RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Teammates, coaches and trainers surrounded an injured Timmy Chang after he was downed by a late hit Saturday night in fourth-quarter action against Cincinnati at Aloha Stadium.
Chang ‘probable’ for University of Hawaii starting quarterback Tim Chang is listed as "probable" for Saturday's nationally televised home game against 14th-ranked Alabama.
game vs. Alabama
Jones wants rematchBy Dave Reardon
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That means the sophomore from St. Louis School will likely play despite leaving this past Saturday's 20-19 victory against Cincinnati twice with knee injuries.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Tim Chang: Will likely return to practice this week since tests show no major injury
"He's day to day," UH sports information director Lois Manin said yesterday. "If he can practice by Thursday, he will probably play against Alabama."
Chang sprained his left knee and left the game in the first half. He returned in the fourth quarter to throw a game-winning 33-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Cockheran. But it was feared he suffered severe damage when he left again after he was hit once more on the knee.
Also, UH players thought the late hit by Cincinnati's Tyjuan Hagler was done purposely and that it instigated a post-game brawl that involved dozens of players from both teams.
Hagler denied going for Chang's knee.
"I can promise you that was unintentional," Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said yesterday. "That was just a player trying desperately to make a play. I hope Timmy isn't hurt and continues to have a great year."
Hawaii coach June Jones said he saw the play on tape and did not think it was intentional.
"I thought the guy was playing hard and he just looked like a little out of control," Jones said.
Yesterday, UC athletic director Bob Goin blamed the atmosphere at Aloha Stadium for the brawl.
"In my 40-year career, it's the worst game management that I have ever seen," Goin said. "It was terrible, and the University of Hawaii needs to clean it up."
Goin said Cincinnati fans, cheerleaders, coaches and players were harassed and threatened the entire game by Hawaii fans, in the stands and on the sideline.
"My wife was in the stands, and I feared for her," he said.
UH responded with a statement from Manin.
"It's unfortunate that a good football game has to be tarnished by the events that occurred on the field after the game," she said. "There are a lot of reasons that led up to it. I think the most important was that emotions were running high and it was a close game."
Jones said the situation was unfortunate, but he felt his players did the right thing.
"What do you want them to do? Walk away? I felt like they were defending themselves. I'd like it not to happen, but they weren't the aggressors."
As to the charges of a lack of control at the stadium, Jones said, "It's never happened before."
Chang was on crutches in the locker room after the game. Hawaii's all-time passing yardage leader finished the game with 219 yards passing on 23 completions in 42 attempts.
X-rays Saturday night and an MRI yesterday indicate no major damage, and Chang will likely be back to practice this week.
Starting left guard Shayne Kajioka is also probable for Saturday. He sprained his right knee against Cincinnati.
UH (9-2) moved up to No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll after debuting at 25 last week.
The Warriors are three spots away from being rated in the Associated Press Top 25, which is voted on by media.
Alabama (9-3) fell to 14th from ninth in the AP poll after losing 17-7 to Auburn, and is ineligible for the coaches poll because of NCAA sanctions. Saturday's game will be shown at 2:45 p.m. on ESPN.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
