Pressure not on rookie quarterbacks

The UH defense apply pressure to USC in the season opener, won 63-17 by the Trojans. Photo by Andrew Affleck

By Andrew Affleck

The majority of University of Hawai‘i football fans will give the new quarterbacks time to adjust to Division I NCAA competition, following the departure of Timmy Chang at the end of last season.

The NCAA record holder for passing yards left a big hole in the UH offense, but there is no shortage of players looking to fill his shoes.

Three of these quarterbacks (and former roommates) are Tyler Graunke, Colt Brennan and Jack Rolovich.

Pressure of playing USC first

Pressure will be on the football players to perform straight away, and this task won't be made any easier this weekend. The Warriors face two-time defending national champions, the University of Southern California Trojans, who boast Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart.

Jack Rolovich's brother Nick, Hawaii's quarterback in the 2000-2001 seasons and now a student manager, believes that it is an advantage to be playing this game in front of an expected sell out at Aloha Stadium.

Former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich, left, with his younger brother Jack.  Jack is attempting to follow his brother’s footsteps by becoming the new starter for this season. Photo by Andrew Affleck

UH football's role in Hawaiian community

Nick said he also felt that UH's role as the main source of sports entertainment in Hawai‘i should not add any extra pressure on the new quarterbacks.

"It makes it extra special because no one is really worried about anything else," Nick said.

"In Hawai‘i you can't pick the Raiders or 49ers. You're a UH fan if you're here, and that is why everyone is on the same page," Nick said.

Giving quarterbacks time to adjust

One Warrior fan, UH education student David Abrams, believes people should give the new quarterbacks at least a year before they start criticizing.

 "It's going to take time for the new quarterbacks to adjust to NCAA football," Abrams said.

"In high school they may have only come up against one or two good players on defense. They now have a new playbook, new coaches and a new system," he added.

Abrams also believes the majority of Hawai‘i will not bash bad beginning performances.

"The Hawaiian public is very loyal to their teams," Abrams said. "Look at the Wahine Volleyball last year. No one expected them to go 30-1, but at the start of the season they were still getting the same crowds, even though the core of the previous team had used up their eligibility."

Abrams said Coach Jones should spread the quarterback job around evenly in the opening games to see who can handle different situations.

"Right now they should be doing whatever they have to do to win," Abrams said.

"But they need to stick with a quarterback after the first few games and give him a chance to get his feet wet," Abrams said.

Ferd Lewis of the Honolulu Advertiser echoed Abrams's sentiment by writing in a June 24, 2005 article that the media will be patient with the new quarterback.

Fans tailgate at the UH vs. USC game on Sept. 3. Photo by Andrew Affleck

Pessimistic UH fan blames poor recruitment

One lifelong UH fan is expecting results immediately. Michael Henders

on, a 42-year-old Manoa resident, believes the coaching staff has not recruited well in the past. He said the coaches are under the most pressure coming into this season.

"Timmy Chang could not play forever, and the coaches knew that," Henderson said. "It is now the first game of the season and there is no clear-cut starter."

He added, "They should have brought in a big quarterback two years ago and made him redshirt his first year. He could have had a year under Chang and been involved in tons of reps with the first team at practice.

"Instead of having a guy with three good years in front of him, we now have three or four unproven quarterbacks coming up against USC," Henderson said.

Henderson fears that the pressure from Hawaii's sports fans will be nothing compared to USC's defensive unit.

"These new quarterbacks are coming up against an amazing defense. Sadly, I think that USC will eat UH alive," he said.

However, Nick Rolovich isn't so sure.

"There's a good chance to beat USC," Nick said. "I don't think their defense is ready for our offense. The biggest problem they'll have is coming in overconfident, thinking they're better than everyone, and we'll feed off that. We'll thrive on it."

Jack Rolovich added that Hawai‘i has nothing to lose against their favored opponents.

June Jones' influence

Nick Rolovich also paid tribute to Coach Jones for giving the University of Hawai‘i the chance to play against stiff opposition.

"The greatest thing Coach Jones has brought here is the opportunity to prove that we can play with the big boys," Nick said. "Unless you're in the PAC 10 or a few other schools, we couldn't play USC, we wouldn't have Florida in the future, we wouldn't be going to Michigan State. All that stuff wouldn't be happening without Coach Jones. He understands what it takes to elevate to the next level."

Nick also believes that Saturday's game will be a great opportunity for Hawai‘i to show the nation that they will be a competitive football team this season.

"Everyone's going to watch USC, so everyone's going to watch Hawai‘i now."

For more information, visit the UH Athletics homepage.