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Monday, January 17, 2000

Dayne ready for
duty in Hula Bowl

By Gary Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne may have the winds in his favor in Saturday's Hula Bowl Classic on Maui.

If the gusty winds in the central valley persist -- and the National Weather Service predicts they'll blow from 10 to 25 miles an hour on game day -- it might turn the competition into more of a ground game featuring running backs, such as Dayne.

"It might be a Ron Dayne game," said Arizona's Dick Tomey, the former Hawaii coach who will be part of the Hula Bowl coaching staff.

"I'm not crazy about that. But anything could happen. We're just here to have a good time and put on a good show."

Also among the familiar faces here to coach is Paul Johnson, the former Hawaii offensive coordinator who guided Georgia Southern to the NCAA Division I-AA national title this past season,

And four Hawaii seniors -- quarterback Dan Robinson, offensive guard Andy Phillips, defensive back Quincy LeJay, and defensive lineman Tony Tuioti -- also will take part in the game.

Dayne, who set an NCAA record with 6,397 rushing yards, arrived yesterday with other college senior all-stars who will be playing in the Hula Bowl at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

Dayne said when he was younger, he dreamed about coming to Hawaii.

"I'm feeling great," he said. "I'm ready to practice."

Dayne said he knows his team has several running backs and it may be difficult to get enough running time.

"Whenever I get my time, I'll do my best," he said.