What now, Coach McMackin?

By Fred Guzman
MauiNow.com

Your team is 2-2 for the season going into Saturday’s home game against WAC rival Fresno State following an unimpressive 27-6 road loss to Louisiana Tech before a national television audience last week.

And your starting quarterback, Greg Alexander, is out for the season after suffering a severe knee injury in that game.

Who will step in to try to turn around UH’s football season?

McMackin has designated Bryant Moniz as Alexander’s replacement. Moniz finished off the game at LaTech. So far this season, Moniz has completed 6 of 12 attempts for 145 yards with no TD passes or picks.

The third-year sophomore from Leilehua has impressed coaches since taking part in drills this spring.

As high school sophomore in 2004, Moniz led Leilehua to the state title game. As a freshman at Fresno City College in 2007, he completed 184 of 331 passes (55.6 percent) for 2,268 yards and 18 TD. He also rushed for two scores.

Moniz returned home and sat out last football season, enrolling at an Oahu community college before enrolling at UH in January.

Shane Austin is the immediate backup. Brent Rausch was the No. 2 QB until suffering a fractured right pinkie in his throwing hand. He will not be able to practice for a couple of more weeks.

Another option is former QB Inoke Funaki, who was converted to running back this season. Fuanki was the starting QB for UH in last year’s win at Fresno State. Last season, Funaki completed 100 of 173 passes for 1,184 yards and seven touchdowns.

A trio of freshmen quarterbacks — David Graves, Cayman Shutter and Corey Nielsen – are red-shirting this season.