Meetings, video sessions and a light workout were the opening events Monday in the competition for the Hawaii starting quarterback job.

Head coach Greg McMackin said senior Shane Austin and sophomore David Graves will receive equal chances during this week’s practices to become the successor to the injured Bryant Moniz.

Moniz underwent surgery Monday for a fractured fibula in his right ankle. Barring a displacement, the usual recovery period is between four and six weeks.

After consulting with offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich and receivers coach Mouse Davis, McMackin decided that evaluating the situation is “the best thing to do.”

Although Graves was considered the position’s heir, after Moniz was injured in the first quarter of the 42-28 road loss to Nevada, Austin was summoned. Austin was 17-for-38 for 246 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted three times.

“We played Shane in the ballgame because he had more experience,” McMackin said, a reference to Austin’s 1-0 record as a UH starter. “We thought he’d give us a good chance to win. But David Graves is awfully good, also. We’re going to make the decision as soon as we can.”

McMackin emphasized he does not plan to rotate quarterbacks during Saturday’s game against Fresno State.

“We’re not going to have two game plans,” McMackin said.

He added: “We’re going to have one quarterback. We’re going to make the decision. That quarterback is going to play (the entire game) unless there’s a problem. … We want both of them to be ready. For the rest of the season, we have to have both ready to play.”

The perception is that Austin is the better passer and Graves the superior runner. Graves said he has been typecast as only a scrambler.

“I feel it’s always been that way,” Graves said. “I remember there was a high school I played. They were all talking smack in the newspapers before the game: ‘Your quarterback can only run.’ I played them and I threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns.”

Inspired by Joe Montana and Steve Young, the lifelong 49ers fan has played quarterback since he was 8. A broken foot cost him the starting job as a high school sophomore. After he returned, he was the starting slotback and backup quarterback.

“We have a whole bunch of ballers on the team,” Graves said of his preference to pass. “I want to get them the ball. When I drop back, I’m going to pass, unless something is not there. If it breaks down, I can run. But that’s the fifth progression. I’ll go 1, 2, 3, 4, and if nothing is there, I’ll run.”