Chang hopes to be back for first game

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

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Warrior starters UH coach June Jones announced the depth chart after yesterday's morning practice. Here are the listed starters: OFFENSE LWR—Justin Colbert, 5-8, 170, Sr. LSB—Chad Owens, 5-9, 177, So. LT—Wayne Hunter, 6-6, 299, Jr. LG—Shayne Kajioka, 6-3, 307, Jr. C—Lui Fuata, 6-2, 315, Sr. RG—Vince Manuwai, 6-2, 309, Sr. RT—Uriah Moenoa, 6-3, 327, So. RSB—Clifton Herbert, 5-8, 157, Jr. or Nate Ilaoa, 5-9, 204, Fr. RWR—Neal Gossett, 5-10, 177, Sr. QB—Jason Whieldon, 6-1, 187, Jr. RB—Thero Mitchell, 5-10, 210, Sr. DEFENSE LE—La'anui Correa, 6-5, 264, Sr. LT—Lui Fuga, 6-1, 301, Jr. RT—Lance Samuseva, 5-11, 290, Jr. RE—Travis Laboy, 6-4, 249, Jr. SLB—Matt Wright, 6-1, 225, Sr. MLB—Chris Brown, 6-1, 255, Sr. WLB—Pisa Tinoisamoa, 6-0, 218, Sr. LCB—Abraham Elimimian, 5-10, 173, So. SS—Chad Kapanui, 6-0, 205, So. FS—Sean Butts, 6-3, 202, Sr. RCB—Hyrum Peters, 5-8, 188, Jr. SPECIALISTS PK—Justin Ayat, 5-11, 205, So. P—Mat McBriar, 6-0, 221, Sr. H—Shawn Withy-Allen, 6-4, 219, Sr. LS/FG—Lui Fuata, 6-2, 315, Sr. LS/P—Tanuvasa Moe, 5-11, 218, Fr.

Dr. Andrew Nichols, the team's physician, said Chang is scheduled to undergo additional medical tests in 10-14 days. At that time, it will be determined when he will be allowed to start throwing a football. When asked when he expected to be declared healthy, Chang said, "in 10 days."

Chang said he is able to bend the pinkie.

"I want to suit up and go, but (the doctors) told me proper steps need to be taken," Chang said. "I'm eager to play. Personally, I just want to play. I'm so hungry."

Chang did not compete in spring practice after undergoing wrist surgery in January. He missed the final nine games of the 2001 season after suffering a torn ligament in his right wrist.

"I didn't even think I would get hurt in camp, but things happen," said Chang, who suffered the injury when his right hand became entangled with a defensive player's shoulder pads during a practice drill. "It's bad fortune, but it's a minor setback that I'll get over."

Thursday, UH coach June Jones told reporters it was unlikely Chang would be back in time for the opener. But Chang disagreed, saying, "I expect to be back soon."

Peters released: Strong safety Leo-nard Peters, who suffered bruises to a kidney and spleen during Monday's practice, was discharged from The Queen's Medical Center yesterday, Jones announced.

Nichols said the recovery period is 6-8 weeks, mostly because of the location of the injury. Jones said he did not know when Peters will rejoin the team.

Meanwhile, safety Matt Manuma aggravated the surgically repaired medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will not practice again until next week.

And the winners are ... After yesterday's morning practice, Jones announced the first depth chart of training camp.

Most of the jobs had been secured entering training camp. Jones said Thero Mitchell is the top running back, followed by Michael Bass, last year's starter, and junior college transfer John West.

Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs, said Abraham Elimimian, Hyrum Peters and Kelvin Millhouse will play an equal amount, although Elimimian and Peters were listed as starters. Peters becomes the nickelback when the Warriors use schemes with five or six defensive backs.

Other winners are ... As a graduation present, running back Jonathan Kauka received a full scholarship.

Kauka, a senior who joined UH as a walk-on, was awarded a scholarship during a team meeting Thursday night. Long-snapper Tanuvasa Moe also received a scholarship.

Kauka, who majored in speech communications, and safety Sean Butts, a marketing major, will earn bachelor's degrees at tomorrow's graduation ceremony.

"I came to college not only to play football but to get a degree," he said. "It's really great to graduate."

Earning the scholarship, Kauka said, "is another blessing."

Butts, who worked as a food server in a Waikiki restaurant this summer, thanked Na Koa, the football program, for paying his summer school tuition the past three years. Butts has been accepted into the School of Travel Industry Management's graduate program.