The Hawaii football team shook off the weekend blahs with a lively 90-minute practice on Monday.

Head coach Norm Chow had expressed some concern about the dropoff in energy during Saturday’s practice. The Warriors were off on Sunday.

But after a no-pads workout, Chow declared: "They were better."

The Warriors open the 2012 season on the road against top-ranked Southern California before a capacity crowd in the Los Angeles Coliseum and a national television audience.

"I think they’re fired up," Chow said. "They’re excited to go. They see the light at the end of the tunnel. Camp has been tough."

Chow said the Warriors have settled on a rotation at the two primary receiver positions. Billy Ray Stutzmann is the top X receiver (on the single side) and Scott Harding is the No. 1 Z (on the strong side). There is a personnel group where Trevor Davis is at X and Stutzmann at Z. Also, Davis and Harding can be teamed.

"We can do things with those three," Chow said.

Chow said right guard Dave Lefotu has recovered from a hand ailment and will start against USC.

Chow said the trainers will continue to "evaluate" reserve offensive lineman Frank Loyd, who is recovering from a leg issue. Loyd practiced on Monday.

If Loyd is unavailable, Ben Dew becomes a utility lineman.

Mike Milovale also can play all five line positions.

Chow said the Warriors will travel with three quarterbacks — four, if receiver David Graves is counted as an emergency quarterback. Jeremy Higgins and Ikaika Woolsey still are bracketed at No. 2 behind starter Sean Schroeder.

Chow said he hopes to receive an update on defensive lineman Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, who is seeking an exemption allowing him to play this season. Pu‘u-Robinson relinquished a football scholarship — and starting job — to transfer from Washington State because of a family situation. A player usually has to redshirt when transferring between FBS schools.

"We have to know before we get on the plane on Thursday," Chow said.

If Pu‘u-Robinson is not cleared, walk-on defensive end Ikaika Cavaco-Amoy will be added to the 64-player travel roster.