Hawaii could go into Saturday's game against San Diego State without three regular contributors on defense, including two starters. 3 Warriors could
Receivers to test UH secondary
miss SDSU gameBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comSenior starting linebacker Matt Wright joins junior starting safety Hyrum Peters and junior defensive end Kevin Jackson among those who have missed significant practice time this week.
Wright tore a meniscus ligament in his knee during the 21-16 loss to Alabama on Saturday, defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said.
"He played with it on Saturday, so there's a chance he can come back and play," Lempa said. "We won't count him out yet, especially since it is Senior Night. But it is a partial tear."
Jackson sat out practice yesterday with a bandaged right knee. He said he suffered a turf burn that got infected.
"It's a staph infection from the AstroTurf. They had to slit it open and drain out the pus and infection," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "Hopefully we'll get him back at practice (today), but it's not guaranteed."
Pisa decides: It's no big surprise, especially since he's been considered a senior all season. But linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa confirmed yesterday that he will make himself available for the next NFL Draft.
"What would you do? There's so much money out there," Tinoisamoa told the Star-Bulletin last month. "(Pro football) is something I've been preparing myself for my whole life. When your dreams are right in front of you, they can disappear just as quick. I would like to take that chance."
A career-best performance of 19 tackles against Alabama on national TV on Saturday enhanced his pro prospects.
Tinoisamoa will take the traditional Senior Walk with 18 other seniors after Saturday's game.
Chang returns: Sophomore quarterback Tim Chang returned after missing a day of practice because of food poisoning.
Although he played with a sprained left knee and a bruised right thumb, Chang came out of the Alabama game with no new injuries or aggravations of the old ones -- even though he was sacked four times.
"I'm healing up. I feel a lot better, I feel positive. I'm getting a little more accurate," Chang said yesterday. "They were big boys, big and quick. I'm happy to come out of there injury-free."
Tulane or South Florida: UH will know its ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl opponent after tomorrow's Cincinnati-East Carolina game, according to a news release from ESPN.
If the Bearcats win, Tulane (7-5) comes to Aloha Stadium on Christmas Day.
If the Pirates win, the opponent is South Florida (9-2).
UH beat Tulane 56-17 in the last game of the 1993 season and is 2-0 in the series.
Hawaii and South Florida, which is in its sixth season of football, have never played.