Higgins contending for backup spot

LIHUE » The Hawaii football team went 102 miles to learn how close the competition is among its quarterbacks.

Taylor Graham, an Ohio State transfer, is the Warriors’ No. 1 quarterback, a ranking he should retain through this final week of spring training and into the summer. But Jeremy Higgins continues to be the X-and-O factor.

Higgins had another solid performance, this time in Saturday’s practice at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue. Higgins completed seven of eight passes for 67 yards in scrimmage-like drills. Higgins’ breakdown: 3-for-3 for 11 yards in 11-on-11 drills; 1-for-2 for 6 yards in red-zone plays, and 3-for-3 for 50 yards in the two-minute offense.

"He’s got a knack," offensive coordinator Aaron Price said. "He’s an intangible player. He has a great feel for the game. He moves the chains. He has a great football IQ."

Head coach Norm Chow’s plan this spring was to give most of the quarterback reps to Graham and Ikaika Woolsey. Both redshirted in 2012. Sean Schroeder, who started 11 games last year, is recovering from back surgery.

"Jeremy Higgins knows his role," Chow said.

While Graham and Woolsey are adjusting to the offense’s pace and evolution, Higgins has focused on footwork, hip movement and finding the open receiver.

"He knows the offense," Chow said. "He has a nice advantage because of that. He anticipates well."

Asked if Higgins is a contender for the No. 2 job, Chow said: "No question. Without question."

Chow added: "Come fall, we’ll evaluate what’s going on and do what we have to do."

"I’m having fun," said Higgins, who will be a fourth-year junior in the fall. He redshirted in 2011 after transferring from Utah State, then started a game last year.

"Last year was kind of stressful," Higgins said. "But it was a good learning experience being in that role. I’m sure I can run the offense. I knew I would get a shot, and when I did, I had to be ready and take advantage of that shot. I’m having a good time out here."

Graham is a participant in a step program designed to prepare him for training camp in August. Price emphasized 10 pass patterns during the first few spring practices. After that, specialty routes were added. This past week, Price added "bunch" plays in which receivers flood an area.

"We call it ‘pick stuff,’ " defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said of football’s version of the pick-and-roll. "They call it ‘bunch.’ "

For Saturday’s scrimmage, the pass-protection scheme was altered. Price said the change might have offered a false sense of security, which led to Graham sometimes holding the ball too long.

"He got stuck on some things," Price said. "When the wideout doesn’t get open, he has to make the smart decision and throw it away or tuck and run to put us in a better position for the next play."

Of the changes, Graham said: "It’s coming along."

Graham completed six of 16 passes, but four were dropped and one he threw away intentionally. Deduct those plays, and Graham was a decent 6-for-11, including 3-for-5 in the hurry-up offense.

"He needs the experience of live reps," Price said, a reference to Graham’s limited play at Ohio State and the redshirt year in 2012. "That’s why we put him in situations as much as we can. We’re trying to force the issue on him, put some pressure on him, put some strain on him, and make him react at game speed. It’s going to make him a better quarterback."

Graham said: "We’re trying to build our foundation and go from there. That’s what spring is for."