Hallmark does not make sympathy cards for college football teams with depth concerns at running back.

"That’s life in the big city," Hawaii running backs coach Wayne Moses said. "I don’t see anybody with the violin for me."

Two weeks ago, the Rainbow Warriors’ best offensive player, running back Joey Iosefa, suffered an ankle injury that will require at least four weeks of rehabilitation.

Steven Lakalaka replaced Iosefa, rushing 32 times for a career-high 124 yards, including a 30-yard dash for a touchdown, in a 27-24 victory over Northern Iowa last Saturday.

But Lakalaka’s primary backups — Diocemy Saint Juste and Dominique Small — are, in football parlance, "chipped up." Although Lakalaka is willing to play every snap, this Saturday’s road game against Colorado will be played in thin air at 5,440 feet above sea level.

"We have to find some people who can play the position," coach Norm Chow said.

On Tuesday, Daniel Lewis and Jason Muraoka took reps at running back. Lewis, a freshman who has played safety since joining in June, was a running back at New Iberia High in Louisiana. As a senior in 2013, he rushed for 1,250 yards and 18 touchdowns. He rushed for 265 yards and two touchdowns in a game against Sam Houston High.

"He’s a very athletic guy," Chow said. "He brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm."

Moses said of Lewis: "For the first day, a lot of things are spinning. We’ll see. We’ll watch the film and see how he took things in. Maybe tomorrow he’ll play a little faster."

Muraoka is a junior walk-on who was assigned to the scout offense at the end of training camp. But he has been used on the kickoff-return and punt-return units.

"You only can worry about the things you can control," Muraoka said. "Now that I have an opportunity, it’s time for me to step up and help my team win some games."

Lakalaka described Muraoka as "inspiring."

"It just shows you can’t give up on anything," Lakalaka said. "No matter what the situation you’re in, you have to keep pushing. Because at the end, you’ll get what you deserve."

Chow said Muraoka "will get a look, too."

Lakalaka proved his toughness, shaking off soreness after landing awkwardly in the first quarter against UNI. He kept playing, and medical tests showed no serious problems.

"I got hurt in the beginning of the game," Lakalaka said. "So when I looked at the clock, I felt if I tapped out now, it won’t look good. I told myself: ‘Keep pushing and suffer Sunday.’ "

But Lakalaka said he was pain-free on Sunday.

"It felt good because we had the ‘W,’ " Lakalaka said. "As long as we have the ‘W,’ it’s the best balm. It trumps everything."