It has been said that a cornerback, isolated in one-on-one pass coverage, is "on an island."

Calvin Roberts knows the feeling of isolation. He also knows what it is like to be a Survivor winner.

And yesterday, Roberts, who 17 months earlier was searching for a school — any school — was named the Hawai'i football team's No. 1 right cornerback.

"I'm excited about the situation," Roberts said.

In the Warriors' 56-10 loss to Florida, Roberts received the highest grade among the UH cornerbacks.

"What I like about him is he worked hard to improve his game," head coach Greg McMackin said. "He does what he's supposed to do. He does what he's coached. He works on getting better every day. He's smart. We've seen him steadily improve. Not only that, he's doing very well in school. He just works hard in doing the right things. You've got to give an opportunity to a guy who's going that way."

Jameel Dowling started at right corner against Florida. In schemes requiring five defensive backs, left cornerback Ryan Mouton became the nickelback and Roberts entered as a corner. Dowling now will assume Roberts' previous role.

"Jameel is going to play a lot," McMackin said. "Everybody makes a big deal about the quarterback position. We treat every position like that. (Roberts) showed he does his job."

Thing is, Roberts was suffering through college football's version of unemployment when San Jose State, penalized seven scholarships for failing to meet NCAA academic-progress requirements, rescinded its offer to Roberts.

After committing to the Spartans in February 2007, he attended spring practice as a spectator. "I had a sense," he said of the impending bad news. "It was a tough situation. Tough situations happen all of the time. It's how you deal with them."

It was April 2007, and he had no prospects. He had turned down a UH offer in January, and now it was out of scholarships.

"I was e-mailing coaches, left and right, throughout the country," he recalled. "I sent out my highlight tapes. It was pretty scary."

After a month, the UH coaches called, but only with a walk-on invitation. Soon after, they made a scholarship offer.

"I'm thankful everything worked out," he said.

Now Roberts, a senior majoring in communications, has a cumulative grade-point average above 3.0.

PILARES FILLING IN

Kealoha Pilares yesterday worked out at running back in what is being deemed an emergency move until Daniel Libre is ready to resume practicing.

Libre, who has a high sprain of his right ankle, walked with a crutch yesterday. Although he insisted he will be available this weekend, the coaches think otherwise. Libre needs to practice today or tomorrow to be cleared to play.

As a freshman last year, Pilares led the Warriors with 388 rushing yards. He moved to slotback in spring training.

"It's going to take a little time," Pilares said of the re-adjustment. "(But) I felt I knew enough to go out there and do it."

McMackin emphasized that the move is temporary, and that an expanded role is planned for Pilares. He was in for only 11 plays against Florida.

But McMackin said Pilares eventually will be featured as a hybrid runner-receiver in a special offensive scheme.

"We were going to get to that package," McMackin said. "We're going to get to it a little earlier (than scheduled)."

KIA SHOULDERS LOAD

While Laupepa Letuli recovers from an injured AC joint in his left shoulder, Aaron Kia is practicing as the No. 1 left tackle.

"He's got a lot of experience," offensive line coach Brian Smith said of Kia. "He has good range, long arms."

Kia said he needs to be more consistent with his blocking technique. He said he has been hindered because of tendinitis in his knees. "It's like inflammation in the tendon," Kia said.

Meanwhile, Letuli said his injured shoulder is "iffy."

"I'll go with the trainers and rehab it as best as possible," Letuli said. "We'll see."

BLOUNT HAS SHOT AT SLOT

Dustin Blount (pronounced Blunt) was left off the travel roster to Florida because it was decided he would redshirt this season. But with Pilares working out at running back, and the inconsistent play of the UH slotbacks, the coaches decided to reconsider.

Blount was the No. 2 right slotback yesterday. If he does well enough, he will be used. He would forfeit any redshirt possibility if he plays in a game.

"Dustin has the speed," McMackin said. "We want to look at him."

Blount has been hand-timed at 10.4 seconds over 100 meters. He was laser-timed at 10.6 seconds. He has never run the 40-yard dash. "I'm excited to get a chance," he said.