Hawaii sophomore defensive end Travis Laboy was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week after helping UH to a 38-31 victory at Southern Methodist last Saturday. Laboy locks up
Chang likely starter vs. UTEP
WAC defensive honorsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comAfter a review of game tape yesterday, Laboy was credited with eight tackles, including four for loss and two sacks. He also caused a fumble.
"He's played really well the last couple weeks," Hawaii coach June Jones said. "He made some plays in that game that were just sheer him. We had some other guys step up, too, and that's what it takes. Players making plays."
Warrior junior running back Thero Mitchell was nominated for Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Louisiana Tech quarterback Luke McCown won the award after completing 31 of 42 passes for 407 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions in a 41-20 victory over San Jose State.
Nevada freshman kicker Damon Fine took the honor for special teams after making a 58-yard field goal in a 27-12 loss against UNLV.
Miners coming: Hawaii (2-2, 1-2 WAC) tries to even its conference record against Texas-El Paso (2-3, 1-1) at Aloha Stadium on Saturday.
The Miners are coming off a 56-7 rout dealt them by Alabama. The Crimson Tide scored on their first four possessions to lead 28-0 early in the second quarter.
UTEP, with former Hawaii coach Bob Wagner as defensive coordinator, arrives Thursday.
Senior Lee Mays was considered one of the nation's top receivers going into the season. But his 22 catches for 283 yards and one touchdown leave him out of the WAC's top 10 statistics lists. Also, Mays suffered an ankle sprain in the Alabama loss. He said he will be ready Saturday.
Hawaii leads the series 15-12 and is 10-7 in Honolulu.
Lelie No. 1: UH junior Ashley Lelie moved up to the top spot in the nation in receiving yardage per game. Lelie averages 139.5 yards. He is also second nationally and first in the WAC in receptions per game at 9.25.
Sophomore quarterback Tim Chang, who did not play last Saturday due to injury, fell from first to second in total offense with 349.7 yards.
Junior linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa leads the WAC in tackles with 10.5, and is second in sacks at 1.0. Junior linebacker Chris Brown is right behind him in tackles at 10.2.
Senior defensive tackle Mike Iosua leads the conference in forced fumbles with three in three games.
In team statistics, Hawaii is second in the nation and first in the WAC in passing yardage with 363.2 per game. But the Warriors are 108th and ninth in rushing (82.8) and 85th and seventh in total defense (394.2).
UH is second in the conference in sacks with 14.
Injury report: Chang is expected to play Saturday (see page B1). Running back Mike Bass (ankle), defensive lineman Lui Fuga (right shoulder) and cornerback Hyrum Peters (hamstring) are all listed as probable. Iosua dinged a shoulder and Lelie rolled over an ankle in Saturday's game, but neither is listed on the official injury report.