Wednesday, October 24, 2001
Lack of turnovers The Hawaii football team has posted some good numbers since Nick Rolovich took over at quarterback three games ago.
has been key to
UH win streak
On Saturday against Tulsa,
Warrior notebook
the Warriors had their first game
without a turnover in almost 2 yearsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comOne of the best is zero.
That's how many turnovers UH allowed in its 36-15 victory at Tulsa last Saturday. It was the first time the Hawaii offense didn't give the opponents the ball for an entire game since the Rainbows beat the Golden Hurricane on Oct. 23, 1999.
"It's something you hope for each week," Warriors quarterback coach Dan Morrison said. "They can come back to haunt you."
Avoiding interceptions and fumbles will be one of the keys as Hawaii (4-2, 3-2 WAC) tries to keep its conference title hopes alive against No. 18 Fresno State (6-1, 2-1) on Friday at Aloha Stadium. The Bulldogs come to town today still stinging from a 35-30 upset loss to Boise State last Friday, eliminating their hopes to play in a Bowl Championship Series bowl game.
"They've got some athletes on that squad and we've just got to make plays," Rolovich said. "We've got to be ready and know that things are going to happen and we have to be able to come back from them."
After a rocky start in turnover ratio -- and not coincidentally, the win-loss columns -- UH has forced 11 turnovers and given the ball up four times in its current three-game winning streak.
"The touchdown to turnover ratio is important, too," said Rolovich, who yesterday was named by coach June Jones to start Friday.
Rolovich has thrown eight touchdown passes and been intercepted three times. Tim Chang, who started the first three games, has passed for six TDs and six picks.
Fresno State, with Heisman candidate David Carr at quarterback, has yielded only four turnovers and taken the ball away 15 times. The Bulldogs lead the WAC and are fifth in the nation in turnover ratio. Hawaii is third and 33rd.
Although the numbers show Rolovich to be less turnover-prone, Jones said Chang would still be the starter if he was healthy. Chang has missed the last three games with a sprained right (throwing) wrist.
"Nick Rolovich will start," Jones said after yesterday morning's practice. "Timmy didn't really feel 100 percent again. He's struggling a little bit still, so we're lucky we've got Rolo with us."
Rolovich has completed 73 of 120 passes for 901 yards and eight touchdowns since replacing Chang.
"It feels good. I was going to be ready either way," Rolovich said. "I got the nod, and I've got to be ready."
Rolovich said he was told by Jones immediately after practice today he would start Friday.
"He told me 'you go until you can't go anymore.' I've just got to keep my confidence up and prepare good and keep going," Rolovich said. "We've still got some work to do for Fresno. We've had three big wins, but this is the biggest."
Chang said he is disappointed but understands Jones' decision.
"I'm well enough to play, but if I go in and things don't ... I don't know what to say ... it's hard," Chang said. "It's an injury, I can't do anything about it.
"It's hard, but it's an injury. It happens."
The true sophomore said a medical redshirt is a possibility.
"It all depends on the situation. Something could happen to Rolo. I've thought about it, but I'll be suiting up every week."
The injury is especially frustrating, because Chang is able to pass effectively in practice, but then his wrist swells up afterward.
"It lingers. It kind of resurfaces after he throws," Morrison said. "He throws well one day and it flares up."
Chang has completed 83 of 140 passes for 1,100 yards this season.
Rolovich began last fall as Hawaii's starter before being replaced by Chang in the third game. Chang was named the WAC's Freshman of the Year at the end of the season.
Morrison said the intense focus on UH's starting quarterback situation hasn't affected the team adversely.
"They are mature guys. They're friends and both know exactly what the other is going through. They understand and support each other," Morrison said. "The focus of the team begins at quarterback, and they both want whoever's out there to be effective."
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