Hawai'i football coach Greg McMackin has reopened the quarterback competition, saying it "could be a game-time decision" between Brent Rausch and Greg Alexander for the starting job.

Rausch, a third-year sophomore from College of the Desert, was announced as the No. 1 quarterback two weeks ago. But he has been bothered the past week because of tenderness in the right forearm and biceps of his throwing arm.

At the recommendation of UH athletic trainers, Rausch yesterday was limited during throwing drills. Alexander, a fourth-year junior from Santa Rosa College, took 14 of the 18 snaps in team drills. Rausch had four snaps.

"I've got to see that (Rausch's) arm's OK," McMackin said.

McMackin said it was recommended that Rausch "slow down."

Alexander made the most of his opportunity, completing 11 of 12 passes. He scrambled once and was sacked once.

"When we were making the first evaluation (two weeks ago), Greg got hurt," McMackin said. "He hurt his feet and stuff. You try and get as much evaluation as you can, and then when another guy goes down for a couple of days, then you get to evaluate more of the other guy. And maybe (the second guy has) really come along and healed up.

"They're both getting enough reps," McMackin added. "They've got the same amount of reps all camp. Both of them are ready to play. At game time, I'm going to go with the guy that we have the best chance to win with."

Alexander has played well since recovering from an in-grown toenail on his right foot and a sprained left ankle.

"I wasn't 100 percent when I had those foot problems," Alexander said. "I'm not going to make excuses. I didn't go out and perform. I have to show now that I can play. ... I'm going to keep trying to work harder to get better. I think I've been doing that. We'll see what happens on game day."

Even after Rausch was declared No. 1, offensive coordinator Ron Lee said, the position still was being evaluated.

"It's always been (a competition)," Lee said. "It always will be until somebody really steps up."

McMackin said that Alexander has moved ahead of backup Inoke Funaki. Alexander will be at least the No. 2 quarterback.

Tyler Graunke, who started two games last season and was Colt Brennan's primary backup the past three years, will receive some reps when the Warriors return to town. They departed yesterday for Atlanta, where they will train for two days before going to Florida for the season opener. Graunke was recently reinstated after missing all of training camp while addressing academic issues.

"Tyler is going to get his chance," Lee said. "He deserves one. We'll see how it goes."

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