Norm Chow said it in a barely audible weary voice. But he said it twice and with all the conviction possible after another loss — Hawaii’s fourth in a row. He said it twice, just in case anyone didn’t hear the first time. Or last week. Or the week before.

"Sean Schroeder is my quarterback. … Sean Schroeder is my quarterback."

There was just one play in Saturday’s 35-23 loss to New Mexico when he wasn’t. Cayman Shutter took a snap late in the third quarter, but only because Schroeder’s helmet had come off and Schroeder had to come off the field, by rule.

With the beating Schroeder has taken this season, it’s amazing that hasn’t happened more often. He takes a pounding, but keeps getting back up.

One of the biggest problems against New Mexico was wasted opportunities when the Warriors drove the field with rhythm but then didn’t punch it in. Not only does that hurt you on the scoreboard, it’s demoralizing.

Another is a recurring theme that is driving Chow and everyone else who cares about this team crazy, and it extends beyond the offense.

The Warriors can’t seem to get out of the starting blocks in time for kickoff. Going back to the 69-24 Nevada loss four games ago, UH has been outscored 49-3 in the first quarter. Count the USC and Lamar games and it’s 69-10.

In some games, like Saturday’s, they start to play a little better as it goes along but it’s too late — especially since Hawaii doesn’t have the kind of offense anymore that is capable of scoring touchdowns in bunches and quickly, and its defense has come up with just two turnovers against FBS foes.

Chow tried to jump-start the Warriors by shortening the pregame warm-up and choosing to receive the opening kickoff. But it clearly didn’t help. A couple of three and outs and Mike Edwards’ second fumbled kickoff return in two games and New Mexico had the ball nearly the entire first quarter. Before you know it the Lobos are up 21-0.

"I don’t know why that is," Schroeder said. "We started off real shaky, myself included. The locker room has been really hyped. It’s not the locker room. Nothing with the mood or anything like that. We just gotta come up with a way to execute early. Every game we come out pumped up. Homecoming should elevate that. It’s not a lack of excitement. We’ve just got to execute."

Chow’s running out of ideas.

As he has said, repeatedly, changing the starting quarterback is not one he’s willing to entertain. Well, maybe there’s a happy medium. Since there’s a bye week coming up, the Warriors have some time to work some more on their wildcat package. Perhaps it would be useful in the next game, at Colorado State.

In addition to changing things up and giving the opposing defense something to think about, sometimes it helps the starter to watch a series or two standing next to the coach. We saw this work in the past, with Timmy Chang and Shawn Withy-Allen.

But a change in starters is not going to happen, according to the head coach.

Schroeder said he appreciates that he has Chow’s firm backing.

"It means a lot. But I have confidence in myself too. I am the quarterback of this team, and that’s how I’m approaching it," Schroeder said. "And it’s good because the guys need to know who their quarterback is."

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.

Correction:  Cayman Shutter is the backup quarterback. His name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story and in the print edition.