Jones names Rolovich Warriors' starting QB

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nick Rolovich yesterday was named the University of Hawai'i's starting quarterback for Friday afternoon's nationally televised football game against 18th-ranked Fresno State at Aloha Stadium.

"I was going to be ready anyway," Rolovich said. "It's another chance to go out there and do something."

Rolovich, a senior, has started the past three games — all victories — in place of sophomore Tim Chang, who is recovering from a sprained right wrist.

UH coach June Jones chose Rolovich after watching Chang throw during yesterday's practice at the UH grass field.

"I didn't talk to him, I didn't ask him (about his throwing wrist)," Jones said. "He wasn't 100 percent yet. He's not well enough yet to go out there and do what he has to do."

Chang's right wrist was swollen yesterday, although he competed in all of the passing drills.

"It's been like that for a while," said Chang, who has played in too many games to be eligible to redshirt this year. "It's preventing me from doing some things."

Jones said Chang will be available in an emergency situation.

"Certainly, if we need him, I'll put him in the game," Jones said, noting that Friday's order is Rolovich, Chang and Jared Flint.

Jones said Chang has not been displaced as the permanent No. 1 quarterback. Jones said Chang would have started if he were healthy.

As for Rolovich, Jones said, "Nick is getting more confidence. That's what you do when you have success. That's good to see."

Jones said Chang and Rolovich are "both very good players. We can win with either one."

• Jackson in action?: Senior safety Nate Jackson rested at his Wai'anae home yesterday after suffering abrasions from a motorcycle spill Monday afternoon.

Jackson did not suffer any fractures, but it has not been determined if he will play Friday.

"Only because it's Nate Jackson there will be a chance," said Rich Miano, who coaches the UH secondary. "Anybody else wouldn't be able to play."

Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said "you can't rule him out. If there's any way that guy can crawl, anything, he's going to go out there and play. You know he will."

If Jackson does not play, senior Robert Grant will start. When the Warriors use five defensive backs, Hyrum Peters will play nickelback.

Peters, who missed the past two games because of a pulled left hamstring, was the nickelback last year, although he only has played cornerback this season.

"There's a lot of pressure on me," said Peters, who claims to be at full strength. "I haven't played nickel in a long time. I have to study more and know what I'm doing. I can't go out there clueless. I have to be ready."

Said Miano: "He's a little raw in the nickel package, but he's a smart football player and he should be able to adjust."

Lempa said Jackson could play without practicing, although "it would be nice to have him out here at least on Thursday."

• Halo again: Fresno State defensive back Kendall Edwards was suspended for Friday's game against UH after knocking down Boise State punt returner Tim Gilligan while the ball was in the air. Edwards violated the "halo" rule, in which a tackler must allow a punt returner a 2-yard cushion to catch a punt.

Edwards also was penalized for the same infraction earlier this season in a game against Oregon State.

"A punt returner has no way to protect himself when he is getting into position to catch the ball," Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson said in a news release. "A defender who makes no attempt to avoid contact prior to the catch puts the return man in jeopardy and can cause serious injury. This type of play cannot and will not be tolerated in the Western Athletic Conference, and it has no place in college football."