It is fitting that music blares during University of Hawaii football practices. The sounds accompany the game of musical quarterbacks.
The Rainbow Warriors continually shuffle the rotation behind No. 1 quarterback Max Wittek. Ikaika Woolsey, who started 12 of 13 games last year, has taken many of the No. 2 reps. This past week, freshman Aaron Zwahlen was second in the rotation. Beau Reilly, who redshirted as a freshman last year, also has had extended reps.
“We’re still a work in progress,” said offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who has not cemented plans at quarterback. “We still have a long way to go. We have to keep working and grinding and getting better.”
To be sure, this is a mature group. Woolsey is a junior, but he grayshirted in 2011 and redshirted in 2012. Reilly was on a church mission for two years before transferring to UH in 2014. Zwahlen completed his church mission in May.
Woolsey said he has worked on his timing against certain coverages and calmly deciphering defensive schemes while in the pocket.
“That’s what this game is about,” Woolsey said. “When you’re back there, you have to be in control. When things are flying around and a lot of things are going on at one time, you have to be able to calm down and slow everything down and process everything.”
Reilly, who is 6 feet 5, has gained 10 pounds and now weighs about 200. “It changes every day with the heat,” Reilly mused.
What has remained consistent is his approach. With the defense’s expanded blitzes and coverages in practices, Reilly said, “in our minds, naturally, we think we have to do extra stuff. (Bailey) sits in the film room and makes it simpler for us, and it makes it a lot more fun.”
Bailey said: “I think it’s the discipline of playing the position. We ask the same thing every time. We want them to do it over and over and over — with success.”
Bailey said Zwahlen is a “typical freshman. … Some days you look, ‘Ooh, he’s pretty good,’ and other days not so much. He’s trying to find his consistency.”
Williams gets No. 79
As a penalty for “goofing around,” inside linebacker Russell Williams was re-assigned jersey No. 79 in practice.
But he made progress to earning back No. 7 with his performance in scrimmage-like situations on Saturday. In a two-series sequence, he twice stopped a running back for no gain, broke up a pass, and recorded a sack.
“We’re all out there competing for a job,” Williams said.
Tupai finds inspiration
Offensive lineman Elijah Tupai found inspiration from a pep talk — with himself.
“I told myself ‘to get better. The only reason you’re not playing is because you need to get better,’ ” Tupai said.
Tupai has been practicing as the No. 1 left guard the past three days.
