Ailing Warriors
sit out practiceLaBoy, Sopoaga, Fuga
and Owens rest in UH's
night workout
Three of Hawaii's top five defensive linemen and a third all-conference performer sat out of the Warriors' first practice for the Hawaii Bowl last night.
All-Western Athletic Conference tackle Isaac Sopoaga had the flu and key backup Lui Fuga had wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. Also, end Travis LaBoy, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year, "is battling through some (physical) stuff, too," coach June Jones said.
Also, all-WAC receiver Chad Owens rested his aching left foot.
"We've got some guys battling through some stuff, but hopefully we'll be all right by Dec. 25," Jones said after the Warriors went through a two-hour night practice at Aloha Stadium.
Hawaii has nine more healing days 'till Christmas, when the Warriors (8-5) play Houston (7-5).
In addition to injuries, Jones has to be concerned with players getting enough credits to be academically eligible for the game. This is finals week, but the coaches won't know about some players' eligibility until two days before the game.
"Some teachers are turning (grades) in early, but a lot we won't know until the 23rd," Jones said.
Quarterbacks Tim Chang and Jason Whieldon got the same amount of plays with the first team offense last night, and Jones said it will remain that way until next week.
"Both Jason and Timmy will take an equal number of reps and I'll decide who will play on game day," he said.
Quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said both looked good after the Warriors had last week off from practice.
"The break was good," he said. "Their arms both look fresh and live."
Sophomore defensive back Kenny Patton, who has played in only three games early in the season because of a chronic hamstring pull, worked out with the second team last night. If he plays in the Hawaii Bowl, Patton could lose an opportunity to get an extra season for a medical hardship.
"We're going to field the best team we can," Jones said. "If one corner goes down, he'll be the next to go in."
