With Hawaii receiver Rodney Bradley unable to practice this week, redshirt freshman Billy Ray Stutzmann is in position to make his first career start tomorrow against Louisiana Tech.

Bradley suffered a strained hamstring in the first quarter of UH’s win over Charleston Southern last Saturday and hasn’t participated in practice this week. He indicated he’ll likely sit out the Warriors’ Western Athletic Conference opener in hopes of being ready for next week’s road trip to Fresno State.

"The way it is right now I don’t think it’ll be in shape in time to be effective in the game," Bradley said.

UH head coach Greg McMackin didn’t completely rule out Bradley for the game, saying it could be a gametime decision depending on how his leg responds today. But the plan is for Stutzmann to line up on the left side of the formation when the Warriors offense takes the field.

Prior to Bradley’s injury, Stutzmann had practiced primarily on the right side, where he backed up Royce Pollard. The Saint Louis graduate made the first two receptions of his college career last week, including a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter of UH’s 66-7 rout of Charleston Southern.

"We’ve got smart receivers, and Billy Ray is definitely one of them," UH offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "I think having his brother (former UH slotback Craig Stutzmann) in the offense helped him and his skills catching the ball are very good. The transition to the left has been smooth. He can get vertical and he’s sure-handed like Rodney; he’s just younger."

Joe Avery and slotback Dustin Blount have also been working at the X receiver spot in Bradley’s absence this week. The learning curve figures to be steeper for Blount in moving from the slot to the outside. The senior made four receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown last week.

"When we get the ball to Dustin, he’s dangerous," Rolovich said.

ONE YEAR ON THE JOB

In a sense, tomorrow’s game with Louisiana Tech brings Bryant Moniz full circle.

Yesterday marked a full year since the Warriors quarterback was thrust into the starting job when Greg Alexander suffered a season-ending knee injury in a loss to the Bulldogs.

Moniz has started 11 of the 12 games since then and is coming off the most productive game of his career, passing for 395 yards and accounting for seven touchdowns last week.

"A year of work really changes a person, and I’ve come a long way from then, as far as me developing as a quarterback and developing a relationship with the receivers and O-line," Moniz said.

Before Alexander was helped from the field after taking a hard hit by LaTech linebacker Adrien Cole, Moniz’s previous Division I action was a mop-up appearance against Washington State.

"I remember just standing there and hoping he’s not that hurt," Moniz said. "It was a little while before it dawned on me that I was the next guy."

Moniz completed five of 11 passes for 109 yards in the fourth quarter of UH’s 27-6 loss in Ruston. Now with a full year of starting experience, "everything’s clear to him," Rolovich said.

"He’s in a very good place. There’s not a whole lot that gets by him."

SWITCHING PLACES

After starting the season on the sideline, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has returned to making the calls from the coaches booth.

"I just felt it suits us best right now with where we’re at as a defense," Aranda said. "The adjustments can come down easier and we’ve got guys on the field who can make the adjustments with the players."

Aranda said the staff made the adjustment after the USC game. He traded spots with associate coach Rich Miano, who now signals the plays from the sideline.