The Hawaii football team’s starting quarterback will not be announced until at least Thanksgiving, coach Norm Chow indicated after Monday’s practice.

But Sean Schroeder is expected to be medically cleared after suffering concussion-like symptoms and re-emerge as the leading contender for the quarterback’s job.

Schroeder started the Warriors’ first nine games before ceding the job to Jeremy Higgins against Air Force last Friday.

Higgins played well in the first half, completing eight of his first 11 passes and leading the Warriors to their first opening-drive touchdown of the season. But he struggled in the second half — during which the Warriors did not make a first down — and was replaced by Schroeder.

Schroeder misfired on his five passes. On the last UH play, Schroeder was hit hard, and needed to be assisted to the sideline.

"Sean took a whack," Chow said.

Schroeder said: "I had a concussion."

It was not the first time Schroeder suffered concussion-like symptoms this year.

"I’ve had a couple," said Schroeder, who did not report them to the coaches, trainers or doctors. "That’s probably not the smartest thing."

Chow said: "He wanted to play so badly he didn’t report it. I told him: ‘You have to tell people when you have a headache.’ He said he had some headaches during the course of the year."

Schroeder passed ImPACT, the cognitive test, and is expected to be fully cleared today.

"We’re managing it," Schroeder said. "I think everything is cleared to go."

Chow said he will evaluate the position. Schroeder, Higgins and Cayman Shutter will split the reps in practices today and Wednesday.

Shutter missed all but four weeks of spring training after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. After agreeing to a no-contest plea, he was suspended for the first three games.

"I was a bit behind the other guys as far as timing, but that’s what happens when you miss some time, especially at quarterback," Shutter said. "It’s going to affect the rhythm."

But Shutter said he is up to speed, and now is comfortable with the multiple-set offense.

Even before the spring, Shutter, a Punahou graduate, had been overlooked in the mix. While Shutter has shown periods of effectiveness in practice, he would like to prove his skills in games.

"In practice, you can throw the nicest balls, but until you get on the field (in a game), you don’t know what you’re going to get as a quarterback," Shutter said. "The most important part of playing quarterback is intelligence and all of those intangible factors. You can’t measure that in practice. I think that’s my strength. Maybe it doesn’t show in practice."

While Shutter would like to play this week, he said: "We need a win. I think everybody in the state knows that. Nobody feels that more than this team. We’ll do whatever it takes to get that done."

Notes

» Wideout Darius Bright has decided to end his UH career to focus on family matters. "He said he’ll graduate (in December)," Chow said. "We parted ways amicably."

» Chow said running back Will Gregory’s status still is being reviewed. Gregory was held out of the Air Force game after he punched a Boise State player on a punt return a week earlier.

» With left guard Chauncy Winchester-Makainai ailing, Kapua Sai is working with the first team.