In 28 months as a Hawaii quarterback, Cayman Shutter has anxiously waited for the football coaches to yell: “Next.”

“I feel I’m ready to play,” said Shutter, a sophomore and 2009 Punahou graduate. “If the job were handed to me today, I feel I could go in and win games.”

Shutter is not likely to get that opportunity this week, although he has moved closer following Bryant Moniz‘s season-ending ankle injury.

Senior Shane Austin and sophomore David Graves are competing to succeed Moniz.

Shutter was promoted from No. 4 quarterback, where he took mostly mental reps, to No. 3, where he gets limited turns.

“It’s one step for me in the right direction,” Shutter said. “Of course, I’m not going to be satisfied until I’m really, really in the mix. I’m not quite there as far as the coaches’ decisions. I can’t do anything about that. All I can really focus on is my spot, and right now it’s to be ready to go in any situation.”

Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said Shutter has the ability and intelligence to lead the four-wide passing offense. But Austin has more experience, and Graves is viewed as a better scrambler.

“I feel fine by Cayman,” Rolovich said. “He’s been put in more of a difficult situation, but he’s continually fighting and being a good teammate. It’s great to have him.”

After practices and during the offseason, Shutter volunteers to throw passes and teach routes to inexperienced receivers. He can bench press a maximum 315 pounds, and bench 225 pounds 16 times. He also can dunk a basketball.

“He’s patient, works hard, and doesn’t waver from his approach,” Rolovich said.

Shutter said: “It’s something that’s not in your hands, so being overly emotional about a situation you can’t control is never going to lead to any personal success. I love all of these guys I work with, so it’s easy to come out here and be positive. But at the same time, when it’s my turn, and I get a shot, I’ll be more than ready to step in and take the offense with control.”

Pollard should play Saturday

Concerned that the cold conditions in Reno, Nev., last week would aggravate leg ailments, right wideout Royce Pollard was held out by the UH coaches.

Pollard said he expects to play Saturday against Fresno State.

“I’m ready to go,” said Pollard, a senior co-captain. “I’m not going to let my brothers down. I’m a senior. I’m not going to stand on the sideline with coulda, woulda, shoulda.”

Bright looking up

Despite foot and arm ailments, left wideout Darius Bright had three key catches against Nevada.

Rolovich said: “He isn’t 100 percent, but he’s giving us 100 percent.”