Hawaii QB race is too close to call

Tonight's Warrior Bowl at Aloha Stadium won't determine the Hawaii starting quarterback. But it will give Nick Rolovich more data to work with as he, offensive coordinator Ron Lee and head coach Greg McMackin evaluate the contenders.

Warrior Bowl Hawaii spring football game When: Today, 7 p.m. Where: Aloha Stadium.

As spring practice concludes, Inoke Funaki and Tyler Graunke remain locked in a tight battle. Rolovich, the first-year quarterbacks coach, charts every pass.

"They're very close," Rolovich said. "Both could probably use a little of each other. Tyler's the gunslinger, a little reckless sometimes. Inoke's conservative on his reads."

More competition arrives in the summer in the form of junior college transfers Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch. McMackin said both will get an opportunity to win the job.

Lee coaches the Black team, quarterbacked by Funaki. Lee's brother, Cal, the defensive coordinator, coaches the Green, quarterbacked by Graunke.

Tonight's running-time game that starts at 7 also spotlights many other players looking to improve their status.

"I actually don't have any backup, so I'll be digging deep," Green middle linebacker Mana Lolotai said. "It should be good, but it will be tough. There's a lot of guys without backups."

Walk-on cornerback MacArthur Cheek probably needs a monster game to avoid being cut, but the effervescent sophomore from New Haven, Conn., has the right attitude.

"I came out here last year, wanted to do something different, a new experience," said Cheek, who suits up for the Black squad. "This game is an opportunity to shine and show I can play. I've had the chance to learn some technique this spring. High school football was just run around and play."

If he gets cut?

"Just dust yourself off and try again," he said. "I'll have 10 months to work hard and give it a go again."

The parking lot opens at 4 p.m. and the Aloha Stadium gates swing wide at 5 p.m. for the free event.