Warriors could have
national audience
for 2004 openerESPN is helping Hawaii find
an opponent for a possible
Sept. 4 game on its network
Hawaii will likely start its football season Sept. 4 and it could be a nationally televised game.
UH Football 2004 schedule
Date Opponent Sept. 4 or 11 Undetermined Sept. 18 at Rice Oct. 2 Tulsa Oct. 9 Nevada Oct. 16 at Texas-El Paso Oct. 23 San Jose State Oct. 30 at Boise State Nov. 6 Louisiana Tech Nov. 13 at Fresno State Nov. 20 Idaho Nov. 27 Northwestern Dec. 4 Michigan State
"We got a call from ESPN. They're helping us with finding potential schools for the game," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said.
The Warriors were originally scheduled to open with Sacramento State at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 11, but the Hornets pulled out of the game last year for financial reasons.
UH starts its WAC season at Rice on Sept. 18. Playing the opener on Sept. 4 is advantageous because the Warriors could start fall camp a week earlier. Also, it gives UH a bye week in which to prepare for a long road trip to Houston and the Owls' option offense.
"It's always good to have a week off before you play a wishbone team," Hawaii coach June Jones said.
The Rice game is one of only four road games for Hawaii in 2004. The others are at Texas-El Paso (Oct. 16), at Boise State (Oct. 30) and at Fresno State (Nov. 13).
Following the Rice trip, UH plays its Western Athletic Conference home opener against Tulsa (Oct. 2), followed by another home game against Nevada (Oct. 9).
The Warriors also host league opponents San Jose State (Oct. 23) and Louisiana Tech (Nov. 6).
Hawaii finishes out the season with three nonconference foes: Idaho (Nov. 20), Northwestern (Nov. 27) and Michigan State (Dec. 4).
The Warriors do not have a bye after Sept. 27.
"You don't really have control of that and you just have to take what's dealt," Jones said.
Frazier said the schedule is subject to change, especially to accommodate TV.
Last year's home game against Boise State was moved to the end of the season, as ESPN expected the game would determine the WAC championship.
"We work hand-in-hand with our opponents, too," Frazier said.
UH wants an opponent from a major conference for the opener, but might have to settle for something else.
"We're talking to BCS conference teams," Frazier said.
Frazier also said he prefers to schedule only Division I-A teams, but has not ruled out I-AA teams.
Markus Owens of the UH sports media relations department said fans call often wanting to know when the opener will be.
"Someone called because they're planning a retirement party and want to know which weekend to do it. Others call because of weddings and other events," Owens said. "A lot of people seem to plan their lives around UH football games."
Suit filed: The attorney representing James Voss, stepfather of UH slotback Chad Owens, filed a lawsuit on Voss' behalf against the Las Vegas Metro police department yesterday.
"The suit is for excessive force and police brutality based on the Civil Rights Act," attorney Chris Dias said.
The suit asks for an unspecified amount in damages, per Nevada state law. A trial date will be set within 120 days from the filing, Dias said.
Voss was among several fans arrested during the Hawaii football game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 19 of last year. There was rampant fighting in the stands throughout the game.
Videotape indicates police may have used a dangerous choke hold during the arrest of Voss, who said a policeman threatened to kill him. Also, two witnesses told the Star-Bulletin that Voss provoked police by attempting to strike an officer.
The charges against Voss of battery on a police officer and inciting a riot are still pending, Dias said.
