Friday, September 6, 1996
Back at practice yesterday for only the second time since undergoing chemotherapy, the redshirt freshman safety said he couldn't wait to return to the field.
"Just being out here makes me want to play more than ever," Ho-Ching said. "I can't help but think that I could help us on that play, and that should be me making the tackle on another."
Ho-Ching hasn't played since being told he had a malignant tumor in his nose after the Nevada-Las Vegas game last October. He had hoped to be back by fall camp, but things didn't work out that way.
The Long Beach, Calif., resident said he goes to the doctor tomorrow. Barring some unexpected finding, he will likely receive his clearance to play football.
"We'd like to have Daniel back, but we want him to be healthy and ready to face the rigors of the game," vonAppen said. "It will probably be a few weeks before he's conditioned enough to go through our daily drills."
Ho-Ching said he wanted to be on the sidelines for tomorrow night's game, but learned that's not vonAppen's policy. If you aren't fit for duty, the head coach wants you in the stands.
"Then I need to get my tickets as soon as I can," Ho-Ching said. "I wasn't able to come to the last game, but I'll be there Saturday giving my support."
It's also possible that Ho-Ching won't be playing defensive back. A quarterback in high school, the coaches told him they'd like to try him at running back in spring.
"I just want to play again," the soft-spoken Ho-Ching said. "I'm thankful to have come through this OK. I just want to get on with the rest of my life."
Lacey is a backup receiver, but is probably Hawaii's best return man on kickoffs.
VonAppen said Lacey suffered a hip pointer and wouldn't be ready for tomorrow's game with Ohio University.
"We have looked at several guys back there on kickoffs, including Steve Laulu, Johnny Macon and Jason Vaughn," vonAppen said.
"We'll miss Lacey because he could hit up in there pretty good. We also wanted to expand his playing time at receiver, so naturally, this hurts us."
Lacey didn't have any receptions against Boston College, but the fifth-year senior did return three kicks for 61 yards. He should be back in time for the Wyoming game next weekend.
VonAppen said that freshman Andy Phillips would start at right guard in place of Wentling. Michael Petersen, who has been battling a sore shoulder, should see some playing time as well.
Fullback Tony Thomas is still questionable with a bruised shoulder. Backup Paul Purdy is out with a dislocated shoulder, leaving Lonn Kalama as the starting fullback and Brendyn Agbayani as the top tailback.
Robbie Robinson is back in the starting lineup after missing the opener with a pinched nerve in his neck. He will start at right corner, forcing Eddie Klaneski to move back to free safety.
Unlike most coaches who name captains for the year, vonAppen enjoys choosing them on a weekly basis.