The Koko Crater trail is breathtaking for its magnificent view and for leaving hikers gasping.

The path, which features a steep incline, is the first step in Hawaii football cornerback Mike Edwards’ conditioning program.

"It’s a great workout," Edwards said.

Former UH running back Joey Cadiz first brought Edwards to Koko Crater last year, shortly after Edwards had transferred from a junior college.

This summer, Edwards brought two cornerbacks — freshman Ne’Quan Phillips and Tony Grimes, a junior-college transfer who played at Mississippi in 2010.

"The first time I went there," Phillips recalled, "Mike told me: ‘We don’t walk. We run.’"

Edwards said: "Ne’Quan is a competitor. He got it done the first day."

Phillips said he raced to the top in 18 minutes. Edwards said he has narrowed his own time to 14 minutes.

"That’s a workout," Phillips said.

Edwards and Phillips insist they are not intimidated by tall challenges — not from a trail, not from a powerful season-opening football opponent.

Both played well against Southern California two weeks ago. The Warriors switched their coverage in the secondary from a four-across zone to a man press. In this scheme, the corners are in bump-and-run, one-on-one coverage.

"I love it," Edwards said. "It’s more comfortable. It’s more convenient for us. Now we’re more aggressive. Now there’s more intensity."

The Warriors sometimes are too rugged. They were whistled for four pass-interference penalties against USC. In the first practice of training camp, Phillips was told not to slam into every receiver — at least not until the second week of workouts.

"I like being physical and hitting people," Phillips said. "My mom said I was always like that."

Phillips said he plays by the code of his high school coach.

"He gave us one word: Animalistic," Phillips. "That’s how we tried to play."

Edwards provided a scare when he abbreviated his Tuesday workout because of what appeared to be a foot injury.

"It was a little nick," Edwards said. "I’m resting it out. I’ll be ready for the game. I worked too hard not to be ready."

Surgery today for Anguay

Running back Samson Anguay will have ACL surgery this morning.

Anguay, a 2010 Campbell High graduate, joined the Warriors in January 2011 as a grayshirt. He was named the No. 1 punt returner at the end of spring training.

But Anguay suffered the torn ACL during unsupervised workouts that summer. He missed the entire 2011 season.

He aggravated the injury this summer. He had hoped to resume practicing a couple of weeks ago. But the injury worsened, necessitating a second season-ending surgery.

Offensive lineman Ben Dew was scheduled to have an MRI Wednesday night for a leg injury. Head coach Norm Chow said Dew is expected to miss about two games.