Chang wants to enjoy time

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

You would think University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang would be fed up with the critics who fill up Internet message boards and post-game air time.

You would be wrong.

These days, Chang is a most happy fella, and not just because he was named the Western Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week yesterday.

He is 22 and a member of a select group of Division I-A quarterbacks to pass for 10,000 yards in a career.

"I want to savor the moment, enjoy it while I still have it," he said. "I'm not going to be playing sports forever."

He added: "Sometimes I take for granted the privilege that we have. Talking to a lot of old-timers, they really miss the game. I'm going to enjoy what I have right now."

There was a lot for Chang to cherish in the Warriors' 55-28 victory over Fresno State on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium. The final statistics show Chang completed 40 of 60 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns. A closer look shows Chang had one of his best performances in his 32-game UH career.

Coach June Jones noted Chang scored high on the coaches' complicated rating system.

Chang was graded on each of his 61 passing plays against Fresno State. The scale is 2 to 4, with a 4 earned for combined excellence in technique, decision-making and accuracy. No points are awarded for an interception or mental mistake.

UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison declined to reveal Chang's final grade, but noted, "it was as high as it's ever been."

Chang credited his preparation, Jones' tutoring and a determination to find "the zone" — that state in which distractions are blocked out. "A college football game can be long, so you have to stay in the zone, both mentally and physically," he said.

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

Also honored:

Lily Kahumoku, a senior, was named the WAC Volleyball Player of the Week. She hit 47.9 percent for the week while leading UH past Boise State and Texas-El Paso in road matches last week. In the process, she averaged 4.83 kills, 3.33 digs and 1.3 blocks per game.

Natasha Kai, a sophomore from Kahuku, was named co-WAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week and junior Krystalynn Ontai was the Defensive Player of the Week.

Kai shared the honor with SMU's Kim Harvey. Kai tallied 10 points, including all five goals in Hawai'i's victories over Nevada (4-1) and Boise State (1-0).

Ontai, a junior defender from Mililani, helped limit Nevada to three shots and Boise State to five.

Dana Buchanan, a freshman, was named the WAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week after her 16th-place finish led the Rainbow Wahine in the Arizona State Invitational. She finished in 18 minutes, 54 seconds in the 5-kilometer event.

Yan Chen, a junior from Da Lian, China, was chosen WAC Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week. She reached the NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes, 2.75 seconds at the Hawai'i Senior Meet. She also was the top finisher in the 200 freestyle at 1:53.60.