Despite suffering from lumbar strains, University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis are not expected to miss Saturday's football game against Idaho.

Brennan and Alama-Francis were scheduled to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures last night to determine the extent of the conditions.

Brennan said the condition causes tightness to both hamstrings, and makes it difficult to run "at full speed" during practices. Fueled by adrenaline, Brennan said, "I can run during games." He called the condition an "annoyance."

"I've never had an MRI on it," Brennan said yesterday afternoon, "so we decided to have one and see what's causing it."

Brennan leads the nation in pass efficiency (183.1 rating) and points responsible for (26.57 per game). He is second in total offense (390.3 yards per game), passing yards (2,601) and passing yards per game (371.57).

Alama-Francis complained of back spasms after Saturday's 49-30 road victory over New Mexico State.

Alama-Francis did not participate in yesterday's conditioning drills.

Jeff Reinebold, who coaches the defensive linemen, said Renolds Fruean, Keala Watson and David Veikune would play right end if Alama-Francis were not available.

"The player we would use would depend on the down-and-distance (situation), and the flow of the game," Reinebold said.

PURCELL GAINS HONOR

In being named the Western Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Week, defensive left end Melila Purcell III was cited for his eight tackles, including three sacks, and two forced fumbles against New Mexico State.

Purcell's performance "was even more spectacular," Reinebold said.

The Warriors rotate the defensive line after every sixth play. Against New Mexico State, Purcell played 46 of 76 downs (61 percent).

In the Warriors' scoring system, defenders are credited with a "tackle" if they make a significant hit, regardless if the player is knocked down immediately. The coaches determined Purcell made 15 "tackles," an average of one every three plays.

"Those are linebacker numbers," Reinebold said.

What's more, the Aggies attempted several blocking combinations.

"They slid the (right) tackle on him," Reinebold said. "They slid the (right) guard and (right) tackle on him. They kept the tight end in. They put the back to him. We did an awful lot of three-man rush in that game, and that's difficult because they were keeping five, six, seven guys in to block our guys who were rushing. Our guys had to fight through an awful lot of traffic to get through. Mel did a great job."

Purcell said: "You have to go out there and play hard. I tried to do that."

Purcell is playing despite a strained right hamstring, a stinger and sprained left knee.

A SPECIAL WAC AWARD

The UH coaches insist the WAC got it half right.

"He should have won it for offense, too," special teams coach Mouse Davis said of Ross Dickerson, who was named the WAC's Special Teams Player of the Week.

Dickerson amassed 283 all-purpose yards — 158 yards on four kickoff returns and, as the starting right slotback, 125 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

"I did get tired," Dickerson said. "After I returned that first kick, I had to come to the sideline for two plays."

Dickerson figures to get little rest this week, even if Ryan Grice-Mullins is available to play. Grice-Mullins started the first three games at right slotback before suffering a sprained left ankle.

Last week, head coach June Jones said Grice-Mullins, if healthy, would regain the right slotback job. Dickerson was the starting right wideout before moving to become Grice-Mullins' replacement. Ian Sample is now the starting right wideout.

Yesterday, Jones softened his stance, and said if Grice-Mullins were available, Dickerson would play extensively at both slot positions.

Dickerson said he welcomes Grice-Mullins' eventual return, insisting, "it'll make our team that much more dangerous, another weapon for us in our offense."

As for his role once Grice-Mullins returns, Dickerson said: "I don't think one of us will have to sit. We'll split the reps. Starting doesn't mean a lot to me. Winning games means a lot to me."

Indeed, Dickerson enjoys being healthy enough to play the sport he first embraced in the fourth grade. "I played for the Waipahu Jackrabbits," he said, proudly.

He enrolled at Saint Louis School as a freshman, and by his senior year, he drew interest from Colorado, Oregon, San Diego State and Washington State.

He chose UH "because of June Jones and how much we throw the ball over here. Why wouldn't you want to come over here as a receiver?"

Dickerson bounced between slotback and wideout during his first three UH years. In the summer of 2005, he recalled, he suffered an ankle injury when he fell while trying to avoid a dog-walker. He suffered a split tendon in his left ankle, yet bit his mouthpiece and played the entire 2005 season.

"I have no idea how I did it," he said. "I just played through. It's a sacrifice you have to make for your team."

In December, he underwent surgery to reconnect the tendon.

"Dr. (Jay) Marumoto did a good job on it, and now it's 100 percent," Dickerson said. "It healed up perfectly."

Partly because of his play-with-pain approach, Dickerson has emerged as one of the team's leaders.

"He's got a great mentality, a great work ethic," Brennan said. "He's really been kind of under the limelight for so many years, and hasn't gotten the credit he really deserves. He never complained about it. He kept working hard. Leaders are made, and through the years, he's been made into a leader."

Dickerson, a fifth-year senior, is scheduled to earn a bachelor's degree on Dec. 17.

(TWO) CAMERAS SHY

It has been nearly two months, and the Warriors still have not received the two video cameras they ordered from Panasonic, video coordinator Lopaka Ornellas said.

"We just got every excuse in the book why it hasn't gotten to us," Ornellas said.

Following state procurement procedures, UH solicited bids. Panasonic was awarded the contract, and UH paid $50,000 for the two cameras, Ornellas said.

He said the cameras were due at least a week before the Sept. 2 season opener. Ornellas said he was told there was a problem in ordering the lens; now one of the parts is not available.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are down to two cameras, including a $600 hand-held camera Jones won in a drawing.

ESTES ON THE BALL

On Saturday, Brennan threw five scoring passes and extended his streak of passes without an interception to 130. Nate Ilaoa ran a career-high 18 times. But the offensive game ball went to right guard John Estes, a second-year freshman.

Offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said Estes earned the highest grade among the linemen.

"It was his best game of the year," McKnight said. "He really played physical, very athletic. I think he can become one of the best linemen who's ever played here."

On one play, McKnight said, Estes slowed down a would-be tackler, then raced up to knock down two defenders.

"He's a great run blocker and a great pass blocker," McKnight said. "We don't run that much, but when we do, we can get the job done because of players like him."

NOTES AND UPDATES