Cockheran says don't give up on Warriors, or Chang
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football co-captain Jeremiah Cockheran has this message for doomsayers: Don't panic.
Despite Saturday's 24-14 loss to Nevada, the Warriors (6-4, 5-2 in Western Athletic Conference) can earn a berth in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl with a victory over Army this week. They also have a slim chance of earning a share of the WAC's regular-season title.
"I don't know what everyone's getting in a panic about, getting scared about, saying our season's over and this and that," said Cockheran, a senior wide receiver. "People can say whatever they want. To us, our season's not over. We're going to keep playing hard and we're going to play for a bowl game. We're not panicking. We're cool and calm as ever. We want to keep playing, and keep playing hard. We're out there giving our all."
He also had this message: Stop picking on quarterback Tim Chang.
"Everybody wants to get on Tim," Cockheran said. "Everybody wants to say this and that about Tim. But, you know, people don't see what really goes on. (Against Nevada) there's a block I should have gone to the outside shoulder on someone and (running back Michael) Bass could have scored. But I blocked the DB on the inside shoulder. No one saw that. No one sees the other things that are going on. Everybody wants to blame Tim. Tim's not going to take all of the heat on this."
In his usual style, Chang, a fourth-year junior, accepted responsibility for the loss. He was intercepted twice and sacked three times.
"Some games you play extremely well, some games you play all right, some games you don't play well," Chang said. "That's just the way it goes sometimes."
At this week's news conference, Jones said he expects senior quarterback Jason Whieldon to be used in specific situations, although Chang remains the starter.
"Jason is a good player," Chang said. "He deserves a chance out there."
• Musical linemen: Another week, another change in the starting offensive line. Tala Esera, a second-year freshman, will start at left tackle Saturday, marking the sixth lineup change this season. He replaces freshman Jeremy Inferrera, who now is battling right tackle Brandon Eaton.
Line coach Mike Cavanaugh said Esera is "going to get a shot, and we're going to see how he does. ... I think he's a real athletic guy and hopefully he comes ready to play the next two or three weeks."
Esera, who moved from the defensive line during training camp, said: "I feel grateful to get another opportunity."
Esera, who can play both tackle positions, has started four games this season.
"I'm feeling much more comfortable," Esera said. "I know my plays and my assignments better. I can see the defense a lot better."
Nevada's defensive linemen, aligned wide of the offensive tackles, repeatedly pressured Chang.
"We'd better get better," Cavanaugh said. "We haven't done our part in about three weeks. We'd better grow up and take care of business because right now we're struggling.
"It comes down to the individual within the unit and executing our technique. To me, it's the mentality in finishing blocks. We're poor in the start and we're poor in the finish. A lot of the onus is on us."
• Health report: Cornerback Gary Wright, who did not play last Saturday because of a sprained right ankle, practiced yesterday. He declared himself ready for Saturday's game against Army.
"I'm back," said Wright, who also plays on special teams. "The ankle is a little sore, but I'm back to where it's almost 100 percent. I'll be ready to go this weekend."
Defensive end Houston Ala also appears to be ready. Ala has a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Despite wearing a metal brace on his left knee, he competed in contact drills yesterday. Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said he expects Ala to play extensively this week.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
