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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, October 31, 2001

Chang accepts new role

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang might feel like the guy who left the slot machine only to have the next person win the jackpot.

The football team, built around Chang's precision passing, did not begin to click until after he suffered a sprained right wrist. The Warriors have won four in a row with Chang's backup, Nick Rolovich, starting at quarterback.

But while Chang's throwing wrist has healed enough for him to play, if needed, he is adjusting to his role as the No. 2 quarterback.

"I want to help the team out," said Chang, a sophomore from St. Louis School. "If I can help Rolo or the receivers in any way, I'll do it. It feels much better to win than to lose, even if I'm not playing. That's why St. Louis was so much fun. We were winning all of the time."

Chang also praised Rolovich, a senior who had considered redshirting this season. Now, it appears it is Chang who might apply for a medical hardship, essentially turning this season into a redshirt year.

"I wished things happened where I could have redshirted last year, because I thought I was so immature last year," Chang said. "Things didn't work out that way. I guess I'm getting my opportunity now."

While his right wrist has improved, Chang said, "the injury is nagging. Not being the guy who you were, the way you could play, is really disappointing. That's just sports. That's life."

What pain?: In addition to playing the past four weeks with torn ligaments in his right shoulder, defensive tackle Lance Samuseva now has a sprained ankle.

But Samuseva, who did not practice yesterday, vowed to play Saturday against San Jose State.

"I have to keep going," he said. "When you love the game so much, you don't want to sit out. I don't want to miss a snap."

Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen, considers Samuseva to be the Warriors' "defensive player of the year."

"He's playing his rear end off," Singletary said of Samuseva, a redshirt sophomore from Farrington High. "He's knocking passes down. He's splitting double teams. This guy is doing more than holding the point. He's breaking through 600 pounds of centers and guards. He's playing hard and he's playing with an attitude."

Health report: Although starting cornerbacks Abraham Elimimian and Kelvin Millhouse did not practice yesterday, they are expected to play Saturday. Elimimian has a sprained ankle; Millhouse is suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Safety Nate Jackson, who played in special situations last week, said the abrasions he suffered in a motorcycle accident Oct. 22 are no longer a problem.

"There's just minor pain," he said. "Nothing to worry about."

Jackson has a busy schedule. He leaves his Wai'anae home at 5 every morning to make the start of practice at 7. After classes, afternoon workouts and team meetings, Jackson said, "I try to leave as soon as I can so I can get home and spend some quality time with my (2-year-old) son before he goes to bed."