Feeling right at home

Will Gregory is an ocean removed from where he grew up. Yet homecoming week at the University of Hawaii still resonates for the Warrior running back.

"I feel like this is home now," Gregory said.

Since Gregory joined the UH football team in the summer of 2011 coming out of Compton, Calif., the Warriors’ two road trips to Southern California this season represented his only visits back to the region.

While getting to see family and friends when the Warriors played at USC and San Diego State meant a lot for the redshirt freshman, he’s looking forward to returning to Aloha Stadium for the Warriors’ first home game in three weeks.

Gregory enters Saturday’s Mountain West Conference game against New Mexico as the leading rusher on a UH offense that has struggled to sustain drives during a three-game losing streak.

Just as his job on the field is to keep moving forward, he’s maintained that mind-set as the Warriors (1-4) work through their rough start.

"I just look forward, I don’t really look at the history," Gregory said. "I don’t look back to what we did last week, I just look forward to what we have to do this week. Keep on thinking positive and just play."

The chance to play college football is what kept Gregory pushing forward as a standout running back at Dominguez High School in Compton.

Coming out of an area with a rough reputation, Gregory credited Dominguez head coach Keith Donerson and the school’s staff — from the administration to SAT prep tutors — for helping him stay on track toward a college scholarship.

"It was big for me, I had a lot of people helping me," Gregory said. "Without them I never would have made it. They mean a lot.

"(Donerson) was like my dad in high school. He took me to school, took me home when I didn’t have a ride."

Gregory got his ride to Hawaii as part of UH’s 2011 signing class. When he reported for his first fall camp, he made a commitment for the long haul.

After redshirting his first year in Manoa, Gregory decided to spend his summer in Hawaii rather than return to Compton, making the Warriors’ season-opening visit to USC in early September his first time home since enrolling at UH.

"I stayed here to stay out of trouble back home," Gregory said. "I just stayed here and grinded it out."

In his first season of action, Gregory has tried to grind out yards. His 22 carries last week were the most for a UH running back since James Fenderson carried the ball 23 times in a game in 2000.

Gregory’s 70.2 yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry make him the most productive of the Warriors’ running backs. He ran for 81 yards and a touchdown but also lost a fumble in last week’s loss at San Diego State.

While he has been able to open his stride on four runs of 20 yards or longer so far, it took some time for Gregory to get up to speed in his first season of Division I football, particularly in his blocking assignments.

"I feel I’ve grown a lot," Gregory said. "When we played SC, I was missing blocks and blitzes, now I’m seeing everything. It’s starting to slow down to me."

Gregory figures to continue to get opportunities to carry the load with Joey Iosefa still recovering from a foot injury. Iosefa is expected to miss his fourth straight game this week.

"With Joey out we had to come together way more," Gregory said. "Joey was the power back and he opened up a lot of holes for me at fullback, he did a lot for me. I have to step up my game."