When the University of Hawaii football team took attendance on Tuesday, quarterback Max Wittek’s hand was raised.

For the first Tuesday in four weeks, Wittek participated in a full practice, taking reps with the first-team offense.

“It’s been a while for me on Tuesdays,” said Wittek, who has suffered from ailments to both knees. “It felt good (to practice). Getting out here, I’ve got to get it going, ignore (the injuries). Ball is life, you know.”

In the week leading to last Saturday’s road loss to New Mexico, Wittek participated in light workouts on Thursday and Friday after sitting out the Tuesday and Wednesday practices. But on Friday night, it was decided that his sore knees — each requiring a brace — would not allow him to make his seventh consecutive start.

“It’s a communication process,” Wittek said, referring to his conversations among the coaches, athletic trainers and doctors. “At a certain point, you gotta put the team first. I just wanted us to have the best opportunity to win the football game.”

Wittek was upbeat despite not being able to help physically.

“We’re moving forward,” Wittek said. “If I’m on the sideline pouting, what does that do for my team? Nothing. I talked to Coach (Norm) Chow, and my job was to do everything in my power to help us win. From the sideline, it’s not that much, but I did what I could.”

Wittek and backup quarterback Beau Reilly relayed signals from offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who was calling plays from the coaches’ booth. Ikaika Woolsey completed nine of 12 passes in the first half, and finished with 195 passing yards. He led five scoring drives.

“The reason it helped me to be so enthusiastic was to see (Woolsey) having such a blast after some big plays that he made and just getting hyped up,” Wittek said. “That’s what it’s all about, man, him stepping in and making plays. That was great to see.”

Left guard Elijah Tupai also practiced with the first team on Tuesday. Tupai did not make the New Mexico trip because of a leg injury.

Meanwhile, for the second week in a row, defensive coordinator Tom Mason was able to switch an offensive player to defense. Last week, wideout Vasquez Haynes moved to free safety. On Tuesday, offensive lineman Eperone Moananu made his debut at nose tackle. Moananu, a true freshman from American Samoa, made every tackle in a four-play series during a team session. The only person to stop him was Chow, who made Moananu off limits to the media after practice.

“I thought he was going to be a big-time defensive player when we recruited him,” Mason said, “and then he got over to offense early, because that’s where we needed him first.”

How was Mason able to pry Moananu, whom many believe has the the potential to become an all-league offensive lineman?

“I’ve been paying Bailey,” Mason said.