Taylor Graham wants to play and is preparing as such.

That said, he knows if the Hawaii offense is clicking, his chances of getting on the field diminish –and he’s OK with that.

"I want this team to be successful whether I’m playing or not,"Graham said. "Of course, I want to be in there, but right now my role is to support and encourage and help out whoever’s in there and I’m going to continue to do that."

Such is life for a backup quarterback and Graham, who started three games last year, is staying ready while serving a reserve role behind starter Ikaika Woolsey.

Jeremy Higgins’ season-ending injury to his throwing hand pushed Graham to second on the depth chart and he made his first appearance of the season at Colorado.

With UH’s offense struggling to sustain drives, head coach Norm Chow went to the bullpen in the second half of the Rainbow Warriors’ last two contests and Graham will be the proverbial next man up for Saturday’s game against Rice in Houston.