UH quarterback Chang likely to start UH opener

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Barring another injury, quarterback Tim Chang will start in the University of Hawai'i football team's season opener against Eastern Illinois Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Tim Chang's pinkie is protected by a special brace. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser • • • Hawai'i vs. Eastern Illinois • WHAT: NCAA football • WHEN/WHERE: 6:05 p.m. Saturday at Aloha Stadium • TICKETS: $19 (sideline), $15 (end zone), $11 (senior citizens, ages 4-high school), free (UH students, Super Rooters) • TELEVISION: Live on Oceanic pay-per-view, delayed on K5 at 10 p.m. • RADIO: 1420 AM

After yesterday's two-hour practice, which concluded with Chang working with the first team, he declared himself fit and ready for the opener.

"It's totally up to Coach (June) Jones, but I expect to play," said Chang, a third-year sophomore from St. Louis School.

At first, Jones told reporters that choosing between Chang and Jason Whieldon, a junior-college transfer from California, would be a "game-day decision." Later, Jones admitted, "Just looking at (Chang) today, he'll probably start. ... I think he'll get better over the next three days."

It is Jones' long-standing policy that a player does not lose a starting job permanently because of an injury. Jones acknowledged that Chang has the best understanding of the offense, and that the time off did not diminish Chang's play-calling.

"He knows what we're doing," Jones said. "He's plugged in. He goes to all of the meetings."

Of concern, Jones said, was Chang's ability to throw. But after his first two long passes fluttered, Chang settled down.

"I thought he threw the ball pretty well," Jones said. "There are, I'm sure, a couple of things that will be difficult for him to do with his hand. ... Overall, I thought he was pretty good for having the time off."

Said Whieldon: "Tim looked good out there after missing a couple of weeks. He looked sharp. That's good to see."

As for the competition, Whieldon said, "Tim is probably my best friend on the team. I support him all of the time, and he's supported me, too."

Chang was admittedly nervous before yesterday's practice. He said he took two aspirin to alleviate some soreness.

"There's a slight discomfort, but nothing football players don't play through," he said.

Chang said he was helped by a specially made brace, which allowed him to better grasp the football. UH athletic trainer Eric Okasaki designed the brace, in which padding is used to separate the pinkie and ring finger.

Okasaki was seeking a way to protect the pinkie without further hindering Chang's passing. Okasaki decided to modify a brace known as "fingers," a product that uses elastic tubes to bind two fingers. But Okasaki found the "fingers" did not allow enough spacing for Chang to comfortably grip a football.

Okasaki traced Chang's right hand as if it were positioned to grip a football. A family member then sewed a piece of foam between the elastic tubes that would go on Chang's right pinkie and ring finger.

Chang said the so-called "pinkie pillow" provided support for his injured finger and proper spacing to grip a football.

"It worked out," Chang said.

Chang said he has received numerous remedies and suggestions from UH fans. One said the often-injured Chang needed to be blessed.

"That's the greatest one," Chang said. "My grandmother (Sophie Kea) prays for me every day."

Jones said the depth chart now is in this order: Chang, Whieldon, Shawn Withy-Allen and Jeff Rhode. Jones said freshman Ryan Stickler, who was No. 3 during Chang's absence, will redshirt.