt in 2006, not a redshirt, meaning his eligibility clock did not start until 2007. He also is claiming he did not play in a game in 2007, and that season should be counted as a redshirt year. A grayshirt is a player who delays joining a team for at least a semester; a redshirt is player who is on the team but does not play in games.

Because Ahmad, who is listed in the UH media guide as a senior, is appealing his status, he will not participate in the "Senior Walk" following Saturday’s game against Nevada-Las Vegas.

A news release yesterday afternoon has revised the number of seniors to 28.

Ahmad has been a key linebacker for the Warriors this season. He also plays on special teams.

Missing the rematch

For cornerback Tank Hopkins, one of the few downsides to redshirting this season is not being able to play in Saturday’s rematch against UNLV.

In last year’s meeting in Sam Boyd Stadium, wideout Phillip Payne made a leaping catch in the end zone with 34 seconds left to give the Rebels a 34-33 victory. Hopkins had pinned Payne in the corner of the end zone. But the 6-foot-3 Payne used his 6-inch height advantage to catch the pass.

"It was a good play," Hopkins said. "He made a good play."

Hopkins played that game with a hip injury that would bother him the rest of the season. He did not participate in spring drills. With seniors Jeramy Bryant and Lametrius Davis at cornerback, it was decided to redshirt Hopkins this season, allowing him to fully heal. Hopkins is being mentioned as a candidate for a starting job in 2011.

At first, Hopkins recalled, "It was hard because I wanted to be out there. As time went on, I said, ‘This is OK. This is going to help me.’"

Hopkins has been an effective defender on the scout team.

Musical tackles

Right tackle Laupepa Letuli showed his musical talent when he performed a song he wrote, "First Love," during a KITV story.

His backup, Kainoa LaCount, also has a musical background … as a listener.

LaCount’s grandfather is Tau Greig, a member of Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, ‘Elua Kane.

But LaCount said he did not have time to pursue a musical career. "I was too busy playing (sports)."