Somewhere Kika Bukoski was smiling.

"He’s always there for me," Hawaii wideout Duke Bukoski said of his father.

Kika Bukoski, a former UH football player, has said he does not want to be a distraction at practices, which are closed to everyone but media and family members. Bukoski watches from hidden spots.

"Isee him (behind) the trees over there or in the parking structure," Duke Bukoski said.

Bukoski had a breakout performance in Wednesday’s controlled scrimmage, catching five passes for 87 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown.

"Duke is making plays out there," quarterback Taylor Graham said. "You have to give credit to those guys. It’s not always a perfect ball. You have to go out and make plays, and Duke did that today."

Bukoski was a standout receiver at Saint Louis School. He signed with Idaho State.

"I wanted to get the experience of being away from home," he said. "It wasn’t as much as Ihoped it would be. It was good to get out of state and see some other places. And I was on scholarship, so it didn’t really affect my parents too much except I wasn’t going to be at home."

Bukoski then decided to relinquish his ISU scholarship and join the Warriors as a walk-on. He still has not earned a UHscholarship.

But after much pleading, he was added to the punt-return, kickoff-return and on-side units.

"I’ve been bugging them for a while to get me on some special teams," Bukoski said. "Ihave to prove Ican do it."

Bukoski also was added to the 64-player travel roster as a receiver who can play on special teams.

In past scrimmages, Bukoski has been inconsistent, breaking free on routes but not always making the catch. He traced his problems to trying to run before securing the football. In Wednesday’s scrimmage, he caught every pass thrown in his direction.

"I’m trying to take advantage of whatever plays Ican get," Bukoski said. "If Iget thrown the ball, Ihave to make sure Icatch it first, then make a play after."

Hadden tied for FG lead

Tyler Hadden is tied for the FBS lead with 10 field goals.

He has converted 10 of 11, with his lone miss striking the left upright. He is perfect on seven point-after kicks.

Chris Demarest, who coordinates special teams, said he implored Hadden and the other seniors "to play the best football of your career."

"Not only is he doing a nice job on PAT/field goals, he’s also doing a nice job on kickoffs," Demarest said. "He’s placing the (kickoff) where I want him to put it. He’s a complete player right now."

Hadden said:"I’m feeling comfortable. I’m not feeling much pressure when Iline up out there. There are 10 guys in front of me doing their job. I’m putting the finishing touch on it."

Lataimua not pain-free

Inside linebacker Tevita Lataimua said he is enduring pain that is not related to his injured ankle.

"It was hard not being out there with my brothers," said Lataimua, who did not play against Colorado last Saturday because of his injury. "All Ican do is cheer them on."

He said he hopes to play in the Oct. 4 road game against Rice, although a more reasonable return is Oct. 11 against Wyoming.

UH-UMass to play series

The Warriors and UMass have agreed to a home-and-home series.

The teams will play Nov. 26, 2016, at Aloha Stadium. The rematch is Oct. 7, 2017, in Amherst, Mass.