Tulsa's starting QB in question, UH's isn't

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Tulsa starting quarterback Tyler Gooch has a deep bruise on his right ankle and is considered doubtful for Saturday's Western Athletic Conference football game against Hawai'i.

"It looks like we'll be without him unless something changes drastically in the next couple of days," Hurricane coach Keith Burns said.

Two weeks ago, Gooch, a true freshman from Tulsa's Union High, replaced struggling Josh Blankenship as the starting quarterback.

Gooch started against New Mexico State, leading a 78-yard touchdown drive on Tulsa's first possession. But he suffered the ankle injury on the Hurricane's fourth series and did not play thereafter.

Saturday against Boise State, Gooch started, but aggravated the ankle injury on the Hurricane's 18th play.

"He's hurt," Burns said, "and right now he's in the same boat as he was last week, with the exception of (the previous) Sunday he came out and jogged around. (This past Sunday) he did not practice at all."

Burns described the injury as a "deep bruise in his ankle area. It's not a sprain. It's not a situation where it's in a joint. He has a deep, deep bruise. It's painful."

Blankenship, a junior, started 20 consecutive games, including the first three this season. But after opening with a 51-0 victory over Division I-AA Indiana State, the Hurricane averaged 14 points in consecutive blowout losses to Fresno State and Texas-El Paso.

"We have to put points on the board, and a big part of that falls on the quarterback," Burns said.

Gooch is considered to be a better runner than Blankenship.

"He moved the football team," Burns said of Gooch. "He's a great competitor."

Tulsa also is short-handed on defense. Chad Smith, who plays the linebacker position known as bandit, and Keithan McCorry, who plays the combination safety-linebacker position known as rover, are injured and not expected to play against UH.

Meanwhile, UH coach June Jones doused any suspense by announcing that Tim Chang will start at quarterback.

Chang did not play in the past two games because of a sprain in his right wrist. Nick Rolovich guided the Warriors to victories over Southern Methodist and Texas-El Paso.

Jones said he is "100 percent certain" Chang will start.

Time change: The starting time of next Friday's game between UH and Fresno State at Aloha Stadium has been moved back to 4:05 p.m.

Kickoff was previously set for 3:05.