At first, it appeared Brent Rausch wouldn't have to wait long to lead the Hawaii offense.

But through two full seasons, the waiting has persisted.

Dubbed the Warriors' starting quarterback early in his first fall camp coming out of junior college, Rausch instead spent his sophomore season as a backup. He emerged from another competition a year later with the No. 2 role only to have a hand injury sidetrack his season.

Now heading toward his senior year, Rausch continues working to climb up the depth chart, still hoping to make an impact with the Warriors in the time that remains.

“;It definitely made me a better person, a stronger person and it's good for me,”; Rausch said of his roller coaster career to date. “;I'm just waiting for God's plan.”;

Through two seasons, Rausch has thrown 14 passes in three appearances, the last coming in November 2008. Last year, a relatively innocuous play during a practice less than two weeks into the season resulted in a broken bone in his throwing hand.

When Greg Alexander suffered a season-ending knee injury two games later, Bryant Moniz stepped into the starting spot and held it for eight of the last nine games. Rausch, meanwhile, remained on the periphery while his hand healed and didn't take a snap in 2009.

“;It was hard to keep my head up,”; said Rausch, third in the quarterback rotation as of yesterday's practice. “;But I'm still here.”;

Rausch has endured to remain part of a quarterback competition altered over the weekend by Moniz's indefinite leave due to “;personal business.”;

“;Bryant Moniz is taking care of some personal issues and he'll be back on the team when he gets those taken care of,”; UH head coach Greg McMackin reiterated yesterday.

“;We just move on like we would if anybody goes down and it just gives the other quarterbacks more reps.”;

So far this spring, Rolovich has split the offense into two huddles, with the units alternating plays. Yesterday, junior Shane Austin and freshman David Graves led the first huddle, which included the more experienced receivers and linemen. Rausch and freshmen Cayman Shutter and Corey Neilsen rotated in the other huddle. The order can change with each practice, depending on performance.

“;It's fun, it makes it competitive. Everybody wants to be that top dog,”; said Austin, suddenly the most seasoned active quarterback with one Division I start. “;It makes us better and in the end it helps the offense as a whole.

“;One day you can be in the first huddle, and the second day you can be the No. 4 guy in the second huddle. It gives you a goal to shoot for.”;

And Rolovich is keenly aware of the importance of depth after a two-year stretch in which the Warriors have had five quarterbacks start games.

“;Any time your number one is not here it's going to have some kind of effect, we've got to minimize that effect,”; Rolovich said. “;We haven't had the most consistent quarterback stability in the first couple years I've been here so we have to have guys ready. This is football, things like this happen and you have to move forward.”;

While Austin has been first in the rotation in the last two practices, McMackin said the depth chart will begin to take shape with tomorrow's practice after the coaches review Saturday's scrimmage and yesterday's workout.

Graves, a dual-threat quarterback in high school, held the second spot yesterday having used his season on the scout team to adjust to the speed of college ball while studying the system.

“;I feel like I have it down on paper, but I just have to get out there and get reps and get timing down, see coverages quicker,”; Graves said. “;It's all going to come with time.”;

While not particularly satisfied with his performance on Saturday, Rausch had his moments in the scrimmage at Vidinha Stadium on Kauai, including a 47-yard touchdown pass to Darius Bright.

“;We just need consistency,”; Rolovich said of Rausch. “;I think he's taking it like this is his chance to do everything he can to get better and improve himself.”;

Injury report

Offensive tackle Kainoa LaCount was carted off the field with an ice pack on his knee after a teammate fell into him during an 11-on-11 period late in practice. Sophomore Levi Legay moved into his spot at right tackle with the first line to close practice.

If needed, current right guard Adrian Thomas could also shift to right tackle with Brysen Ginlack then stepping in at guard.

Laupepa Letuli, the starting right tackle last fall until a knee injury ended his season, is taking part in individual drills. UH offensive line coach Gordy Shaw said Letuli won't participate in team periods unless the NCAA grants him another year of eligibility. The coaches don't want to risk an injury that could hinder his professional pursuits if the appeal is denied.