With feisty defiance, Hawaii defensive tackle Saui Matagiese walked away triumphantly in the battle of wounded knee.
"It was a lot of praying and a lot of rehab," said Matagiese, who is expected to play in Saturday’s game against San Diego State.
Matagiese suffered a torn MCL in his right knee against Utah State on Nov. 2. He found the most reliable medicine is rage.
"That’s how I deal with pain," Matagiese said. "I get angry. It helps."
He underwent electrical-stimulation treatments and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around his knee. "That and sucking it up," he said.
Matagiese also checked the calendar.
"I only have three more games left in my UH career," he said. "I might as well go all out. The responsibility of being a leader is showing an example. I have to suck it up and play for whatever else we have left."
Things aren’t quite as fortunate for Scott Harding.
A deep thigh bruise has put into question his availability for the San Diego State game. In response, UH has been practicing three contingency plans to fill Harding’s roles as punter, punt returner and slotback.
"I’m improving the economy of America," said Harding, who was raised in Australia. "I’m creating jobs."
Ruben Guzman, who struggled with his punting against Navy, is the obvious choice to fill one role.
Samson Anguay is getting a shot at punt returner.
Anguay was named the No. 1 punt returner exiting spring training in 2011. But he suffered an ACL injury while training that summer, and missed the 2011 season. He then missed 2012 after suffering another ACL injury.
Prior to Wednesday’s practice, Anguay said, "the last time I caught a punt was the last time before I got hurt in 2011."
Billy Ray Stutzmann moved from wideout to slotback during the Navy game. He has practiced as an inside receiver this week.
"I’m going back to my roots," said Stutzmann, who played slotback in the four-wide offense a few years ago.
Stutzmann said he prefers slotback because "there’s more space to work with. You don’t always have someone in your face. I like having more space and using my quickness a little more to get open."
Harding said his left thigh felt better after Wednesday’s practice.
"Depending on how it holds up will be the deciding factor," Harding said.
