Jones keeps Rolovich as starting quarterback
| • | Ferd Lewis: UH needs to see the big picture |
| • | Uso might miss 2-4 weeks with right shoulder injury |
| • | No TV replay |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
In an announcement that was not influenced by Friday's post-game chants of "Rolo! Rolo!" or the results of a newspaper's playful online poll, University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones yesterday officially awarded the starting quarterback job to Nick Rolovich.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
"He's earned the right to keep playing," Jones said of Rolovich, who has guided the Warriors to four consecutive victories in place of injured Tim Chang. Rolovich threw three scoring passes to Ashley Lelie, including the decisive 14-yarder, in a 38-34 victory over Fresno State.
UH coach June Jones says Nick Rolovich, 4-0 as a starter, has "earned the right to keep playing."
The Warriors are 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Chang, a sophomore who has a sprained right wrist, is eligible to apply for a medical hardship if he does not play again this season. A medical hardship would, in essence, turn this into a redshirt year, giving him three more seasons to play.
But Jones said he does not anticipate Chang going that route. "If he has to play, he'll play," Jones said.
Jones said the combination of Chang's injury and Rolovich's effective play makes "Rolo the guy. He's doing a good job."
On UH's next-to-last possession, Rolovich suffered an injury to his left shoulder when he was sacked. He came out for one play — with Jared Flint taking over — then returned to throw an incompletion. On the ensuing possession, Rolovich passed to Lelie for the winning score.
Rolovich learned yesterday that he suffered a bruise, not a dislocation, of his non-throwing shoulder.
"I'll be able to go next week" against San Jose State, Rolovich said. The injury, "didn't keep me from going back into the game. I can play."
As he headed toward the UH locker room after the game, dozens of fans in the orange FF section began yelling, "Rolo! Rolo!"
"It was amazing," Rolovich said.
Early yesterday, Rolovich, who was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, said he received calls from across the country. Several were from Colorado, one was from Boston.
"They were watching the game on ESPN," Rolovich said. "It was great to hear from so many people."
Jones gave the team the weekend off, and Rolovich said he was going to spend the time with his father, who arrived Friday for the game.
"We're going to go around island," Rolovich said, adding, "It's been a good weekend so far."
