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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, December 2, 2003

Jones: Chang needs to work on mental game

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By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i football coach June Jones said quarterback Tim Chang is "having trouble focusing right now," and that he must play his way out of the slump that cost him the starting job against Boise State next Saturday.

When asked if Chang's recent inconsistency was a mechanical problem, Jones said: "It's mental. ... He'll play through it. It's like a putter. You start missing putts, you've got to putt through it. You don't, you ain't never going to get it solved."

Jones, a former pro quarterback, added: "I know what it takes to get the quarterback through this deal. I've been in that seat. I know he has to play to get through it. You don't stand over there with me (on the sideline) and get through it."

Jones said he was disappointed over the chorus of boos Saturday each time Chang threw incomplete and when he started the second half.

"I've heard all of the stuff about, 'We're not booing Timmy, we're booing you for putting him in,' " Jones said. "Well, guess what: You think he can distinguish that?"

Chang, a fourth-year junior from Saint Louis School, is on track to break the NCAA's career record for passing yards. He was not available for comment yesterday.

"He'll break the record I said he was going to break," Jones said. "... Jason Whieldon is starting this week, but there's no quarterback controversy in my mind. I know what's best for our football team. ... That's why Jason Whieldon went in (Saturday). Why did Timmy stay in there in the second half? Guess what, we're playing good defense. If we weren't playing good defense, I would have put Jason in there quicker."

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