Ten minutes after yesterday's afternoon practice, the Hawai'i football team's new starting quarterback — Bryant Moniz — was slinging in the rain.

"I love the rain," said Moniz, a 2007 Leilehua High graduate. "I'm from Wahiawa. All it does there is rain."

By the coaches' account, Moniz had a successful first practice as the successor to Greg Alexander, who underwent season-ending surgery Saturday. Alex-ander had tears in the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

"He's very attentive," quarterback coach Nick Rolovich said of Moniz. "I think he's excited about the opportunity."

Rolovich said Moniz has a strong arm, and his scrambling ability presents more offensive options.

"What he gives us is a little more athleticism," Rolovich said. "We need to get him dialed up with the base stuff."

In UH's practice system, the No. 1 quarterback takes two-thirds of the snaps in passing drills.

"You figure, the more reps you get, the better," Moniz said.

Head coach Greg McMackin marveled at Moniz's composure.

"He has a really relaxed demeanor, like the game is not going to be too big for him," McMackin said. "Every time I've seen him compete, he's under control, and you don't see that a lot."

Of his perceived calmness, Moniz said: "I guess I never thought I'd make it this far. There's nothing to lose. I already accomplished so much. Now it's all about having fun with your brothers on the field."

As a high school sophomore in 2004, Moniz led Leilehua to the state title game. As a Fresno City College freshman in 2007, he completed 184 of 331 passes (55.6 percent) for 2,268 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns.

"He's been successful everywhere he's been, and I expect him to succeed here," McMackin said. "I'm excited for him. He's got a great supporting staff. He has good receivers. And Rolo took the other guy to the top. There's no reason (Rolovich) can't take all of our quarterbacks to the top."

Entering Saturday's game against Fresno State, Shane Austin will be the No. 2 quarterback.

Inoke Funaki, who moved to running back at the start of spring training, will be available as the No. 3 quarterback in an emergency situation.

"I hope I have a good memory," Funaki said. "If they need me, I'll be there."

Brent Rausch, who was the No. 2 quarterback before suffering an injury four weeks ago, will need at least another week of rehabilitation. He is recovering from a fractured right pinkie on his throwing hand.

"The doctor told me two, three weeks," Rausch said, but "I'm going to shoot for next week. I'm a pretty fast healer. It didn't hurt too much today. We'll see how it goes."

Meanwhile, right tackle Laupepa Letuli said he will not be available to play this week. Letuli, a fifth-year senior, is suffering from an injured left knee.

Asked about his return date, Letuli said, "I'm hoping in about two weeks."

Adrian Thomas is scheduled to start at right tackle for the second consecutive game.

But defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga vowed to be ready. Meatoga, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle, was limited to five plays in the Warriors' 27-6 road loss to Louisiana Tech last week.

"I should be fine," Meatoga said. "I should be practicing soon."

FRESHMAN TO REDSHIRT

Once again, it has been decided that freshman linebacker George Daily-Lyles will redshirt this season.

That was the initial decision more than a week ago. But the following day, it was decided that the Warriors, who were short of linebackers, would need to activate Daily-Lyles. He also has impressed coaches with his work on special teams during practices.

But during a practice in Dallas two days before the Louisiana Tech game, Daily-Lyles suffered an injury to his right hamstring.

"That was a nice little surprise in Texas," Daily-Lyle said.

He did not play in the Louisiana Tech game.

Because Daily-Lyles has not played in a game this season, the choice was easy to redshirt.

"He missed four games, and now it will be five," McMackin said.

Daily-Lyles said: " I guess it's for the best. We have good linebackers, and I was going to be a backup, anyway. Now I can get a year under my belt to really learn the system."