UH in must-win situation

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team ends its Western Athletic Conference campaign tonight, although the results of the league race might not be determined for another two weeks.

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Hawai‘i vs. Boise State WHEN: Hawai‘i vs. Boise State, tonight, 6:05. WHERE: Aloha Stadium. TICKETS: $19 sideline, $15 south end zone, $15 north end zone adult, $11 north end zone senior citizen (65-older), $11 north end zone students, $3 UH Super Rooter. PARKING: $3. GATES OPEN: 2:30 p.m. parking lot, 3 p.m. turnstile. RADIO: Live on KCCN (1420 AM), with pre-game starting at 4:30 p.m. TV: Delayed on K5 at 10 p.m.

Louisiana Tech (5-3, 5-1) is the only WAC team with one league loss. (Each of the 10 WAC teams plays eight league games and has a bye against a ninth school.) The Bulldogs, who do not meet the Warriors this year, play at Texas-El Paso today and at Tulsa Nov. 24.

Fresno State (7-2, 3-2) and Rice (6-3, 3-2) also are in contention.

Only the league champion is guaranteed the WAC's berth in the Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose, Calif., or Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. If there are co-champions, both teams are assured berths in those bowls. If three or more share in the WAC title, the league will decide which two receive bowl berths.

"This is a big game for us," UH coach June Jones said of the meeting against Boise State.

The Broncos, who joined the WAC July 1, are fearless travelers. They played well at South Carolina and, three weeks ago, defeated Fresno State, then ranked eighth nationally.

Fresno State's crowd is regarded as the most vicious in the league. But Bronco defensive back Quintin Mikell said, "We were laughing at some of the things they were saying."

To prepare for road games, Bronco coach Dan Hawkins will blare tape recordings of crowd noises during practices.

"It kind of gears you up," Mikell said.

It also helps that the Broncos are talented and disciplined.

"They're well-coached," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. "Every team has somebody who can do this or that. This team seems to have everything."

Meanwhile, the Warriors enter short-handed. Weakside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa has a stress fracture in his right fibula and might miss the rest of the season. Pass-rushing defensive end Travis Laboy's availability is in question because of a sprained left ankle and sprained right shoulder.

They are considered UH's biggest playmakers on defense. Each has four sacks. Tinoisamoa has 61 solo tackles, an indication of his ability to make open-field plays. "We're going to miss that," Lempa said.

Jones tries to remain upbeat.

"This type of year you have to overcome a lot of adversity," Jones said, noting UH has won five in a row since Nick Rolovich replaced injured starting quarterback Tim Chang. "It's part of the game. I think if you're going to be successful, you'd better not feel sorry for yourself."

Jones said injuries, in a way, "become an opportunity for somebody else to step up."

This week, it will be Keani Alapa, who starts in place of Tinoisamoa. His backup, Patrick Lavar Harley, is a 17-year-old redshirt freshman who was on the scout team until Tuesday.

"This is a team game," Lempa said. "If someone is hurt, no matter how good they are, you have to go to the next person. You have to go to the bullpen."

NOTE: Roberts Hawai'i is offering round trip bus services to tonight's game for $5. One bus will pick up at Koko Head Elementary School at 4:15, at the Hawai'i Kai Park n' Ride at 4:30, and at Kahala Mall's Bank of Hawai'i at at 4:45. Another bus will pick up at Mililani Mauka Park n' Ride at 4:30. A third bus will pick up at Keolu Elementary School at 4, and at Windward Mall Shopping Center on Alaloa Street facing Sears at 4:30. Reservations not required and service is first-come, first-serve. For more information, call 832-4886.