Indeed, for the second consecutive road game, the Warriors did not complete a pass traveling at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. Tim Chang, who was held to a season-low 167 passing yards, is a statistically different quarterback on the road. In five home games, he averages 321 passing yards; in four road games, he averages 262.8 yards.

At Aloha Stadium, he has more touchdown passes (14 to 6) and fewer interceptions (4 to 5).

"He played really well in spurts and then ... it's just that when you're on the road, he unfortunately wasn't on top of his game in two of those games," Jones said. "He did some good things. And there are some other things that he's gotta ... because you're playing that position in our offense — you've gotta, maybe, sometimes carry the whole team. He is frustrated about that, too."

But Jones said he expects Chang to rebound in the Warriors' final three regular-season games, all at home, beginning Saturday against Idaho.

"Like I told him, he needs to shoot the lights out the last three games," Jones said. "He's at home. 'Go play.' "

Jones said Chang, since suffering partially torn ligaments in his left (non-throwing) shoulder during the first drive of the season opener, is "not 100 percent. His shoulder is not 100 percent."

On-field observers have said Chang appears to wince when he turns his body to throw to the left. "I think it's frustrating for him on certain things," Jones said.

But Jones said there is a gap in quality between Chang, even when he's injured, and the backup quarterbacks.

Jones said 266-pound running back West Keli'ikipi is expected to play this week. Keli'ikipi suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff against Fresno State. He remained in the game, losing a fumble at the UH 10 on the opening drive. He did not play after that.

Center Derek Fa'avi, who missed the past game because of a bone bruise in his right knee, was limping noticeably yesterday. "It's sore all over," Fa'avi said.

The health report is grim on the defensive side. Middle linebacker Ikaika Curnan (sprained right ankle) and weakside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe (strained hamstring) did not play against Fresno State. Defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan was limited to a few plays because of a subluxed left shoulder. Jones said he does not expect left cornerback Abraham Elimimian (strained right hamstring) to play this week. Elimimian left the Fresno game in the second quarter because the injury made it painful and difficult to chase down ballcarriers.

Jones said he made a mistake in simplifying the defensive scheme to accommodate the inexperienced replacement players.

"We realized we can't be simple," Jones said. "We have to do what we have to do."

After conditioning drills yesterday morning, the defensive players stayed an extra 20 minutes to go through new defensive schemes. UH usually does not practice on the Monday before a home game.

"You're allotted two hours (by NCAA rules), said Rich Miano, who coordinates the pass defense. "We might as well use all of the time we can."

For now, Jones acknowledged, the Warriors have few options.

Against Fresno State, Jones said, "We played everybody (who) can walk and chew gum."

Later, he said, "there's nobody to reshuffle."

During yesterday's news conference, a reporter made reference to Jones' claim that strong recruiting classes made this year's team deep with talent. Pressed about the dropoff in performance after a first-stringer leaves with an injury, Jones said, "the starters usually are better than the backups. On any team, in any place, whether it be pro or college ... when you lose one or two, three guys, what do you want me to say? That I've got another All-Pro (who) is going to line up and go play?"

Jones also said he does not plan to change his approach to recruiting.

"I don't know what more we can do," he said. "We spend our money very wisely. We maximize what we do. I don't know if there's one kid (who) we would have gotten differently had we done something different."