SEATTLE — It is feared that, pending a further evaluation, backup quarterback Brent Rausch has a fractured pinkie finger on his throwing hand and might be lost to the University of Hawai'i football team for the season.

Rausch, who apparently sustained the injury in contact with a teammate's helmet in practice here Thursday, is scheduled to undergo a more extensive examination with a specialist next week in Honolulu, according to team officials.

Bryant Moniz, who waged a prolonged battle with Rausch for the backup job through fall camp, will be starter Greg Alexander's backup for today's game with Washington State.

Rausch had the little finger on his right hand in a splint yesterday as the Warriors held their final practice for today's game and will return home. Fourth-string quarterback Shane Austin arrived to take Rausch's place on the roster.

Rausch, a junior college transfer and junior, did not play in UH's opener against Central Arkansas and might be able to petition for a hardship year.

Moniz, a 2007 Leilehua High graduate, is a sophomore who quarterbacked Fresno City College in 2007. He passed for 2,268 yards and eight touchdowns for the Rams.

FLU PREVENTION: As UH left Qwest Field following its practice session yesterday afternoon, the Cougars were arriving for their walk-through. When two members of the WSU entourage were spotted with cotton masks, some Warriors chanted, "Swine flu ... swine flu ... "

There has been a flu outbreak in Pullman, Wash., home of Washington State, where more than 2,000 students have reported flu-like symptoms, according to reports.

Even before reports of the WSU situation, UH officials said they were advising the Warriors to take precautions on the current and upcoming road trips.

"This is an 11-day road trip so we want them to practice good health," said team physician Andrew Nichols.

"The Washington State situation has been a wake-up call for everybody that this isn't necessarily something that is going to hit in January. Schools that are in session now are already feeling it."

Nicholas said hygiene meetings have been held with the team to promote health, and hand-wash containers have been placed in team areas.

Nicholas said, "trainers and staff will be more diligent about identifying people who may be sick and isolating them."

PARALYZED COUGAR TO ATTEND: Cory Mackay, a Washington State defensive end who was paralyzed in a May highway accident, may join the Cougars in the locker room and on the field for today's game.

Mackay, who is from nearby Redmond, Wash., will attend the game with his parents.

HERE'S AN OFFER: UH has offered scholarships to "some" players in the Seattle area, head coach Greg McMackin said.

He said assistant coach Chris Tormey has "already been to four of five schools (here)" and five UH coaches were fanning out to attend area high school games last night.

"I think it is a great thing to play here (at Qwest) so the kids can see us play," McMackin said. "There are some good players, Polynesian players here that we're interested in."

To that end, McMackin said, "we'd like to play the University of Washington as much as we can."

UH, which played UW in 2007, is scheduled to play the Huskies in Seattle in 2011.

JUST LIKE HOME: The Seattle forecast for today is for temperatures in the low 80s.