That Manoa breeze yesterday was the University of the Hawai'i football team exhaling collectively.

It came after quarterback Colt Brennan threw accurately — and with no discomfort — during passing drills yesterday morning.

"I'm ready," declared Brennan, who is expected to start in Saturday's road game against Idaho.

In the Sept. 3 season opener against Southern California, Brennan suffered a sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder. A week later against Michigan State, he aggravated the injury when he fell on his right shoulder in the fourth quarter.

Brennan was diagnosed with a second-degree sprain of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, which is between the acromion (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collarbone). In the three-point system, a second-degree injury is considered to be "moderate."

Brennan, whose right arm was in a sling for most of last week, did not resume practicing until yesterday. UH had a bye last weekend.

His rehabilitation included electrical stimulation, ice treatment and a cortisone shot.

"I did a lot more rest and recuperation for the injury than I actually (needed)," said Brennan, a third-year sophomore who transferred from Saddleback Community College (Mission Viejo, Calif.). "I had that shot, so I had to (rest) for two days. ... It's a nagging injury, but it's not really that bad."

During 6-on-7 drills — in which there is no pass rush and student manager Marissa Bonilla serves as the snapper — Brennan was 14 of 19 for 259 yards with no interceptions. Three passes were dropped.

In the 11-on-11 drills, he was 7 of 10 for 77 yards.

"He's not quite there," UH coach June Jones said. "But after two or three more days of throwing, he'll be OK."

Brennan said: "I'm definitely holding back a little bit. On some passes, I'm turning my wrist. It's getting back into the ease, as far as having the arm ready and being able to go full speed. I'm making sure it's there."

Brennan and second-year freshman Tyler Graunke shared the quarterback job through the USC game. Brennan took the majority of snaps against Michigan State — in part because of the Spartans' defensive scheme, in part because Graunke was recovering from a sprained right ankle. Although Brennan is expected to start this week, a role has been crafted for Graunke.

Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks, said Brennan is displaying "good game management, good huddle management. He gives people the sense he's been there before."

Wideout Ian Sample said: "He's definitely acting more like a leader. That's great, because he is our leader. The thing I like about him is he's super relaxed. If a play is bad, it's like, 'Hey, let's do it over again.' He's really good in the huddle."

Brennan, in fact, had struggled with his emotions. After the first series of his UH career ended in an interception, Brennan was visibly frustrated.

"I tried to keep him calm," said right guard Brandon Eaton, a fifth-year senior. "Like when he threw the pick, I told him, 'We're cool. It happens to everybody. Timmy (Chang, a former UH quarterback) threw, what, 80 picks? It happens.' He snapped back and was ready for the next play."

With Brennan and Graunke healthy, Jones is deciding on the third — and last — quarterback to include on the 60-player travel roster. In UH's system, each has his own backup — Jack Rolovich for Brennan, Kainoa Akina for Graunke.

For the Michigan State trip, Akina, who played at Eastern Michigan as a freshman, was on the travel roster.

The third spot, Jones said, "might depend on what part of the country we're going to. We're only taking three (quarterbacks). The third could be (Oregon-raised Jeff) Rhode."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.