LOGAN, Utah >> After University of Hawaii backup quarterback Cole McDonald had run on several opportunities without authoring a pass, a Utah State defensive end had a pointed question for him.

“ ‘Do you ever throw the ball?’ I think it was No. 47 (Logan Lee) that asked me,” McDonald said.

The answer would eventually be “yes” as McDonald, in his most extensive outing this season, ran eight times and attempted five passes in relief of starter Dru Brown on Saturday.

McDonald said, “I told him (Lee), ‘Yeah, sometimes, when they let me.’ ”

Alas, McDonald also was unable to help the Rainbow Warriors reach the end zone in a 38-0 Mountain West Conference-concluding loss to the Aggies.

“We wanted to sprinkle him in at the end (and) Dru had taken a few sacks and they (Utah State) had collapsed the pocket a little,” coach Nick Rolovich said. “So, we wanted to give Cole some work and see what he could do.”

McDonald, a redshirt freshman from La Mirada, Calif., completed three of five passes for 18 yards and ran eight times for 45 yards.

Brown completed 16 of 29 passes for 128 yards and was sacked four times.

Brown and McDonald alternated on plays in the second quarter and McDonald finished up the game in the fourth quarter.

Asked if Brown will remain the starter, Rolovich said, “Yeah, right now I think he gives us the best chance to win. I think winning against BYU (UH’s final opponent on Saturday) is important.”

Until Saturday, McDonald had seen limited action in five games, gaining 93 yards (and one touchdown) on eight rushes while completing two of four passes for 4 yards.

Of his role, McDonald said, “Whatever I can do to help the team I’m there. It felt nice, after practicing all week and practicing all year to get some more reps.”

By the time he had gotten back to the locker room after the game, McDonald said he had a string of supportive texts from friends.

McDonald said, “I was a little nervous and have things to work on and clean up — stepping up in the pocket and making my throws on time, trusting my alignment. I’m trying to take it all in and learn from the experience.”

But, McDonald said, “I feel more comfortable and it can only get better from here.”