QB likes pressure of starting role

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jason Whieldon earned the starting quarterback job for his performance against Alabama last Saturday. Whieldon was congratulated by teammate Hyrum Peters after the game. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Hawai'i vs. Boise State When: Saturday Kickoff: 6:35 p.m. Where: Aloha Stadium

As the "Warrior of the Week," University of Hawai'i quarterback Jason Whieldon, and his father, Matt, waited at the rooftop section of Dave & Busters restaurant for the production crew to arrive for the taping of head coach June Jones' television show.

The Whieldons waited ... and waited ...

"Nobody showed up," said Jason Whieldon, not realizing the show's production had moved to another part of the restaurant. The show went on without him.

Whieldon, a senior from Orange, Calif., could earn a return invitation this week if he plays well in his new role as UH's starting quarterback against Boise State Saturday. He earned the job after passing for 237 yards and four touchdowns in the Warriors' 37-29 upset of Alabama.

"He was our hero," said wideout Jeremiah Cockheran, Whieldon's roommate. "I'm very happy for him. It's been a long time coming for him. He's just been waiting and waiting. When we needed him, he stepped in."

Whieldon, who replaces struggling Tim Chang, will make his second career start. Chang was suspended for the season opener against Division I-AA Appalachian State.

"I'm a little nervous," Whieldon said. "Hopefully, we'll have a good week of game-planning and we'll be prepared for the game."

In UH's practice system, the No. 1 quarterback takes four snaps for every two by the backup quarterback. Dan Morrison, who coaches the quarterbacks, said the 4-2 ratio will apply this week. Chang, a fourth-year junior who is one of seven NCAA players to amass 12,000 career passing yards, is expected to play in several series Saturday.

Because Chang is acknowledged to have the greater grasp of the run-and-shoot offense, Jones has simplified the schemes for Whieldon.

"He's not as ready to play as Timmy, so I do simplify it, yes," Jones said.

Whieldon said he is bracing for the move into the spotlight. Unlike Alabama, Boise State will have the entire week to prepare for Whieldon. In turn, Whieldon noted, he will have more time.

"The big thing is knowing the fact you're going to play," Whieldon said. "As a backup, you're not really sure you're going to play. You want to be ready. You try to expect to go in. But you know the reality is you're probably not going to go in. It's a little bit different mentality to know you're going to be starting the game."

Whieldon said the expectations will increase.

"The pressure's on me now, but that's a good thing," he said. "That's what it's all about. That's what competition is. There are a lot of things in life that have pressure to (them), some more than others. You have to do it, and try and overcome it, and have a good time. It's how people handle pressure that really tells whether they're going to have a good game or not."

In high school, Whieldon was a standout basketball player. He chose to play point guard because "you always want the ball and make things happen."

The UH players had the option of participating in volunteer weight training yesterday morning. Partly because of the heavy Manoa rain, seven players braved the conditions to work out in the morning session. Guess who was one of them?

"He's a hard worker," Cockheran said, "and a very humble person. It's great for him to get the start."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.