WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Hawai'i hoping to make extended stay in Top 25
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
A day after breaking into the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 Poll, the University of Hawai'i football team was on the run.
"We can't slow down," quarterback Tim Chang said after yesterday morning's 45-minute workout, in which the Warriors ran 200-yard sprints. "A lot of teams make it into the top 25, and then fall off. We're in the poll (at No. 25), but if we lose, we won't be in there. We have to continue to play hard and see what happens at the end of the year."
The Warriors' first appearance in a major national poll since 1992 was somewhat of a surprise, even though losses by several ranked teams created vacancies.
The Western Athletic Conference, of which UH is a member, has a low power rating, and it appeared unlikely the Warriors would earn national recognition after defeating a WAC opponent with a losing record. But that's what happened following Saturday's 33-28 road victory over Rice, an outcome that completed the Warriors' best WAC season in 24 years of league membership. UH is 8-2 overall and 7-1 in the WAC.
"It's hard for us, because we're way out in Hawai'i," UH offensive lineman Vince Manuwai said. "Nobody really gives us respect. Even though we're part of the United States, nobody considers us part of the country. We have to overcome a lot of stuff, especially when we go on the road. It's hard because our shortest trip is five hours by airplane."
UH plays host to Cincinnati Saturday, the first of three nonconference games to close the regular season.
"We have to focus on our next game, because if we lose, we're out," center Lui Fuata said. "We have to keep winning and, hopefully, we can get higher. Right now, we can't really worry about the top 25. It's a good thing for the school, as far as recognition, but it's something we have no control over. Why worry about something you can't control?"
As long as the Warriors are ranked, the scores of their games will appear in every major newspaper across the country. ESPN also will include UH in previews and feature stories.
"There's more pressure on us to perform," Chang said. "But being ranked is a great feeling."
Come back, Shayne: Starting left guard Shayne Kajioka, who suffered a bruised sternum against Rice, competed in conditioning drills yesterday.
"Besides the pain, I have a hard time taking deep breaths," he said. "I hope I can play this week."
Kajioka said he suffered the injury when he raced over to block a blitzing linebacker.
"By the time I got there, he already had committed to hitting the hole," Kajioka said. "He dropped his head and went right into me. It felt like a ton of bricks falling on my chest."
Kajioka was taken to the Houston Medical Center, where tests showed the bruise. His availability is listed as "day to day," although he promised to try and practice this week.
If Kajioka cannot play, Phil Kauffman or Chad Kahale will start against Cincinnati.
