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Full-Court Press
FRESNO, Calif. -- Whether Tim Chang is under center tomorrow at Fresno State really isn't the big question mark for the University of Hawaii. WITH THE WARRIORS
It’s unofficial:
Chang to play vs. BulldogsWith five games still left and all fall camp goals gone with the tradewinds, how well the Warriors play the rest of the way will go a long way toward building for next year.
Perhaps that's one reason why Warriors head coach June Jones has been so adamant about Chang getting back on the horse and facing the Bulldogs this weekend.
True, the Warriors aren't playing for anything as grandiose as an Oahu Bowl bid like last year. But if Chang is going to compete at the highest level, he must learn the difference between injury and pain.
"I had my helmet knocked off one other time in junior varsity football," Chang said. "But I've never been hit by a 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker coming full speed. That was definitely the hardest shot I've taken."
UH Football
What: Western Athletic Conference football.
Jones is still reviewing Chang's status -- calling it a game-time decision. But he would like to see his true freshman quarterback play through the pain and uncertainty to make sure he doesn't get gun-shy in the pocket.
"We're not going to put anybody at risk," Jones said.
"But a mild concussion isn't as serious as someone who has had more than one in a short period of time. He'll be fine. He'll play."
The Warriors could certainly use him. With only two Western Athletic Conference games left, Jones wants to avoid the league cellar. At this point, the University of Nevada probably has that wrapped up.
But Jones would also like to get a win on the road. After finishing 3-0 in away games last season, the Warriors have reverted to the bad old days when road wins were as scarce as postseason bids.
In 2000, Hawaii has lost all three road affairs by a combined score of 118-41 and are 22-point underdogs to make it four in a row this weekend.
"I still find it hard to believe that this is a 1-6 team because they have so many good players on both sides of the football," Fresno State head coach Pat Hill said. "I think they are very well coached and I think they have a heck of a football team. Maybe things haven't bounced right for them."
A year ago, the two teams played one of the defining games of the season for Hawaii. That victory in double overtime allowed the Rainbows to finish in a tie for first in the WAC.
And while there will be no such reward this time around should the Warriors find a way to win again, Jones knows Fresno State won't forget what happened a year ago and will use that as motivation this weekend.
"They have a big game with TCU the following week, but it won't mean as much if they lose to us," Jones said. "I'm sure their coaches reminded them of that at practice this week, so we expect them to play hard and well.
"They've got things rolling at home. They're always tough to play there. They have a lot of team speed. We need to go in there ready to play."
Chang is not the only injured Warrior making the trip. Offensive lineman Vince Manuwai is nursing a bad hamstring, but said yesterday that he will try to play.
James Fenderson is expected to start at running back, sore ribs and all. But Robert Grant and Thero Mitchell, who was fifth-string in fall camp, could see some playing time.
Defensively, things are even more dicey. Down linemen Mike Iosua (ankle) and Joe Correia (foot) aren't making the trip. Neither is outside linebacker Robert Kemfort, who will miss his first start of the season with bruised ribs.
"We're having to move a lot of guys around," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. "That's not an excuse, but it has hurt our continuity."
Fresno State has always been a threat on offense and special teams, but this year, the Bulldogs are also solid defensively. They line up in a standard 4-3 set, but pose problems because they have so many different looks.
"They also have an excellent group at linebacker," Jones said. "This is going to be a tough game for us. But we have to go there and play as hard and as well as we can."
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.
Email Paul: parnett@starbulletin.com.
