UH notebook: Rainbow Warriors get key piece back against Colorado State

HONOLULU – Better late than never, University of Hawaii running back Joey Iosefa is due to return to the lineup Saturday for the Rainbow Warriors’ game at Colorado State.

Iosefa, regarded as UH’s best offensive weapon, completed a three-game suspension as a result of his Oct. 12 arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He had missed the previous four games due to a foot injury.

In the two games he did play in, Iosefa gained a total of 197 yards and scored four touchdowns, including 143 yards and one TD against Washington in the season opener.

Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Hawaii time and will be televised live nationally on ESPNU and broadcast live on radio via KHLO in Hilo and KKON in Kona. Hawaii is 2-7 overall and 1-3 in the Mountain West Conference. Colorado State (8-1, 4-1) is atop the MWC Mountain Division standings

Iosefa’s long-awaited return is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Rainbow Warriors’ offense, which has been held to 18 points or less in five the past six games. UH was able to score just 14 points in last week’s 35-14 home defeat to Utah State and was shut out in the final three quarters.

Over the past three games, Hawaii scored only one second-half touchdown and had a total of only 11 points. In three road games this season – all without Iosefa – the Rainbow Warriors failed to score more than 14 points and averaged only 270 yards of total offense per game.

UH is now tied for 109th in the nation (out of 125 Football Bowl Subdivision teams) in scoring offense, at 19.9 points per game. The Rainbow Warriors are 123rd in passing efficiency (101.4 rating), 103rd in total offense (357.1 yards per game), 114th in third-down conversions (32.1 percent), 111th in time of possession and 110th in sacks allowed.

UH is also tied for 99th in turnover margin and tied for 91st in rushing offense.

A healthy Iosefa – who was named a team co-captain prior to the season but had that title stripped after the arrest — could directly or indirectly impact all of those categories.

RAINBOW WAHINE RETURN HOME: The UH women’s volleyball team has returned home and will face Big West Conference rivals Long Beach State and Cal State Northridge on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Both matches are set for a 7 p.m. start time at the Stan Sheriff Center and will be televised live statewide on OCSports. Friday’s match will also be carried live on radio via ESPN 1420 AM and Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Radio (AM 1500).

The Rainbow Wahine (16-5 overall, 8-2 Big West) suffered a rare road sweep in a visit to both Long Beach State (19-4, 9-0) and Cal State Northridge (14-7, 5-4) last month, but are coming off a road sweep at UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.

SOCCER TEAM ENDS SEASON: The UH women’s soccer team wrapped up its season with a 0-0 tie at Cal State Northridge last Sunday.

The Rainbow Wahine finished at 7-10-1 overall and 2-5-1 in the Big West, eighth place in the nine-team Big West. Senior forward Krystal Pascua, senior defender Lidia Battaglia and sophomore Storm Kenui each earned second-team All-Big West honors, and sophomore forward Kama Pascua earned honorable mention.

Forward Sonest Furtado was named to the All-Freshman Team.

MEN’S BASKETBALL FACES HPU IN EXHIBITION: The UH men’s basketball team will play its first game in public Thursday with a 7 p.m. exhibition against Hawaii Pacific University.

The Rainbow Warriors played a closed-door scrimmage against Brigham Young-Hawaii last Saturday. UH head coach Gib Arnold and assistant Brandyn Akana were relieved of their duties last week, and top returnee Isaac Fotu announced Monday he will forego his final two season of eligibility in order to pursue a professional basketball career.

The Rainbow Warriors officially open their season at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 14.