Graham to get extended reps at QB

The University of Hawaii football team will use this bye week to rehabilitate injured players and sort the quarterback situation.

Backup quarterback Jeremy Higgins, who started the second half of Saturday’s 21-12 road loss to Colorado, has been diagnosed with a fracture in his left (throwing) hand. Higgins will need, at the least, several weeks to mend. Higgins has served as the primary backup to starting quarterback Ikaika Woolsey.

UH coach Norm Chow said Woolsey remains No. 1 despite being pulled in each of the past two games.

Chow acknowledged that Woolsey is athletic and has a strong understanding of the Rainbow Warriors’ offense. But Chow said: "There has to be some productivity involved."

In four games, Woolsey has completed 45.9 percent of his passes for 631 yards. He has one touchdown pass and one interception. He was 9-for-20 for 56 yards when he was pulled against Colorado. After re-entering, he completed an 8-yard pass.

In Higgins’ absence, Taylor Graham will get extended reps.

Graham is a fifth-year senior who was at Ohio State for two seasons before transferring to UH in January 2012. He is considered Chow’s first UH recruit. Chow was hired in December 2011.

Graham started the first three games last year before suffering a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He was used sparingly the rest of the season, and underwent shoulder surgery in December.

It appears Beau Reilly will be promoted to No. 3 quarterback.

Reilly initially signed with Colorado State before going on a two-year church mission. His brother, Trevor Reilly, a former Utah linebacker who now plays for the New York Jets, recommended Reilly to the UH coaches in November. CSU granted Beau Reilly a release from his commitment. The Mountain West Conference ruled Reilly would be eligible to play this season.

Reilly has been on the scout offense during practices this year.

Former USC quarterback Max Wittek, who is redshirting in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, has been the scout quarterback. Reilly has been used as a tight end and wideout when the scouts go against UH’s top defense.

But Reilly has taken reps during quarterback drills.

"He doesn’t get many opportunities," Chow said of Reilly, "but he is going to have to step it up, too."

In the Colorado game, the Warriors played without six starters: running back Joey Iosefa, tight end Jordan Pu’u-Robinson, outside linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams, inside linebacker Tevita Lataimua, safety Trayvon Henderson and nickel corner Nick Nelson.

"It’s at the right time," Chow said of this weekend’s bye preceding the Oct. 4 road game against Rice. "We’ve been through four tough weeks. We’re beat up. I’m not a big bye guy. I generally don’t like byes. But this one fits."

The Warriors will have meetings and weight-training sessions today and Tuesday. They will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.