One of these days, Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz might just win a mega-lottery jackpot.
And like much of Moniz's football success, it'll probably be someone else who picks the winning numbers then loses the ticket stub - only for Moniz to find it and collect the millions.
"Guess I'm a little lucky. It's crazy," said Moniz, a graduate of Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Moniz was referring to his latest scenario, one that has sprung him from reserve walk-on during the preseason to Hawaii's starting quarterback for perhaps the remainder of the season.
Right place, right time.
Hawaii's Bryant Moniz will make his starting debut Saturday when the Warriors host Fresno State.
Fresno City quarterback Bryant Moniz in action against College of Marin during the 2007 season.
Someone else's loss; Moniz's gain.
Again.
Moniz will make his starting debut Saturday when Hawaii (2-2) hosts Fresno State (1-3) in his first start since quarterbacking at Fresno City College in 2007. Then and now, luck provided Moniz the opportunity to start.
His performance is what kept Moniz around as the starter at Fresno City, and could do the same at Hawaii.
"Bryant Moniz, we're excited about him," Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said. "We've got a lot of confidence in him.
"You know how some players have it? … He's got it."
In 2007, Moniz was taking backup snaps behind heralded but troubled transfer Derek Shaw at Fresno City.
Then just weeks before the season opener, Shaw was suspended for walking out of practice, and Moniz was thrust into the starting role.
Shaw was later reinstated to the team but could never reclaim the starting role as Moniz went on to tie Fresno City's single-season record with 184 completed passes. Final numbers that year: 184 of 331 for 2,268 yards and 18 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions.
"It just kind of shows you the guy's persistence and determination when he outperforms the other guy who had all the hype and accolades," Fresno City coach Tony Caviglia said. "He wasn't scared of the challenge or competing. When Bryant came in, he took total control of this football team.
"We always thought he had great potential to play at Division I."
Homesick, Moniz left Fresno City after one year and moved back to the island, where he enrolled in a local community college but didn't play football last season.
He walked on with Hawaii this offseason. By the second week of this season, Moniz was the primary backup after No. 2 quarterback Brent Rausch fractured a finger on his throwing hand. Rausch still is recovering.
Then last week, starter Greg Alexander went down with a season-ending knee injury in Hawaii's 27-6 loss at Louisiana Tech. Alexander had been leading the nation in passing efficiency before the game.
Moniz, who completed 5 of 11 passes for 109 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in relief against Louisiana Tech, was immediately named the starter once the severity of Alexander's injury was discovered.
"Emotions are running really high right now," Moniz said. "I came in with no expectations of this season. Now, I go from being a walk-on to getting my first D-I [starting] shot.
"It's very exciting. I was a little nervous. But at least now, I know I'm going to be playing."
Fresno State has gone back and watched film of Moniz playing at Fresno City to get a game plan for the 6-foot, 190-pound quarterback.
Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said he expects Hawaii to play better overall compared to the Warriors' showing against Louisiana Tech.
Moniz said he expects to play loose and carefree - and yet focused.
"I like to have fun, so I'm not going to stress out about starting for the first time," he said. "I don't know how many quarterbacks have been successful being stressed.
"It's going to be a tough game. Fresno State is a great rival. We have lots to prove. Maybe with a little luck, I can play well and we get the win."
Hawaii QB status
With Moniz starting and Alexander and Rausch out, sophomore Shane Austin will serve as primary backup.
Inoke Funaki, who was Hawaii's starting quarterback last year and beat Fresno State 32-29 in overtime last year, was switched to running back in the offseason.
But he is considered the emergency quarterback for Saturday.
Last year, Funaki completed 17 of 25 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 79 yards against the Bulldogs.
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