Rolovich: Ursua’s injury ‘didn’t look good’

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Hawaii wide receiver John Ursua was brought down by San Jose State safety Jonathan Lenard Jr. early in the second quarter. Ursua was injured during the play and was to undergo an MRI Sunday to determine the extent of the injury.

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The availability of the Hawaii football team’s top receiver is in question.

“It didn’t look good,” head coach Nick Rolovich said of the knee injury that forced slotback John Ursua to depart in the first half of Saturday’s 37-26 victory over San Jose State.

Ursua, who was on crutches after the game, was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Sunday. Rolovich indicated the extent of the injury will not be determined until after doctors review the MRI.

Ursua, a third-year sophomore, is sixth nationally in receiving yards per game (111.2) and seventh in receptions (7.8 per game). His streak of a touchdown in every game he has played this season ended when he gingerly walked off the field after a 14-yard catch on the first play of the second quarter. He entered Saturday’s game with a team-high average of 9.6 targets per game. UH’s other top slotbacks are Dylan Collie, Davine Tullis and Kalakaua Timoteo III.

The Rainbow Warriors are hopeful offensive lineman Chris Posa, who has started all seven games this season, will not miss any action. Posa exited because of a reported foot ailment. Matt Norman, who initially was scheduled to play tight end in jumbo packages, filled in at right tackle. The Warriors finished with 274 rushing yards, including Diocemy Saint Juste’s 202 on a school-record 39 carries.

“Matt has been working very hard to help this football team,” Rolovich said. “I know he’s mentally ready, and it’s important to him to play well for this football team.”

Rolovich spent Sunday reviewing videos of Saturday’s game and planning this week’s local recruiting. The Warriors, who have a bye Saturday, will watch videos today and resume practicing Thursday. They play San Diego State on Oct. 28 at Aloha Stadium.

Against San Jose State, the Warriors improved in two offensives areas in which they had struggled. They converted on 10 of 15 third-down plays, and scored touchdowns on all four red-zone possessions.

“I was happy to see some progress in our development as a team,” said Rolovich, whose Warriors improved to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Mountain West. “That was good. And I don’t think we had stupid penalties.”

Rolovich added: “Guys were proud of themselves for sticking together. This was a meaningful win because of that, not who the opponent was. I think you saw some character in this one. I think that was important for us. We haven’t seen that in a while.”