Chang will attempt to practice today despite injuries

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang jogged on the sideline but did not participate in yesterday's football practice at the school's grass field.

Chang has a deep bruise at the base of his right thumb on his throwing hand and a slightly torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

He said his injured knee, which is encased in a brace, is sore.

"Of course, I ain't going to lie," said Chang, who hopes to start in Saturday's game against 14th-ranked Alabama. "There's pain, but I play with pain all of the time."

At the request of reporters, Chang held up his bruised thumb. "You can see the black and blue," he said.

UH coach June Jones said because the Warriors usually use shotgun snaps, Chang will be able to "fight through the knee (injury). But the thumb is a concern, to me, more so than the knee."

Chang said he will attempt to practice today.

"Everybody has an owie," Chang said. "Everybody has a bruise, a torn something. It's something you have to play with."

• New policy on tap: Aloha Stadium officials said alcohol sales will end earlier if security observers detect a problem during Saturday's game between UH and Alabama.

Stadium officials decided to review the practice of selling alcohol through the end of the third quarter in the aftermath of last Saturday night's UH-Cincinnati brawl.

During his weekly teleconference yesterday, Alabama coach Dennis Franchione said his administration has looked at UH's game management "to make sure we are prepared for anything."

But Franchione, who has coached New Mexico and Texas Christian teams against UH, said, the brawl "is not something that is common. I've been there and their fans are good football fans. They get into the game, get excited, enthusiastic but (are) supportive of their football team when they do well. But I haven't ever seen (the brawling) side of it. We don't want to roll one incident into a bigger case than it probably is."

• Playing the slots: Chad Owens, who returned punts and kickoffs last week for the first time since suffering a sprained right knee Oct. 12, said he hopes to play slotback against Alabama.

Against Cincinnati, Owens amassed 222 return yards.

"I have this knee brace on, and it's really hard for me to break out," he said. "I did what I could. All I can do is go out there and give my best, pain or no pain."

He said he probably will have to wear the brace for the rest of the season.

• Papa's got a brand new chair: The best seat is back in the house.

Papa John's Pizza, which offers two seats on the field to contest winners, was forced to replace a stolen recliner, worth $1,000.

The occupants of the "Best Seats in the House" are treated to a delivery of pizza and beverages at the end of the first quarter. The contest resumes for Saturday's nationally televised game against Alabama.