After guiding Hawaii to a near-historic comeback, quarterback Sean Schroeder still awaits a decision on whether he will start in Saturday’s football game against San Jose State.
UH coach Norm Chow said a decision will be based partially on the availability of quarterback Taylor Graham, who started the first three games but did not play against Fresno State this past Saturday because of a subluxation of his left (nonthrowing) shoulder.
Graham, if healthy, "probably" would reclaim the starter’s job, Chow said.
"That’s fair, isn’t it?" Chow said.
Graham did not practice last week. His left arm was in a sling during the Fresno State game.
Ikaika Woolsey, a freshman, made his first career start on Saturday. Woolsey’s final play was cornerback L.J. Jones’ 56-yard interception return for a touchdown that widened the Bulldogs’ lead to 42-3 with 6:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Schroeder then entered, sparking a surge that nearly rewrote the NCAA record book. In the next 13 minutes and 24 seconds, Schroeder threw three scoring passes and directed two other touchdown drives to draw the Rainbow Warriors to 42-37 with 7:51 to play. Schroeder was 10-for-14 for 256 yards during that span.
But the Warriors failed to score on their final two possessions, with Jones intercepting Schroeder’s Hail Mary pass as in the final seconds. If UH had won, it would have set the NCAA record for overcoming the largest deficit.
Schroeder finished 17-for-27 for 321 yards.
Chow said the quarterback situation will be resolved this week after determining Graham’s status and deciding which role Schroeder serves best.
During last week’s debates, it was finally decided that Woolsey, despite not starting a game since his senior year of high school in 2010, would receive the first UH snap. Woolsey’s powerful arm can stretch defenses, and his elusiveness can ease the burden on the offensive line.
Chow said if Woolsey struggled, he wanted a more experienced quarterback in the wings. Schroeder is a fifth-year senior who started 11 games in 2012 after transferring from Duke.
"You want to bring in Mariano Rivera," Chow said. "You want the veteran."
Chow acknowledged Woolsey deserves more than a one-week look. Woolsey was 7-for-19 for 56 yards. He was sacked five times.
"I’m not going to give up on Ikaika," Chow said. "I thought he did some nice things. He brings a little different presence to the team."
Chow said Woolsey appeared to press too much while trying to force big plays.
"Which is what you expect from a young man," Chow said. "That’s what you have to guard against. That’s what you have to teach not to do that. I told him: ‘Let the game come to you. You don’t have to take the game to them.’ "
Meanwhile, tight end Jordan Pu’u-Robinson faces a season-ending situation after suffering an injury to his left knee.
Chow said tight end Harold Moleni, who did not play because of a concussion, should be ready this week.
Chow said he is considering moving Craig Cofer, who has been playing defensive end, back to tight end.