Quarterback Tyler Graunke vowed to play in the Hawai'i football team's next game — the Sept. 27 Western Athletic Conference opener against San Jose State — after X-rays yesterday did not show a fracture in his right (throwing) hand.

In Saturday's 45-7 road loss to Oregon State, Graunke exited in the third quarter after suffering an injury to the root of his right thumb near his wrist.

He said X-rays were taken of six sides of the injured area.

His right hand yesterday was swollen, and he could not grip a football nor shake hands.

But there is "no fracture, thank God," said Graunke, a fifth-year senior. "(The doctor) said it was close. You could see the bone was bumped, and it's bruised. But it wasn't fractured."

He has a doctor's appointment Friday. He said if the swelling persists after a few more days, he will undergo an MRI to determine if he suffered any ligament damage. X-rays often do not show ligament injuries.

"They don't think it's ligament damage by the way they were pressing it," Graunke said.

Graunke was reinstated to the team the week before the Aug. 30 season opener against Florida after fulfilling academic obligations. He did not travel to Florida. Despite participating in only three full practices, he was summoned in the second half of the Weber State game, with the Warriors trailing, 17-7. He passed for 218 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Warriors to a 36-17 comeback victory.

After that, he was named the starting quarterback for the Oregon State game.

Because of the Warriors' hectic travel schedule — after the game they went to Oakland, where they stayed overnight — Graunke did not undergo X-rays until yesterday morning.

Although there was no practice yesterday, Graunke took off the hand brace and attempted to grip a football.

"I tried," Graunke said. "I can't throw a football."

The Warriors have a bye this weekend. They will practice for two hours today and tomorrow. There is a one-hour practice Thursday followed by the Scout Bowl, a scrimmage involving redshirts and developing players. They are off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"I'm going to meet with the doctor again on Friday to see how it feels," Graunke said. "He said I can't practice this week."

Graunke said the time off will be good for his hand. He also has to remind himself to stop shaking hands with well-wishers.

"I keep forgetting," Graunke said. "I keep taking (the brace) off to get some air sometimes. It's: 'Hey ... ow.' "

Graunke said he expects to resume practicing next Monday.

"I know I'm going to play against San Jose ... if I'm still the starter," Graunke said.

AHSOON 'FEELING BETTER'

The Warriors are awaiting the MRI results for offensive lineman Keith "The Bear" AhSoon.

It is feared AhSoon suffered ligament damage in his left knee during Saturday's game.

"I'm feeling better," AhSoon said yesterday.

An MRI was scheduled for yesterday afternoon.

AhSoon, the No. 1 left guard, started at left tackle because of an injury to Laupepa Letuli (slight tear in his left shoulder). Aaron Kia, who has endured tendinitis in his knees, replaced the injured AhSoon.

AhSoon is a fifth-year senior from American Samoa. Even if the injury were significant and required extensive rehabilitation, AhSoon is an unlikely candidate for a sixth season of eligibility. Those medical waivers usually are reserved for those who suffer non-football-related illnesses or incur unique hardships.

For instance, former UH defensive tackle Lui Fuga was granted a sixth season because he suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game. Wideout Ian Sample received an extra year because he had left school for a year to take care of his mother. Running back Nate Ilaoa received a sixth season because the NCAA agreed that Ilaoa had suffered an injury requiring two years of rehabilitation.

SPECIAL TEAMS OVERHAUL

Frustrated by breakdowns in punt and kickoff coverages, head coach Greg McMackin will make some personnel changes.

Kicker Dan Kelly is in a self-professed slump, having missed three consecutive field-goal attempts over two games and shanking the opening kickoff against Oregon State.

McMackin said Ikaika Malloe, who coordinates the special teams, will work intensively with Kelly.

"We're going to do everything we can to get him kicking correctly," McMackin said.

That includes creating some competition. McMackin said Brett Symonds, a freshman who was expected to redshirt this season, and safety Kenny Estes will receive work at kicker.

"We're going to put somebody behind (Kelly), just like any other position; give him some competition," McMackin said.

McMackin added: "I want the ball kicked to where we want it kicked to."

After reviewing videotapes and meeting with his assistant coaches, McMackin determined that the punt-coverage strategy — placing the ball in the narrow lane between the numbers and sideline — was sound.

"It broke down personnel-wise," McMackin said. "They hustled. They just didn't make the play."

McMackin said Oregon State punt returner Sammie Stroughter was able to out-race defenders to the blocking wall "because we had two guys who came out of coverage, basically. And those two guys are going to be replaced."

The Warriors were hurt by field position. None of the Beavers' seven touchdown drives exceeded 59 yards.

The Warriors are ranked 118th (out of 119 Division I-A teams) in punt return yardage defense and 103rd in kickoff return yardage defense.

"That's unacceptable," McMackin said. "We're going to make some changes."

MCMACKIN: 'THROW FIRST'

While supporting offensive coordinator Ron Lee's play-calling, McMackin pledged that the Warriors will become more of an attacking offense.

McMackin said he has a role in crafting the game plan, but that it is Lee who calls the plays.

"I don't question his calls," McMackin said.

McMackin said the Warriors went with a conservative game plan in the opener against Florida. Against Oregon State, there were times when the Warriors also played conservatively, especially when three consecutive running plays were called.

"We are going to be an attacking offense," McMackin said. "We're going to throw first. I want to put the pedal to it, and throw first and run second."

NO QUIT IN WARRIORS

McMackin vehemently objected to some public speculation that the Warriors did not give their best effort in the second half against Oregon State.

"No, we didn't quit," McMackin said. "We got beat. Absolutely, we didn't quit. If somebody did quit, I'd get rid of him. I hope our fans don't quit, because our kids aren't going to quit."

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