Even after being eliminated from post-season consideration following Saturday's 38-28 road loss to Nevada, Hawai'i coach June Jones refused to acknowledge what has long been apparent: this is a rebuilding year.

With new starters at the six ball-handling positions on offense, and a defense adjusting to coordinator Jerry Glanville's new 3-4 scheme, the Warriors have won three of nine games overall and are 3-4 in the Western Athletic Conference. With three games remaining, they cannot finish with a winning record, an NCAA bowl-eligible requirement.

"I knew we had a lot of talent to compete," Jones said. "We have a lot of young players, and sometimes you don't know how they'll react to a situation. But they've done a lot of good things this year. Sometimes I'm in awe watching the things Colt (Brennan, the quarterback) can do, and watching the things (slotbacks) Davone (Bess) and Ryan (Grice-Mullen) can do. They're awesome, and they're going to get even better. They're going to be fun to watch next year."

The Warriors blew a lead against Boise State and several scoring opportunities against Fresno State and Nevada. "If we win those games, we're not sitting here talking about a 'rebuilding' year,' " Jones said.

In the second half against Nevada, the Warriors made significant errors in three consecutive possessions. A wide-open Grice-Mullen failed to catch a pass that would have resulted in a touchdown, running back Nate Ilaoa fumbled shortly after catching a screen pass and Brennan was intercepted. The Wolf Pack parlayed the two turnovers into touchdown drives.

"That's a 21-point swing there," Jones said of the three mistakes.

Nevada was held to 1.2 yards per play on its first two drives. "We played 10 unbelievable defensive series," Glanville said. "Unfortunately, we had to play 14 unbelievable defensive series. ... We do a lot of good things, and then we shoot ourselves in the foot."

Jones said the Warriors will make few personnel adjustments for the WAC finale against Utah State Saturday and the non-conference games against Wisconsin and San Diego State. "We've already played everybody who's anybody and not injured or redshirting this season," Jones said.

Of the 60 players on the travel roster to Nevada, 22 were freshmen or first-year Warriors, including 12 true freshmen.

Still, Glanville said, "some of our seniors are our best guys. Look at (Nos.) 1 (outside linebacker Kila Kamakawiwo'ole), 15 (strong safety Lono Manners) and 45 (outside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe). If we're not going to a bowl, you would never not play them. They're part of our soul. They are what makes our heart beat. It doesn't matter if you told me we were going to the toilet bowl, I guarantee those three will play."

As for his performance this year, Glanville, who was hired in April after a 12-year hiatus from coaching, said, "the only thing I'm disappointed in is I haven't helped (Jones) as much as I wanted to. I thought I would help him more. I'm disappointed in myself we haven't given him more help. Hopefully, we can give him more this week."

Jones, in the meantime, said backup quarterback Tyler Graunke will play a few series in each of the remaining three games. Graunke and Brennan, who transferred from Saddleback Community College in June, shared the position through training camp and the first two games. At the time, Jack Rolovich was regarded as Brennan's backup and Kainoa Akina as Graunke's understudy. A few weeks ago, the plan of designating personal backups was scrapped in favor of a traditional depth chart order of Brennan, Graunke and Akina.

"Tyler is one snap away from being the guy," Jones said. "We need to get him some work in games."

Last Wednesday, Jones signed Rolovich's scholarship release, a move that allows the third-year sophomore to talk to other schools. Rolovich, who has not taken a snap this season, is seeking playing time elsewhere. One of the possibilities is Eastern Washington.

Rolovich's departure, combined with Akina's and Jeff Rhode's eligibility completion next month, will leave UH with three returning quarterbacks: Brennan, Graunke and Inoke Funaki. Although Graunke has said he might explore a position change, Jones insisted Graunke should stay put.

"He's a quarterback, and he has a lot of talent and bright future," Jones said. "I let my players make their own decisions of where they want to play, but I think he needs to stay at quarterback. He's only a (second-year) freshman. He's going to get even better. He has a good arm, and he's a gamer."

Graunke said he likely will remain at quarterback. "I just want to get on the field," he said. "I like being a quarterback, and I like how coach Jones coaches, and I appreciate everything he's done for me."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.