Two days before the start of the Hawaii football team’s offseason conditioning program, defensive back Gaetano DeMattei suffered an unfortunate break.

In waters off Sandy Beach, DeMattei fell awkwardly. He suffered a fractured fibia.

“As soon as it happened, all the things start going through your head,” said DeMattei, who wasted little time in undergoing physical therapy. “I tried to go in every day and do what I needed to do to get better and stronger. When it came time to actually hit the ground, I was ready to go.”

After six weeks of rehabilitation, DeMattei was sprinting during conditioning drills. He has participated in training camp as the No. 1 nickelback and a backup safety.

Defensive coordinator Tom Mason praised DeMattei’s toughness. DeMattei is listed at 5 feet 8 and 175 pounds.

“There’s always going to be one or two of those guys on a football team,” Mason said. “They’re not the biggest guy. They’re not the fastest guy. But they all find a way to play because they’re good football players who enjoy the game. They play with a passion. That’s what they do.”

DeMattei’s love for football started in his grandmother’s living room.

“Football is the love of my life,” DeMattei said. “I started watching football at my grandma’s house when I was little. At school, I played it. At home, I played it. It was my life.”

He said he was drawn to play in the defensive secondary.

“I had instincts,” he said. “I found a way to get around the ball and make a lot of plays. If you get around the ball, good things happen.”

Mason said: “I really like the kid. I enjoy being around him because he really loves the game. He builds the team up around him.”

Offense rolls on in shells

The Rainbow Warriors practiced Friday for the first time in shells — shoulder pads — with the offense continuing to impress during 11-on-11 drills.

On Thursday, quarterback Max Wittek completed all 10 of his passes during that session. On Friday, Wittek completed his first three passes before finishing 5-for-8. One of the passes was dropped.

Freshman Aaron Zwahlen also earned his first reps in the 11-on-11 session, completing one of three passes. Zwahlen signed with UH in February 2013, went on a two-year church mission, and enrolled at UH in May.

Three-way battle for kicking job

Tyler Hadden’s graduation in December opened the way for what is now a three-way competition at kicker.

Mauro Bondi, Rigo Sanchez and Aaron Novoa have shared reps in special-team drills. Bondi is eligible to play this season after earning a bachelor’s degree at Nebraska and gaining admission into a UH graduate program. Sanchez is a transfer from Butte College in California. Although Novoa was named the No. 1 kicker at the end of spring training, the competition is open this training camp.