Like many fans, Dru Brown is critical of the University of Hawaii football team’s starting quarterback.

The difference is Brown is the UH quarterback.

“I’m probably harder on myself than anyone,” said Brown, whose Rainbow Warriors play Massachusetts in Saturday’s regular-season finale. “At the end of the day, you know what you saw and what you did. You’ve got to be honest with yourself and critique yourself.”

Brown still is an exhaled breath shy of 6 feet, but he has grown as the leader of the Warriors’ offense.

“I threw with him in the summer when he first got here,” senior wideout Marcus Kemp said of Brown, who transferred from College of San Mateo in June. “He’s definitely grown. He’s got more confidence as the season has gone on. And he’s been able to make some better reads and better throws. I think his future is bright.”

The sophomore known as “Sunshine” said “life’s changed” since being promoted to No. 1 quarterback nearly nine weeks ago.

“I think coming in I was kind of reckless — I don’t know if reckless is the right word — but I didn’t have the discipline that’s needed to be played at this level,” Brown said. “As I’ve played and started a few games, I’ve figured out what I can and can’t do. I thank the coaches for getting on me about those things and staying on me throughout this whole journey.”

Earlier in the season, it appeared Brown trusted his scrambling more than the security of the pass pocket. Now Brown easily steps into the pocket when pressure intensifies. It was a bond developed with Brown and the offensive linemen spending time together.

“I know they’ve got my back in any situation, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Brown said. “That trust has gotten greater and greater every game … whereas in the beginning, I didn’t know as much when to get out of there and when not to. I just did what I knew since I was a kid, and I would just run. Again, the coaches stress it to me a lot to just trust them and trust my progression. I still have a lot of room to improve, but I think I’ve improved a lot.”

Brown has been efficient, being intercepted once every 39.3 passes — and only once in the red zone. Quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann has emphasized ball placement, even during pregame drills.

“Where I throw it, it all carries over to the game,” Brown said. “Ball placement can be the difference between a 20-yard, catch-and-run and a 10-yard, catch-and-run.”

He also has worked on his ball security. Of his seven fumbles this season, he has lost one in the past five games.

“Just protecting the ball is the name of the game,” Brown said, noting the coaches were helpful in changing the way he clutched the football during scrambles and keepers.

He also said this season’s “highs and lows” have helped team unity.

While the Thanksgiving meal is a tradition at his family’s home in Los Gatos, Calif., Brown said he looks forward to sharing the holiday with his teammates.

“No doubt,” Brown said, “this is definitely my extended family now.”