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UH-Michigan State
game on ESPN

The Warriors must hope for
a better showing than in other
national broadcasts this season

ESPN has decided to telecast Hawaii's final regular-season football game, Dec. 4 against Michigan State at Aloha Stadium.

Kickoff has been changed from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to accommodate the network.

"It is our last regular-season home game and we hope we can continue the success we have had at Aloha Stadium this season," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said.

Going into Saturday's home game against Northwestern (6-5), the Warriors (5-5) are 5-1 at Aloha Stadium this year, winning their last five in a row.

But UH has had less fortune on the road -- and on national or regional television. The Warriors are 0-4 on the road, with ESPN (Fresno State), ESPN2 (Boise State) ESPN Regional (Texas-El Paso) and Sportswest (Rice) showing the games.

The Warriors' last win on national television was last Christmas, when UH beat Houston 54-48 in triple overtime in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

Hanging in there: Being a college freshman away from home can be especially tough around Thanksgiving. But Desmond Thomas, a promising redshirt wide receiver from Vallejo, Calif., is gutting it out.

It helps that teammate Keao Monteilh, a freshman defensive back, invited Thomas to his family's house for Thanksgiving dinner today.

"Actually, I do miss home. But I'm enjoying it here. It's a chance to be on my own and grow up and be responsible. It's good for me," Thomas said. "(Hawaii is) interesting. I'm not really used to it, but I'm going to be here four or five years. I'm taking it a little at a time."

Receivers coach Ron Lee said Thomas is progressing well and could contribute mightily next season. The coaches toyed with the idea of Thomas playing as a true freshman during preseason camp, but decided he needed the seasoning of a redshirt year with the scout team.

Samson misses practice: Sophomore starting center/left guard Samson Satele missed practice yesterday for what offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh described as a personal reason.

Senior Phil Kauffman filled in at center with the first unit.

Head coach June Jones said he expected Satele to return to practice today.

"I would hope so. I don't know what the problem is," he said.

Kirschner, Jenkins gone: Defensive backs Matthew Kirschner and Patrick Jenkins are no longer on the team.

Kirschner, a freshman defensive back from Sherman Oaks, Calif., is expected to transfer.

Jenkins, a senior from Orlando, Fla., played in 13 games prior to this season, mostly on special teams. He competed in preseason camp for playing time at safety, but did not play this year and has not been with the team for several weeks.

Two other cornerbacks, juniors Omega Hogan and Cameron Hollingsworth, have not practiced or played recently -- but might return to the team next season, sources said.

Hogan is one of the team's best special-teams players, and Hollingsworth started against Texas-El Paso last month.

Jones said he could not comment on the status of the players.

Injury update: Starting offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa (knee, hamstring) did not dress out and was on the sideline again, but said he would practice today and hopes to play. ... Junior linebacker Ikaika Curnan worked out with the nickel package, but not in team drills. Junior linebacker Tanuvasa Moe appears to have his hamstring pull behind him, as does senior cornerback Abraham Elimimian. ... Senior defensive lineman Darrell Tautofi (calf strain) was off crutches yesterday and said he plans to play Saturday. ... Freshman defensive tackle Clarence Tuioti-Mariner (shoulder) has returned to drills.

Jones said again that he does not expect Moenoa or Curnan to play Saturday.

UTEP to Houston Bowl: Texas-El Paso accepted a bid to play in the Houston Bowl on Dec. 29 against a Big 12 opponent.

Under new coach Mike Price, No. 24 UTEP clinched second place in the Western Athletic Conference last Saturday with a 57-27 win over SMU, guaranteeing the Miners (8-2, 6-1) their first bowl appearance in four years.

The Miners face Colorado, Iowa State, Nebraska or Oklahoma State at Reliant Stadium.