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H A W A I I _ S P O R T S

Notebook

Tuesday, October 10, 2000

WARRIOR FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Tapa

Liana will get
his chance to start—
at outside linebacker

Bronson Liana has waited a long time for his first collegiate start. If things go as planned this week, the junior linebacker of Kamehameha Schools fame will have that opportunity against Southern Methodist at Aloha Stadium.

Warriors head coach June Jones said today that Liana's start wasn't etched in stone. Regardless, Liana and Anthony Smith will share playing time this weekend at right outside linebacker.

"We haven't made that decision yet," Jones said. "He's practicing and playing good. "He's played well. He's done his assignments the way they're supposed to be done. He's practiced real hard and is a team player, who can run. He runs 4.5 (in the 40). He's just never played linebacker before and it takes time to make the adjustments for that position."

Liana played quarterback in high school. In former head coach Fred vonAppen's last year in 1998, Liana hit 5 of 19 passes for 37 yards. He also threw two interceptions.

In 1999, Jones moved him to defensive back midway through the season. He finished with four tackles and also saw extensive playing time on special teams.

Last spring, Liana shifted again to outside linebacker. It has taken him some time to make the necessary adjustments to playing the position, but he feels he's ready to get the start.

"I'm looking forward to getting my first start," Liana said. "I've got to work hard in practice, study my defense and just give it all I've got when I get out there.

"I've been working hard at making the adjustment. I just have to focus, concentration is the main thing. I'm getting around to it. I feel more comfortable back there than when I first moved over."

Smith is in the doghouse for his personal foul in the first quarter of last week's game at Texas Christian that kept a drive alive near the goal line. Instead of holding the No. 12-ranked Horned Frogs to a field goal, TCU went on to score a touchdown to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

"Bronson played well and deserves the chance to start," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said today. "When he got in there against TCU, he did a nice job. He and Anthony will share playing time because Keani Alapa is out with the knee injury."Injury update

The season-ending knee injuries to Avion Weaver and Keani Alapa aren't the only ailments Hawaii has to deal with this week.

Jones said several players have shoulder injuries and hand ailments they'll have to play through. Offensive lineman Vince Manuwai injured his thumb, Joe Correia is still slowed by a sprained foot and fellow defensive lineman Chris Brown is playing through a shoulder injury.

Lui Fuga's shoulder problem hasn't bothered him as much of late and he will see more playing time at defensive tackle this week.

The prognosis for strong safety Dee Miller isn't as bright. His hamstring pull will keep him sidelined for this game as well as the one at Rice University next week.

"Dee is coming along more slowly than we first thought," Jones said. "It's a bad hamstring pull and those things just take time to heal. It's similar to the one Jacob Espiau had that cost him the last half of the season."

Running back Afatia Thompson is also hobbled with an ankle sprain. Jones said he had a cortisone shot this morning to help him deal with the pain.

If he can't go, then James Fenderson will see a majority of the playing time. The senior from Mililani High said he would do his best to help the team.

"We're like a family back here," Fenderson said this morning. "If someone goes down, then someone else has to step up and do the job. I ran the ball well against TCU, but I also had a couple of fumbles that hurt us.

"I feel badly for Avion. We all do. For him to lose his senior season is tough. But we just have to pick up and do what we can do to help our team win."

Sims angers TCU line

University of Hawaii defensive lineman Doug Sims was right -- it was a long day. Texas Christian running back LaDainian Tomlinson made sure of it.

"He (Sims) came over to me before the game and said, 'Hey, Tomlinson, it's going to be a long day,' " Tomlinson said.

"The (offensive) line came over and asked what he said. I think they got mad.," he added. "We just took over the game from the start."

Tomlinson rushed for 294 yards -- the highest total in the country this season -- and four touchdowns in Saturday's 41-21 win.

WAC Players of the Week

Texas Christian running back LaDanian Tomlinson, Texas-El Paso defensive lineman Menson Holloway and Nevada punter Derek Jones are the Western Athletic Conference Players of the Week.

Tomlinson earned his second offensive honor of the year, leading the Horned Frogs past the Hawaii Warriors for their 10th straight win.

Holloway made nine tackles, eight solo, three sacks and forced two fumbles in UTEP's 40-7 victory over Tulsa.

Jones earned special teams honors with nine punts for a 41.6-yard average in Nevada's 38-7 loss to UNLV. He placed four of them inside the 20 and his 41.8-yard average ranks 28th in the country.


Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin



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