Jones upset Graunke didn't play
The UH coach admits he made a mistake by not putting the No. 2 QB into the Fresno game
There's no quarterback controversy on the Hawaii football team, and coach June Jones isn't in the habit of second-guessing himself.
But Jones did say he wishes he'd gotten No. 2 quarterback Tyler Graunke into Saturday's game against Fresno State, which the Warriors lost 27-13.
"I had gone into the game saying I was going to play Tyler Graunke the first series, the first first-down of the second quarter and let him play 10 or 12 plays," Jones said at his weekly news conference yesterday. "And I shot myself for not doing that. Because he needs the experience, too. ... And that's my fault, that's where I made a mistake. And I even told Tyler before the game he was going to play and then I didn't do it."
Graunke is a second-year freshman who went into the season as UH's starting quarterback. He was replaced by third-year sophomore Colt Brennan, who has established himself as one of the most accurate passers in the nation.
Graunke played a few downs each game after losing the starting spot until two weeks ago when he did not get into the San Jose State game.
"(Jones) told me he was going to try to let me run a little bit (against Fresno State). He
asked me if I was ready. I said, 'Hell, yeah.' But the offense was doing well," Graunke said. "Of course, I'm gonna be disappointed, but any given play I could be in there, so I have to keep my head up and be ready."
Jones has a history of playing his No. 2 quarterback in the middle of games. He has used Shawn Withy-Allen and Jason Whieldon in that role in previous years.
"I have to do that because he's one play away from being the guy and he ain't ready to play either. I've got to get him ready," Jones said. "And it might have helped us. That moment might have settled (Brennan) down, let Colt watch it from the sideline a little bit. But I don't have any disbelief that Colt Brennan is going to be a great quarterback."
Graunke said he might request a position change for next season.
"I have thought about that a lot. I haven't made any decision on that. I feel like I could play receiver or defensive back," said Graunke, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. "But I came here to play quarterback, and I'll do what the coaches think is best for the team. I'm hoping for anything as long as I can get on the field. If they let me do special teams next year .... see where it takes me."
Graunke has completed 22 of 44 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. He has rushed 18 times for 56 yards.
Return of Peters: Senior safety Leonard Peters said yesterday he could return to practice as soon as this week.
The Warriors' leading tackler last season suffered a knee sprain in the season-opening game against USC.
"I'm just waiting for clearance from the doctor, and it could be this week," Peters said.
Something new, something old: Jones said he didn't know yet which road uniform the Warriors would wear at Nevada on Saturday. As of yesterday, his choices were the white jerseys with silver numbers that are hard to see, or the easy-to-see black numbers on baggy jerseys.
"I haven't talked to Al (equipment manager Ginoza)," Jones said. "We won't even take them if they're not tapered."
