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TODAY'S WARRIOR NOTEBOOK

UNLV transfers
up for game

Former Nevada-Las Vegas players Laanui Correa and Lui Fuga figure they'll have a big target painted on their backs this Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

The two starting defensive linemen for the University of Hawaii transferred from UNLV a year ago and haven't regretted a minute of it.

They have kept in contact with the four local players still in Las Vegas and have heard from them that they are marked men in this season's final game.

"I hear they are coming after us," Fuga said, then smiled. "But that's OK. It's going to be sweet when we beat them and knock them out of their bowl game. We want to dominate those guys. They're still our friends, but to have bragging rights, we've got to beat them. Those guys look at us as traitors."

Unlike Fuga, Correa keeps in contact with some of the former UNLV players, particularly St. Louis School teammate James Sunia of Waianae.

"Personally, it's beating the guys I went to school with and keeping them out of a bowl," Correa said. "I talk with a lot of the Hawaii guys still there, just once in awhile. I heard some rumors that they are coming after us. But that goes both ways."

Wisconsin returning

UH head coach June Jones said during yesterday's weekly press conference that he is interested in Wisconsin coming back to face Hawaii in the near future.

This is the second time the Badgers have played at Aloha Stadium in five years.

"I told (Wisconsin head coach) Barry (Alvarez) I wanted to get them on the schedule again as soon as we can," Jones said. "I would like that and he likes it out here.

"I told him maybe we could do two here and one up there. I wouldn't mind going up there early before the ice shows up."

Jones also confirmed a three-game deal with UNLV, starting in 2002. Two of the games would be played here and one in Las Vegas.

Holding steady in poll

Hawaii held steady in the latest Scripps-Howard computer poll that ranks the 241 Division I and Division I-AA teams.

The Warriors came in at No. 115 this week with a rating of 77.81. By comparison, Florida State is No. 1 with a power rating of 112.65. That means, at a neutral site, the Seminoles would be about a five touchdown favorite.

The Rebels are ranked No. 68 in this week's poll with a rating of 89.32. Add four points to Hawaii's total because the Warriors are at home and UNLV should be favored by eight.

Because UNLV is involved in the game, there will be no official line in Las Vegas.

Injury update

Hawaii exited the game with Wisconsin in relatively good shape. The only players listed as doubtful -- down lineman Brett Clowers (shoulder) and outside linebacker Lonnie Williams (ankle) -- suffered the injuries earlier this season.

Jones is hopeful Forney will be back after missing the last two games with a bad ankle sprain.

He was announced as a starter prior to the Wisconsin game, but offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said that was because his parents were here for the game.

"He tried to see how his ankle felt in warmups before the game and he just didn't have it," Cavanaugh said. "He wants to be in there Saturday because it's his last college game."

Vince Manuwai did a nice job subbing for Forney, prompting Cavanaugh to say, "Vince just proves how good he is every week. The guy could play any position up front.

"He's definitely deserving of Outland Trophy consideration next year."

Defensive lineman Mike Iosua is still battling back from an ankle sprain suffered nearly six weeks ago. He and running back Afatia Thompson (ankle) are questionable for Saturday.

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Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin