UH’s Iosefa suffers foot injury

LAS VEGAS » University of Hawaii running back Joey Iosefa suffered a possible fracture in his foot during Monday’s conditioning drills.

The severity of the injury has not been determined.

The Rainbow Warriors open training camp next week.

Iosefa, a 6-foot, 235-pound sophomore, is considered to be the Warriors’ best running back. He missed four games in 2012 because of a foot injury, but finished with 463 yards rushing and 153 receiving yards in eight games.

Three freshmen are expected to fill the void. Diocemy Saint Juste of Santaluces High in Boynton Beach, Fla., and Aofaga Wily of Kahuku High are 2013 recruits. Steven Lakalaka, who signed with UH in February 2012, redshirted last year.

"Until we find out what’s going on with Joey, Diocemy has to step up," UH coach Norm Chow said. "I think we have to tailor some things to him."

Chow added: "We need to get Aofaga and Lakalaka ready."

The Warriors’ top rusher in 2012 — Will Gregory — was dismissed from school because of a dormitory violation. Gregory attended Mount San Antonio College this summer.

Running back John Lister was seeking to transfer to a school that offers a master’s program in kinesiology. UH is not accepting master’s candidates in that field this academic year.

Two transfers also might be in the mix. Willis Wilson, whose father, Frank, is a former UH football player, has transferred from Washington. Levi Wilson was a receiver/running back at College of San Mateo. They are not related.

Chow said fullback Marcus Langkilde can be used at running back.

Another consideration is to move Bubba Poueu-Luna from receiver. Poueu-Luna started the 2012 opener as a safety.

"We have to play," Chow said. "Nobody is feeling bad for us."

Commissioner: no plans to alter UH’s subsidy deal

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said there are no plans in the immediate future that would relieve UH from paying travel subsidies to visiting MWC football teams.

"It really hasn’t been brought up," Thompson said.

As part of the agreement reached in 2010 to join the MWC, UH will pay up to $175,000 to cover charter flights to games at Aloha Stadium. The limit varies depending on the travel distance.

"Maybe somewhere down the road" the agreement might be re-negotiated, Thompson said, "but I think it’s one of the concessions that the (MWC) membership at the time needed from Hawaii. They were willing to do that. I think it serves them by getting four games (at home) that they otherwise might not get."

Thompson says Warriors’ PPV deal is fair

Thompson reaffirmed that Hawaii’s pay-per-view package is fair for both the school and the league.

UH is allowed to keep the estimated $2.3 million it receives annually from OC Sports for the television rights to its sporting events. In turn, UH waives its share from the MWC’s contracts with national and regional networks.

"Basically, they get to keep their own deal because it’s so unique, and it’s only in the islands," Thompson said. "It’s not going to interfere with the (geographic) restrictions or DirecTV or those such things. You have to live in Hawaii to get it. It makes sense for both of us. They get that captive audience in the islands and keep those revenues, but it doesn’t interfere with the national package."

Thompson said UH’s annual rights fees from OC Sports is "the equivalent of what we pay the other institutions" from television deals."

MWC features WAC familiarity

"The gang’s back together again," said Thompson, referring to Boise State and San Diego State not bolting to the Big East, and Utah State and San Jose State moving to the MWC.

"There is so much familiarity from a historical perspective," Thompson said. "The geography is there. A lot of these schools have played together under a WAC umbrella years ago. There are new principals — new coaches, new ADs, etc. — but I think fans will enjoy it."

Thompson said it "makes all the sense in the world" for Boise State to remain in the MWC.

In two years in the MWC, the Broncos won only a share of the league’s regular-season title.

"They haven’t exactly steamrolled," Thompson said.

"Now, they’ve only lost one conference game each of those two years. But that only shows you the balance (of the league)."