Backup QB considers redshirting this season

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Senior quarterback Nick Rolovich can redshirt as long as he doesn't play in any game this season. Advertiser library photo • August 2000 • • • Sept. 8: UH 30, Montana 12 Saturday: at Nevada Sept. 29: Rice Oct. 6: at So. Methodist Oct. 13: Texas-El Paso Oct. 20: at Tulsa Oct. 26: Fresno State Nov. 3: San Jose State Nov. 10: Boise State Nov. 17: Miami (Ohio) Nov. 24: Air Force Dec. 1: Brigham Young

Rolovich, a senior who transferred from City College of San Francisco in January 2000, said he will need at least another year to earn a bachelor's degree.

He said a favorable scenario would be to redshirt this season and then play in 2002.

"I'd like to have another year to learn under Coach (June) Jones," Rolovich said. "It would be helpful to the team, not only me."

The Warriors appear to be receptive to the suggestion. In the season-opener against Montana, senior quarterback Jared Flint was used in UH's final possession. Flint also was the holder.

Rolovich will not be able to redshirt this season if he plays in any game. The exception would be if he suffered a season-ending injury in the first three games. He then could apply for a medical hardship and accompanying extra season.

With freshman Jeff Rhode redshirting this season, Rolovich, Flint and junior Shawn Withy-Allen are the backups to sophomore Tim Chang.

But Flint, who did not play last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, recently learned he would not receive a medical exemption from the NCAA. Without the exemption, this will be Flint's final college season. Flint redshirted at Indiana in 1997 and played two seasons at a junior college before enrolling at UH last year.

If Rolovich is allowed to redshirt, UH will have two seniors backing up Chang next season.

All's well: Although the medical list is extensive, every Warrior who started against Montana is expected to play in Saturday's road game against Nevada.

Jones was prepared to move an offensive lineman to the injury-depleted defensive line, but now it appears that defensive tackle Mike Iosua and defensive end Houston Ala will be available to play. Iosua has a minor sprain in his right shoulder and a hyper-extended right knee. A shoulder injury forced Ala to miss a few series against Montana.

Safety Jacob Espiau, who suffered a subluxed right shoulder, vowed to play. His availability is listed as "probable."

Reserve linebackers Bronson Liana (concussion) and Keani Alapa (pulled hamstring) also have been cleared to play.

Jones said UH will get a boost from defensive end Travis Laboy, who missed training camp with a torn hamstring. Laboy will be included on UH's 65-player travel roster.

Family ties: Linebacker Kilinahe Noa, who was used in 25 plays against Montana, is the son of former UH receiver Henry Noa.

In the 1974 Green-White game, "Henry caught a touchdown pass from me," Jones recalled. "Henry was a good receiver."

Noa, a Kaiser High graduate, was a defensive back last year. He was the fourth-string weak-side linebacker at the start of training camp, but moved up the depth chart in the past week.