Quarterback Tyler Graunke has resolved his "academic issues" and will be reinstated to the University of Hawai'i football team, head coach Greg McMackin confirmed last night.

He had been withheld from team activities since Aug. 4.

Because Graunke must undergo medical tests and attend NCAA-mandated orientation sessions, he will not travel with the Warriors to the Aug. 30 season-opening game against fifth-ranked Florida.

The Warriors depart Tuesday for Atlanta, where they will train for two days before going to Florida.

Their travel roster is limited to 65 players.

McMackin said he will take only three quarterbacks —starter Brent Rausch, Greg Alexander and Inoke Funaki.

Graunke started two games last season, and was the only Warrior to throw a touchdown pass in the Sugar Bowl. Graunke, who will be a fifth-year senior, served as Colt Brennan's top backup the previous three seasons.

Graunke and Funaki exited spring training as the co-No. 1 quarterbacks.

But Aug. 1, two days before UH veterans were to report to training camp, it was announced that Graunke would be withheld from team activities. UH did not elaborate, citing federal privacy laws. But Graunke told The Advertiser it was because of "academic issues."

Graunke resolved the concerns this past weekend, according to his father, Jeff Graunke.

Graunke notified the coaches, but was told he would not be cleared until his transcript was officially posted. That happened yesterday.

"I'm happy for Tyler," McMackin said. "He's taken care of things, and will be able to play. ... (But) I wish he would have been eligible (for the first practice on) Aug. 4, when the rest of the 104 athletes were."

FARMER INJURES KNEE

In preparation for next week's season-opening road game against Florida, the Warriors yesterday staged their first — and only — scrimmage of the preseason.

There was amplified "crowd" noise, two officiating crews, punt units and current Florida weather conditions.

"The storm is here," McMackin said of the downpour at Aloha Stadium. "It wasn't as hot as we wanted, but who knows? There's a storm going through (Florida). You have to practice against every atmosphere."

On the downside, running back David Farmer suffered an apparent knee injury. He was on crutches at the end of practice. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI last night.

"I'm hoping for the best," Farmer said.

Farmer is the third running back to be sidelined. Joey Cadiz was on crutches yesterday because of a knee injury suffered Wednesday.

"I hurt it toward the end of practice," Cadiz said.

Jake Heun, who was projected to serve as a power back, has not practiced since the first day of training camp, when he suffered a herniated disc.

That leaves the Warriors with four healthy running backs, including co-starters Daniel Libre and Leon Wright-Jackson. In a pinch, slotback Kealoha Pilares could move to running back, a position he played last season.

"What happened to Dave Farmer is very unfortunate," McMackin said. "It's very disappointing."

In yesterday's 53-play scrimmage, the defense dominated, intercepting three passes. Cornerback Ryan Mouton and outside linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane each parlayed an interception into a return for a touchdown.

"I saw the ball, caught it, and made a play," Mouton said.

McMackin praised the defense, and was forgiving of the offense's collective struggles. Of the nine possessions, only one ended in an offensive touchdown, a 4-yard pass from backup Greg Alexander to slotback Michael Washington.

No. 1 quarterback Brent Rausch directed a 57-yard drive that ended with Dan Kelly's 35-yard field goal.

"I thought the defense played well," McMackin said. "They made some big plays. The offense got some plays, but we weren't as consistent as we want to be. We'll have to keep improving. We have to continue to get reps and continue to improve."

But McMackin was pleased that there were no delay-of-game penalties. This year, a 40-second clock starts a second after a play is completed. Last year, a 25-second clock was activated when the officials placed the ball down.

"The good thing, again, is we really worked the 40-second clock," McMackin said. "The operation is good. We got the kicking game into it, too."

The amplified noise, which blasted from the stadium speakers, proved to be a useful tool. The offense often resorted to hand signals.

"It simulated a fourth of what the game (in Florida) will be like," Mouton said. "I think the sound helped our quarterbacks a little bit."

Kelly said it would be difficult to match the noisy atmosphere of The Swamp, the Gators' home field.

"Every step we take, as long as it's forward, is a good step," Kelly said. "I think we had some good steps forward. Anything forward is a positive for us."

KIA HAS SLIGHT EDGE

While Aaron Kia is regarded as the No. 1 left tackle, he will not have sole custody of the position.

"He's taking the No. 1's," offensive line coach Brian Smith said.

But Smith said Laupepa Letuli, who has been limited because of "tweaks," will play extensively.

"Kia has more experience, and he's healthier," Smith said. "Pepa is still banged up, but he's getting better. He still has to clean up some technique to get that spot, but he'll still compete. They're both going to play."

The left tackle's position was vacated when Keith AhSoon, last year's starter, moved to left guard.

NEW HA'A UNVEILED

The Warriors yesterday unveiled their new ha'a at the end of practice.

Two of safety Keao Monteilh's friends, Aka and Keala, offered late-night lessons to the players.

"They went to Hawaiian immersion (schools) since they were small," Monteilh said.

This ha'a is more dramatic than the one the Warriors performed last year.

Monteilh said this ha'a is about Kuali'i, a Hawaiian chief.

"The reason he would always win was because he would psych up his warriors," Monteilh said. "They taught it to us because we're the Warriors."

Visit Tsai's blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.