UH expects to get WR Cenacle back vs. Utah State

This time, the comeback is real.

“No more teasing, I’m there,” slotback Nick Cenacle said of his return to the Hawaii football team’s starting lineup.

There had been false starts ahead of the Rainbow Warriors’ previous two games, claims that Cenacle was fully healed from a knee injury and ready to play. But Cenacle was a DNP against Fresno State, and he did not make the travel list for the Sept. 27 game against Air Force at Colorado Springs.

But fresh off last weekend’s bye, Cenacle was at right slotback with the Warriors’ first-team offense during drills on Tuesday. Head coach Timmy Chang pronounced last season’s leading receiver as set to play in this Saturday’s game against Utah State at the Ching Complex.

“I’m happy to be back, by the grace of God,” Cenacle said.

In the second quarter of this season’s second game, Cenacle caught a 6-yard pass from Micah Alejado in the right flat. Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes raced toward Cenacle for the tackle.

“The DB came lower than me,” Cenacle recalled. “I probably should have had lower pad level on that. He went lower than me and hit me in a good spot, just enough to mess up my knee a little bit.”

Cenacle was diagnosed with a grade-2 sprain of his right medial collateral ligament. No surgery was required, but Cenacle had to go through intense physical therapy. The goal was to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings around the MCL.

With added help from strength/conditioning coordinator Bobby Thomas, Cenacle was able to sprint along the sideline during practices two weeks ago.

“Mentally, I was there,” Cenacle said. “I was ready to compete. I was ready to be out there with the guys and battle with them. We were working for these moments for about eight months.”

But Cenacle still experienced discomfort on cuts, extending his rehabilitation. “Now it’s gone,” Cenacle said.

During his recovery program, Cenacle attended practices and meetings while watching videos with coaches.

“It was cool seeing football in a different way,” said Cenacle, who also offered tips to slotbacks Tama Uiliata and Blaze Kamoku.

Uiliata has 21 catches on 34 targets; Kamoku has caught five of the six passes in his direction. Both will continue to have significant roles in the offensive rotation.

While tight end Devon Tauaefa and running back Landon Sims are physical receivers on inside routes, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Cenacle is a slotback with speed and power who excels on crossing and deep patterns.

“I keep looking back to how far I’ve come,” said Cenacle, who grew up in Montreal. His experience was in Canadian football, where the field is wider and longer, and receivers can get running starts. He had to be taught the proper stance during his first UH practice in August 2022.

“I had to learn the different concepts, like learning the rules of odd front, even front, or cover-2, cover-3, cover-4,” Cenacle said, noting UH receivers often set routes based on coverages. “We really didn’t break it down like that in my old school. That was interesting and fun to learn all that.”

Cenacle never considered the option of redshirting this season. He would qualify if he did not play in more than four games this season.

“I just love playing football,” Cenacle said. “As much as I can play this sport, I’m going to play it. I never came here with the intention of of redshirting, even as a freshman. I was going to come in here and play. I always thought I could compete and bring value any way I can. I just want to go out there and compete with the guys, for sure.”