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Monday, November 13, 2000
UH’s goal: Most teams play their nonconference schedule at the beginning of the season, not at the end.
Finish strong after
dispatching Nevada
Faithful fans treated to
Warriors' second victory
of the season
Flying linebackers
By Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinWhile other universities across the nation prepare for their conference rivals, the University of Hawaii faces three teams whose Division I status is the only thing they have in common.
Louisiana Tech never runs, Wisconsin never passes and Nevada-Las Vegas isn't even supposed to be coming here. Given this year's shaky figures, even Leigh Steinberg would have a hard time marketing this.
Athletic department officials can only hope Hawaii's win over Nevada last Saturday night can produce an actual crowd of 30,000. They must have counted the Pearl City band coming and going to reach the announced figure of 30,409 in the Warriors' 37-17 victory over the Wolf Pack. That number was as fluid as the circulation figures released by the Hawaii Newspaper Agency, which happened to be sponsoring the game.
The fans that were there are of the hard-core variety. They outlasted the Manoa Mist that hitched a ride to Aloha Stadium. Some 96 passes in 223 minutes doesn't bother them, either.
"Those are our true fans out there and we love them," hard-hitting Nate Jackson said after playing a key part in Hawaii's second win of the season. "They're always there and they're usually loud. They stick with us and we'll win some more games."It's true, this isn't a magical mystery tour. Just how special last year was can be seen in what the final Western Athletic Conference game of the season meant this time around. Instead of clinching a tie for first, the win might have kept Hawaii out of a tie for last.
Jones is hopeful the victory will spark a revival of several kinds. First, hard work can pay off with a win. And second, the fans have a reason to come again. No, this isn't a championship team this season, but it could be one in the making.
There she is ...
"The fans have been great here all along," Jones said. "But I knew they would, and were one of the reasons I wanted to come back here. Once we get it going, this is a pretty dominating stadium for a home team. We found that out last year and we'll get it going again. It will become a factor."Last year, Hawaii averaged 37,256 tickets issued in its first six home games. Through five this year, the figure is still a healthy enough 38,130. But Hawaii had 10 home games last year, including the Oahu Bowl, and this year there are only eight, giving extra meaning to the remaining three.
"Our fans made a difference ... because they responded to the big plays we were making on the field," UH freshman quarterback Tim Chang said. "Our defense was really awesome. Nate has that interception in the end zone to keep it from being 17-3 and we respond by scoring a touchdown. It's good to see a 14-point swing go our way for a change."While Chang wasn't as consistent as he needs to be the rest of the way, he got some help from running back James Fenderson and wideout Ashley Lelie. For a while, it appeared Dwight Carter's team record of 220 receiving yards might be in jeopardy.
Lelie finished with 170 yards on nine receptions, including two for touchdowns. Chang completed 15 passes to five other receivers, but for only 113 yards combined. Fenderson added a career-high of his own with 147 yards rushing and two touchdowns. It was the third 100-yard game of his career.
"I just run hard and keep turning until they get me down," Fenderson said. "I'm actually offended if one guy can tackle me. I want to see the entire team piling on because that means I'm running hard."
It's too bad Fenderson won't be around next year to reap the benefits this season may bring for future teams. A lot of talk about next season already has begun, but the underclassmen have something else in mind.
"We want to finish strong for the seniors," Lelie said. "Those guys have played hard. They've seen the good and bad times. We don't want to forget about them. Their careers end here in only three games. And that means something to all of us."
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
Louisiana Tech doesn't employ a pure run-and-shoot attack, but the Bulldogs' version of it can be just as deadly. This week
Louisiana Tech visiting
for its final game
of the yearBy Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinAsk rival Louisiana-Monroe, a team Louisiana Tech ran off the field, 42-19, last Saturday to raise its season record to 3-8. The future Western Athletic Conference team is in its last season as an independent. This year's schedule has included second-ranked Miami of Florida and perennial powers Auburn, Kansas State and Penn State.
This Saturday's meeting at Aloha Stadium is the final stop of the 2000 campaign for the Bulldogs, who will join the WAC in the fall of 2001.
"I looked at a little of Louisiana Tech last week," Jones said after the league win. "They play an offense similar to our offense. Their defense is very good.
"They played a real tough schedule this year. I think they played teams like Miami and they played them pretty tough. They're a pretty good football team."
Louisiana Tech quarterback Luke McCown continues to come into his own. The freshman threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in Louisiana Tech's win over rival Louisiana-Monroe.
He completed 27 of 37 passes for 404 yards. McCown threw touchdown strikes to talented wideouts Delwyn Daigre, John Simon and James Jordan. Daigre finished with 167 yards on seven catches, and Jordan had nine receptions for 99 yards.
Late last year, Jones asked UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida if he could get Louisiana Tech off his schedule, but nothing could be worked out. This is a dangerous team that could be a nemesis for Hawaii for years to come.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii