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TODAY'S WARRIORS NOTEBOOK

Forney expects to
play Saturday

University of Hawaii offensive lineman Kynan Forney was still on crutches at this morning's practice, but is expected to play in this Saturday night's nonconference game with Louisiana Tech.

"It gets to feeling better every day," the senior tackle said today. "I feel like I'm going to be ready. It's not as sore as it was."

Forney injured the ankle in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's victory over the University of Nevada. Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh feared the worst after the game, but fortunately for UH, the X-rays proved negative.

UH trainers said today that Forney will play, but should something happen, Vince Manuwai will be shifted to right tackle and Shayne Kajioka receives his second career-start at right guard this season.

UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa is hopeful defensive linemen Mike Iosua and Miles Garner will return this week after being hampered by ankle injuries of late. Fellow tackle Doug Sims is also fighting through a knee injury he suffered a month ago.

Linebacker Robert Kemfort will be up and ready to play as well after being slowed with bruised ribs he suffered in the loss to San Jose State nearly three weeks ago.

Don't block that kick

Special teams coach Dennis McKnight wanted to make sure fans knew there was nothing wrong with the blocking scheme on field goals and extra points.

Hawaii has had three kicks -- two field goals and one PAT -- blocked in the last three games. But the one knocked back in Saturday's victory over Nevada was Eric Hannum's fault.

"The blocking was excellent on that kick," McKnight said. "But what happened was Eric lined up six yards behind the line of scrimmage instead of eight. That allowed their outside guy to come off the edge and get the block."

All in the family

The woods around Jacksonville, Texas, where Forney grew up are full of McCowns. But the young gun quarterback named Luke McCown for Louisiana Tech isn't one he knows.

"I might go up after the game to say hello to him," Forney said. "I played against his brother, Randy. He played at Texas A&M, but I believe he graduated now. There are three or four guys who play for Louisiana Tech who I faced in high school and junior college."

Fans here didn't get to see much of Southern Methodist quarterback Josh McCown, who also grew up in northeast Texas near Tyler, but he has since regained his starting job for the Mustangs.

"I hear they have one more of the McCown brothers coming up through high school," Forney said. "It'll be fun to maybe talk with those guys after the game this Saturday."

Moving on up

Hawaii moved up to No. 116 in the Scripps-Howard computer poll that ranks the 241 Division I and Division I-AA teams with a rating of 77.33.

By comparison, Oklahoma is ranked No. 1 with a 113.06 mark. That means, on a neutral field, the Sooners would be a 36-point choice over the Warriors.

Last week, Hawaii was a two touchdown favorite over Nevada, but that won't happen this week. Louisiana Tech is a 1 -point choice in Las Vegas, despite being ranked No. 130 in the poll used by the Bowl Championship Series with a rating of 74.29. Add four points for being the home team, and the Warriors should be favored by a touchdown.

Agbayani in the house

Benny Agbayani will attend this Saturday's game between Hawaii and Louisiana Tech as a special guest of the athletic department.

It's not known if he will take part in a special ceremony recognizing his accomplishments this season as a member of the New York Mets, who lost to the New York Yankees last month in the famed Subway Series.

Agbayani's brother, Brendyn, played one season for Hawaii in 1995. He was a slotback in the old option attack run by former head coach Bob Wagner.

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Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin