Chang's availability for Saturday still in question

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang yesterday threw short passes under the coaches' supervision for the first time since suffering a sprain on his throwing wrist Sept. 29.

But Chang said there still is some pain and swelling, and he does not have complete mobility in his right wrist.

As to whether he will start Saturday against visiting Texas-El Paso, Chang said, "We can't speculate right now. I haven't thrown to guys running outs or guys running to the corners or guys running 50 yards down the field. The way Coach (June) Jones calls plays, we're going to throw the ball down the field. If I can't throw the ball long, it's going to be a problem."

Jones said he will wait until Friday, and possibly Saturday afternoon, to decide if Chang will start.

"If he can make the throws, he'll start," Jones said. "Everybody out there is playing with pain. (Defensive tackle) Mike Iosua is playing with one arm (there is a torn ligament in his right shoulder). It's not a matter of whether he can play with pain. It's a matter of whether he can do his job. Mike still does his job with one arm. If Timmy can throw Friday without it showing (the wrist) is hurting, then he'll play."

Chang threw 10- to 15-yard passes to stationary targets yesterday morning. Today, he will try to throw passes to the wide receivers.

He is working with a shiatsu specialist.

"He's really helping me out," he said. "He hopes to speed up the healing process."

• Peters out: Boundary cornerback Hyrum Peters said he will not play for three weeks because of a pulled left hamstring.

Acknowledging he will not be 100 percent this season, Peters said he is hopeful the rest will allow him to play.

With Peters out, Kelvin Millhouse, who lost his starting job to Abraham Elimimian last week, will start, said Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs.

Also, linebacker Preston Faraimo will miss another two weeks because of a fracture in his right ankle, and slotback Britton Komine will not play against UTEP because of a pulled hamstring.

• Body by Bhonapha: Defensive back Keith Bhonapha had enough.

"I was getting tired of hearing, 'You're not fast enough,'" he recalled. "I was tired of people running by me in practice."

Bhonapha spoke with track coaches, studied videotapes and then developed a supplemental workout program designed to improve his running form.

"If you saw it, it would look like warm-up drills," Bhonapha said of his exercises aimed at improving his strides.

Using longer and more powerful strides, Bhonapha has improved his time over 40 yards from 4.8 seconds as a freshman in 1998 to 4.57 seconds during the summer. He has now moved into the rotation in the defensive secondary, as well as become a valuable member of the special teams. He scored on a blocked-punt return against Southern Methodist Saturday.

"A lot of times, you hear that speed is something natural, like you're born with it," Bhonapha said. "I realize it's not, that you can work out to get faster. I'm happy for what I've done. It's a personal accomplishment, really."

Defensive end Travis Laboy also credits his improved quickness to Bhonapha's tutoring.

• Raining ponchos: Volume Services, the food and beverage concessionaire at Aloha Stadium, will distribute 20,000 ponchos at Saturday's game.

New safety regulations at the stadium do not allow umbrellas, bags, backpacks or coolers.

Fanny packs are permitted, but are subject to checks.