IU's Hamdan ready for chance as quarterback
Hoosiers make a change early in the season for the 2nd year in a row.
September 13, 2002
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- No one was surprised two weeks ago when Tommy Jones was named the opening-game starter at quarterback for the Indiana University football team.
No one, that is, except Gibran Hamdan.
Hamdan, a fifth-year senior, said he believed he had earned the job and was disappointed when informed he would be relegated to the role of backup. He questioned whether his chance would ever come.
As it turned out, he didn't have to wait long.
After six quarters and 22 offensive possessions with Jones at the helm, IU coach Gerry DiNardo decided he had seen enough. DiNardo is now ready to give Hamdan the opportunity to show what he can do.
Hamdan played the entire second half last week against Utah, and will start at quarterback Saturday for the Hoosiers at Kentucky. Hamdan completed 17-of-34 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
"I don't really think you can critique someone in that situation because it is not a totally real situation," DiNardo said of Hamdan's performance against the Utes. "He had a couple of turnovers, one he definitely could have avoided. But we made some third down conversions, and he seemed to have command of the offense."
Command of the offense is the critical area that DiNardo and offensive coordinator Al Borges are searching for when they look at which quarterback will guide the Hoosiers the final 10 games.
Jones suffered a mild concussion in the first half Saturday but his struggles began at the start of the second half of IU's season opening 25-17 victory over William & Mary.
In Jones' past 14 drives, a span that includes the second half against William & Mary and the first half against Utah, IU has gained just 142 yards on 45 plays, a 3.2-yard average. Take away a six-play, 80-yard drive against Utah, and the average gain falls to 1.6 yards per play.
Hamdan led seven possessions against Utah, and was able to move the ball before making a few costly interceptions. Still, in six of the seven drives, IU gained at least 15 yards.
Hamdan said he isn't relieved his opportunity finally has arrived.
"I'm confident and excited," Hamdan said. "I don't feel relief like it's just such a great thing that I finally get my opportunity. That's not it at all. It's more that this is my opportunity to lead this team, and this is what I've been waiting for. I just want to show everybody what I can do and hopefully I can lead this football team to some wins."
Hamdan will start and be backed up by either freshman Graeme McFarland or Allen Webb. Jones didn't practice either Tuesday or Wednesday and won't play against the Wildcats. He was not available to the media this week.
Hamdan knows it won't be easy. Last week, the Utes defense went after him from the first play of the second half. Now comes a Kentucky team that in the season opener against No. 17 Louisville had 19 knockdowns, three sacks and 12 hurries.
"I got a pretty good glimpse of what I can expect in the second half last week," Hamdan said. "They really came after me, but that's part of the position. And that's one of the things I enjoy. Nothing is more gratifying than throwing the ball with a guy in your face. He slams you to the ground, he thinks he made a great play, but you completed a 20-yard ball.
"I know (Kentucky) is going to come after me. It's my first start. If I was their defensive coordinator, I'd come after me, too."
