QB Chang fractures pinkie
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Tim Chang, the University of Hawai'i football team's starting quarterback, suffered a fracture in his right pinkie and might miss the Aug. 31 season opener against Eastern Illinois.
"I would think he wouldn't be there for the opener, but you never know," UH coach June Jones said following yesterday's afternoon practice. "I don't know if you can throw a football with (the ring finger and pinkie) taped together. We'll have to see."
Chang suffered the injury on his throwing hand after inadvertently striking another player's helmet during a passing drill yesterday morning.
X-rays showed a fracture to the side of the 5th proximal phalanx, a bone in the middle of the finger.
Dr. Andrew Nichols, the team's physician, said the fracture is non-displaced, meaning it was contained in one area, and will not require surgery.
Yesterday afternoon, Dr. Robert Atkinson, a hand specialist, fitted Chang for a specially made splint. The pinkie was taped to the ring finger for support.
"It's a minor setback," Chang said in a statement released to the media. "I wish it wouldn't have happened, but it did, so how we deal with it now is what counts. I'll be out there again. Everything's going to be all right."
Nichols said Chang's pinkie will be examined in 10 to 14 days, at which time it will be determined when he may be allowed to throw again. Such a timetable probably will keep Chang from playing against Eastern Illinois.
Jones said Jason Whieldon, a junior who played at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif., last season, will replace Chang atop the depth chart. Shawn Withy-Allen, a fifth-year senior from Kalaheo High, will be the top backup, and freshman Ryan Stickler is listed at No. 3.
Last year, Chang missed the final nine games after suffering a torn ligament in his right wrist. Nichols said this injury is not related to last year's injury. "This is just bad luck," Nichols said.
Last season, Nick Rolovich replaced Chang, going 8-1 as a starter.
"I'm confident in whoever takes over," said Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks. "The other quarterbacks are sitting in the same position Nick was in last year. They'll be as prepared when their time comes."
Said Jones: "We moved the ball no matter who lined up for me at quarterback, and we'll move the ball again this year. Whoever we insert in there will move the team."
Whieldon, who expressed shock when told of the extent of Chang's injury, said he is prepared to take over the offense.
"He's my teammate and my friend, but we have to move on," Whieldon said. "It was one of those fluke things, but we have to bounce back. I'm here to play football. This is my opportunity. I have to make the most of it."
Withy-Allen said the injury risks are why "one person doesn't take all of the reps. Me and Jason will do our best, which shouldn't be too much less than Timmy's best. We have a lot of talent in the position in case something like this happens."
Since being named UH's head coach in December 1998, Jones has stockpiled quarterbacks. In the past year, he added six quarterbacks, although Kahuku High graduate Inoke Funaki will go on a church mission and Se'e Poumele of San Diego has been moved to wide receiver.
"You very seldom get through a season with one quarterback," Jones said. "We were lucky with Dan Robinson (in 1999), but that's not the usual situation."
Jones said Chang is not expected to lose his starting job permanently. "I would think he'll still get the job when he's healed," Jones said. "But who knows how Jason and Shawn will do."
It was believed that Withy-Allen entered training camp as the No. 2 quarterback. But Jones said he has been impressed with Whieldon's passing and leadership.
"He's a gamer," Jones said of Whieldon. "He just needs reps. Once he gets the grasp of (the offense), he'll be OK."
Said Whieldon: "You always have to be prepared to step in. That's the role of the backup. I'm ready."
