Friday, August 24, 2001

[ UH FOOTBALL ]

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UH opens ’02
with Eastern Illinois

The Warriors ended their 19-game
losing streak against the Panthers in 1999

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

Eastern Illinois will always bring back fond memories for University of Hawaii football fans. That's the team the then-Rainbows beat in 1999 to end a 19-game losing streak and begin the biggest turnaround in college football history.

The Panthers get their chance for revenge next year. UH has finalized its 2002 schedule by agreeing with EIU to play Aug. 31, 2002 at Aloha Stadium.

It also means Hawaii will play 13 regular-season games for the first time.

A new NCAA rule that goes into effect next season allows teams to play 12 games; teams that play in Hawaii, including the Warriors, still get an additional game.

Hawaii beat Eastern Illinois 31-27 a week after losing 62-7 to Southern California in head coach June Jones' debut. UH finished the 1999 season 9-4, including a 5-2 mark in Western Athletic Conference play. Hawaii tied for the league title and ended the magical run by beating Oregon State in the Oahu Bowl.

"It was a good game and it sure was exciting to get that first win," Jones said when told of EIU being on next year's schedule.

"I'm sure they're excited about coming back, too, because I'm sure they think they should have beat us."

The other nonconference games next year are at Brigham Young and at home against Cincinnati, Washington State and San Diego State.

Also, UH associate athletic director Jim Donovan said nonconference scheduling is complete for 2003 and 2004.

Hawaii is scheduled to open the 2003 season at home against Akron on Aug. 30. UH will visit USC and Nevada-Las Vegas and host Army and Virginia.

In 2004, Hawaii is slated to host Sacramento State, BYU, Idaho and Northwestern.

UH hosts Southern California again, Wisconsin and San Diego State in 2005.

The Warriors are seeking another nonconference game for 2005, Donovan said.

Contracts for nonconference home games now include buyout clauses to prevent teams from pulling out of games as has happened with Iowa State, Notre Dame, Virginia, Texas and Purdue. The new contracts stipulate that UH receives $100,000 to $250,000 for a pull out.

"The idea is not to replace the whole money of the gate but to replace a drop-off since we feel we can schedule another team in most cases," Donovan said.

The Eastern Illinois game next August marks the third season in a row that Hawaii opens its schedule against a Division I-AA opponent.

"I think we're steadily improving the quality of the schedules. We still have a couple years with I-AA opponents, but usually that's a strategic thing. And it doesn't mean it won't be a good game," Donovan said.

The contracts for the USC and Brigham Young games have not been signed yet, he said.

UH Schedules 2002 Aug. 31 Eastern Illinois Sept. 7 at BYU Sept. 21 at Texas-El Paso Sept. 28 Southern Methodist Oct. 5 at Boise State Oct. 12 Nevada Oct. 19 Tulsa Oct. 26 at Fresno State Nov. 2 San Jose State Nov. 16 at Rice Nov. 23 Cincinnati Nov. 30 Washington State Dec. 7 San Diego State 2003 (Conference schedule not set) Aug. 30 Akron Sept. 13 at USC Sept. 20 at Nevada-Las Vegas Nov. 22 Army Nov. 29 Virginia 2004 (Conference schedule not set) Sept. 11 Sacramento State Oct. 2 BYU Nov. 20 Idaho Nov. 27 Northwestern 2005 (Conference schedule not set) Sept. 3 USC Nov. 26 Wisconsin Dec. 3 San Diego State

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