Uso erases doubts after two-TD game

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

DALLAS — From the time he announced plans to transfer from Stanford to the University of Hawai'i a year ago to finish out his college football career, people had questioned wide receiver Tafiti Uso's decision.

But not until recently had Uso also begun to agonizingly second guess his own choice.

"The doubts were starting to creep into my mind," Uso acknowledged yesterday. "I wasn't playing and I was beginning to question if I had still made the right decision."

Those doubts disappeared in a two-touchdown second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, where the last score, a six-yard pass from Nick Rolovich in overtime, was the difference in a 38-31 victory over Southern Methodist.

Along with a 45-yard touchdown reception from Rolovich in the third quarter and several crunching blocks that helped spring running back Thero Mitchell for extra yards, Uso had a breakout game in his first real action for the Warriors.

Amid the celebratory hugs and blackslaps of his teammates, Uso was all smiles. On the way to a jubilant locker room, Uso said he was once again at peace with the choice to leave Stanford to play his final year for the hometown Warriors.

"It was great to be out there again," the Punahou School graduate said. "It was tough to wait but my patience was rewarded today."

Head coach June Jones said, "Tafiti definitely emerged as a player for us. I wanted to get him in last week and I didn't. So, I made sure we got him in in the second half this time and he was the difference on several plays for us."

Uso said his experience working with the Warriors' second offensive unit, one that was quarterbacked by Rolovich until this week, helped out. "Working with the second team, I got real familiar with Rolo. You have to adjust to all the quarterbacks, but all the balls I got from Rolo made me more familiar with him."

It paid off on second-and-goal from the 6-yard line in overtime when Uso broke free from his coverage, made eye contact with Rolovich and hauled in the deciding pass.

"I rolled out looking and Tafiti was open and rolling with me," Rolovich said.

Said Uso: "I could tell where he was looking and where he wanted me to go and I just tried to get there."

Now, Uso said, "I'm really looking forward to going home and playing in Aloha Stadium again. That's the reason I came home."