Ho-Ching dings Skinner

When University of Hawaii offensive coordinator Don Lindsey saw Daniel Ho-Ching walking his way after yesterday's practice, he put his arms up in the sign of the X.

"We're going to have to call you old skull and crossbones," Lindsey said, then smiled. "Son, keep bringing it."

It's unclear whether top quarterback Josh Skinner felt the same way. After the hit Ho-Ching put on him to signal the end of practice, Skinner wasn't sure who or where he was.

"I was running the option play and that's the last thing I remember," said Skinner, who had a cut on his forehead and a nasty headache, besides. UH trainers said Skinner suffered a mild concussion and is listed as day-to-day. "I never saw Daniel coming. I didn't even know it was him."

This spring, Ho-Ching has asserted himself quite nicely at free safety. He had a big hit in last Friday's mock scrimmage as well.

"It was a clean hit," Ho-Ching said. "But I still went to check on him. He's my teammate and I didn't want to see him hurt."

Despite the injury, UH head coach Fred vonAppen said pitting the first string defense against the No. 1 offense would continue through the spring. And while Skinner lay motionless on the Cooke Field turf for several minutes, vonAppen knew early on that Skinner hadn't suffered a serious injury.

"He got dinged on a good hit," vonAppen said. "This is something we decided to do this spring. We want the offense to earn its confidence. Not just give it to them like we did the first two years.

"Josh is a tough kid. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back out here tomorrow. The offense is struggling, but Don and I feel this is the best way to go."

Offensive players seeing their fallen quarterback promised to come back with a vengeance at today's practice. The war between the two units has been spirited through the first five practices.

"Protect your grills (face masks) tomorrow, defense," wide receiver John Kirby said as he trotted off the field. "Because we'll be coming after you."

INJURY UPDATE: Hawaii had three players who injured their fingers in last Friday's practice.

Kirby suffered a sprained pinkie on his right hand, but is still able to have full contact. Such is not the case for offensive lineman Jose Martinez and linebacker Scott Sherwood. Both broke fingers on their right hands and will be out at least one week.

"I don't know when I broke my two fingers," Martinez said. "But they're going to operate on it this Thursday. Hopefully, I can get back in there next week."

Hawaii still has a dozen players slowed with pulled hamstrings. Wide receiver Echo Charles and defensive back Donnell Williams had the worst strains, but both took part in yesterday's practice.

Defensive end Olen Rosehill returned to practice after missing a week with a bad back.

NA KOA HOSTS TOURNEY: This Friday, the Rainbows will take a break from practice so the coaches can take part in the Na Koa Club charity golf tournament.

The fund-raiser begins at 12:30 p.m. at Hickham Air Force Base. It will be a shotgun start for the three-man teams already signed up for the annual event.

"There's still time for people to sign up to play," Na Koa Club president Ed Gayagas said yesterday. "The fee is $125 a person and $375 for three-man teams. Mulligans are $30 a person."

Golfers are asked to check in at 10:30 a.m. There will be putting contests before the actual 18-hole event begins. To get a pass on the base, participants should contact the UH football office at 956-6508. For more information, call Gayagas at 486-2153.

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--By Paul Arnett