Posted at 11:50 a.m., Thursday, October 11, 2001

Chang likely to start against Texas-El Paso

• Purses banned at Aloha Stadium

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In today's version of "Name That Quarterback," it appears that the University of Hawai'i's Tim Chang is closer to starting Saturday's game against Texas-El Paso at Aloha Stadium.

Showing no ill effects of a sprain in his throwing wrist, Chang easily threw long passes during this morning's two-hour practice at UH's grass field.

If the game were played today, UH coach June Jones said, "He threw the ball well enough to start."

Yesterday, Chang threw long passes during individual drills. Today, wearing shoulder pads for the first time since suffering the injury Sept. 29, Chang competed in 11-on-11 drills. He was able to reach wideouts on corner routes and deep patterns.

"He looks like he's back to normal," Jones said.

Under interview guidelines set by the athletic department, Chang was not available to comment after practice. Player interviews are not permitted on the Thursday and Friday before each game.

Jones still said he will wait until Saturday's pre-game warmups before deciding if Chang will start. Jones said he has not decided if Chang will play even if he does not start.

Nick Rolovich, who started against SMU, said yesterday that he plans to start until told otherwise.

"Right now, I'm treating it like I'm going to go and I'm going to be the guy on Saturday," Rolovich said. "I think just doing that will keep me ready either way. Whatever comes, I'll deal with it. Right now, I'm going at it like I'm going to start."

• Presidential suite: At Stanford, which he attended before transferring to UH last year, wideout Tafiti Uso lived in the same dormitory as Chelsea Clinton.

"There were a lot of security guards around," Uso recalled. "She had bullet-proof glass and a bomb-proof door."

Uso said he had limited contact with the former First Daughter. But during one of the orientation meetings, Uso met President Bill Clinton.

"That was neat," Uso said. "I got to shake his hand."

• Catching on: Wideout Ashley Lelie not only has emerged as the Warriors' best receiver, but as one of the most productive in the country.

He leads NCAA Division I-A receivers in receiving yards (139.5 per game) and is second in catches per game (9.25).

"I have more confidence this year," Lelie said. "Last year, I was too worried about making mistakes. I wasn't focusing on running and playing hard."

Lelie has not dropped a pass in four games this season.