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An empty rivalry

Fresno State not expected to be enough to bring the fans out to the stadium

Is a rivalry game still a rivalry game if it is played in front of 25,000 empty seats?

By all indications, Fresno State has replaced Brigham Young as the football team Hawaii fans love to hate (it's hard to hate a team your boys never play). But as of yesterday, only 27,700 tickets had been distributed for today's 1:05 p.m. game at Aloha Stadium.

Hawaii vs. Fresno State at Aloha Stadium Kickoff: 1:05 p.m. TV: ABC (KITV) Radio: 1420-AM The line: Fresno by 12

The Warriors (3-4, 3-2 WAC) and Bulldogs (5-1, 3-0) have provided some of the most exciting and intense games and moments in recent years for both programs. There's anticipation for more drama today, even though Fresno State is nearly a two-touchdown favorite, because the Bulldogs have a five-game losing streak at Aloha Stadium.

"I think it's evolved into our rivalry like BYU was to people of the '80s," UH coach June Jones said. "It's an emotional game for them. They seem to turn it up a notch and our kids turn it up a notch and the crowd turns it up. It's just one of those games where it gets kind of electric during the game."

The Warriors have put together a modest two-win roll as a young offense led by quarterback Colt Brennan has found itself. But a confluence of other circumstances will keep the fans away from Halawa today in droves:

» Easy as ABC. Today's game is live on TV. Free TV. Over-the-air TV.

» How do you hibachi eggs? The 1:05 p.m. start throws tailgaters for a loop. In Hawaii, Saturday night is for football. Saturday morning is for golf and yardwork.

» Never going back. Many longtime UH season-ticket holders were pushed out of their seats by increased prices this year, and they decided not to renew.

» 70-14. That's the score Fresno State beat Hawaii by last year. Many Warriors "faithful" aren't confident a re-run won't occur today, Aloha Stadium magic or not.

Only 25,661 showed up for the Oct. 1 Boise State game, and 24,775 for the New Mexico State encounter Oct. 15.

Even with a huge walk-up, there's no way today's game will draw anywhere near the 41,153 (tickets distributed) for UH's 55-28 win over Fresno State at Aloha Stadium in 2003.

The lack of a big crowd could help the Bulldogs. But Fresno State coach Pat Hill is so worried he sounded sincere when he said he lost sleep preparing for the 98th-ranked defense in the nation.

"This is gonna be a tough one. Hawaii has a sound defense and Jerry Glanville's done a great job. We're burning the oil hard getting a plan together," said Hill, who was so afraid one of his players might point out that UH has allowed 446 yards per game he wouldn't let them talk to reporters.

Hill's next statement on the WAC coaches conference call produced fewer giggles:

"Our defense will be challenged. Colt Brennan stepped up. All three of our phases have to play well to go to that island and win."

The Warriors offense -- with six new starters at quarterback, running back and receiver -- is potentially more productive than last year's veteran crew. Freshman receiver Davone Bess is confident UH can score often against the Bulldogs defense, which is top-ranked in the WAC.

"It's pretty basic. We can go up to the line pretty much knowing what it's going to be," Bess said when asked if FSU disguises coverages. "We have our sight adjustments for our routes, and we shouldn't have any trouble adjusting to their coverages."

The Warriors could get a boost defensively if tackle Mel Purcell (knee) is healthy enough to play. Former starting cornerback Kenny Patton (shoulder) should also be available.

Strong safety Lono Manners is the only original starter remaining in the Warriors secondary.

"Rebuilt, retread. Just like spokes in a wheel. Gotta plug them in," defensive backs coach Rich Miano said. "There's so much parity. Lamar (cornerback Broadway) did a good job last week. Kenny's coming off an injury. Turmarian's (cornerback Moreland) gotten better. (Cornerback) George Perry's shown some toughness. It's a matter of who's playing the best. They'll probably all play."

Outside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe said UH has a better chance of stopping FSU running backs Wendell Mathis and Bryson Sumlin this time because the Warriors are much healthier on defense than they were when the Bulldogs crushed them for 503 rushing yards and 679 total last year.

"The first thing we're going to need to do is come at them hard," said Moe, who was injured for last year's game and leads UH with 51 tackles this season. "We know they're probably going to try to ram it down our throat just like they did last year and if we don't stop them they'll just keep doing it and doing it. So we'll have to come at them hard and try to get them to pass the ball. Then maybe we can get some picks."

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