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Wednesday, November 1, 2000
Fresno State Fresno State could find itself on the outside looking in at this year's postseason picture in the Western Athletic Conference.
not looking past
Warriors
Dreams of a bowl bid will be
shattered should the Bulldogs
lose to Hawaii
Concussion sidelines Tim Chang
By Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinThe league has ties to three postseason games: the Silicon Valley Bowl, the Mobile Bowl and the Humanitarian Bowl. If the WAC champion comes from the eastern half of the nine-team league, then that squad will likely play in the Mobile Bowl.
If the winner comes from the western half, then the Silicon Valley Bowl will get that choice with the Humanitarian Bowl receiving the third pick overall.
At this point, Texas-El Paso and Texas Christian are unbeaten in WAC play. TCU is considered to be in the east and UTEP in the west. Because the Miners already beat San Jose State and Fresno State, it figures they'll be headed to the Silicon Valley Bowl should they win or tie for the league title.
The No. 9-ranked Horned Frogs are hoping for a Bowl Championship Series bid. But they still have to beat San Jose State, Fresno State, UTEP and rival Southern Methodist for that to even be a possibility. Should they stumble, but still finish near the top of the league standings, they figure to make a second consecutive appearance at the Mobile Bowl.
That leaves the Humanitarian Bowl as the most likely postseason spot for Fresno State. But for that to happen, the Bulldogs can't afford another league loss, starting this weekend with Hawaii.
"We're still a month away from worrying about anything like that," Fresno State head coach Pat Hill said. "If we play well on the football field, all of that other stuff will take care of itself."
After a slow start against a tough nonconference schedule that included season-opening losses at Ohio State and UCLA, the Bulldogs have settled in nicely.
They have won four of their past five, have put together a 13-game winning streak at home, which is the third-longest in the nation, and are in a position to compete for another league championship.
But what Hill wants to make sure Fresno State doesn't do, is take Hawaii lightly this weekend by looking ahead to the game with nationally ranked TCU on Nov. 11.
"I find it very hard to believe this is a 1-6 football team," Hill said of Hawaii's struggles this season. "I think they've got some very good players, especially on defense.
"I've got a lot of respect for them as a football team. We can't be looking past anybody. We already have one loss in our league. I don't think two defeats like we had last year will give us a share of anything this season."
Hill did receive some welcome news this week that should help Fresno State the rest of the way. Talented wideout Rodney Wright missed the past three games with a calf injury, but is expected to join fellow "smurf" Charles Smith this weekend.
Smith only had two catches against the University of Tulsa last Saturday, but both were for touchdowns. He is third on the team in receptions with 19 for 317 yards.
Despite missing three games, Wright is still the leading receiver with 30 catches for 297 yards and two scores.
Junior quarterback David Carr has thrown most of those passes to the talented tandem this season.
"David continues to play well for us," Hill said. "Against Tulsa, he played for really only two quarters. If we had left him in, he might have had 400 yards passing. But that's not what we think is important. We got the opportunity to play a lot of guys in the second half and that could help us down the road."
Defensively, Fresno State is powered by a trio of solid linebackers.
Outside backer Orlando Huff recently was named a midseason All-America by Pro Football Weekly.
Middle linebacker Tim Skipper is an All-America candidate as well. Despite his diminutive stature (5-foot-7, 215), he is second on the team in tackles to Huff with 57. Huff has 59, including eight quarterback sacks.
"We've played well on defense all season," Hill said. "But this week's game will be a real challenge for us. I'm glad the game is starting at 4 o'clock (PST) because it could be a long game."
University of Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang will not play in this week's game at Fresno State because of a concussion suffered in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's loss to San Jose State. Concussion sidelines Chang
The true freshman quarterback is
still bothered by headaches from
controversial hit by ParryBy Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinChang said at today's practice that he still has headaches from the shot he took by middle linebacker Josh Parry, one Chang and UH head coach June Jones believed was a flagrant hit.
"I feel like I'm letting the team down, but I can't practice right now," Chang said this morning. "I can still throw, but I get a little light-headed, a little tired.
"I still have a future to think about. I don't want to take any chances with it. You don't want to gamble on something like this. It's very doubtful I'll even go on the trip. Right now, I think it would be better if I stayed home and rested."
Jones said on Monday that Chang would definitely start, but that's before the headaches persisted through today's practice. Jones is getting Nick Rolovich ready to make his third start of the season. Mike Harrison will be Rolovich's backup if Chang can't play.
"I'm not really that worried about it," said Jones, who is either overly optimistic or doesn't want Fresno State to know that Chang can't play. "He'll probably practice tomorrow and we'll see how it goes from there.
"I haven't really talked with him. But if Timmy can't play, then Rolovich will start. But I still think he has a chance to make it back. Nick knows he's just one play away if Timmy can't go. He's ready."
Rolovich said today no one has told him he will be the starting quarterback, but he is preparing for it just the same. The junior college transfer was preparing to redshirt this season. He has a small fracture in his pelvic region that could get worse if he runs on it for too long.
"But I'm going to go ahead and play because I can't get a redshirt anyway," Rolovich said. "I'm very excited about maybe getting a chance to start. I'm from that area. I have so many family and friends coming, it would be great if I got to start in front of them."
Jones said sophomore Mike Harrison would back up Rolovich if Chang can't play. Harrison is also looking to redshirt this year because he played last season as a true freshman. If Chang is left behind, Kevin Gilbride would be the third man up.
"But right now, we're planning on Timmy coming with us," Jones said. The team leaves for Fresno, Calif., tomorrow after practice. "Rolo had a little experience early in the year. He played a little bit. And now he's going to get his shot if Timmy can't go."
The number of starters on the sidelines for this morning's practice nearly equaled those out on the field. TODAY'S WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Starting lineup
injury-riddledWhile Warriors head coach June Jones isn't ready to say Tim Chang will not play this weekend, he did concede that defensive lineman Mike Iosua (ankle), outside linebacker Lonnie Williams (ankle), running back Afatia Thompson (ankle), linebacker Robert Kemfort (ribs) and offensive lineman Vincent Manuwai (hamstring) would not play this weekend.
"That's the way it looks right now," Jones said after this morning's practice. "We might get Vince back in time, but he needs to rest his leg to get better."
If Manuwai can't go, guard Shayne Kajioka will be the starter with center Sione Tafuna backing him up. Kajioka is bothered by a knee sprain, but will play in Saturday's Western Athletic Conference game at Fresno State.
Running back James Fenderson (ribs) said he will start for the Warriors with Thero Mitchell backing him up. Mitchell has a slight shoulder problem, but he also said he would be available.
"We're really banged up right now, but so is everybody else," Jones said. "You have to suck it up and go on. We've got a lot of players playing hurt."
Especially on defense. With Kemfort and Williams sidelined for sure, Jones moved senior outside linebacker Anthony Smith from the right side to the left.
Bronson Liana will start at the right outside spot with Rinda Brooks penciled in for the middle. He is bothered by an ankle sprain himself. Should he falter, Pisa Tinoisamoa will be ready to step in and play.
"We've moved Joaquin Avila from the middle to the outside to give him some reps this week," UH linebackers coach George Lumpkin said. "We've also given some time to Preston Faraimo. He's a young kid who might have to grow up in a hurry."
No sacks
The offensive line continues to perform at the highest level this season.Granted, Chang took a beating in Saturday's loss to San Jose State, but thanks to solid blocking and Chang's quick delivery, the O-line didn't give up a sack in 74 pass attempts in last Saturday's 57-48 loss to the Spartans.
"Last year, we gave up a sack once about every 24 snaps," UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "And that was good. This year, that number is once every 60. I can't say enough good things about my guys up front. They're doing the job."
The fact Hawaii has yielded only six sacks in seven games wasn't lost on Fresno State head coach Pat Hill. He also took note that the Spartans didn't manage a sack in last Saturday's game.
"To throw a football 74 times and not give up a sack," Hill said. "That's amazing. I don't know who the offensive line coach is, but he's doing an outstanding job."
Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
