When he signed with the University of Hawaii football team, Marcus Malepeai did not realize the end game was to move from defensive end.
At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Malepeai envisioned a college career in which he starred in opposing quarterbacks’ nightmares. It was the spring of 2010, nine months after Malepeai graduated from Radford High and a semester after he attended UH part-time as a grayshirt.
Sure, Malepeai would play defensive end the first couple of years. But Tony Tuioti, the defensive line coach who recruited Malepeai, figured that would only be a temporary assignment.
"Coach Tony told me I was going to form into a D-tackle," Malepeai said. "He didn’t care what I said about playing D-end. He knew my destiny when I came here. He told me the way I’m built, my stature, I was going to get big naturally.
"He was right. I was in denial at first. I wanted to be a D-end."
Malepeai redshirted in 2010 and played in 11 games in 2011. Last year, he was supposed to be the swing defender, alternating between end and tackle. But when several interior linemen suffered season-ending injuries, Malepeai was moved to defensive tackle full-time.
There was a slight problem: Malepeai weighed only 250.
"At 250, it was hard," Malepeai said. "I was fighting for my life."
Defensive line coach Lewis Powell suggested the answer was hand-to-hand combat in the trenches.
"Coach Lew told me using my hands was going to be key," Malepeai said.
"If I could strike (the offensive linemen) before they got off the ball, I would have good leverage against them. … You can’t play D-line if you don’t have good and quick hands. To stop the run, you have to use your hands."
In the offseason, he focused on gaining weight and strength while preparing for the full move to defensive tackle. Malepeai weighed 280 at the end of the spring semester. Entering this season, he was up to 290. Because his first-step quickness did not diminish, he was told he could gain a few more pounds this coming offseason.
"At 290, it’s easier," Malepeai said. "Taking on double teams is better now. I don’t get pushed back anymore. I can hold my ground."
In UH’s previous game, against Navy, Malepeai had to play several snaps at defensive end. It was a refresher course because Navy’s linemen attacked every play, often using cut blocks or double teams.
This week, Malepeai is expected to start at defensive tackle or nose tackle against San Diego State. Moses Samia, the usual nose tackle, will miss at least two games because of a high-ankle sprain.
Kirkwood questionable for San Diego State game
Wide receiver Keith Kirkwood’s right hand was encased in a cast and his availability is in question for Saturday’s game.
Vasquez Haynes or Billy Ray Stutzmann would likely start at the Z position.
Stutzmann has been practicing as the No. 1 slotback this week.
Haynes missed the past two games because of an ankle injury. He practiced at full speed on Thursday.
Warriors selected at random for PED tests
Several Warriors were selected randomly to undergo testing for performance-enhancing drugs on Thursday.
The NCAA conducts testing of each FBS team annually.
The tested players are chosen at random. An independent company performs the tests. The NCAA pays for the costs.
