Elpheage is Tulane cornerback Lynaris Elpheage was second in the nation with eight interceptions this season. Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang was picked off 22 times. That could be a dangerous combination for the Warriors in Wednesday's ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl.
looking forward
to testing Chang
Tulane's cornerback has
Tulane 'talking crazy'
picked off 14 passes in his careerBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com
But Chang said he won't purposely throw the ball away from Elpheage's side of the field.
What: ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl Hawaii vs. Tulane
When: Wednesday, 3:05 p.m.
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $15 special, $25 general, $40 premium. Available at Aloha Stadium and Stan Sheriff Center or by phone at 484-1122 on Oahu or 1-800-291-3999.
TV: Live on ESPN.
Radio: 1420-AM.
"We don't avoid anybody. Whatever the coverages, man, zone, we just try to hit the open guy," Chang said. "We don't try to dodge or avoid anybody. Basically, in this offense you can't play like that. Whopper's open, we'll get the ball to him."
Elpheage said he and his Green Wave teammates look forward to going up against the nation's leading passing offense. The Warriors' four-receiver run-and-shoot offense averages 387.9 yards per game via the air. UH is also third in the country in total offense with 500.8 yards per game.
"It's going to be fun. We live for the pass, so it's going to be our type of game," Elpheage said. "When I watched the tape and saw their offense, I know it's going to be a big challenge for our secondary."
Elpheage, who has 14 career interceptions, was chosen to the second-team of the CNNSI.com and College Football News All America teams.
"He had a great season. Hopefully he doesn't get any more interceptions against us," Chang said. "But he's just one part of their defense, and we know they're a good defensive team from what we've seen. They're going to present problems."
Elpheage is not only a threat on defense. He ranks in the top 25 nationally in punt and kickoff returns. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound junior is the only player in the nation to have scored touchdowns by kick, punt, fumble and interception returns, as well as by rush during his career. Tulane used the former Carver High School (New Orleans) quarterback at receiver at times late in the season.
He even ran an onside kick 42 yards for a touchdown in a victory against Houston this season -- a game in which he also intercepted two passes.
Elpheage downplays his achievements.
"I guess it's just want-to. Everybody on our team wants to make the big play," he said. "I've been fortunate to make a lot of interceptions this year."
He's the best player a lot of people haven't heard of. Hawaii's receivers will get to know Elpheage on Wednesday, but they didn't meet Saturday when the Warriors and Green Wave got together for dinner on the USS Missouri.
"I met a couple of linemen. They didn't know who I was," he said.
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