Whieldon leaves Warriors
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Jason Whieldon isn't expected to return.
Advertiser library photo What: WAC football, Hawai'i (1-1) at Texas-El Paso (1-2) Kickoff: Saturday at 3:05 p.m. TV/Radio: Live on K5, replay on K5 at 9 p.m.; 2 p.m. on 1420 AM |
In the aftermath of yesterday's announcement that backup quarterback Jason Whieldon had quit the team because of family reasons, the Warriors realigned the depth chart.
Shawn Withy-Allen, a fifth-year senior from Kalaheo High, has been elevated to top backup to starter Tim Chang, a third-year sophomore from St. Louis School. Jeff Rhode, a second-year freshman from Oregon, is No. 3, and will be included in the 60-player travel roster for Saturday's game at Texas-El Paso.
"I do feel for him," UH coach June Jones said of Whieldon, a junior from Orange County, Calif. "He's got a lot of things he's dealing with at home, and he wants to be there."
Jones said the decision is not football-related, and Whieldon is not expected to return for the spring semester.
"I would not anticipate that, no," Jones said.
Whieldon returned to Orange County after the Warriors' 35-32 loss to Brigham Young Sept. 6 in Provo, Utah. He did not participate in UH's two practices last week. The Warriors had a bye last Saturday.
"We've talked about everything," Jones said of Whieldon's options. "He knows what to do on everything."
Starting with the first week of spring training, the Warriors had to withstand the loss of safety Leonard Peters (tears to spleen and kidney), Chang (broken right pinkie on throwing hand), defensive tackle Lui Fuga (broken left fibula) and special teams standout Jonathan Kauka (torn knee ligaments).
Whieldon worked with the first team in spring practice, when Chang was recovering from wrist surgery, and for two weeks in preseason training after Chang suffered the broken finger. Whieldon enrolled at UH in January after earning an associate degree at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif., last December.
In the first two games, both started by Chang, Whieldon was used in short-yardage situations. (Chang took shotgun snaps the rest of the time.) Whieldon threw two scoring passes against BYU.
"It's weird without him," said Withy-Allen, who was Whieldon's roommate during the BYU trip. "He's a good friend. He was playing really well."
Chang said: "Me and Jason were really close. My prayers are with him. It's sad."
Chang did not take short snaps in yesterday's practice because of the broken finger, which will not be fully healed for another three weeks. Although there is a chance Chang will take short snaps against UTEP, the greater probability is Withy-Allen will be used in short-yardage situations. Withy-Allen has not thrown a pass in a collegiate game, although he has rushed five times.
"I feel ready," Withy-Allen said. "My arm is stronger. I feel smarter. ... The thing I really lack is game experience. That's one thing you can't get in practice."
Jones said: "It's one thing in practice, but you have to do it in the game. When we put him in, he's done his best in the game. Hopefully, he'll keep doing that."
Jones said Withy-Allen is expected to remain on special teams. He plays on four of the six speciality units.
"I would think we'll keep him there," Jones said. "It's his senior year."
Rhode, who redshirted last football season before joining the UH baseball team, said he has a better understanding of the run-and-shoot offense this year.
"I have to be ready to go," he said. "You never know when the opportunity is going to knock. I can't go in there and be a freshman. I have to be able to go in there and step it up and win the game, if I have to, or keep the game in a winning situation."
Rhode said he needs to improve on making quicker decisions and releasing passes sooner.
"I might think about it too much," he said.
Most of all, Withy-Allen said, "we have to move on. We have to pick up where we left off."
