Hold on, Harding will be given another duty

Another day, another new job for Hawaii football player Scott Harding.

Harding is the Warriors’ top Z receiver (aligned on the strong side of the formation) and punt returner.

On Thursday, he was told he would be used as a punter while Alex Dunnachie is on suspension. On Friday, he was named the No. 1 holder.

And next? 

"I’ll be the water boy, maybe," he said, smiling.

In scrambling for a punter, the UH coaches looked through the media guide, where it was noted Harding played professional Australian rules football for six years. That sport requires on-the-run kicks, a skill that could translate to punting.

A key difference is the Aussie football is more rounded at the ends, which allows for more end-over-end kicks.

"It’s more accurate," Harding said of kicking the Aussie ball, "but you don’t get as much hang time or distance. On the (American) football, the sweet spot is a lot smaller."

Coach Norm Chow said the sure-handed Harding is a natural fit as a holder. Dunnachie had been training for that role.

"It’s technique and repetition," Harding said. "Obviously, you have to catch the ball and get it down quickly. I’m getting a crash course from the guys."

Harding said he developed his catching skills from Aussie football. In a version of pepper, he would practice fielding a kicked Aussie football.

"It’s bouncing everywhere, and you have to pick it up," Harding said. "I guess that helped with hand-eye coordination."

Edwards has visions of USC’s Barkley in his head

UH cornerback Mike Edwards said he spends an hour a day watching videos of USC’s Matt Barkley, the quarterback of the Warriors’ season-opening opponent.

In a surreal moment, Edwards, who leaves the television on while he sleeps, awakened to an ESPN profile on Barkley and USC receiver Robert Woods.

"They’re always on my mind," Edwards said.

Edwards, who underwent shoulder surgery after the 2011 season, is on a restricted practice schedule. During Thursday’s first practice of training camp, Edwards wore the yellow jersey for players who are on no-contact status.

"We want him ready for the dance," Chow said. "In order to do that, we’re going to have to be careful with him. We have time. We don’t play (a game) for another month."

Edwards, who was back in the standard black practice jersey on Friday, is serving as freshman cornerback Ne’Quon Phillips‘ mentor.

"Ne’Quon is like my little brother," Edwards said. "I took him under my wing. I’ve been in his shoes before. I understand what he’s going through as a freshman. Anything I can do to help him, I’ll do."

LB Rykin Enos summoned from the reserve list

Linebacker Rykin Enos is experiencing a different sort of threepeat.

"I’ve been cut three times," Enos said.

After spring training, he was told he would be in the "bullpen," a reserve list whose members await reinstatement to the roster. When there was an opening, Enos was summoned.

"It’s well-deserved," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. "He wasn’t an afterthought. We wanted to make sure he got in there."

The roster was tightened to 102 players this year because the coaches did not want to use spots for players with no defined roles. "We want everyone we bring in to feel they have a chance to play," Kaumeyer said.

Enos had brief thoughts of leaving the sport.

"My mom wouldn’t let me give up," he said. "She has that attitude."

Enos will be used mostly on special teams.

"We think he can help us," Kaumeyer said.