WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Whieldon back in starter's spot

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

With quarterback Tim Chang suspended for the season opener against Appalachian State next Saturday, the University of Hawai'i football team once again is turning over the run-and-shoot offense to Jason Whieldon.

Whieldon, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Saddleback Community College in 2002, stepped in when Chang suffered a hand injury in training camp last year.

"It's kind of shocking news (about Chang), but I feel I can help," Whieldon said.

Chang and Whieldon appear to have polar styles. Chang is best in the pocket; Whieldon is efficient on rollouts. Chang is able to quickly decipher defenses; until Thursday, Whieldon received less than half of the number of snaps Chang took.

UH coach June Jones said there will be subtle changes in the offense.

"I always talk with the quarterbacks and ask them what they like and what they feel comfortable with," Jones said. "You obviously want to do things to match their skills."

Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks, said Whieldon has had a productive training camp, to the point where "there's not a lot of dropoff. His decisions are pretty quick, and his throws are quick and accurate."

In yesterday's morning practice, Whieldon and right wideout Jeremiah Cockheran connected on a 40-yard fade.

"Timmy is a special kid; he's in a different atmosphere," Morrison said. "Jason is a quarterback. That's the best way to describe him. Those who coach quarterbacks and those who are quarterbacks will understand what that means."

Whieldon's spirited attitude appears to energize teammates.

"I think I'm real competitive," Whieldon said. "I have a real fire and desire to win and play my hardest and stuff. I think that feeds toward the guys, and they get wound up off of that and they get excited to play."

Jeff Rhode, a third-year sophomore who has been elevated to backup quarterback, said he is benefitting from his increased practice time. As a third-stringer, Rhode was told to take "mental reps," during which he would play vicariously through Chang and Whieldon.

"Doing the actual snap-and-throw is a whole different story," said Rhode, who toned his body through extensive offseason workouts. "I'm probably making a lot more mistakes that I should be making, but I'll have it cleared up by Appalachian State time."

Ryan Stickler, a second-year freshman, becomes the No. 3 quarterback. Stickler was poised to compete for the No. 2 job during a successful spring practice, but "then I came in here (in training camp) and didn't perform as I was capable of performing. I moved down the depth chart. Right now, I'm waiting for my opportunity to show what I can do again."

The winners are...: Wideout Jeremiah Cockheran and Hyrum Peters were named team captains, UH coach June Jones announced yesterday. They were selected in a team vote Thursday night.

Cockheran, a fifth-year senior who transferred to UH in 2002, said, "I feel it's going to make me a better person to know that in the short time I was here, I made that much of an impact. I'm overwhelmed by it. It shows we're a true family."

Peters, a 5-foot-8 senior, said, "For the smallest guy to be captain is really an honor. I'll do my best to be a leader."