Tinoisamoa could start against BYU
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa has received medical clearance to play in tomorrow's season finale against Brigham Young.
Tinoisamoa missed the last two games and all but one play of another because of a stress fracture in his right fibula.
He was expected to miss the rest of the season, but yesterday he received medical clearance to play. Yesterday morning, Tinoisamoa participated in practice for the first time since aggravating the injury.
"He's looking good," said UH coach June Jones, who will decide after today's walk-through practice whether Tinoisamoa will start. Today's practice is closed to the public, and players are not allowed to be interviewed until after the game.
Tinoisamoa was leading the Warriors in tackles before suffering the injury to the non-weight-bearing bone in his right leg. The injury did not require surgery.
But defensive end Travis Laboy, who has a sprained left ankle, and strong-side linebacker Matt Wright, who has a sprained left knee, remain doubtful. They did not practice yesterday.
• More honors: Wide receiver Ashley Lelie, offensive guard Manly Kanoa III and middle linebacker Chris Brown were named to the College Football News All-Western Athletic Conference all-star team.
The publication's editorial staff picked the players.
Last month, Lelie was named to the College Football News All-America third team.
• All's fair: BYU coach Gary Crowton said his team will not be distracted by the controversy surrounding his team's exclusion from the Bowl Championship Series.
Despite entering tomorrow's game with a 12-0 regular-season record, the Cougars have been eliminated from BCS consideration. BYU athletic director Val Hale has said he might consider filing a lawsuit over BYU's exclusion.
"There are a lot of people who aren't happy with the BCS or the way the national championship thing works out," Crowton said. "I don't like to see lawsuits. I just want (the system) to be fair for everybody."
But, he added, "regardless of what the BCS has said, this is a game we've looked forward to all year."
