Attendance continues decline

The attendance figures for the University of Hawaii football team haven't dropped as much as the stocks, but they don't exactly resemble a bull market, either.

Hawaii is averaging a paltry 25,357 fans through the Aloha Stadium turnstiles in five home games. The average for tickets distributed is a little better at 33,661 a game. Through five games last year, the average for tickets issued was 33,302.

But if the numbers continue at the pace of the last two home games against Fresno State and San Diego State, Hawaii could be below the the 32,000 mark by season's end.

The Rainbows drew only 46,568 in their last two games, with tickets distributed coming in at 57,548 for an average of 28,774.

If that number remains the same for the next three home games with Air Force, Northeast Louisiana and Notre Dame, the Rainbows will average 31,828 tickets distributed for the 1997 season.

That would be a drop of about 12,600 tickets since the Holiday Bowl season of 1992 when the Rainbows averaged 44,432 tickets issued in seven home games.

UH head coach Fred vonAppen thanked the people who came to the game at yesterday's Quarterback Club luncheon and said Sunday he hoped for a larger crowd this weekend against Air Force.

"If I had paid for my tickets and watched the performance both teams displayed in the first half, I would have wanted my money back," vonAppen said of last Saturday's game with San Diego State. "But both teams came out and played much better in the second half. I just wish we could have played better and come away with the victory."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: As well as the defense is performing on a national level -- the Rainbows are ranked No. 29 in the country in total defense -- the offense can't make the same claim.

The Rainbows are ranked No. 105 of 112 Division I teams in total offense, generating a meager 271.3 yards a game. They are last in the Western Athletic Conference and No. 108 in the country in scoring offense, averaging 13.3 points a game.

Hawaii also is last in the WAC in rushing and No. 105 nationally, averaging 88.3 yards a game. Fortunately for offensive coordinator Wally English, things aren't quite as bad in the passing game.

The Rainbows are rated No. 73 in the nation, averaging 183 yards a game. Sophomore quarterback Josh Skinner is ranked ninth in the WAC in passing efficiency with a 104.03 rating. By comparison, Colorado State's Moses Moreno is first in the league and fourth in the nation with an efficiency rating of 164.86.

FALLING IN POLL: Hawaii dropped to No. 105 nationally, according to the Scripps-Howard computer poll that rates the 232 Division I and Division I-AA football teams.

The Rainbows have a power rating of 79.3. By comparison, Florida is No. 1 in the nation with a rating of 116.3. That means on a neutral field, the Gators would be favored by a hefty 37 points.

This week's opponent is the Air Force Academy. The Falcons are No. 59 with a rating of 91.0. Factoring in the four-point advantage Hawaii has as the home team, the Falcons should be favored by approximately eight points. The opening line in Las Vegas had Air Force favored by 11-1/2 points.

INJURY UPDATE: The Rainbows have a variety of bumps and bruises, but the only players definitely out for this weekend's home game are cornerback Blase Austin (knee), quarterback Dan Robinson (stress fractures) and linebacker Stephen Gonzales (shoulder).

Senior quarterback Tim Carey (shoulder) remains questionable, but vonAppen said at yesterday's Quarterback Club luncheon that it's unlikely the Stanford transfer would play this weekend.

Nose tackle Bob Piggot (knee) and strong safety Ron Wood (concussion) missed the San Diego State game, but are listed as probable this weekend. So is cornerback Al Hunter, who missed Saturday's game with a sprained ankle.

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--By Paul Arnett

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu