DENNIS ODA DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Some University of Hawaii fans got into the Warrior spirit for the big game yesterday, including, from left, Pavel Peroutka, Clarence Shibata and Keith Roberts. UH took a 14-6 halftime lead in the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl but lost 36-28. A crowd of 31,535 was on hand for the inaugural event. See complete coverage.
Warriors wiped out University of Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang re-injured his throwing hand in the first half of the inaugural Hawaii Bowl, and Tulane rallied from a two-touchdown deficit yesterday to secure a 36-28 victory.
by Green Wave
Quarterback Tim Chang is
Tailgating before the bowl
injured and Hawaii loses 36-28Star-Bulletin staff
The four-hour marathon was Hawaii's first post-game appearance since winning the Oahu Bowl in 1999 and left the Warriors 10-4 for the 2002 season. The visiting Green Wave of Conference USA were a 12-point underdog but overcame a 14-6 halftime deficit by scoring 20 unanswered points in the third quarter.
Chang's teammates learned in the halftime locker room that the sophomore would not be playing in the final 30 minutes. Tulane took advantage of the shock factor as Green Wave cornerback Lynaris Elpheage returned one punt for a touchdown and set up the go-ahead score with another return of 56 yards.
UH senior quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen did his best to rally the Warriors, who were involved in several tight games in the latter part of the regular season. But Tulane put the game out of reach when Roxie Shelvin sacked Withy-Allen in the end zone for a safety to make it 36-28 with 3:02 left.
A crowd of 31,535 and a national audience on ESPN-TV watched the Christmas Day game, which will likely cost both teams money, despite the $750,000 payout promised both programs.
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Editor's note: Reporter Rod Antone was assigned a story on tailgaters yesterday at the inaugural ConAgra Hawaii Bowl. He crafted his report in the spirit of the yuletide poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." ’Twas the tailgating
before the Hawaii BowlBy Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com'Twas the game on Christmas and Aloha Stadium was nice. Hibachis were busy, the coolers had ice.
Season ticket holders smiled, raised drinks in the air,
And in a loud voice proclaimed, "Thank God June Jones is here!"
"Our Warriors they rule! We're at a bowl game!
"So what if it's Christmas ... by the way, who's Tulane?"
Searching for answers I found a young fan,
Sitting under a tree with a beer in his hand.
On his head was a hat bearing Tulane's Green Wave.
His shirt said New Orleans, where the Wave is the rave.
"They used to give tickets away because Tulane was so bad,"
Johnny Harrison said about games as a lad.
"But I've always cheered for them," he smiled in a way,
so you knew he would cheer again yesterday.
'Bows fans know too what it's like to take a whoppin'.
Not too long ago they asked, "What happened to von Appen?"
"We just sat in the parking lot, we didn't even go inside,"
but now "our team is good," said Peter Minaya with pride.
Football coach Danny Garcia recalled days past,
When UH was 0 and 18 and everybody kicked our ... da kine.
"There's no comparison," Garcia said of Jones, his smile growing wider.
"By the way can I say hi to my team, the Kealakehe Wave Riders?"
"I love it!" said Kaulana Hirakawa of the ConAgra Bowl,
with Santa hat, green wig and Nate Jackson towel.
"Gotta support UH," he said with a grin.
Then later added, "Besides, we going win."
The game's on TV, but where were the fans?
There were empty spaces in the parking lot, and even the stands.
Some said a bigger name opponent would make it more fun,
As they yelled out for free:
"USC!"
"WASHINGTON!"
"ANY TEAM FROM PAC-10!"
"BYU!"
"OKLAHOMA!"
"CINCINNATI ... AGAIN!!!"
Then I heard one fellow exclaim,
hands not a bit clammy,
forget all the rest,
"JUST BRING ON MIAMI!!!"
UH Athletics
