As time was expiring on yesterday's extended football practice, Hawai'i players began to chant: "Kel-Lee! ... Kel-Lee! ..."

The object of their affection, kicker Dan Kelly, then booted a field goal from 45 yards that rifled dead center between the goal posts.

"It's a nice change of pace to the 'you suck' and 'you're going to miss this' that I usually get from them," said Kelly, who often is heckled by teammates as a way to prepare for hostile crowds. "Maybe they're trying to kill me with kindness, make me stronger. It was fun. I get more nervous in front of these guys than anyone else. It just makes it easier for me when game day rolls around."

Kelly has emerged as an offensive option for the Warriors this season. He has converted five of seven field-goal attempts, and is perfect on 44 point-after kicks. Those are significant numbers for a four-wide passing offense that has attempted to pass or run 10 times on fourth down.

In such a system, Kelly is summoned in what-the-heck situations.

For instance, Utah State's Peter Caldwell, the Western Athletic Conference's most accurate kicker, has attempted only two of his 12 field-goal tries from beyond 40 yards. He made a 47-yarder, but missed from 45 yards. Boise State's Kyle Brotzman missed his only attempt from beyond 40 yards.

In contrast, four of Kelly's seven field goal attempts were longer than 40 yards. Last week, he converted a 54-yard field goal.

"With this offense, you're not going to get close field goals," Kelly said. "We're not that kind of team. The only time we'll kick a field goal is if it's fourth-and-long. Usually that means we're backed up and it has to be a long field goal. We have the type of offense that will go for it if it's fourth-and-7."

Kelly said his range is up to 60 yards.

"Anything longer than that and my trajectory starts going down," he said.

Still, Kelly said UH is the "best school you want to go to if you're a kicker" with aspirations to play professionally. He said the high-scoring offense provides numerous kickoff opportunities to show off a strong leg.

Kelly said he is using "explosion-work" training to improve his kicking strength. With 70-pound weights on each side, Kelly will lower into a squat position, then stand quickly. He will do four sets of 10 such squats.

Kelly's kickoffs usually reach the goal line. Under last year's rules, when the tee was on the 35, those kicks would land 5 yards deep in the end zone. The junior's offseason goal is to consistently kick the ball into end zone with the tee on the 30.

"My goal is 50 percent touchbacks," Kelly said. "I'm not nearly where I want to be right now."

'BEAST' BACK IN LINEUP

Defensive tackle Michael Lafaele, who did not play last week because of a strained right hamstring, is set to start against San Jose State tomorrow night.

"I'm ready to go," Lafaele said.

Lafaele said he regained his game speed by practicing against left guard Hercules Satele.

"Herc is the best guard in the league," Lafaele said. "He's tough. It's hard to get off blocks. He's a quick guy, too."

Satele said: "Mike is a beast. He's the best d-lineman in the league. Our o-line is better because we have to go against him in practice."

PURCELL PERFECT FOR ROLE

During his two-season UH career, Amani Purcell has played outside linebacker and defensive end. It should be no surprise that, in certain situations, Purcell can be found at nose tackle.

"The coaches asked me if I would play down, and I said, 'If you want me to,' " said Purcell, who is 6 feet 4 and 277 pounds.

Purcell, who is the starting left end in the base 4-3 defense, moves to nose tackle in the Oky scheme, which employs three defensive linemen. In the Oky, which is a pass defense, David Veikune and Francis Maka are the defensive ends.

"Amani is perfect because he has the bulk to play inside, but he's also quick," defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said. "He's smart. He picks up everything. He has all of the measurables."

Purcell said it sometimes can be difficult when he faces double blocks. But defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said there are tactics in which Purcell will loop outside and then attack as a pass rusher.

"He really helps our stunt game," Reinebold said. "When he's in there he has great quickness on the guard."

Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.