So far, no luck for Warriors

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Columnist

Whose idea was it to walk under the ladder?

Did somebody up in Manoa cross paths with a herd of black cats or manage to step on every single sidewalk crack along University Avenue?

You've got to wonder because here the Warriors are less than a week into practice and they've already lost two projected starters and jumped into the Western Athletic Conference lead in "freak" injuries.

First, strong safety Leonard Peters goes out for the season opener with a bruised kidney and, before the ink is dry on his hospital admittance papers, quarterback Tim Chang is doubtful for the first game with a broken finger.

This by a team that, as UH sports information director Lois Manin put it yesterday, "probably has less (hard) contact in practice than anybody in America."

Indeed, the Warriors go out of their way not to get their players hurt. Some coaches will tell you the Warriors might not hit enough before their opener. They do not level ballcarriers or unload on receivers. They pull up on quarterbacks and do not wrestle ballcarriers to the ground.

The only thing getting hit hard up there so far is medical insurance premiums — and preseason hopes.

Eastern Illinois, the Warriors' Aug. 31 opponent, hasn't gotten within 4,000 miles of Aloha Stadium and, in a couple days, has probably improved to less than two-touchdown underdogs.

Now, Peters' injury was the result of what UH coaches called, "an inadvertent collision" where it was at first thought he only had the wind knocked out of him. Then, Chang hits his finger on a helmet or pads — nobody seemed certain what it was — in what he initially wrote off as "just my pinkie."

One such case clearly falls under the heading of a "freak" injury. But two in such rapid succession and a black cloud is immediately suspected. Or, as some people are starting to mutter, maybe a curse.

What Chang has done to deserve his star-crossed fate isn't known. I mean, he's polite, humble, hard working and apparently kind to animals. And, maybe, vexed.

Last year Chang emerged as the Warriors' starter and was leading the NCAA in total offense after three games only to get KOed for the season by a rare wrist injury.

At least the Warriors were fortunate to have Nick Rolovich, who had started three games in 2000, available and primed for a second chance.

Now, probably for at least the opener, they will look to top backup, Jason Whieldon, a junior college transfer in his first season in the offense, or senior Shawn Withy-Allen, who has yet to throw a pass. The hope is that they will pick up the slack.

But, the way things have been going at UH lately, it might not hurt to call in somebody to bless this team. That and light a few candles, too.