Plenty on line for Hawai'i in cold Reno
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
- With a victory, UH (6-3 overall, 5-1 in the Western Athletic Conference) will ensure a winning regular season, earning an automatic berth in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day.
- A victory also would set up a showdown between UH and Boise State (8-1, 4-0) at Aloha Stadium Dec. 6. If the teams finish with the same WAC record, according to league rules, they will be declared co-champions, no matter the outcome of the head-to-head meeting.
- With four regular-season games — and the Hawai'i Bowl — remaining, the Warriors have a chance to tie the 1992 team's school record of 11 victories.
"It's a big game for us," UH quarterback Tim Chang said.
Slotback Chad Owens added: "Not only does it set up the Boise game, it sets up a great finish. It all comes down to this game. If we don't win, nothing else matters."
After four days off, the Warriors returned to practice yesterday, finishing the session with 15 minutes of sprints. Chang said he hopes the extra running will help the Warriors counter Reno's thin air. At 4,700 feet above sea level, Reno is the highest WAC city.
Jones downplayed the reported adverse effects of high altitude — fatigue and dryness. Jones did not order any oxygen tanks for the UH sideline.
"It's what you want it to be," said Jones, who coached NFL teams that won in Denver, located a mile above sea level. "It's a mindset. You've got to realize (altitude) is not a factor. You have to go up there and play. That's it."
Jones also said he expects his players to function in cold conditions. A low temperature of 26 degrees is forecast, although snow is unlikely.
"A lot of us want to see snow," said cornerback Abraham Elimimian, who grew up in Los Angeles and has never been in snow. "We're looking forward to the snow."
Team captain Jeremiah Cockheran joked that the players will prepare by "eating a lot of ice cream. ... Actually, you're not going to be cold when you're in the game because you're moving around a lot. I think we'll be ready."
Defensive tackle Lance Samuseva added: "We can't use the altitude or the weather as an excuse. Nevada has to play in that weather, too."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
