Blazers rebounded
and got their reward
-- a bowl bid

UAB's first bowl invite
comes in its third season
of eligibility

UAB fifth-year senior Nick Hayes and his classmates had been down this road before.

The other two times it was a dead end.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Who: UAB (7-4) vs. Hawaii (7-5) Where: Aloha Stadium When: Tomorrow, 2 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $40 TV: Live, ESPN Radio: Live, KKEA, 1420-AM Internet: kkea1420am.com

In his first two seasons with the Blazers, Hayes could only watch and wonder, "What if?" UAB, bowl-eligible in both seasons, did not receive a postseason invitation, leaving the all-conference kicker at home for the holidays watching the games on television.

After six games this season, it seemed the Blazers were well on their way to making a bowl game, with their only blemish a loss at Florida State.

But after back-to-back losses to Tulane and South Florida, UAB once again found itself on the cusp of going bowl-less.

"The thought had entered my mind, but I had faith that we would pull through," Hayes said.

The Blazers won two of their final three games to finish in a four-way tie for second place in Conference USA, but with the second-best nonconference record, UAB had finally secured its first-ever bowl invite, the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

"It was just awesome when we found out we were coming here," Hayes said. "For our seniors to go out with a bowl game, it just shows how hard we've worked this year."

Hayes entered his final year a preseason first-team All-Conference USA selection, but struggled early, missing his first three kicks. However, the three-time Groza Award candidate rebounded to convert 11 of his final 12 attempts, his last two coming in a 20-14 victory over Army that guaranteed a bowl berth and earned Hayes a C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week award.

"He's made a lot of big kicks for us," UAB head coach Watson Brown said. "He's one of those kind of kids that nothing bothers him and he's somebody we're really going to miss."

Hayes ranks fourth all-time in Conference USA in field goals made and fifth in career points with 278.

His biggest kick came in his junior season against South Florida, when he connected from 42 yards out with 9 seconds left to give the Blazers a victory.

"That one's probably my best memory yet," he said.

Memories have come aplenty for Hayes as he wraps up his college career in Hawaii. After arriving here Saturday, the team visited Pearl Harbor on Monday.

"It was amazing to see that memorial, but it was just really sad at the same time," he said. "I just felt for everybody that was there at the time and I think its something that everybody needs to see."

Hayes' father served in the Vietnam War and was shipped to Hawaii for a week to recover in 1970. Thirty-four years later, he has finally returned, albeit under much better circumstances.

"It's unbelievable how this place has changed," Rob Hayes said. "I'm just extremely proud of Nick and to have this happen, and have a chance to be here to watch him play, it's just thrilling."

As his record-setting college football career comes to an end, Nick Hayes is just glad he has one last game to put a final stamp on his time at UAB. For him, there's no better place to do it at than Hawaii.

"Its been so much fun ever since we've been here," he said. "I thought I'd never ever go to Hawaii and just to get this experience, it's something I'll always be proud of."

Union getting involved
in issue of bonuses
for football coaches

The head of the union that represents the University of Hawaii assistant football coaches is concerned that the coaches have not received bonuses for last year's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

"The union has been working with these employees," HGEA executive director Russell Okata said.

According to the wording of the coaches' contracts they "may" receive a bonus equal to one month's pay if the team makes it to a bowl game. Okata said "may" doesn't mean "optional."

"Our reading is that it's an expectation and a practice. If UH interprets that it's subject to funding, that's where it stands now," he said.

UH (7-5) plays UAB (7-4) in tomorrow's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

The 10 coaches received bonuses totaling around $50,000 when the Warriors made it to the 2002 Hawaii Bowl.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier, through spokeswoman Lois Manin, said yesterday the "football coaches will receive bonuses for 2003 and 2004 in due time."

"We've been working on this for a while now and we hope to put it to bed within the next month," Manin said.

More than $10,000 in private donations have been made toward the coaches' 2003 bonuses.

"Yes, there have been additional donors (after two publicized donations totaling $10,000 earlier this month)," Frazier said through Manin. "We are continually receiving funds for all issues, coaches' bonuses included."

Okata said his understanding is the bonuses must be approved by the UH Board of Regents.

"I don't think there's a disagreement in that the amount is owed. It's a matter of getting funding," he said.

Okata declined to say if an official complaint had been lodged regarding the delay in paying the bonus money.

"Grievances are generally confidential," he said.

Manin said UH had not received any notice of a grievance or other contact from the union.

UH officials from upper campus or the Board of Regents were not available for comment yesterday.

Ray Bass gone for sure: Second-year freshman cornerback Ray Bass said he definitely won't be returning to UH.

He was suspended from the team last month, but the door was left open for him to return by coach June Jones.

Bass, in a phone conversation from his home in Corona, Calif., yesterday, said he hasn't decided what to do next.

"As of right now, there's no set plan," he said. "I have some things I'm thinking of I'd rather not comment on yet."

His brother, running back Mike Bass, a senior with one season of eligibility left, also left UH. He is transferring to Montana State, Ray Bass said.

Line dance: Senior Phil Kauffman will likely start at left guard for UH tomorrow. The usual starter there, Samson Satele, will probably move to center to replace junior Derek Fa'avi, who is bothered again by an injured foot.

Right guard Uriah Moenoa, who missed Tuesday's practice with the flu, is back and ready to play, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh plans to substitute early and often.

"You'll probably see a lot of different guys out there at different times," he said. "We need new blood to continue the chain, to hold the chain strong."

All wet: Heavy rains slowed down UAB's 75-minute practice at Aloha Stadium yesterday.

"I guess we brought this stuff with us," Blazers receivers coach Rodney Bivens said.

UAB is no stranger to the wet stuff this season, having played in seven rain-soaked games. They included a 34-7 loss to Florida State in monsoon-like conditions.

UH cut its scheduled 2-hour practice to 90 minutes because of the rain.

Tautofi gets tough: Senior defensive tackle Darrell Tautofi has seen the light.

Football is finally fun again for the senior from Kaimuki High School. After transferring from Dixie College in Utah, it took Tautofi two years of academic struggles to make his mark on the field with the Warriors.

He's only been credited with 14 tackles, but Tautofi has been invaluable as a backup to starters Matt Faga and Lui Fuga, especially the last three games.

"June pointed him out in the staff meeting as playing defensive tackle the way it's supposed to be played. He's like a dog with big eyes and a waggy tail," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "He plays with a swagger now. He's directing guys. He never did that before. He couldn't get himself lined up correctly before."

Kapanui to start: Strongside linebacker Chad Kapanui has apparently regained the starting spot he lost five games ago.

"He's been doing very well in practice," linebackers coach Cal Lee said.

Watson Ho'ohuli and Tanuvasa Moe are expected to start in the middle and on the weakside.

New assistant AD: Tiffany Kuraoka is UH's new assistant athletic director in charge of finances.

She started work Dec. 13.