[ UH FOOTBALL ]
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii quarterback Jason Whieldon, who ran a QB keeper during a scrimmage at the UH-Manoa campus last week, will start for the Warriors in the season opener.
Whieldon ready
to lead Warriors
This is becoming old hat for Jason Whieldon.
About this time last year, it looked like the Hawaii backup quarterback might have to start the Warriors' season opener when starter Tim Chang broke a bone in his hand during fall camp. However, Chang recovered in time to start against Eastern Illinois.
This week, Whieldon is again preparing to lead the UH run-and-shoot into the first game of the season. But this time there won't be a sudden recovery to keep him on the sideline.
Barring injury, Whieldon is slated to make his first Division I start when the Warriors face Appalachian State a week from today. Chang will serve a one-game suspension for a violation of the Western Athletic Conference's six-credit rule last year.
"It was kind of shocking," Whieldon said of his new assignment. "You never expect it to be something off the field, but you've always got to be ready to play and I feel like I'm ready to play."
Whieldon, a 6-foot, 191-pound senior, played in four games last year and completed eight of 18 passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns. He left the team midway through the season to address family issues in California, but later returned.
He worked with the first team the last two days and impressed UH coaches.
"There really wasn't much of a drop-off today in practice," Warriors quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said. "His throws were crisp, his decisions were fast."
Whieldon said he's better prepared to handle the responsibility than he was last fall.
"I feel a lot better than last year," he said. "I've been here a significant amount of time and I'm real excited about this game. I think everyone on the team is."
Sophomore Jeff Rhode moves into the backup role with Whieldon at the helm next week. UH coach June Jones said Chang will be back as the starter for Hawaii's game at Southern California on Sept. 13.
Chang said he won't be taking any repetitions with the team until after the Appalachian State game, but he will continue to work out.
"You guys will probably see me throwing long passes into a lonely bucket," Chang said.
Simply heavenly: The Warrior defensive line got a boost yesterday with the return of several injured players.
"I'm in heaven," UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said after watching Isaac Sopoaga and Travis LaBoy participate in drills.
Sopoaga and LaBoy had been limited to watching practice for the last week due to recurring injuries. Sopoaga has a pinched nerve in his back and LaBoy is playing with a groin ailment.
Kila Kamakawiwo'ole also returned yesterday with a soft cast on his injured left hand. Kevin Jackson came back Thursday after being sidelined two days with back spasms.
Jones said the various injuries led to the decision to keep the players out of pads for yesterday's practice.
Singletary credited the healing power of gameday for the boost in numbers.
"Anytime you draw near to gameday, it's funny, people start feeling good," Singletary said. "Everybody wants to play."
Safety David Gilmore also returned yesterday after sitting out most of the week with a back injury. Hyrum Peters didn't participate in team drills due to a calf injury.
On offense, Jason Rivers continued to rest his hamstring. Chad Owens spent most of the morning on the stationary bike after turning his right ankle on Thursday.
Catches of the day: Even with Chang sitting out of team drills yesterday morning, the Warrior offense turned in a couple of gems during seven-on-seven drills.
First, Gerald Welch made an over-the-shoulder catch of a perfectly placed toss from Whieldon down the right sideline. The throw barely escaped the reach of a leaping Gary Wright before nestling into Welch's hands.
Later, Rhode looked for Nate Ilaoa on a similar route. With defensive back Kenny Patton in his face mask, Ilaoa outjumped Patton and reached over him to make a spectacular grab.
Short yardage: The Warriors close camp tomorrow with a practice at Aloha Stadium that will be closed to the public. ... Don Murphy provided lunch for the UH players after yesterday morning's workout. Murphy and friends set up a spread next to the practice field that included salad, barbecue chicken, kalua pig and brownies and ice cream.
