Head football coach Greg McMackin yesterday named Inoke Funaki the starting quarterback for Hawai'i's home opener against Weber State on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Funaki provided some of the most hopeful moments for the Warriors in a 56-10 loss to Florida on Saturday.

Entering in the fourth quarter as the third-string quarterback, Funaki led the Warriors to two scoring drives. He was 8 of 11 for 110 yards. He threw the Warriors' only scoring pass, and rushed four times for 14 yards.

"He moved the team," offensive coordinator Ron Lee said. "He showed good leadership. He scrambled around and made some plays. That's what we need — somebody to make plays. He made plays pretty much single-handedly. He showed the game wasn't too big for him."

Two weeks into training camp, Brent Rausch, a third-year sophomore from College of the Desert, was named the No. 1 quarterback. But soon after, he experienced tenderness in the right forearm and right biceps of his throwing arm. The past Friday, Greg Alexander, a junior from Santa Rosa College, was named the starting quarterback against Florida.

Alexander completed 11 of 21 passes for 57 yards. He was intercepted twice, with one returned for a touchdown. Rausch was 2 of 7 for 14 yards. He also threw an interception that was run back for a touchdown.

"I'm not disappointed in those two guys," McMackin said. "I think they have to be in the system a little longer.They're both going to be good players, and they are good players."

Funaki is a fourth-year junior. After leading Kahuku High to consecutive state championships, he committed to the Warriors. But the start of his UH career was delayed when he went on a two-year church mission. He redshirted in 2005, then served as the No. 3 quarterback the next two seasons.

But he entered spring training as the No. 1 quarterback, and exited the 15 days of practices sharing the top job with Tyler Graunke. Last week, Graunke was reinstated to the team after completing academic work.

Funaki also was intercepted, but he came back to lead a drive that ended with a field goal, and then he punctuated another series with a scoring pass to Greg Salas.

"I was really happy the way he competed," McMackin said. "Here's a guy who's been in the program for a while, but didn't complain or gripe. We went with the two other quarterbacks over him because they had stronger arms, basically, and a little more height.

"All (Funaki) did was be a team member. ... It's the perfect example of a guy finding his role, supporting the other guys, being a team player and then, when he gets his opportunity, making the most of it. That's what playing and coaching is all about."

McMackin said he decided to announce the decision early to give Funaki enough work with the first-team offense. The Warriors have conditioning drills today, a light workout tomorrow, and heavy practices Wednesday and Thursday.

"He'll have a whole week to prepare for Weber State," McMackin said. "I'm excited about him having an opportunity. He's a class act, and a good football player."

Meanwhile, McMackin said he remained optimistic after reviewing video of the Florida game.

He said he was pleased with the defense, which contained Florida's perimeter option game, as well as with running backs Leon Wright-Jackson and Daniel Libre, and wideout/kick returner Jovonte Taylor.

Libre was on crutches after the game. He said he had a high-ankle sprain.

"We'll have to see what that's all about," McMackin said.

Salas, who suffered a fracture in his left ring finger, is expected to play despite the injury.