Hawai'i QB Chang on O'Brien Award list

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i senior quarterback Tim Chang was named as one of 42 candidates for the Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the nation's top college quarterback.

"For Timmy, the important thing is he's pretty sensitive to the fact that he would like other players to get the attention they deserve, and if he proves to be the vehicle for them to do that, he's happy with it," said Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks.

Chang, who has 12,814 yards, needs 2,218 yards to surpass Ty Detmer's NCAA career passing record mark of 15,031.

Morrison said Chang, who was touted by the university as a Heisman hopeful last season, was named to the preseason watch list because "people view him as one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the country."

Semifinalists will be announced in early November and narrowed to three finalists later that month by the O'Brien National Advisory Committee, which is comprised of sportswriters, commentators and other members of the media.

"The watch list isn't terribly large, it's a pretty select group," Morrison said. "He's one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the country coming into the season, but as all players know, it depends on how well he plays during the season."

The award is named in honor of Davey O'Brien, the All-American and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for Texas Christian University who led the Horned Frogs to the 1938 national championship.

Other candidates include last year's Heisman Trophy winner Jason White of Oklahoma, Southern California's Matt Leinart and Florida State's Chris Rix.

The Warriors' season begins Sept. 4 against Florida Atlantic at Aloha Stadium.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.