Season just starting
Chang and front line
The Hawaii football team already has a win under its belt, but in some ways, tomorrow's game at Southern California has the feel of a season opener.
Hawaii at USC
When: Tomorrow, 10 a.m. Hawaii time
Where: L.A. Coliseum
TV: Live, Fox Sports Net
Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM
Line: USC by 21
Junior quarterback Tim Chang will play his first game of the season after sitting out the Warriors' win over Appalachian State on Aug. 30 -- a game that had the feel of a dress rehearsal for UH -- and an inexperienced offensive line is looking to test itself under fire after a bit of tinkering.
"We have a lot of young guys in the offensive line, so it's new to them, and it's Timmy's first game, so it's like a first game for him. But all in all you just have to go play," UH coach June Jones said after the Warriors' workout yesterday morning at the campus practice field.
The Warriors' game with the fourth-ranked Trojans kicks off at 10 a.m. (Hawaii time) tomorrow at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The team left for California yesterday afternoon.
After a month of fall camp and a win over a Division I-AA opponent, the Warriors have had two weeks off to prepare for USC. Despite the down time, keeping the players sharp isn't one of Jones' biggest worries.
"We were not real sharp against Appalachian State so that's not the problem," Jones said.
The performance of the offensive line is among the coach's chief concerns. For Hawaii to have a chance to upset the Trojans, a green UH offensive front will have to keep Chang's jersey clean.
The Warriors gave up three sacks against Appalachian State and face a USC defense that recorded 22 tackles for losses, including 12 sacks, totaling 111 yards in its first two games. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu leads the Trojans with three sacks.
"That's my biggest concern for this game, that we can pass protect," Jones said. "We'll find out in a hurry though."
USC's defensive front, dubbed The Wild Bunch II, is considered one of the nation's best and features ends Omar Nazel and Kenechi Udeze and tackles Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody. Reserves Frostee Rucker and LaJuan Ramsey aren't far behind the starters.
"They're big, strong, athletic guys who can all rush the passer," UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "Then you sprinkle in all their zone blitzes and we have a lot to worry about."
Injury bug: Jones said it will be a game-time decision on whether receivers Jeremiah Cockheran (knee) and Chad Owens (foot) will start tomorrow. Both missed practice time earlier in the week, but worked out with the first team yesterday.
"They're still a little hobbled, but hopefully the adrenaline will be pumping and they'll be OK Saturday," Jones said.
Jones said defensive end Travis LaBoy won't start and that he doesn't expect him to play tomorrow. The senior aggravated a groin injury this week but is on the 63-player travel roster in hopes that he'll be ready for next week's game at UNLV. Kevin Jackson will likely start in LaBoy's place.
"You just have to roll with it," Jones said. "You get guys hurt in a game, somebody's got to step up. It's kind of the same deal."
Traveling men: The Warriors released the travel roster for their first road trip of the season yesterday.
They are deepest in the secondary with 13 defensive backs making the trip.
Senior Michael Miyashiro, a 5-foot-6, 29-year-old receiver, earned a spot on the travel squad. So did 6-foot-7 basketball player turned defensive end Nkeruwem Akpan.
Offensive lineman Jeremy Inferrera and receiver Jason Rivers are the only true freshmen who made the trip.
Short yardage: UH kicker Justin Ayat is eight points away from moving into second place on the school's all-time scoring list. The junior enters tomorrow's game with 221 points. Michael Carter is second at 228 and Jason Elam is first with 395. ... USC has outscored UH 173-18 in four meetings . The Warriors' output in a 62-7 loss in 1999 is the most points they've scored against the Trojans, the touchdown coming on an interception return.
