Posted on: Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Chang also has thumb injury

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

It's not just a sprained left knee, but also a sprained right thumb that could prevent University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang from playing in Saturday's nationally televised game against Alabama.

UH coach June Jones yesterday said that Chang has a sprained thumb on his throwing hand, an injury that likely will keep him from practicing until Thursday.

"If he can't throw, he can't practice," Jones said.

Chang already has a slightly torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Jones said he believes both injuries occurred during a quarterback sneak in the second quarter of the Warriors' 20-19 victory over Cincinnati Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Chang, a third-year sophomore, did not play in the third quarter, but returned to throw the go-ahead, 33-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Cockheran.

Chang did not participate in the Warriors' conditioning drills yesterday morning. He told The Advertiser he would not know if he will be available to play in Saturday's game until he gets "on the field to practice."

Chang was limping noticeably en route to the training room. He wore a large brace on his left knee.

"We'll see how it goes this week," he said.

While his teammates ran 110-yard sprints, Chang watched on the side. He then returned to the training room for more treatment.

His top backup, fifth-year senior Shawn Withy-Allen, also did not participate in conditioning drills yesterday.

Withy-Allen suffered a sprained big toe on his left foot in the third quarter against Cincinnati. But Withy-Allen said he "definitely" will practice this week.

"It's one of those things," he said. "It's sore, but it'll be fine by Saturday."

He also said he is prepared to start if Chang cannot play.

"I've gone into every game for the past three years expecting to play," Withy-Allen said. "That's the mindset I've had. Coach Jones says, 'If you're a backup, you're one step away from playing, so you have to be as ready as the starter.' "

Left guard Shayne Kajioka, who is recovering from a sprained right knee, said he hopes to practice this week.

"It's up to the trainers," he said.

Kajioka said his right knee is "a little loose right now. I have to get used to it."

He added: "Hopefully, I can make it back. If I'm less than 95 percent, I don't think I'll play. I would end up hurting the team more than helping. If we were to go right now, I don't think I would be ready."

After Kajioka suffered the injury in the first quarter against Cincinnati, center Lui Fuata moved to Kajioka's position at right guard and Derek Faavi played center. That move, UH line coach Mike Cavanaugh said, allowed Faavi to benefit from the experience of Fuata and right guard Vince Manuwai.