Rolovich ends the QB controversy
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Remember a time when there was a starting quarterback controversy for the Hawai'i football team?
Nick Rolovich made that seem like ages ago last night with a performance for the ages in the Warriors' wild 52-51 victory over Miami (Ohio) last night at Aloha Stadium.
Rolovich, the senior quarterback who took over starting duties in the fourth game of the season, passed for a career-high 500 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns.
"I've been in shootouts before, but nothing like this," said Rolovich, who completed 30 of 53 passes with one interception. "Back and forth. We win it with a 24-yard field goal with one second left. It's the best football game you could ask for."
After a sub-par first half, Rolovich played a key role in the Warriors' second-half rally. With Hawai'i trailing, 28-21, at halftime, Rolovich had completed just 13 of 30 passes. Although he had 209 yards and three touchdowns, his lone interception of the game led to a Miami score that put the RedHawks ahead, 21-7.
"It's tough to see everything right away," he said. "(Miami) showed a few more looks than we expected, but we adjusted. Once we figure out what's going on and get in a rhythm, we can be pretty unstoppable."
The Warriors proved that by scoring on all five of their possessions of the second half. After halftime, he completed 17 of 23 passes for 291 yards and four touchdowns.
"I'm really glad for him, he stands in there and takes a lick for the team and puts the ball on the money," head coach June Jones said. "He made the plays when he had to. He just has a knack at the end of the game to make some plays."
Added slotback Channon Harris: "He's the man. We'll all admit that."
Rolovich was quick to credit his teammates, citing an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the second half, and the four starting receivers who seemed to catch every pass he threw.
To be sure, each of the starting receivers — Harris, Ashley Lelie, Craig Stutzmann and Justin Colbert — caught at least one touchdown. Colbert caught 10 passes; Lelie grabbed six for 211 yards and three spectacular touchdowns.
Rolovich's seven touchdowns came on a variety of plays. Some were short, like the 3-yard "quick out" to Stutzmann in the third quarter; others were long, like the 78-yard "streak" pattern to Lelie on UH's opening drive.
"I felt I could throw it anywhere close to those guys and they'd go get it," Rolovich said. "It was one of those nights."
But it was also one of those nights for Miami freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who countered Rolovich with 452 yards and three touchdowns. In the fourth quarter alone, the lead changed six times.
It switched for the final time as time expired when Justin Ayat's 24-yard field goal went straight through the middle of the South end zone goalposts.
