Only 21,645 fans streamed through the gates -- the smallest crowd to watch a game at Aloha Stadium since the season opener against New Mexico in 1978 -- to see Hawaii upset Fresno State, 28-16. Tickets distributed totaled 28,206.

The Western Athletic Conference uses tickets distributed when figuring how many fans are attending games throughout the league. Hawaii was fifth in the conference coming in, averaging 36,918 a game. That number dipped to 34,740.

"I'm sure I will be held accountable for that, but to me, that's the marketing department's responsibility," vonAppen said. "I wish more people would have been there. They missed a good game."

Former UH head coach Bob Wagner was let go at the end of the 1995 season. Athletic department officials cited low attendance as the reason for his firing.

In 1995, Hawaii averaged 34,633 in seven home games. Last year, that total dropped to 32,998. The Rainbows have four home dates left: against San Diego State, Air Force Academy, Northeast Louisiana and Notre Dame.

"There are a lot of factors concerning attendance," vonAppen said. "I'm sure the weather (rain was predicted) and our performance the week before (a 63-0 loss at Colorado State) had a lot to do with it. Hopefully, the numbers will be better when we come back in two weeks."

GONZALES MAY BE GONE: Senior linebacker Stephen Gonzales said after the game that he will seek a medical hardship, but the coaching staff will visit with the trainers before reaching a final decision.

"We have to talk with him and the trainers to see where we stand on that," vonAppen said. "If he says he can't go, then maybe he can't, but we're obviously a different team with him in there."

Medication allowed him to play through the pain of a sore shoulder, ankle and shinsplints Saturday. A player can petition the league for another year if he has a documented injury and played in 50 percent of the first six games. If Gonzales plays again, then the hardship is out.

Gonzales played in the first two games against Minnesota and Cal State Northridge. He missed the next three before returning for the Fresno State game.

"I'm urinating blood, so I think it's time to hang it up for this season," Gonzales said. "I'm sure it's from the medication I've been on.

"I wanted to play the entire season, but I couldn't. Hopefully I can rest up the remainder of the year, have my hardship granted and come back next spring."

Gonzales made his presence felt against the Bulldogs. He had four tackles, a sack and was instrumental in keeping FresnoState from scoring on a fourth-and-goal from the 1.

"Having him in there makes all the difference," fellow inside linebacker Doug Rosevold said. "He understands how to fill the gaps. He has great instincts. I'm going to miss him, but he just can't play anymore this season."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Punter Chad Shrout remained first in the league and No. 4 in the nation in punting, averaging 47.1 yards.

Shrout had a punt blocked, but that goes against the team, not the kicker. Hawaii dipped to No. 41 in net punting, averaging 38.1 yards.

Charles Tharp is No. 29 in the nation in kickoff returns (24-yard average). Hawaii also is 29th in turnover margin (plus .67 a game) and No. 42 in kickoff returns (21.6 yards).

Defensively, the Rainbows moved into the top 50 in several categories. They are No. 43 in pass defense (113.42 rating), No. 47 in rush defense (130.3 yards) and No. 49 in total defense (336.2).

INJURY UPDATE: Hawaii had three players seriously injured Saturday.

Nose tackle Bob Piggot, who recovered a fumble, sprained his knee, strong safety Chris Shinnick had a concussion and linebacker Rinda Brooks injured his shoulder. All are doubtful for this week, as is Gonzales (shoulder and leg).

Only 21,645 fans streamed through the gates -- the smallest crowd to watch a game at Aloha Stadium since the season opener against New Mexico in 1978 -- to see Hawaii upset Fresno State, 28-16. Tickets distributed totaled 28,206.

The Western Athletic Conference uses tickets distributed when figuring how many fans are attending games throughout the league. Hawaii was fifth in the conference coming in, averaging 36,918 a game. That number dipped to 34,740.

"I'm sure I will be held accountable for that, but to me, that's the marketing department's responsibility," vonAppen said. "I wish more people would have been there. They missed a good game."

Former UH head coach Bob Wagner was let go at the end of the 1995 season. Athletic department officials cited low attendance as the reason for his firing.

In 1995, Hawaii averaged 34,633 in seven home games. Last year, that total dropped to 32,998. The Rainbows have four home dates left: against San Diego State, Air Force Academy, Northeast Louisiana and Notre Dame.

"There are a lot of factors concerning attendance," vonAppen said. "I'm sure the weather (rain was predicted) and our performance the week before (a 63-0 loss at Colorado State) had a lot to do with it. Hopefully, the numbers will be better when we come back in two weeks."

GONZALES MAY BE GONE: Senior linebacker Stephen Gonzales said after the game that he will seek a medical hardship, but the coaching staff will visit with the trainers before reaching a final decision.

"We have to talk with him and the trainers to see where we stand on that," vonAppen said. "If he says he can't go, then maybe he can't, but we're obviously a different team with him in there."

Medication allowed him to play through the pain of a sore shoulder, ankle and shinsplints Saturday. A player can petition the league for another year if he has a documented injury and played in 50 percent of the first six games. If Gonzales plays again, then the hardship is out.

Gonzales played in the first two games against Minnesota and Cal State Northridge. He missed the next three before returning for the Fresno State game.

"I'm urinating blood, so I think it's time to hang it up for this season," Gonzales said. "I'm sure it's from the medication I've been on.

"I wanted to play the entire season, but I couldn't. Hopefully I can rest up the remainder of the year, have my hardship granted and come back next spring."

Gonzales made his presence felt against the Bulldogs. He had four tackles, a sack and was instrumental in keeping FresnoState from scoring on a fourth-and-goal from the 1.

"Having him in there makes all the difference," fellow inside linebacker Doug Rosevold said. "He understands how to fill the gaps. He has great instincts. I'm going to miss him, but he just can't play anymore this season."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Punter Chad Shrout remained first in the league and No. 4 in the nation in punting, averaging 47.1 yards.

Shrout had a punt blocked, but that goes against the team, not the kicker. Hawaii dipped to No. 41 in net punting, averaging 38.1 yards.

Charles Tharp is No. 29 in the nation in kickoff returns (24-yard average). Hawaii also is 29th in turnover margin (plus .67 a game) and No. 42 in kickoff returns (21.6 yards).

Defensively, the Rainbows moved into the top 50 in several categories. They are No. 43 in pass defense (113.42 rating), No. 47 in rush defense (130.3 yards) and No. 49 in total defense (336.2).

INJURY UPDATE: Hawaii had three players seriously injured Saturday.

Nose tackle Bob Piggot, who recovered a fumble, sprained his knee, strong safety Chris Shinnick had a concussion and linebacker Rinda Brooks injured his shoulder. All are doubtful for this week, as is Gonzales (shoulder and leg).