Iosefa expects to play Saturday

Running back

Joey Iosefa

, who missed five Hawaii football games because of a foot injury, resumed practicing on Tuesday and is expected to play in Saturday’s road game against Colorado State.

"He looked good," UH coach Norm Chow said. "He came back and played both fullback and running back. He never missed a beat. Not a beat."

In the second game of the season, Iosefa suffered a fracture of the third metatarsal bone in his right foot.

"I had a hard time running on it, planting on it," Iosefa said.

The injury did not require surgery, forcing Iosefa to rely on intensive physical therapy. It appeared he would miss only one game, but he aggravated the injury in the week leading to the fourth game, against Brigham Young.

"There’s nothing you can do but let it heal on its own," Iosefa said. "I was trying to find other ways to get back. But there was nothing I could do. I just had a lot of help from the trainers."

Iosefa said he wraps his foot with extra athletic tape to create increased padding.

"Right now, it feels so good," Iosefa said after Tuesday’s practice. "I’m so stoked for this weekend."

Iosefa is key to the Warriors’ pro-style offense. He can play both tailback and fullback. He also is a skilled receiver, blocker and, as the wildcat, passer. This season, the Warriors have used the fullback exclusively as a blocker. Iosefa provides a running threat at that position.

With freshman Steven Lakalaka redshirting, Will Gregory, John Lister and Sterling Jackson have shared the running back’s reps in Iosefa’s absence.

For now, Fonua is a go

As of now, middle linebacker Benneton Fonua is on the 64-player travel roster for Saturday’s game.

Fonua has been held out of contact drills because of inflammation around the ACL in his left knee. He said he passed a medical examination on Tuesday.

"Right now we’re going to travel with Benny," Chow said. "He brings too much to the table to leave him behind."

Fonua has started the past two games in the middle. Brenden Daley has been practicing as the No. 1 middle linebacker. TJ Taimatuia also has been practicing as a middle linebacker. Taimatuia was in the middle for UH’s first four games before moving to strongside linebacker for the past two games.

Another middle linebacker, George Daily-Lyles, has been held out of drills while awaiting medical clearance for slight concussion-like symptoms.

It’ll be cold in the foothills

The temperature is expected to be in the 40s for Saturday’s late-afternoon kickoff in Fort Collins, Colo.

Chow said he is not concerned about the weather or the site’s thin air. Fort Collins is about 5,000 feet above sea level.

"I think for four hours we’ll be OK," Chow said. "We have no excuses."