By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Not for the first time in his University of Hawai'i football career is Tim Chang being asked to spark a comeback.

The quarterback who helped bring you fourth-quarter wins over Michigan State, Fresno State, Louisiana Tech, San Diego State and an overtime triumph over Houston is now being looked upon to rally a whole bowl game: the Hula Bowl on Saturday. And, not just on the field, either.

Talk about your senior projects.

Or, as Mark Salmans the president and chief operating officer of the Hula Bowl put it: "If people don't want to come out and watch Timmy Chang and Chad Owens, their local heroes; if they don't want to watch potential second- and third-round draft picks — and, maybe a even a possible (first) rounder — then, maybe there is not enough interest to keep the game here."

Salmans says he hopes to keep the game on Maui and isn't threatening anything ... yet. Just wondering out loud.

But the fact is the Hula Bowl, one of the most enduring sporting events and a contributor of memorable moments in local sports history, is staggering toward its 59th birthday and it is anybody's guess if it will see No. 60 here in the state of its birth.

How this became an issue for Chang, who is just on Maui trying to impress an NFL scout or two, isn't known. But the game has gone through so many "saviors" in recent years it probably shouldn't be any surprise the ball is now being tossed to the NCAA's all-time career passing leader for lack of anyone more accomplished to pull things out of the fire.

Once upon a time the Hula Bowl drew a galaxy of stars and could count on 35,000 to 40,000 fans by just opening its doors. But those days ended 20 years ago, after the arrival of the Pro Bowl, and helped eventually drive the game to War Memorial Stadium in 1998.

And, now, with declining crowds there, too, it matters who is playing. With a lot of "name" players passing up this event, in particular, and all-star games, in general, Chang's marquee value to the Hula Bowl is considerable. It could be a while before it sees another attraction like him. Time the Hula Bowl clearly doesn't have.

If Saturday brings another crowd in the 6,000 to 7,000 range, organizers can't be pleased or realistically be expected to see much of a future. ESPN, which calls a lot of shots in the equation, will have a lot of trouble explaining to viewers and sponsors why a game in Hawai'i featuring Chang & Co. has so many pukas in the seats. Creative camera angles can only hide so much.

If the game can't put a legitimate 10,000 in the stands even with what we're told may be as many as 5,000 freebies, it is probably time to look for greener pastures.

In the meantime, the Hula Bowl is hoping Chang has one more fourth-quarter rally left in him.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.