Once again, the University of Hawai'i football team is investing in Andre Taylor, and this time better returns are expected.

"I'm glad to get a second chance," said Taylor, who is projected to return kickoffs in Friday's nationally televised game against 24th-ranked Wisconsin. "I have to make the most of this opportunity."

Taylor is expected to replace A.J. Martinez, who is recovering from a bruised right knee.

Taylor had won the job the first time after returning two second-half kickoffs for 61 yards in the season opener against top-ranked Southern California. The following week against Michigan State, Taylor was used as the returner for both punts and kickoffs. His three kick returns netted 75 yards against the Spartans.

But Taylor's sizzling emergence — he transferred from Santa Rosa (Calif.) College in June — soon fizzled. He struggled to field punts, and his production declined on kick returns. By the sixth game, he ceded both jobs to Martinez.

Taylor's slide began with his difficulty in catching punts. Taylor has returned four of the 15 punts that were not touchbacks or fair catches. He allowed the other 11 punts to bounce until they were downed.

"It was just bad judgment," he said. "Sometimes, I was told to fair catch the ball, and I didn't run up to it. I let it go. I needed to have more confidence."

Those woes apparently bled into his kick returns. Against USC and Michigan State, Taylor averaged 27.2 yards per kick return. In the next three games, his kick-return average was 19.5 yards.

"Hopefully what Andre's learned, from the time he was down, is that he has to go in there and cut it loose, like he did against USC, and not worry about too many things and seeing too many things," said Jeff Reinebold, who coordinates UH's kickoff returns. "He has to pick a spot, and hit the spot, and run."

Taylor said: "Basically, they want more north-south runners, not north-south-east-west, all of that juking and shaking. They want somebody to hit the hole. That's what I've got to do. Take those couple of steps and then sprint as fast as I can, with no fear. I have to hit the hole really fast because the openings can close really quick."

Reinebold said Taylor's "timeout" period should be beneficial. "Sometimes you don't know what you have until you don't have it," Reinebold said. "When all of a sudden you're put on the second team, and you're watching somebody else doing your job, that can serve as a positive motivating force. I think he's taking it the right way. He sees it now as his opportunity to seize the job."

UH's kick-return schemes also should be helpful. Most teams use linebackers and running backs to block for two kick returners aligned deep. The Warriors use one returner, allowing a sixth player to align on the front line to protect against on-side kicks.

The Warriors also align two 300-pound linemen — Larry Sauafea and Kahai LaCount — at the 15 to serve as lead blockers.

"We love to get the big guys involved," Reinebold said. "It doesn't make any sense to use a small guy who doesn't want to block anyway. You watch us on tape, and you'll see Larry Sauafea and Kahai LaCount, and they're a handful against some 230-pound linebacker. You put a 300-pound body on a linebacker, and you've got a real nice mismatch."

Sauafea said: "I look forward to hitting people. That's a job I love to do."

LaCount said he is willing to field direct kicks.

"We're told to let the returner come up and get the ball," LaCount said. "But if the ball came right to me, I can handle it. I'll go straight forward. No fancy moves."

PURCELL SITS OUT PRACTICE

Starting left defensive end Melila Purcell, who is recovering from a hyper-extended left elbow, did not compete in practice yesterday. Purcell remains confident he will be available to play against Wisconsin.

Purcell's immediate backup, Renolds Fruean, yesterday missed practice to attend to his girlfriend, who was in a traffic accident. She was not seriously injured, said Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive line.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville is supportive of Fruean, who commutes by bus from the Leeward Coast. Fruean is not receiving a football scholarship.

"We appreciate what he has to do to get here," Glanville said. "I love my son, but I don't see my son getting up at 4 o'clock to get here. (Fruean) buys his own bus ticket. He'll catch the last bus home every night. There's dedication there."

Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan and Karl Noa, who is recovering from a sore left shoulder, also can play left end. Noa resumed practicing yesterday.

"It was good to get back on the field," Noa said. "I got injured last week in practice. I fell on it weird."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.