Chang shaken, but should
be OK for RiceRENO, Nev. >> Hawaii sophomore quarterback Tim Chang took one of his worst poundings yesterday in UH's 28-20 loss to Nevada. But he seemed OK afterward, despite being temporarily knocked out of the game when sacked by Wolf Pack defensive end Derek Kennard late in the third quarter. It was one of six times Chang was sacked.
Chang sustained a minor shin injury in the first half, and Kennard's hit aggravated it. Senior Nick Rolovich replaced him for one play, and Chang returned to finish the game.
With 303 yards yesterday giving him 3,779 for his career, Chang moved past Michael Carter into sixth place on Hawaii's all-time passing list.
Other UH players suffering injuries include junior wide receiver/kickoff returner Justin Colbert and sophomore cornerback Kelvin Millhouse.
Colbert suffered a bruised collarbone in the second quarter when he fielded a short but high kickoff and was pounded by Nevada's Marlon McLaughlin. Colbert fumbled and the Wolf Pack apparently recovered for a touchdown. But the play was called back because Nevada was offsides.
Millhouse left in the third quarter with a concussion. He was replaced by redshirt freshman Abraham Elimimiam.
Chang, Colbert and Millhouse are expected back Saturday against Rice.
Bright spots: It was hard to find a lot of positives in Hawaii's disappointing loss yesterday, but several players getting their first real action performed well.
Senior wide receiver Tafiti Uso made a clutch 21-yard catch on third-and-24 on UH's final scoring drive. It set up a 14-yard catch on fourth down by Channon Harris to keep the drive alive.
Redshirt freshman Chad Owens' first catch as a Warrior was for a 5-yard touchdown finishing the drive and bringing Hawaii within 25-20 with 9:14 left.
Sophomore defensive end Travis Laboy performed well at times, with five tackles -- one for a loss. His hamstring problems appear to be behind him.
"He did well considering he hasn't even scrimmaged, much less played for us," defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said.
Junior Sean Butts was impressive on special teams again, blocking a point-after attempt and making a pinning tackle on a kickoff return.
Junior wide receiver Ashley Lelie moved past Dwight Carter into third place on UH's career receiving list with 1,884 yards.
BYU move closer: Hawaii and Brigham Young officials said the possibility of moving their Aloha Stadium game from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8 is becoming closer to reality, though both schools declined to call it a done deal.
"We won't know until Monday what's going to happen," BYU athletic director Val Hale said yesterday. "We're getting closer, but right now we really don't know. Nothing will be final until Monday."
UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida basically said the same. "Things have been discussed, but nothing is finalized."
Yoshida added that Hawaii is for such a switch -- which would help accommodate BYU's schedule switch of its game with Mississippi State.
"There are quite a few positives for us, national television and possible monetary benefits," Yoshida said. "It's good exposure for the state and the university. ... It could help us to have two weeks to prepare for BYU."
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
