Most signs point to Woolsey as UH’s starting QB
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
UH quarterback Ikaika Woolsey participated in passing drills on Saturday.
While it can be stressful preparing for the coming football season, University of Hawaii quarterback Ikaika Woolsey likes to chill.
He regularly undergoes whole-body cryotherapy during which he is submerged from the neck down in a cryo-cabin that is refrigerated to sub-zero temperatures. The two-minute treatment for aches, Woolsey said, “is like a cold tub, but not as painful as a cold tub.”
A decision on UH’s quarterback situation, like Woolsey’s WBC treatments, is on ice. Head coach Nick Rolovich and his offensive assistants will review video of Saturday’s 94 scrimmage-like plays before paring the quarterback rotation. Woolsey, Aaron Zwahlen, Beau Reilly, Dru Brown, Cole Brownholtz and Cole McDonald divided the snaps on Saturday.
Most signs point to Woolsey, a senior and the only quarterback on the roster who has played in an NCAA game, as the leading contender for the No. 1 job. “I don’t think (Woolsey) has done anything to take himself out of the competition,” Rolovich said, smiling.
Woolsey took the first turn in every quarterback rotation on Saturday. Woolsey and McDonald, a true freshman, each led four series. The other four quarterbacks played three drives apiece. Woolsey was accurate from the pocket (16-yarder to wideout Ammon Barker on a slant) and on the move (13-yarder to Davine Tullis). Woolsey also twice bait-and-switched the defense when he pulled back a handoff to Paul Harris running left and then sprinted to his right.
“In this offense, it’s a full-field read,” Woolsey said. “You’re not just reading one side. You’ve got to read the front side and the back side. Obviously, you have to look all over the field and be smart with the ball.”
Rolovich said Woolsey displayed “good leadership” in directing teammates before the play. Controlling the huddle, Rolovich said, “is an incredible factor for quarterbacks.”
The junior-college transfers — Brownholtz and Brown — had their moments. Brownholtz fired completions to slotback John Ursua and Ammon Barker to advance to the 27. Earlier in the drive, Harris ran a draw up the middle. The Rainbow Warriors called the same play, but while the defense stormed the tackle box, Brownholtz kept the ball and then lofted a pass to Ursua. But Ursua had a slow break and could not grab Brownholtz’s pass in the end zone.
“It was very frustrating for me,” Ursua said.
On the ensuing drive, Ursua caught a pass from Brown, slipped a tackle and raced 44 yards for a touchdown.
“Our job as receivers is to make big plays,” Ursua said. “If you let one down, you have to get it back the next time. All we can do is focus on the next one.”
Brown said: “It’s nice to get (Ursua) the ball in space. He can do so many things.”
Rolovich was relatively pleased with the production of the first week of training camp.
“I know there’s more in us,” Rolovich said. “They have more to give. I know we can play better. I know we can play smarter. They have to get to that point where they say, ‘I do have more to give.’ We’ll continue to stress that and make it harder on them.”
41 responses to “Most signs point to Woolsey as UH’s starting QB”
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Ikaika certainly does have an edge in experience, but also believe UH football also need a change of scenery at QB to give the fans some new excitement. If Ikaika wins the starting job, than he must show something early, as UH has seen him these last couple years & don’t feel he’s the QB to bring back fans to the game, but if he starts winning & show strong production, fans will comeback.
Ikaika is the only true hybrid QB returning. In order to successfully run the pistol/read-option, you need a hybrid QB, not a pro-style. He has problems with the long ball but the Run and Shoot is a short, quick, passing game concept. Rolo successfully coached both in UH and Nevada, we should trust his Judgment.
First of all, Woolsey has never proven to be a hybrid QB, much less a QB of any quality in any system. Second, Gabriel and Robinson from the UH past proves you don’t necessarily need a QB fluent in any specific system. What you need is a heady QB who makes good decisions and execute when it counts (attributes Woolsey has totally failed to excel in). Third, jury on Rolo’s ability to coach is still out as his track record at UH and Nevada is spotty at best. I’m all for his hiring and think it was a good one but his “success” is still to be determined.
excellent comment on Woosley and Rolovich……you are so right on both individuals.
Showing something early is going to be difficult as UH most likely will be at 1-3. Ironically, the most crucial game of the year will be conference opener at home against Rolo’s former school, Nevada. An upset win sets the team up for a decent conference record, a loss probably puts the team in a 1-5 hole with UNLV, New Mexico, and Massachusetts as only other remaining games UH may be favored to win. At worst, UH should be 4-9, beat Nevada and UH has legitimate shot at 6 wins (counting one road win). Anything more than that, it’s like winning the lottery.
I was at practice yesterday and Ikaika looked the best. He really did all the things as a 5th year senior should do and that which you expect from a senior. However, each camp Ikaika looks good but does not bring the same performance from the practice field to the game. Maybe this season will be different. If not, Rolovich needs to make a change quickly. To fail is one thing, but to fail with the same quarterback is another.
They got to put Beau on steroids so he can play offensive line. I don’t think I can handle seeing him on the sideline for another year.
the more things change….
I attended yesterday’s practice and Ikaika was clearly the more confident quarterback. Zwahlen has the best arm and pocket presence but lacks confidence and experience. The other quarterbacks showed flashes and made some nice plays but It’s Ikaika’s job to lose at this point.
If Ikaika is the front runner of the eight quarterbacks, UH is in trouble.
Yup, but it is what it is. A proven QB who has never shown to be a legit Div.1 starting QB (based on facts) beating out 7 others (well, maybe 3 others) does not bode well, not just for this year, but the future of the most important position in football. Just imagine, all the young QBs on the roster not being able to come close to a sub-standard QB. Hey, me and my six other season ticket holders will be there on opening night and we wish nothing but the best for the team. Just don’t expect much for this season as it’ll take couple of years to, hopefully, see some athleticism and speed return to the team and move beyond the limited and restricted recruiting the previous regime engaged in.
Agree.
Watcha gonna do it is what it is period. Have to go with what you have and deal with it and make plays suited for the personnel available.
Woosley may look good at practices, but he doesn’t perform well during real games. Maybe one of the quarterbacks will be like Rolovich was…a backup that sat on the bench and then lit it up when it was his chance to play in a game.
Geezus, after 20 yrs. in the system, I would imagine Ikaika would be the most experienced QB….as most of the other QB’s are entering UH or were red-shirted….I would think Ikaika can translate his experience in practice to the actual game…I’m not too confident in Ikaika but ….oh, well, Rolo recruited him many yrs. ago so I guess he had to put his faith in his recruit but therre’s not too many people confident in Woolsley that’s for sure….when I say 20 yrs. im just been sarcastic because it seems he’s been there forever…ha..ha…ha..
Everyone is entitled to some mistakes so I wouldn’t use recruiting Woolsey against Rolo, not yet anyway. What happens this year and the recruiting that follows will determine Rolo’s future success.
If Woolsey had the opportunity actually to play for Rolo the last few years things would probably be different.
Probably not as he doesn’t pass the eyes and smell test no matter who is the head coach. As they say, you can put a lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.
If you chose better parents you would probably be a less bitter person.
Sarcastic? Good one Mr. Trump almost took you seriously. At least you didn’t wait a day. Anyway it’s up to the coaches to coach them up and do their job.
Wow, you figured out what a coach is without looking it up in a dictionary? Brilliant, maybe you should have explained to NC what a coach is.
The one thing about Woolsey is that he has always been somewhat decent in practice. When the lights come on however…and attacking defenses are on his butt, he crumbles and makes really errant throws. His frustrations will get the better of him and before you know it, he has no touch on his passes. He’ll be firing uncatchable bullets on short routes and overthrown bombs on the long routes. He has always had physical tools. Mentally, I hope he has improved.
Ikaika should do fine as long as he stays healthy and the o-line can protect him. With all they have invested into him all these years and all the experience under his belt, he’s as ready as any QB can be. With the lack of experience of the other QBs on the roster in regards to real game experience, expect Ikaika to start and also mentor his fellow QBs to get them ready to play the next season. If you look at most teams, usually they have a very crappy year if they need to break in a rookie QB and throw them in the fire right away, and UH doesn’t have to worry about this this season.
We all need to remember several facts before “bashing” Ikaika:
A) The system Norm ran was not the right system for the team.
B) Norm’s initial Coaching staff made absolutely no sense at all.
C) Rolo’s coaching staff makes sense; stability and continuity moving forward
D) How many Offensive Coordinators did Ikaika have in Norm’s tenure…???
E) In all fairness our receivers have dropped a lot of catchable balls
Hopefully the OL has depth (16 of ’em) and stays healthy, WR Coach Kefense Hynson
says we could have one of the best outside receivers group in the MWC,
( http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2016/8/6/football-experienced-outside-receivers-unit-looking-for-big-plays-in-2016.aspx?path=football ), and the 7 RBs can hold on to and move the ball.
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
System doesn’t make a QB throw as bad or make a QB have happy feet or make a QB unable to go through more than a single progression. That’s just lack of talent. Want examples? Gabriel and Robinson excelled in systems not “suited” to their skill sets. It’s not “bashing” when the criticisms are based on well documented facts.
So are items A-B-D …
Part of your perceived faults is due to inability of Woolsey to deliver even a hint of good quarterbacking when given the chance (and he had ample chances). Good ones make the most of an opportunity when given, not the worst.
Hey “Oxtail” … when they hold tryouts next year get your sorry A$$ out there and see if you can do better. You’re a First Team All-American when it comes to bashing people. Give the “Brother” a chance in this new system … I will say if he goes back to his “old ways” by the time the MWC season starts “Rolo” should start looking @ #2
Unfortunately, Woosley main problem is when under the pressure of a real game, his old bad habits resurface, despite all the years of experience, like he has a hard time “hitting the side of a barn”, panics and runs too early, stares down his receivers, etc. The coaches need to find some way to work on the psychological aspect of his regression during game time, perhaps with someone trained in this area that works with athletes.
Woolsey just needs everyone around him to do their part and the confidence he gains will take it the rest of the way. Everyone needs confidence. Ask all you lousy golfers.
I’ m curious as to how many of you have personally met Woolsey and if so have you conveyed your thoughts to him about his lack of skills as a quarterback? Is posting comments on this blog equivalent to talking behind his back instead of to his face?
How is personally meeting him going to change the stats that point out his lack of skills? Why don’t you personally meet with Norm Chow while you’re at it and turn him into a great coach.
Everyone around him supposed to gain confidence from the play of their leader which sure isn’t the case with Woolsey at QB. My golf game doesn’t suck because of lack of confidence, I just suck at it, much like how Woolsey sucks at being a top QB.
Your logic is outstanding and duly noted.
What’s your HDCP … ???
By the way Jim Furyk shot a 58 today … that magic number … I’ve done that lots of times this year … for 9 holes …
Than you should have a good idea of Woolsey’s lack of skills and how it’s not going to change much.
My mental hdcp is too high to measure. My golf game goes from mid 90s to mid 100s.
Not a good sign. Another woeful season.
Amazing that no one can beat woolsey out. Hoping this means he’s improved or has a playbook that will better suit his style of play.
This is a rebuilding era (not just year) that will take awhile to undo all the recent missteps with the team. Putting the only QB with D1 experience first and giving him a shot is a legitimate strategy with nothing to lose. Sure everyone wants a dramatic turnaround and dreams about it but the reality is we’re looking at another basement dwelling season. That’s totally fine with me as long as we’re at least showing improvement and competitiveness throughout the season. Almost everything is new this year so of course you’re going to have growing pains. That’s fine as long as UH is growing.
There are some on this board that only feel strongly about an individual on the team or that one player will ruin all chances or show that we are so weak that the end is nigh. What that really shows is a lack of understanding team sports in general. Rather sad.