CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Warriors wideout Cecil Doe kept his eyes on the prize at practice on Wednesday.
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The Hawaii football team broke camp Wednesday, leaving the dance studios it called home for 14 nights.
“It seems like it’s been the fastest camp,” said Greg McMackin, who is entering his fourth season as UH’s head coach. “It’s flown by. We still have a lot of work to do.”
The Warriors will have a scrimmage this morning, with the first two defensive units facing the offensive reserves. McMackin modified the matchup because key offensive players are recovering from ailments.
“I want to see the defensive guys hit somebody,” McMackin said. “And we’re going to do some real hitting on special teams. We want to make sure our returners field the ball under pressure.”
After tonight’s players-produced talent show, the coaches will meet to set a “primary” list of 70 players who will get the majority of reps in the two weeks leading to the Sept. 3 opener against Colorado.
McMackin said he will stick with his rule that a player won’t lose a starting job because of injury. That means left wideout Darius Bright (turf toe) and slotbacks Billy Ray Stutzmann (tight hamstring) and Miah Ostrowski (strained hamstring) will retain their starting jobs. They have participated only in noncontact drills this week.
“We know what they can do,” McMackin said. “We don’t want them to rush back.”
Center Matagisila Lefiti appears to have overcome a strained left PCL. Backup center Kody Afusia is recovering from an insect bite on his left foot that requires ice treatments and antibiotics.
It is not known when slotback Edu Amadi (subluxed shoulder) will practice. Defensive end Tavita Woodard will have foot surgery Friday, and miss at least four weeks of practices.
“We’ve had some injuries, but it helped a lot of the new guys get reps,” quarterback Bryant Moniz said.
