Chang says he's 'questionable'

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Although a decision on a starting quarterback will not be made until as late as Saturday afternoon, the University of Hawai'i football team is preparing as if Tim Chang will not play this week.

Chang, who is second in the nation in total offense, suffered a sprain in his throwing wrist Sept. 29 and did not play in last week's 38-31 road victory over Southern Methodist.

Yesterday morning, for the first time since suffering the injury to his right wrist, Chang threw long passes to his receivers.

As to whether he will start Saturday against Texas-El Paso, Chang said, "We don't know yet. It's real questionable."

While the mobility in his right wrist has improved, there is swelling and "there's pain," Chang said. "There's always going to be pain. But it's tolerable."

The UH coaches are more concerned about his effectiveness.

The UH game plan calls for passes on 75 percent of the plays and at least 10 deep throws per game.

"I haven't suited up yet," Chang said. "I haven't taken reps with the rest of the guys. I'm doing some individual throwing."

Nick Rolovich, who started against SMU, said he plans to start until told otherwise.

"Right now, I'm treating it like I'm going to go and I'm going to be the guy on Saturday," said Rolovich, who has worked exclusively with the first team the past two days. "I think just doing that will keep me ready either way. Whatever comes, I'll deal with it. Right now, I'm going at it like I'm going to start."

• Presidential suite: At Stanford, which he attended before transferring to UH last year, wideout Tafiti Uso lived in the same dormitory as Chelsea Clinton.

"There were a lot of security guards around," Uso recalled. "She had bullet-proof glass and a bomb-proof door."

Uso said he had limited contact with the former First Daughter. But during one of the orientation meetings, Uso met President Bill Clinton.

"That was neat," Uso said. "I got to shake his hand."

• Catching on: Wideout Ashley Lelie not only has emerged as the Warriors' best receiver, but as one of the most productive in the country.

He leads NCAA Division I-A receivers in receiving yards (139.5 per game) and is second in catches per game (9.25).

"I have more confidence this year," Lelie said. "Last year, I was too worried about making mistakes. I wasn't focusing on running and playing hard."

Lelie has not dropped a pass in four games this season.