Warriors complete ’09 football schedule

By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

SALT LAKE CITY » The Hawaii football schedule for 2009 is set with the addition of Central Arkansas.

The Log Cabin Democrat (Ark.) newspaper's Web site reported yesterday that UCA officials signed a contract to play the Warriors at Aloha Stadium. UH athletic director Jim Donovan confirmed last night negotiations were complete, and he was awaiting the paperwork.

"I can say we sent them a contract, and if we receive it signed we have a game on Sept. 4, 2009," Donovan said. "The kickoff will be at 7 or 7:30 p.m. (at Aloha Stadium)."

The booking completes UH's 13-game regular-season schedule for 2009.

Donovan said he got the blessing of Hawaii high school football leaders to play the game on Friday. UH and UCA both wanted an extra day before their next games because of travel issues.

UCA is a FCS (formerly known as Division I-AA) program. Donovan said UH coach Greg McMackin agreed to play a non-Division I team because of the strength of the rest of the nonconference slate. The Warriors play at Washington State and UNLV in the two weeks following the opener against UCA and host Navy and Wisconsin at the end of the season.

"I'm really excited about opening our season in front of our home fans," McMackin said. "And I have a lot of respect for Central Arkansas. Having been in Texas, I know what their program is about. Jim talked to a lot of schools about playing us, and I respect them for stepping up."

UCA went 6-5 last season.

The Log Cabin Democrat also reported UH will pay UCA $125,000 for the game.

"It's another landmark game for our program, one that's just another step in what we're trying to build here," UCA coach Clint Conque said. "It's good for the school and our conference."

North Shore ties

Idaho junior safety/punt returner Shiloh Keo entered last night's reception wearing a sweatshirt featuring the Hawaiian Islands.

Keo said he has many friends and family from throughout Hawaii, especially the North Shore of Oahu.

"We're close to (former UH safety) Leonard Peters," Keo said.

Keo is a cousin of Jason Keo, the star Kahuku running back who died in a car accident shortly after graduation and a few weeks before he was to report to the BYU football team in 1996.

Shiloh Keo is an Idaho team captain despite being just a junior. He received All-WAC recognition last year at both safety and punt returner.

No sixth year

Nevada defensive end Erics Clark was denied a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Clark missed all but two games last year due to a knee injury and pneumonia.

UH is still awaiting word on a similar situation involving defensive end Francis Maka.

Linebackers representing

The Warriors will be represented here by All-WAC linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian.

They, along with McMackin, left Hawaii last night and were expected to arrive in Utah this morning for interviews with reporters covering the conference.

Not leaving, at least not yet

WAC commissioner Karl Benson, often the subject of speculation regarding other jobs, said talk about him leaving for the open Pac-10 commissioner's post is "way, way, way premature."

Benson, who was to address the media this morning, said a completed new TV contract with ESPN will not be among his announcements.