Padres might force
’Bows to change venue
for game against Aztecs

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

LAS VEGAS - The San Diego Padres are on another collision course with San Diego State that could cause problems for the University of Hawaii.

Two years ago, a similar scheduling conflict forced the two teams to play a Friday night game at Qualcomm Stadium. If the Padres finish with the second-best record in the National League, then the Western Athletic Conference game can't be played at its scheduled time on Oct. 10.

As of last night, the Atlanta Braves had the best record in the National League. The Padres are in second place, just one game back.

''We just became aware of the problem ourselves and haven't had time to talk to Hawaii about it,'' San Diego State head coach Ted Tollner said during yesterday's WAC media meetings in Las Vegas.

''If it happens, we have several options at our disposal.''

One would be to move the game to San Diego State's on-campus track facility and set up stands to accommodate the fans. Another would be to move the game to Friday, something the Aztecs want to avoid at all costs.

Two years ago, they were forced to pay Hawaii for the travel costs to change the date. Hawaii took a charter flight to San Diego, but still lost the game, 56-8.

ARCENEAUX NO. 1: Former St. Louis School star Darnell Arceneaux will begin the season as the top quarterback for the University of Utah.

Utes head coach Ron McBride made the announcement at yesterday's WAC meetings, but conceded that No. 2 signal-caller Jonathan Crosswhite was waiting in the wings.

''Jonathan had an excellent spring and will play if Darnell struggles,'' McBride said. ''I'm very pleased with the progress we've made at that position. We have two quality quarterbacks.

''I really like Darnell because he's a proven winner. He never lost a high school game in football and rarely lost in basketball. He's adjusted to Utah and will play a prominent role for us.''

Arceneaux is the leading returning rusher for the Utes. He carried the football 46 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns. The sophomore was instrumental in Utah's 20-14 victory at rival Brigham Young University.

Crosswhite is the Utes' top passer. He completed 130 of 222 passes for 1,588 yards and nine touchdowns. The senior also tossed nine interceptions.

''Right now, we have several players with Hawaii ties who are going to help us this season,'' McBride said. ''Donny Utu is one of our starting wide receivers and Taulia Lave is one of our best linebackers.''

Utah also signed former UH player Peter Salavea, who went to Dixie Junior College after flunking out two years ago.