That's how Brigham Young University players Kaipo McGuire, Mark Atuaia, Itula Mili and K.O. Kealaluhi are viewing their final game against the University of Hawaii.

Fortunately for the four seniors, it won't be their farewell tour of Aloha Stadium because they are scheduled to play in the Hula Bowl in January.

"But playing Hawaii in front of all the hometown fans is what makes it special," former St. Louis School School standout McGuire said. "You play there in high school, and can't help but think what it will be like to come back and play at the stadium in college.

"The best part is getting to compete in front of your family and friends, and against guys you played for and against in high school. One part of me is happy.

"But another part of me is sad because this is the last time playing on Hawaii soil, representing BYU. It's really hard for me to believe my time is up."

McGuire was redshirted as a freshman in 1992. He came in a year behind Atuaia and Mili, who joined the BYU program out of Kahuku High in 1991.

Coming into this season, McGuire had 40 career receptions for 572 yards and three touchdowns. The speedy 5-foot-11, 180-pounder already has 38 catches for 601 yards and five touchdowns in 1996, including two scoring receptions in the big season-opening win over Texas A&M.

His island brothers are staying stride for stride with him down field. Mili has 43 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns, while Kealaluhi has rebounded from a knee injury in recent weeks. The former Maui resident has seven catches in his last two games for 106 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, he has 40 receptions for a team-high 773 yards and eight touchdowns.

"Our players from Hawaii have done an outstanding job for us this season," BYU head coach LaVell Edwards said. "I know they're looking forward to going home for this game."

You won't get any argument from Atuaia, who is quietly having a solid season. The 5-10, 220-pound fullback has started every game in 1996. He has 73 carries for 320 yards and three touchdowns, including a 42-yarder at Texas Christian University. Atuaia also has 20 receptions for 248 yards and two scores.

Despite his success at BYU, Atuaia has never quite been able to get Hawaii out of his system. He and Mili, who started out in Pop Warner together, can't wait to see the island shores.

"That's all we talk about," Atuaia said. "It was kind of hard thinking ahead to UH when we still had other games to play because we needed to take care of business so the game would have more meaning.

"We're excited to come home to play in the stadium again. The hard thing about going away is your family and friends don't get to see you play much in person.

"It's going to be so special standing out there and knowing this is the last time I'm going to play against UH. Time has gone by fast since Itula and I decided to come here. We can't believe it's over."

If Mili lives up to advance billing, it's possible Aloha Stadium will welcome him once again as an All-Pro tight end. The 6-4, 260-pounder is considered a can't-miss first-round pick in the NFL draft.

He recently said that if he goes on to the next level, great, but he wasn't spending all his time thinking about it.

"Itula has the opportunity to be a good tight end at the next level, but he has to believe in himself more," BYU offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. "He has all the physical tools to go on, but sometimes, it's a struggle for him."

Mili hasn't done that well against Hawaii in the past. He didn't play as a freshman in the 1991 game before going on a mission for two years.

In 1994, he had one reception for seven yards, and didn't play last year due to a suspension for breaking team rules.

"I think we all want to play the best game we can within the framework of the game plan," McGuire said.

"You don't get to play at Aloha Stadium very often, so you want to make the most of the opportunity. I know when I come out of the tunnel, I'm going to have chicken skin. We all will."

Teams: No. 10 Brigham Young University (10-1 overall, 6-0 in the WAC)at Hawaii (2-8, 1-6)

When: Saturday, Aloha Stadium, 7:07 p.m.

Weekend update: BYUdefeated Rice, 49-0, while Hawaii lost to San Jose State, 38-17

On a roll: The Cougars' offense was unstoppable last week. With running backs Brian McKenzie (97 yards, two touchdowns) and Ronney Jenkins (109 yards) producing, BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian passed just 13 times - roughly a third of his usual 32 tosses per game. He completed 10 of them for 206 yards and two TDs.