Jones predicts Chang's future
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i coach June Jones yesterday reaffirmed his prediction that quarterback Tim Chang, "if he maintains what he's doing," will win the 2004 Heisman Trophy as the nation's best college football player.
In an interview released Wednesday, Jones told ESPN.com reporter Mark Wangrin that Chang "will probably break Ty Detmer's record (of 15,031 career passing yards) and I'm sure he'll be the Heisman Trophy winner as a senior."
Yesterday, Jones refused to back down from that prediction, adding he did not think he was putting pressure on either himself or Chang.
"What's so pressurized?" Jones said. "If he just does what he's doing right now, he'll win it."
When asked about Chang's Heisman chances for next season, Jones said, "I don't worry about next year. I just made a quote."
He added, "I said what I said. I don't have any other comment on it."
Chang, a third-year sophomore from St. Louis School, leads the Western Athletic Conference and is fourth nationally in total offense, averaging 334.6 yards per game. UH leads the nation in total offense (520.9 yards per game) and is second in passing (395.9 yards per game).
• Going the distance: Cincinnati, which plays UH tomorrow at Aloha Stadium, learned there are no shortcuts from Ohio to the Islands, even by charter flight.
With a stopover in Los Angeles for fueling, spokesman Brian McCann said, it took the team 11 hours to reach Hawai'i Wednesday.
Because there are no roster restrictions for non-conference games, the Bearcats brought all 92 available players. McCann estimated that 400 Cincinnati fans made the trip.
Cincinnati conducted a closed practice yesterday afternoon at Aloha Stadium. Three Honolulu reporters were allowed to interview players for 15 minutes before the start of practice.
Several Bearcat players exchanged jerseys, an apparent attempt to disguise their identities from potential UH spies. Joe Wolke, a 6-foot, 179-pound freshman kicker, wore a lineman's uniform.
This is a key weekend for the Bearcats (5-5), who need to win at least two of their final three regular-season games to become "bowl eligible" and move into contention to play in one of Conference USA's five bowls.
The Bearcats would prefer to play in the AXA Liberty Bowl in Memphis, a six-hour drive from Tennessee. The Liberty Bowl, which is committed to inviting the C-USA champion, pays each participating team $1.5 million.
The Bearcats, who are tied for second in C-USA with a 4-2 record, will receive consideration if they earn a share of the league title. The Liberty Bowl is free to pick among the co-champions, regardless of head-to-head results.
Cornerbacks Zach Norton and Blue Adams (who was nicknamed after former All-Star pitcher Vida Blue) are two of the best in C-USA. Defensive end Antwan Peek, who platoons with Andre Frazier, is ranked as the 13th-best pro prospect by Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN's NFL draft analyst. UH right guard Vince Manuwai is ranked 15th.
