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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 9, 2009

Warriors may call on Shutter


By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Quarterback Bryant Moniz, above, who will start tomorrow, will be backed up by Shane Austin, Inoke Funaki and Cayman Shutter.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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UH FOOTBALL

WHO: Hawai'i (2-2, 0-1 WAC) vs. Fresno State (1-3, 0-1)

WHEN: 5 p.m. tomorrow

WHERE: Aloha Stadium

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In case of a worst-case emergency, the Hawai'i football team will break a redshirt year.

The Warriors know about tough luck. Because of injuries, Bryant Moniz, a walk-on who opened the season as the No. 3 quarterback, will start against Fresno State tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.

Shane Austin is listed as UH's No. 2 quarterback, and Inoke Funaki, who moved to running back in April, will be available as a quarterback in an emergency situation.

Yesterday, Cayman Shutter worked with the first unit during team drills. Shutter, who graduated from Punahou School in June, had been set on redshirting this year.

Near the end of the session, quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich summoned Shutter.

"Is that my name?" Shutter recalled thinking. "Are they really calling my name?"

Shutter sprinted toward the huddle.

"I was running out there (while) trying to get my shoulder pads up," Shutter said. "I was a little bit flustered going in there. I didn't expect it. But once you wind up, it's football."

Shutter was admittedly tense.

"I hadn't thrown a pass since early on in the day," he said. "If you're going to play quarterback, you've got to be ready to go in at any time."

Shutter completed both of his passes — to slotback Kealoha Pilares on a double-out route, and to slotback Jon Medeiros on a sail pattern.

"It was a little bit high, but I made the catch," Pilares said. "And he thanked me for it. I was kind of surprised. He came into the locker room (after practice). I was butt naked. He said, 'Thank you for catching my pass.' "

Medeiros said: "He's young, and he's learning the system, but he's coming along. He had good, accurate throws. He understands the coverage pretty well. He has a good release."

Rolovich acknowledged that Shutter is the "emergency-emergency" quarterback.

Rolovich said the Warriors had finished their script of plays with Moniz and Austin.

"We wanted to see where (Shutter) is with the offense," Rolovich said. "We wanted to see how he would react."

It is unlikely Shutter will be needed. Brent Rausch, who was No. 2 before suffering a fractured pinkie on his throwing hand last month, might resume practicing next week.

But if Shutter is needed, he said he would be willing to forgo plans to redshirt.

"Of course," he said. "It's whatever the team needs. If they need me to go in there and step up, I'd definitely do that."

NOTES AND UPDATES

• "I'm officially back," said defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga, who was suffering from a sprained ankle. He was limited to five plays against Louisiana Tech.

• Freshman safety Mike Wadsworth continues to impress. He was the second-team strong safety in nickel coverage yesterday. He also blocked two kicks.

"He's been one of our most consistent special-team guys all year," said Chris Tormey, who coaches both the safeties and special teams. "He's just a good football player. He's not afraid. The more he plays, the more confidence he gets, the more productive he is."

Wadsworth is on the clock. After this season, he goes on a two-year mission for the Mormon church. He will return for the 2012 season.

• Right cornerback Jeramy Bryant left yesterday's practice because of an illness.