WARRIORS FOOTBALL
UH QB competition yields mixed results
Facing a defense for the first time in fall camp yesterday produced mixed results for the Hawaii quarterbacks competing for the starting job.
Inoke Funaki, Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch split the repetitions and combined to complete 15 of 18 throws in the 7-on-7 period. But the defense had the advantage in the 11-on-11 team periods.
"We've been doing 7-on-7s out here all summer, but when you get into practice the intensity picks up and speed picks up," Alexander, a junior, said.
UH head coach Greg McMackin said he plans to settle on a starter two weeks into camp and yesterday's session starts the process of sorting out the race.
"Seven-on-seven was much better than team for us," quarterback coach Nick Rolovich said. "It tells us they understand it conceptually, but now you throw a rush in front of them, that kind of threw them off so that's something we need to work on.
"We needed the competition," he added. "Now we'll see separation. The grade sheets have been fairly even so far."
Funaki, Alexander and Rausch are the leading contenders, while senior Tyler Graunke sorts out an academic issue in hopes of rejoining the team.
The 7-on-7s actually opened with linebacker Blaze Soares intercepting a pass from Funaki.
But Funaki recovered and later connected with senior slot receiver Mike Washington on a deep slant for one of the offense's highlights of the team period.
"A lot of the newcomer guys were stepping up and making good throws, new receivers making great catches," Washington said. "It was just good to see the offense click so early."