Posted on: Thursday, October 10, 2002

NOTEBOOK
Bass says odds of playing Saturday 'not too good'

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i running back Mike Bass said his injured right knee is at 75 percent, and he will wait until after today's practice to decide if he is healthy enough to play in Saturday's game against Nevada.

"It's a little stiff," he said after yesterday's practice.

When asked about his odds of playing, he said, "I don't know, not too good."

UH coach June Jones will allow Bass to decide on his availability. Two weeks ago, Bass suffered a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He has worn a brace during the last two practices.

Bass, a sophomore from California, did not participate in spring practice after undergoing hernia surgery.

"It sucks sitting on the sideline watching," he said, "and here I am on the sideline again."

On the bright side, family members yesterday confirmed that Bass' younger brother, highly regarded wide receiver Ray Bass, will schedule a recruiting trip to Hawai'i. Recruits are allowed five official visits. Oregon, Southern California, California and Fresno State also are trying to secure visits with Ray Bass.

Ray Bass, who is 5 feet 10 and 166 pounds, is a senior at Centennial High in Corona, Calif. At a combine, he ran 40 yards in 4.31 seconds, recorded a 40-inch vertical jump, and bench-pressed 225 pounds nine times.

• Health report: Starting right wide receiver Neal Gossett is wearing a splint to protect a sprained left thumb.

"It's a little jammed," he said. "It's been bothering me a little bit."

Gossett said he expects to play Saturday.

• Rebuilding block: Right guard Vince Manuwai said offensive line is prepared to bounce back from last season's game against Nevada, in which the Warriors relinquished six sacks.

"We're disgusted with last year's game against them," said Manuwai, who is a candidate for the Outland Trophy as the nation's best lineman. "If we just did our technique, we would have won that game."

After reviewing videotapes of last year's meeting and the Wolf Pack's games this year, the Warriors believe they have uncovered the schemes that enabled Nevada's pass-rushers to create mismatches.

"We have to give (quarterback) Timmy (Chang) time," Manuwai said. "If we make our blocks, Timmy will have enough time."