UH football team sees Fresno as proving ground

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	WHAT: WAC football, Hawai'i (5-2, 4-1) at Fresno State (4-4, 2-1) KICKOFF: Tomorrow at 3 p.m. TV/RADIO: Live on ESPN2/Live on 1420 AM

"We have to take care of business," offensive lineman Vince Manuwai said following yesterday morning's 90-minute practice at UH's grass practice field.

Forty-five minutes after their final tuneup in the Islands, the Warriors were on a bus to the Honolulu International Airport, where a chartered plane would take them to Ontario, Calif. The Warriors are scheduled to practice in Ontario today, then fly by charter to Fresno tonight in preparation for tomorrow night's nationally televised game against Fresno State.

Consecutive victories have boosted the Warriors' records (5-2 overall and 4-1 in the Western Athletic Conference), as well as their confidence. Still, UH coach June Jones said, "We're playing well at home, but we haven't played that way on the road. Even our win at (Texas-El Paso), we didn't play that way. We have to prove we can do it on the road if we're going to be a good team."

While the UH players acknowledge that this is a must-win game — the Bulldogs (4-4, 2-1), like the Warriors, also have lost to WAC leader Boise State — Jones refused to look at the big picture.

"It's one game," he said. "I don't look down the line. I don't know what anybody else's record is, and I don't really care."

But Jones is concerned enough about Fresno State's reputed rowdy crowd to not schedule a UH practice in Fresno. He also made sure running back Mike Bass, who missed the past three games because of a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament, was included on the 60-player travel roster.

Bass said he received medical clearance Monday night, although he was not sure how much he would be used tomorrow.

"It's up to the coach," said Bass, whose quickness makes him a threat on screens, one of the weapons the Warriors will use to counter the Bulldogs' blitzes.

Bass, who estimated his right knee is at 95-percent strength, said he doubts he will be used on punt returns, ceding that job to slotbacks Clifton Herbert or Omar Bennett.

The game also marks the first time Tim Chang, UH's record-setting quarterback, will face the Bulldogs. Chang, a third-year sophomore, missed the 2000 game because of a concussion and last year's meeting because of a wrist injury. Chang is 1-6 in road games during his 20-game career.

"I told him not to worry about the fans and 'to play your game,' " Manuwai recalled. "We all need to be focused."

Chang said he is more comfortable playing in Aloha Stadium, but "I can make the adjustment. It will come from maturity, and being on the road more often."

Chang made the trip to Fresno in 2000, and the experience "did a lot for me. That's the most horrible place to play in. I got to see that first hand. I didn't get to play, but I was on the side, listening to what the people were saying. It was troubling."

But Chang said the players have worked on focusing.

"The last couple of weeks, everybody has been on the same page," he said. "We have to take that focused mentality to Fresno, and not lose a beat. We know what we need to do up there."