Exhausting a season-long theme until the end, the University of Hawai'i football team is expected to juggle its starting defensive secondary for tomorrow's game against San Diego State.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said Ryan Keomaka will open at right cornerback, replacing Keao Monteilh, who is suffering from a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

This will be the seventh lineup change in the secondary this season. Strong safety Lono Manners is the only UH defensive back to start every game this season.

The defensive backfield of Manners, Keomaka, left cornerback Kenny Patton and free safety Lamar Broadway started against Michigan State in the second game of the season. "That's the way it goes," Glanville said of the changes.

Senior cornerback Turmarian Moreland, who leads the Warriors with four interceptions, said he will not be available because of a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He suffered the injury three weeks ago against Utah State.

Moreland has participated in running exercises, but not contact drills. He said his right knee still is sore.

"That's sad," Glanville said of Moreland's situation. "He really came on. He came to the point where he actually would make a difference in a ball game. Turnovers make a difference. He could find a football when it was in the air. He overcame an early injury to help us, and then he got hurt. That's tough on the senior year."

Keomaka was expected to start in place of Moreland last week against Wisconsin. But Keomaka, who has a torn ligament in his right thumb, struggled in the two practices leading to the game, and was replaced by Monteilh.

Monteilh appeared to be dragging his right arm when he ran during Tuesday's practice. He did not compete in contact drills on Wednesday, and he was on the second team yesterday. "It's strained," said Monteilh, who will not need surgery.

This season, the UH cornerbacks have been scrutinized when opposing receivers catch long passes. The Warriors insist the criticism isn't always warranted; the cornerbacks often are aligned in zone coverage, not man to man. Sometimes two receivers will flood a zone, leaving the cornerback at a disadvantage.

"People in the stands don't realize that," Monteilh said. "When a receiver catches the ball, they think we're in a man (coverage), and they'll think, 'Oh, I don't know about that corner.' Car"

Patton said: "Corners make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. In the defensive backfield, if you make a mistake, everybody is going to know."

Monteilh said the corners often will start off deep, allowing a cushion of space, to gauge a receiver's speed.

"On tape, sometimes they look fast, but when you play them, they're not as fast," Monteilh said. "We'll give that cushion early, then become more aggressive and press them."

Glanville said he implores the cornerbacks to always play aggressively, and not to worry about getting beat.

"I don't like to play it safe and let the guy make the catch, and then we try to make the tackle," Glanville said. "I'd rather go after the ball. If we get the ball, great. If not, that's life, and you go on.

"I want everyone to be more aggressive," Glanville added. "Nothing good ever happened with the 55 mph speed limit. Life's about full speed on everything. Why walk to work when you can jog? Why jog if you can drive? Why drive a car when you can get on a motorcycle? All of these things play into your philosophy of life. Everybody should be more aggressive."

RECEIVER LIKES UH

Carroll Joseph "C.J." Hawthorne, a wide receiver from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, told The Advertiser he is "leaning toward signing with" the Warriors.

"They're No. 1 on my recruiting list," said Hawthorne, who is 5 feet 11 and 160 pounds. He said he runs 40 yards in 4.44 seconds.

Hawthorne, who is visiting UH this weekend, also has received offers from Marshall and Troy.

But he said the Warriors have the edge because of their four-wide passing offense, Hawai'i's warm climate, and UH coach June Jones' "laid-back style."

Hawthorne said he would welcome the chance to play on UH's special teams, particularly at "gunner" — the sprinter who is the first to chase down the returner.

"I love being the gunner," he said. "I think I have more tackles than some of our cornerbacks."

He blocked three kicks this year.

Hawthorne said he will earn an associate degree this month, enabling him to enroll in a Division I-A school in January. He will have three years to play two seasons.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.