University of Hawaii center Kody Afusia has a fracture in his right hand, but he still is likely to play in this week’s football game against Oregon State.
Afusia suffered the injury to his snapping hand during the Rainbow Warriors’ second possession in a 17-16 loss to Washington on Saturday. X-rays revealed the fracture, according to coach Norm Chow.
Brenden Urban, who rejoined the Warriors a week earlier, replaced Afusia and played the rest of the game.
Because Monday is a holiday, Afusia’s medical appointment is scheduled for Tuesday.
"We’ll see how it goes," Chow said.
On Sunday morning, Chow tossed a football to Afusia.
"I had him throw it back left-handed," Chow said.
Chow said Afusia did well making left-handed snaps under center and in shotgun.
"It’s a matter of flipping the ball," Chow said. "He can do that. He can do the gun."
Chow said he hopes Afusia will be well enough to snap with his right hand. If not, Afusia can "club it up" — padding it with a tape wrap — and snap with his left hand. Or Afusia can move to guard, where he started all 12 games last season. Afusia is a co-captain, a member of the team’s leadership council and a vocal leader who makes the blocking calls.
Chow said Afusia’s presence is important because "you want the leadership he brings."
Chow said it is unlikely that Ben Clarke would return to center, the position he played in his first two UH seasons. Clarke neutralized Washington pass rusher Hau‘oli Kikaha, whose only sack came when a running back missed a block.
"Ben played well at tackle," Chow said. "That’s why we’re reluctant to make the move back."
Urban, who was Clarke’s high school teammate, was at UH for two years after a season at Adams State. Because of financial concerns, Urban did not plan to play football this season.
Urban, a Colorado resident who never withdrew from UH, considered getting a job to pay for school and living expenses. Two weeks ago, the coaches asked Urban to reconsider. He arrived in Hawaii on Aug. 23, was placed on scholarship and began working out with the Warriors the Tuesday before the game.
"It’s surreal," Urban said of the Washington game. "I got a call two weeks ago, and now I’m in a game against a great nose (tackle Danny Shelton). It was a quick turnaround, but I had fun."
Chow said the staff is deciding whether to limit Scott Harding’s workload. Harding is the punter, punt returner and slotback.
"Everybody sees his punting, but nobody realizes how effective he is returning punts, as well. He catches everything."
One consideration is to give playing time to second-year freshman Keelan Ewaliko at slotback. Ewaliko was not among the 47 Warriors who played on Saturday.
