Funaki named Hawaii starting QB

HONOLULU — Inoke Funaki hasn't started a football game in nearly seven

years. But after having doors literally slammed in his face and spending two

years on the bench, patience is something the Hawaii quarterback has

aplenty.

Listed No. 3 on the depth chart to open the season for the third straight

year, Funaki has been chosen as Hawaii's starter against Weber State on Saturday

night.

"I've been in the system a couple years now. There's still a lot of things I

need to get good at but overall, I have a pretty good idea of what goes on,"

Funaki said Tuesday.

It will be Funaki's first start since 2001, when he led Kahuku High School to

its second straight state title. Raised in the quiet coastal North Shore

community of Laie, he will become the first homegrown product to assume the

high-profile job since Timmy Chang.

"It's nice to be here at home and play for a lot of people I know and play

for family and represent a state that raised me," he said. "It's exciting."

Funaki earned the nod after a strong performance last weekend at Florida. He

entered in the fourth quarter with Hawaii down 56-0 and directed the Warriors to

their only two scoring drives on the game. He was 8-of-11 for 110 yards and

threw Hawaii's lone touchdown, a scrambling 13-yard strike to Greg Salas.

"Inoke Funaki came in and played his heart out," Warriors coach Greg McMackin

said.

Quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich added, "He wasn't perfect, but he was

inspiring. I think that's something you can't put a price on."