New coach Greg McMackin's era definitely has its own flavor from predecessor June Jones. It was evident at the University of Hawai'i football team's first day of spring practice yesterday.

After years of lining up in shotgun formation, veteran quarterbacks Inoke Funaki and Tyler Graunke lined up under the center. But they weren't the only ones moving closer to the line of scrimmage. Kealoha Pilares, who led the team with 388 yards rushing last season at running back, is getting a look at slotback. While credited with 26 receptions last season, most were on shovel passes (for statistical purposes) that were essentially running plays.

Funaki, a junior, and Graunke, a senior, groomed in the shotgun having been in Jones' program the longest, were trying to make the adjustment.

"I think it's a little more difficult because our feet are moving faster and we have to stop quicker and set up and you're off balance and what not," said Funaki. "Where in shotgun, you're more comfortable. You just catch the ball and take a couple steps and throw the ball."

The idea of taking the snap under center is to give the running game more presence. As a result, the threat of the run should aid an already lethal passing attack.

"I see a lot of advantages in shotgun, but under center is going to help our running game," said Graunke. "It's going to set up our play actions. It's going to keep (defenses) true to the run because we're going to have a lot of running backs who can get it done. We're known as a passing team, so we're going to have defenses kind of confused as to what we're going to do. It's going to make our offense more complete."

Funaki weighed the pros and cons of setting up against the center. While the shotgun provides him a better view of the defense, he said, "it's good in that we get the ball right away. You can keep (your) eyes downfield on what's going on defense. We don't have to take our eyes off of the defense to catch the ball (from shotgun)."

Both QBs haven't lined up behind center since their high schools years. But they're willing to make the adjustments to make the offense — still a pass-oriented run-and-shoot — work.

"It's a little hard," Graunke admitted. "I'm working on things that I haven't done since high school. It's a little awkward, but I see some good things. Even if we go under center the whole time, we'll get it done, running or throwing."

Funaki enters spring ball as the top quarterback, even though Graunke was the No. 2 to Colt Brennan, who graduated after last season. Graunke had been suspended from the team, but was reinstated in time for spring workouts. But Funaki understands that it's only spring ball and that there are still incoming QBs when summer workouts begin.

"It's nice to see that the coaches have that kind of confidence," Funaki said of being No. 1 in spring. "I'm trying to do my best to contribute to this team. Everyone's working hard because coach Mack said (positions are) wide open. Everybody's working hard and pushing everybody to get better."

Graunke admits he squandered a golden opportunity with his team-imposed suspension.

"When I was suspended, I was definitely down in the dumps," Graunke said. "But at the same time, I knew I was going to be back for spring ball. I got a lot to prove. I got a lot of people doubting me probably right now, but I'm looking forward to getting everybody back behind me."

On his suspension: "My record didn't look too good and there was some things I needed to take care of academically and things from upper campus from years back that never got erased. Those things weren't going away and I had to take care of it before the end of the semester. Coach McMackin made me get it done before I got back on the team. It's going to be all right."

The QBs aren't the only ones making adjustments. Even Pilares is moving closer to the line of scrimmage as a slotback. Though Pilares is athletic enough to make the change, he's discovered the slot is also a cerebral position.

"There's a lot more to learn," he said. "It forces you to think on your toes. You really don't know what you're doing right off the line. You have to take your steps, read and react after that. So overall, it's a harder position to play."

Meanwhile, the Warriors welcomed back redshirt freshman QB Kiran Kepo'o, the only southpaw among the five quarterbacks at practice. He said he was just recently cleared by doctors to practice following a bicycle accident in September.

"It's always a good feeling to be back with the boys on the field, especially after missing all of last season. I kind of took multiple steps back, but I'm trying to work my way back into it. I'm not trying to rush it or anything, but basically I'm trying to get back into the motion of things."

Since the accident, he said he was unable to do any physical workouts. He started training in February, working out with Saint Louis School offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Vince Passas.

"Of course, the boys (teammates) have been supporting me," Kepo'o said.