Chang at home at stadium

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	What: WAC football, SMU (0-4, 0-0) at Hawai'i (2-1, 1-0) Kickoff: 6:05 p.m. today TV/Radio: Live on Oceanic Digital 255 and 256 (pay per view) 6:05 p.m. Delayed on K5 at 10 p.m./Live on 1420 AM

Traffic to Aloha Stadium is a mess, parking is limited, and everything else is a no-no: No umbrellas, no outside food, no bags, no ... aloha.

But for Mililani resident Tim Chang, Aloha Stadium is a favorite amusement park.

"I'm looking forward to the game," said Chang, a quarterback whose University of Hawai'i football team plays host to Southern Methodist tonight at Aloha Stadium.

Chang, a third-year sophomore, has had far greater success playing in Aloha Stadium than in any Mainland arena. In nine career games at Aloha Stadium, Chang has completed 55 percent of his passes (231 of 421) for an average of 339.6 yards per game. In six Mainland games, he has completed 46 percent of his passes (106 of 230) for an average of 214.7 yards per game.

He is 4-5 in games at Aloha Stadium; 1-5 in Mainland games. (He was the starter in UH's victory over Montana at Maui's War Memorial Stadium last year.)

"For some reason, I'm a lot more accurate at the stadium," said Chang, a St. Louis School graduate who played most of his high school games at Aloha Stadium. "Maybe it's the background or the setting."

Chang said he does not feel he is pressing more on the Mainland.

The UH coaches also noted that one of Chang's best games was at Reno, Nev., last year, when he completed 25 of 37 passes for 303 yards, an indication he is not bothered by playing in thin air.

Practice time does not appear to be a factor because the Warriors rarely work out at Aloha Stadium. Entering tonight's game, SMU will have spent more days in Aloha Stadium (three practices) than UH (one game and one preseason practice) this year.

"It doesn't matter what the problem is, I need to complete a ball at any stadium," Chang said. "It shouldn't make a difference whether we're playing on grass or cement. I should be able to complete passes anywhere, to be honest with you. That's how I feel."

UH coach June Jones said that the Warriors need a strong overall performance against the Mustangs in this Western Athletic Conference game. Despite an 0-4 non-conference record, the Mustangs have an aggressive running attack and a disciplined defense, Jones warned.

"Their defense is well coached," Jones said. "They don't beat themselves. You have to complete 65 percent (of your passes) to keep the chains moving, because they won't give you anything for free."

Chang has said he will try not to force deep passes — four of this year's six interceptions have been on fade routes — and look more to receivers cutting in front of the pass-prevent defense. Early this week, Jones told reporters it will be his pet project to help Chang emerge from a recent slump.

Phil Bennett, in his first season as SMU's head coach, said the Mustangs have had impressive practices at Aloha Stadium. Whether that will be beneficial, Bennett said, "that's something we'll find out at 6 o'clock Saturday."