One play ends Rolovich's redshirt option

Advertiser Staff

RENO, Nev. — One incomplete pass will cost University of Hawai'i quarterback Nick Rolovich a chance to play next season.

Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang is wrapped up by the Nevada defense during the fourth quarter. Chang was sacked six times. Associated Press

But that plan vaporized when UH starting quarterback Tim Chang suffered a leg injury in the third quarter. Rolovich threw incomplete, UH punted and Chang returned for the next series.

By playing that one down, according to NCAA rules, Rolovich will not be able to redshirt this season.

"No, I didn't have any second thoughts," UH coach June Jones said. "I didn't know if Timmy was going to come back in."

Jones had said he would use Rolovich only if Chang were hurt and the Warriors had a chance to win the game. Otherwise, Jones would have gone to Jared Flint, who did not play last season because of a shoulder injury.

"I felt the team needed me, and I did what I could do," Rolovich said. "It would be a little selfish not to go in because you want to stay another year."

He also said he has no regrets about the move. "It has to be that way or else we're not a team," he said.

• Injury report: Chang said he has strained muscles in his lower right leg, but vows not to miss any games or practices.

"I can walk," he said, "so I can play."

Jones said field cornerback Kelvin Millhouse suffered a mild concussion, but athletic trainers believe he was "just dazed."

"They didn't declare anything," Millhouse said. "I got hit, and I was dizzy after that."

Millhouse is not expected to miss next week's game against Rice.

• Road Warriors: About 500 UH fans attended the game, which was postponed from last week because of the attacks in New York and Washington.

For the originally scheduled date, about 600 fans from Hawai'i and 3,000 from the Mainland had planned to attend the game and alumni festivities. Defensive end Laanui Correa's mother was one of the fans who could not reschedule her vacation.