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Warriors ready
to make a run
After beating LaTech, UH needs
three wins in its final four games
to reach the Hawaii Bowl
Celebration ends and preparation resumes today for the Hawaii football team. The Warriors leave Wednesday for a game Friday at Fresno State, the final conference confrontation of the year.
Last Saturday, UH quarterback Tim Chang became the NCAA's all-time passing-yardage leader as the Warriors beat Louisiana Tech 34-23.
His ability to move a team downfield can never be questioned now. But if the fifth-year senior makes a strong stretch run like his predecessor (and successor), Nick Rolovich, he will leave an unassailable legacy as a winner.
The Warriors are 26-22 in the games in which Chang has played, so only a total collapse will leave him with an even overall record. Of course, the Warriors would much prefer a magical end-of-season run like the one Rolovich (replacing the injured Chang) had in 2001, when he threw 20 touchdown passes in three games to lead UH past Miami of Ohio (led by Ben Roethlisberger), Air Force and Brigham Young to finish the season -- and his career.
"That's what we talked about in the locker room," said team captain Abraham Elimimian, a starter at cornerback as a freshman that year. "We beat a good Louisiana Tech team, so we know we can get on a roll if we do it one game at a time like we did that year."
Hawaii is 4-4 overall and 4-3 in the Western Athletic Conference. UH -- out of the WAC race barring several extremely unlikely occurrences -- goes to the Hawaii Bowl if it wins three of the remaining four games at resurgent Fresno State (5-3, 2-3 WAC) and at home against Idaho, Northwestern and Michigan State.
Despite an 0-3 road record, the Warriors are confident going to Fresno, Calif. They beat the Bulldogs there 31-21 in 2002 as Chang directed a second-half rally.
"We're going into a hostile environment. It's a sight to see. It's an amazing feeling," said Chang, who will undoubtedly be the target of many thorny verbal bouquets as he and his teammates walk the "Red Mile" to Bulldog Stadium.
The Warriors who have been there before say playing at Fresno is "fun."
"It helps a lot that we won there," said Elimimian, who flung an end zone pylon two years ago at Fresno when he got beat on a pass. "And we're real excited to go there because of the atmosphere. It's fun. We'll take whatever the fans want to do to us. Whatever they do, they'll pay for it on the field."
Elimimian scored on a 21-yard fumble return Saturday, but left the game with a strained hamstring.
Jones said he is optimistic that Elimimian will play at Fresno.
"He seems to always find a way to be ready for the game," the coach said.
Jones and Fresno State coach Pat Hill are friends away from the field and rivals on it.
"They're our natural rivals and it's an emotional game," Jones said. "We don't like them much and they don't like us. Pat always has his team ready and we always play hard every week. It makes for a great game."
Injury update: Starting center Derek Fa'avi underwent an MRI for the knee sprain he suffered Saturday. The test was inconclusive, Jones said.
Defensive end Tony Akpan's separated shoulder isn't getting any better.
"He's playing with a lot of pain and sucking it up for the guys," Jones said. "But I don't know if he should really be doing that. I have to talk to the (medical) staff."
Right tackle Jeremy Inferrera re-entered the game after getting 28 stitches to repair a cut on his chin.
"That was an ugly injury," Jones said. "Just like we talk about all the time, a guy sucking it up for his teammates and going back in there."
Starting right guard Uriah Moenoa could also be available after missing Saturday's game with a strained hamstring. Jones is also hopeful for starting linebacker Tanuvasa Moe (hamstring).
Stat chat: UH slotback/returner Chad Owens needs 2 yards to tie former Hawaii great Gary Allen for the school record in all-purpose yardage (rushing, receiving and returns).
After Saturday's game, Owens has 4,556 yards to 4,558 for Allen.
"Chad's had an unbelievable run here," Jones said. "He's proven he's one of the best in the nation."
Nominations: UH put in the names of Chang and safety Leonard Peters for WAC offensive and defensive players of the week.
Peters was in on a game-high 12 tackles (11 solo). He has made nine or more tackles in five consecutive games, and leads UH with 77 stops.
