Warriors' Chang focuses on winning, not setting records

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

On an afternoon as scorching as a car's dashboard, University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang was oblivious to the heat, throwing passes in seven-on-seven drills and then running for 30 minutes on the hills of the school's lower campus.

"This record is a great thing, but it's a great thing for the team, not me," Tim Chang says of Ty Detmer's NCAA passing mark. Advertiser library photo

The 6-foot-2 Chang, entering his fifth — and final — UH season, appears to be more mature. His familiar boyish look is camouflaged by longer sideburns and a slight goatee. He has gained about seven pounds through an extensive weight-training program, and now weighs 205.

Chang has tried to avoid public scrutiny — an impossible task for a player whose name appears on the watch lists of the Davey O'Brien and Maxwell awards. UH head coach June Jones is spearheading the publicity campaign as Chang approaches former Brigham Young quarterback Ty Detmer's NCAA passing record of 15,031 yards.

During a rare break in his workout schedule, Chang addressed several topics.

On needing 2,218 yards to surpass Detmer's record:

"This record is a great thing, but it's a great thing for the team, not for me. This record is for all of the guys who blocked and for all of the guys who made the catches. I don't think about the record as an individual thing. This is a team game, no matter what kind of things or awards are happening for people. As a team, we're trying to win games, not records. That's the biggest issue. For me, I think about trying to get the football in the receiver's hands."

On Detmer:

"I've caught a couple of his games (on TV). He's a great quarterback. He's had a good professional career. He's done well for himself and for his family and for the BYU community."

On his expectations when he committed to UH as a Saint Louis School senior in February 2000:

"When I signed, I never pictured any of this. All I know is I'm very fortunate to be here — with this group of guys, with these coaches, with this offense. And I'm glad my family can watch me play every game."

On the pressure of being the starting quarterback:

Tim Chang HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 POSITION: QB CLASS: Senior CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Started 39 games for Warriors ... school's all-time leader in total offense and passing yards (12,814) ... is third on the WAC all-time passing list and needs just 2,218 yards to surpass leader Ty Detmer, also the NCAA record holder ... named honorable mention All-WAC as a junior, second-team All-WAC as a sophomore. ... in 2003, led WAC and was sixth in country in total offense (318.4 yards), and had nine games with 300 or more passing yards.

On being booed by Warrior fans last year:

"That's part of the game. It's something I'm going to have to handle. I can't give up. I have to keep fighting."

On if the booing bothers his family:

"Not at all. I don't think they ever try to feel bad for me."

On his senior year:

"I'm very fortunate to be here with my teammates. I'm just fortunate to play another year. I don't want to take football for granted."

On the Warriors being featured in the popular video game, NCAA Football 2005:

"Our names aren't on (the jerseys), but our numbers are. You can tell who we are. That's cool. Being from Hawai'i, it's pretty phenomenal. We're all humbled by it."

On his achievements:

"When my career is over, I can look back on some of my accomplishments, and the things that are happening. But that's for later. Now's now the time to think about those things."

On being called Tim or Timmy:

"Know what? It doesn't matter."

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