Thursday, September 27, 2001

Chang seeks revenge

UH's quarterback had 5 passes
intercepted against Rice last year

Express bus service
Peters makes the tackles

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

The name Timmy Chang is already beginning to fill the Hawaii football record book.

Operating the run-and-shoot as a true freshman last year gave the Warriors quarterback a big head start; he's already in the top ten in several career passing categories.

There's one single-game entry of which he's not very proud. On Oct. 21, 2000 at Houston, Chang was intercepted a UH-record five times by the Rice Owls. Hawaii lost 38-13.

Warriors coach June Jones stuck with him as a starter, saying such a debacle was part of Chang's learning process.

As Hawaii (1-1, 0-1 WAC) prepares to host Rice (2-1, 0-0) on Saturday at Aloha Stadium, Chang and others said that's the way it has worked out. Chang threw nine interceptions in his last five games after the Rice loss, but he still considers that game a turning point.

"I don't remember the next game, but I know he learned from it and moved forward," Jones said.

The next game was a 57-48 loss to San Jose State. Chang was picked twice, but he passed for 403 yards and three TDs.

"I learned I could be more prepared, watch more film. ... The difference between high school, college and pros is the mental aspect, the size of the playbook," said Chang, who leads the nation in total offense (348.0) after two games.

"You always want to be a step ahead of the game. I think being a little more prepared is what I got out of that game, and being more cautious where I go with the ball."

The Warriors averaged 30.1 points after the Rice loss and got two of their three wins for the season. Chang is 3-4 as a starting college quarterback since the Rice loss, after opening 1-3.

"Look at the second half of the season," slotback Craig Stutzmann said. "We put up some points. (Chang) made a lot of freshman mistakes, but he was being asked a lot for a freshman. Last year gave him a lot of experience."

Chang has been intercepted three times in UH's two games this season, including an interception that was a turning point of Saturday's loss to Nevada.

But Rice coach Ken Hatfield said he doesn't expect Chang to be as generous this time.

"He's been throwing the ball well and doing everything June expects of him," Hatfield said. "They're so explosive you've got to be ready every play."

Chang's main nemesis last year in the Rice loss was rover Dan Dawson, who made three of the interceptions, including a fourth-quarter game-sealer.

"There were a bunch of factors. I was blinded by the d-end's rush. I could've slid in the pocket, get a clearer lane. I couldn't see the nickel backer (Dawson).

"I made him all-WAC," Chang said. "He did a good job of studying me. Now that I know what he's thinking I can kind of try to counter him. You live for games like this knowing someone got you and you get a chance to get him."

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Express buses available
for UH-Rice game Saturday

The University of Hawaii Football Express service will be available for Saturday's 6:05 p.m. game against Rice at Aloha Stadium.

Specially marked Football Express buses will operate from 16 park-and-ride locations. The fare is $3 each way. No change will be given and no transfers will be accepted or given.

Also, no senior citizen, disabled or other passes will be accepted.

The buses leave Aloha Stadium 15 minutes after the game ends.

Departure times

From: Ala Moana Center (Kona Street at Kona-Iki Street) at 3 and 4:30 p.m.; Downtown (Alapai Street Bus Transit Center) at 3:10 and 4:40 p.m.; Hawaii Kai (Keahole Street near Hawaii Kai Park and Ride lot) at 3, 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m.); Kahala (Waialae and Kilauea Avenues, opposite Kahala Mall) at 3, 3:40, 4;10 and 4:30 p.m.; Kaimuki (Liliuokalani Elementary School at Koko Head and Waialae avenues) at 3 and 4:40 p.m.; Palolo (Palolo McDonald's) at 3:02 and 4:32 p.m.; University of Hawaii (Sinclair Library Circle on University Avenue) at 3:20 and 4:30 p.m.; Waikiki (Kapiolani Park Bandstand bus stop on Monsarrat Avenue) at 3 and 4:30 p.m.; Kapolei (Kapolei State Office Building) at 3 and 4:30 p.m.; Village Park (Royal Kunia Park and Ride) at 3 and 4:45 p.m.; and Mililani Mauka (Mililani Park and Ride) at 3:15 and 4:30 p.m.

There are also five Windward Oahu departure sites: opposite Castle Medical Center at Kalanianaole Hwy. and Kailua Road at 2:45 and 4:15 p.m.; opposite Enchanted Lake Shopping Center at Keolu Drive and Hele Street at 2:50 and 4:20 p.m.; Kailua Shopping Center on Kailua Road at Hahani Street at 2:55 and 4:25 p.m.; Aikahi Shopping Center on Kaneohe Bay Drive at Mokapu at 3 and 4:40 p.m.; and opposite Windward City Shopping Center at Kaneohe Bay Drive at Makalani Street at 3:10 and 4:40 p.m.

For more information, call 848-5555 or visit thebus.org Web site.

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