FRESNO, Calif. — Kenny Patton, the University of Hawai'i's most experienced cornerback, could be lost to the Warriors from four to six games because of a broken collarbone suffered in yesterday's 68-37 victory over Fresno State.

Patton, who has 24 starts in his five-year UH career, left the field with his shoulder heavily bandaged. He said he suffered the injury in a diving attempt to knock the ball loose from Bulldog tight end Bear Pascoe in the first quarter. Pascoe scored on a 75-yard pass play.

Under UH's privacy policy, school officials do not comment on injuries. However, some coaches said the rule of thumb on such an injury is four to six weeks. Patton said he was told it could "be several weeks." The Warriors have seven remaining regular-season games.

The injury comes as Patton has emerged as a more aggressive leader and big-play performer. He was fifth on the team in tackles with 18, and had one interception and three pass breakups entering the game.

It appeared the only other significant injury was a possible fractured finger suffered by nose tackle Michael Lafaele, who had his right hand wrapped. Lafaele, who had a strong game against FSU's two-time All-Western Athletic Conference center, Kyle Young, said he didn't know if the injury was a fracture or dislocation but vowed to play at New Mexico State on Saturday.

With Patton out, defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said, "We'll look at a couple of guys (as replacements). We played a bunch of them today."

Gerard Lewis, who was in on five tackles and broke a pass up; Myron Newberry, who had two tackles, and A.J. Martinez are candidates to replace Patton.

It's party time

The Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California drew an estimated 300 to 400 Warrior fans to its annual UH tailgate party.

The HCCNC, which works with the UH Alumni Association and the Rainbowtique, annually puts on a tailgate on one UH West Coast swing each season.

The three-hour event was held adjacent to the Bulldog softball diamond and featured Hawaiian music, waffle hot dogs and pupus.

Rod Park, an HCCNC board member, said former Hawai'i residents, UH alumni and players' families came from several states for the event.

NOTE

Twelve NFL scouts attended the game.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.