Graves or Austin? Coaches won’t say till Saturday

The two-man competition has ended, but the Hawaii football team will not announce its starting quarterback until Saturday, when the Warriors play host to Fresno State.

“We’ll make a decision by game time,” head coach Greg McMackin said, then amending, “we’ll make a decision before then, but we won’t announce it.”

McMackin said he does not want to tip off Fresno State on the successor to Bryant Moniz, who will miss the rest of the regular season after fracturing his fibula near his right ankle. Moniz had surgery Monday.

David Graves, a sophomore from Folsom, Calif., worked with the first-team receivers during most of Thursday’s team drills against the first-team defense. But Graves still has been experiencing symptoms from a stomach virus — he threw up between drills and after practice — and conceded Thursday’s practice was not his best this week.

“But the other days I did fine,” Graves said.

Shane Austin, a senior from Camarillo, Calif., said he has not been told which way the coaches are leaning.

McMackin, offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich and receivers coach Mouse Davis are evaluating both quarterbacks.

“No clue,” Austin said. “It’s up to the coaches. It’s in their hands now.”

McMackin said: “They both looked good. They both have to be able to play.”

Thursday was the Warriors’ final full practice before Saturday’s game. There is a 1-hour walk-through session scheduled for this afternoon.

Graves said the virus, which he incurred during last week’s trip to Reno, Nev., has reduced his appetite.

“It doesn’t matter,” Graves said. “When game time comes, I’m a gamer. I’m going to go in there and make things happen.”

Austin said the offense was effective during the past two practices.

“I feel comfortable with both of us at quarterback,” Austin said. “I feel we can win with whoever’s out there. We can win with Cayman (Shutter, the No. 3 quarterback) out there. I think we have the best quarterback unit in the nation. We have a lot of talent. It’ll be good for years to come.”