Special teams starters still undecided for UH

Before every home Hawaii football game, there is a field-goal contest involving fans.

UH head coach Greg McMackin joked that might be a way to resolve the competition between place-kickers Tyler Hadden and Kenton Chun.

McMackin said Hadden, who has the stronger leg, will be used on kickoffs in Saturday’s season opener against Colorado.

But after five weeks of spring training and four weeks of preseason training, the coaches still have not decided which kicker will be used for field-goal and point-after attempts.

"They’re so dang close," McMackin said. "They’re both good."

Hadden, who joined the Warriors in June 2010, was expected to compete against senior Scott Enos last season. But Hadden incurred a leg injury during preseason training, and redshirted in 2010.

Chun was added to the roster after competing in a walk-on tryout in February. Chun, who is a magician, refused to pull a disappearing act. His accuracy extended the kicking competition.

McMackin said Dick Tomey, who coordinates the special teams, will select the No. 1 place-kicker this week.

McMackin said choosing the long-snapper will be a "game-day decision."

Luke Ingram, who has not missed a game in his first two UH seasons, has a sore shoulder. Ingram said he expects to play against Colorado.

If Ingram is unavailable, then Beau Yap is the replacement. Yap has been the long-snapper the past seven practices. Punter Alex Dunnachie and holder Shane Austin both praised Yap’s accuracy.

The Warriors began crafting their game plan against Colorado several months ago. They practiced against potential Colorado plays during training camp. The past Friday, they studied videos they believe will be helpful against the Buffaloes, then had a light practice. They met Saturday, but did not practice. There is no practice today. They resume workouts Monday morning.

"We’ve worked them really hard," McMackin said. "We want to taper off. It’s time to get their bodies and legs back. Any advantage we have is our speed, and we sure don’t want to go out there with tired legs and tired bodies."

In preseason training, the No. 1 receivers were bothered by various leg ailments, none of which is considered serious. Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said the rest will be beneficial.

"I think for the situation we’re in," Rolovich said, "it’s about getting four receivers as healthy as they can. … We’re trying to be as smart as we can be with the situation we’re in."