Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang did not practice again today and is listed as questionable for the season-opening game against Eastern Illinois on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. No passing for QB
Chang todayBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comChang suffered a broken bone in the pinkie of his right (throwing) hand 12 days ago. He hasn't practiced, but has thrown on the side twice since .
"The doctors told me to rest it," Chang said after today's practice. "Probably tomorrow or Thursday."
He expects to have at least one doctor look at the hand again before a decision is made.
"He's still sore," coach June Jones said. "But if he can get two full practices in ..."
Chang said he feels bad if there are those who think he should be back in action already, but that it's important not to rush back too quickly.
"Yeah, at some point if I don't play I let down my teammates, my coaches and my family," Chang said. "It's definitely a letdown, but a bigger letdown to myself.
"I know a lot of people are looking up to me, but it really is out of my control," he added. "If I'm breaking any hearts, I'm really sorry. But I just have to go on a daily basis and see how it goes.
"I still want to play. I want to get in there."
JC transfer Jason Whieldon will start if Chang can't go. Jones said he would prefer to play Chang -- who has been in 13 games at the Division I level compared to zero for Whieldon -- but that the Warriors can win with Whieldon.
"We can narrow the gameplan down to things he can do and pick up the slack in other places," Jones said.
Leonard Peters, who went into fall camp as the projected starter at strong safety, is out with what is now being called a strained right abdomen. Peters is rehabbing after injuring his spleen and a kidney in practice two weeks ago.
Hyrum Peters was moved from cornerback to strong safety, and is listed ahead of Chad Kapanui at the position.
Three other players who went into fall camp high on the depth chart -- starting inside receiver Gerald Welch, second-team inside receiver Nate Ilaoa and starting defensive end Travis Laboy, were all listed as probable in UH's news release yesterday.
Laboy practiced yesterday, and is in a battle with Kevin Jackson for the starting spot at one end.
Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga also returned yesterday after dealing with an infected toe.
Safety Matt Manuma is out, with a strained left knee.
Captains picked: Linebackers Chris Brown and Pisa Tinoisamoa and right guard Vince Manuwai were voted team captains by their teammates, Jones said today.
Special teams captain will be selected before each game, Jones added.
Kalilimoku redshirting?: Linebacker Chad Kalilimoku, a junior college transfer, has a redshirt year available, according to NCAA compliance coordinator Daniel Arakaki. When Kalilimoku was recruited, that was not believed to be the case, but Kalilimoku has three years to play two seasons according to new information.
Jones said he plans to redshirt Kalilimoku since UH is deep at linebacker.
Back deep: Mike Bass has taken over the punt return duties, and Michael Brewster is listed as the first kickoff returner.
Both are small but fast and elusive.
"I'm pretty confident," Bass said. "I did it a little bit in high school, but it can be a scary position."
Patton to play?: True freshman cornerback Kenny Patton is listed right behind starter Kelvin Millhouse at right cornerback, and Patton ran with the first-team punt return at end yesterday.
But Jones said that doesn't mean Patton won't redshirt this year. "We're planning to redshirt him," Jones said. "But if we need to play him, we will."
Short yardage: Eastern Illinois is scheduled to arrive Thursday afternoon. ... See Scoreboard for islandwide park-and-ride locations for TheBus football express. Call 848-5555 for more information.
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