Worth the wait for Satele

In Hawaii football practices, defensive end Liko Satele wears the numberless jersey.

"Liko is not unknown to us," said Cal Lee, who coaches the defensive ends. "We know all about him."

So, too, will opposing teams after Satele’s breakout performance in UH’s 34-17 victory over Colorado.

Entering as a reserve when Colorado decided to spread its offense, Satele made two big tackles in the second quarter, including a momentum-shifting sack. He finished with three tackles, including two in the backfield.

"Our goal was to affect the quarterback, and Liko affected the quarterback," defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said. "It’s not just about sacks. It’s disrupting timing. It’s protecting the perimeter, He forced (Colorado quarterback Tyler) Hansen to throw a lot of passes away."

Lee said the coaches always knew Satele had the skill to become an impact player.

"What he did Saturday was not a surprise — not to the coaches," Lee said. "He’s been doing that all during our practices. It’s not like we were shocked he was playing well. What you do in practice is what you’re supposed to do in a game. He was sacking and putting tremendous pressure in practice. We were waiting for him to do that in the game."

Satele shrugged, and said: "I was waiting for me, too."

He added: "It’s been a while since I had any kind of tackle that meant anything."

Satele played at Lambuth University (Jackson, Tenn.) as a freshman, then transferred to UH in 2008. He earned a scholarship in 2010, but not a starting job.

Needing to boost its run defense last year, UH turned to Elliott Purcell to play left end. Satele was set to become the No. 1 left end in spring training when he suffered a hyper-extended left elbow. He chose not to have surgery, which would have required several months of rehabilitation, and instead participated in aggressive physical therapy.

"At first, it was hard because I couldn’t do anything," said Satele, who is left-handed. But he eventually regained strength in the arm.

For a month this summer, Satele trained in Arizona. The program included twice-daily workouts and a diet of salads and lean meat. He lost 25 pounds, and now weighs 248.

"I feel quicker and faster, and I can last longer," he said.

Tuioti said: "He’s athletic, and, as an end, he does a great job of pass rushing, of turning the corner. He has a motor to his rush. We always say he’s high-motor guy."

And, it now appears, Satele’s motor is no longer idle.