Chang on the On a football injury report, probable means just what it says: The guy's probably going to play.
road to recovery
The Hawaii QB is ‘probable’ for
Notebook
Saturday’s game against Alabama
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThose who saw the way Tim Chang got bumped around at Aloha Stadium on Saturday might not believe Hawaii's starting quarterback can play three days from now against Alabama.
But UH head trainer Eric Okasaki underscored the point yesterday in reference to Chang's banged-up left knee and swollen right thumb suffered in the Warriors' 20-19 victory over Cincinnati.
Nobody was making any promises, but Chang seems to be recovering quickly from the injuries. He didn't participate in drills yesterday, but his rehab has been going well and he will likely practice today and be ready to play Saturday against the Crimson Tide.
When: Saturday, 2:45 p.m. Hawaii vs. Alabama
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $21 sideline, $16 end zone, $12 students/ seniors, UH students free (super rooter only). Available at Aloha Stadium, except for student tickets at Stan Sheriff Center.
Gates: Open at 11:15 a.m.
TV: Live on ESPN.
Radio: 1420-AM.
"I think No. 14 is going to be fine," Okasaki said yesterday.
Chang, UH's all-time passing yardage leader, said after attending yesterday's practice he's almost ready.
"I'm on a day-to-day basis. I'll try to come out (Wednesday) and throw some balls," he said. "I ain't gonna lie. There's pain, but we play with pain all the time. They're both (thumb and knee) factors, but as a football player you have to play with injury."
Shawn Withy-Allen handled most of the quarterback repetitions yesterday.
"If I get the call, I'm ready," said Withy-Allen, who has completed 31 of 56 passes for 531 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions as Chang's backup. "But I imagine Tim will be back ready to play. He's looking good and he's a tough guy."
Starting left guard Shayne Kajioka also sprained a knee in the Cincinnati game. He re-entered the game, but was ineffective. Kajioka didn't practice yesterday, but said he expected to play.
"I wasn't setting right, I wasn't playing right," Kajioka said. "My knee got to me. I gave up those two sacks."
Kajioka is also listed as probable. Starting center Lui Fuata moved over to left guard and backup center Derek Faavi worked with the first team yesterday.
Faavi, a 6-foot, 266-pound second-year freshman from Campbell High School, is responsible for the line calls. But he gets help from his more experienced linemates when he needs it.
"Me and (guard) Vince (Manuwai) kick back and let him make the calls," Fuata said. "If it's right we let it go. If it's not we correct it."
If Faavi starts Saturday, it marks the first time this season that UH goes with a different front than Wayne Hunter, Kajioka, Fuata, Manuwai and Uriah Moenoa from left to right.
Also, starting cornerback Abraham Elimimian rested his sprained left ankle yesterday. Junior Gary Wright filled in on the first team.
"I'll be ready to play," said Elimimian, who is tied for fifth on the team with 51 tackles.
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