Inoke Funaki would have made Santa's good-guy list.

He did not cry. He did not pout. Heck, he was not even the least bit naughty.

And because he bit his mouthpiece — as well as played honorably in Hawai'i's 56-10 loss to Florida — Funaki will be the Warriors' starting quarterback in Saturday's home opener against Weber State.

"I was definitely surprised," said Funaki, who was told of the decision Sunday afternoon.

Entering in the fourth quarter as the third-string quarterback, Funaki completed 8 of 11 passes for 110 yards and the lone UH touchdown. He also directed a drive that ended with Dan Kelly's field goal.

Funaki had lost the starting job twice in the past three weeks — in the second week of training camp, when Brent Rausch was named No. 1, and the past Friday, when it was announced Greg Alexander would start in the season opener against Florida. Neither time did he display anger or discouragement.

"I was raised by my parents to be positive, to be supportive, even if you're not the guy," Funaki said. "I learned from my parents that you can still help the team, even if you're not on the field. This is our team. The enemy should be the other team. It can be self-destructive if you're fighting a war amongst your own team. You don't want that. Whoever has the job is going to be the representative for the rest of the team. Attitude determines altitude."

UH head coach Greg McMackin said there have been concerns about Funaki's perceived average arm strength.

"That's the knock on him, that he doesn't have a great arm, that he can't throw the out (pass)," McMackin said.

Alexander and Rausch are taller and have stronger arms. "That's true," Funaki said. "I try to do what I can do."

But in football parlance, Funaki is a "gamer." That was evident in the spring game, when he threw two scoring passes to lead the Green to a 24-20 victory, and against Florida.

Funaki has never been clocked running better than 4.7 over 40 yards. But against Florida, he eluded what is regarded as one of the nation's fastest defenses. He also made a powerful pass to Jovonte Taylor after out-running a blue-and-orange manhunt.

"He made a super throw," McMackin said.

Funaki admitted to playing with more intensity during games than in practices. Dan Morrison, the former UH quarterbacks coach, used to implore Funaki to practice with "more urgency." Quarterbacks are not allowed to be struck during UH practices.

"A lot of times, because I have the orange (practice) jersey on, I know no one can hit me," Funaki said. "I don't feel the urgency to get the ball off (quickly) or take off running. I notice, a lot of times in the game, they are going to whack me if I don't get the ball off. I feel that urgency, that whole adrenaline. Sometimes the adrenaline really kicks in and helps you, and you throw the ball farther than you normally do.

"That's definitely motivation when you have big guys chasing you," he added. "It's like when a dog is chasing you down the street. All of a sudden, you're booking it. All of a sudden, there's more of a sense of urgency."

During the spring, Funaki received tips from Vince Passas, the offensive coordinator at Saint Louis School. Another of Passas' students is Jeremy Higgins, Saint Louis' starting quarterback and the younger brother of Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins. Funaki said he used to watch Higgins' footwork.

"There's always something you can learn," Funaki said, "although I felt kind of awkward being the only college guy over there. I'm already the oldest guy on the college campus."

After leading Kahuku High to consecutive state championships, Funaki went on a two-year church mission. He redshirted in 2005, then served as the No. 3 quarterback the past two years. He is 25 — three years younger than UH quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich.

"I grew up with older sisters," said Funaki, whose car radio is set to adult-contemporary music. "That's my station. They play all of the oldies but goodies."

Funaki might be described the same way.