New University of Hawaii football coach Fred vonAppen has no problem finding the irony in that statement as tomorrow's kickoff with Boston College draws near.
VonAppen has waited 32 years for this moment, and now that it's upon him, the rookie head coach wakes up nights in a cold sweat.
The reason is simple.
As gung-ho as his players may be, as sure as they believe that they can fly like the Eagles, vonAppen knows inexperience, a shallow talent pool and a new game plan rarely win the day.
"It would have been nice if we could have opened with Woodpecker High, but it didn't work out that way," vonAppen said.
"Boston College is a talented football team that is accustomed to playing in big games. We're an inexperienced team trying to learn a new offense and a new defense in a short period of time.
"This is a cliche, but we'll have a better understanding of what we have after this game. This will give us a better idea of what we have and where we need to go."
Most of the coaches on vonAppen's staff already know it will be a steep climb. On-the-job training rarely produces quality work.
Granted, Boston College is not the beast of the Big East. The Eagles are young and coming off a 4-8 season.
But this is Boston College coach Dan Henning's third year. He already has experienced what a transition team is like. He also has two recruiting classes tucked away safely on his bench.
On the other hand, vonAppen only has seven fifth-year seniors. Nearly 20 underclassmen on the 1995 team won't be on the Aloha Stadium sidelines for the kickoff.
Most of the remaining players were recruited to run the spread option on offense and the 3-4 on defense, neither of which will be used this season.
"We've asked a lot of our players the last few months," vonAppen said. "We've basically had to start from the ground floor and work our way up.
"I don't get nervous. It doesn't help in your preparation or send the right message to your players. If things go well or go bad, they're going to look at you for direction."
The players also are going to look to senior quarterback Glenn Freitas, who holds the biggest key to the Rainbows' success.
An option quarterback, body and soul, Freitas will have to blend a veer option with the West Coast offense and somehow keep these diametrically opposed concepts from colliding.
His two starting running backs - Tony Thomas and Brendyn Agbayani - and wide receivers - Dillan Micus and Jason Mane - accounted for only 905 yards last year.
In all of 1995, Freitas hit only 34 of 63 passes for 417 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He rushed for 318 yards and 12 touchdowns, but doesn't figure to be doing a lot of that this season.
"I might attempt as many passes in the first game as I threw all year," Freitas said, then smiled. "But I still believe we're going to surprise some people."
VonAppen hopes it's Boston College most of all. The Eagles have some formidable offensive weapons, but many of them are suspended or hurt.
Big-play receiver Kenyatta Watson was left behind for breaking team rules. Fellow wideout Brandon King had to stay home with a broken foot, while last year's top receiver, Steve Everson, is here, but has a bad back.
On top of that, Henning has had to keep a lid on a quarterback controversy involving sophomore starter Scott Mutryn and junior counterpart Matt Hasselbeck.
Mutryn won the early battle, but needs to take the war as well to keep Hasselbeck quiet. If that simmers, Henning could be on the hot seat in a hurry.
This is almost a must win for the Eagles, considering their next two opponents are conference rival Virginia Tech and Big Ten power Michigan.
Stumble here, and an 0-3 start is a distinct possibility. With that in mind, Henning has sequestered his team at the Turtle Bay Hilton this week. No late nights in Waikiki allowed.
Unlike the last time Boston College was here, when the Eagles stunned No. 8 Kansas State in the 1994 Aloha Bowl, the fun won't start until after the game.
"This is an important test for us," Henning conceded. "We came here with one purpose in mind, and that's to beat Hawaii."
What University of Hawaii vs. Boston College
When 3:30 p.m.
Where Aloha Stadium
TV Live on ESPN2, 10:30 p.m. on KFVE
Radio Live on KCCN-1420 AM
Weather Partly cloudy skies, temperature in the 80s
Point spread Boston College favored by 11