Spotlight on West Coast

Hawaii visits a BCS foe for the second time in three weeks

EUGENE, Ore. » There was talk this week of Hawaii cultivating a nonconference rivalry with Oregon State in future years.

Greg McMackin: Hawaii coach's roots run deep in Oregon, having coached there

For the moment, though, the Warriors' focus is trained solely on today's meeting with OSU, going through final preparations at the home of the Beavers' fiercest rival.

Hawaii is staying in Eugene and practiced at Oregon's Autzen Stadium yesterday afternoon. Although today's game doesn't have quite the enmity associated with the state's "Civil War," the Warriors expect a lively atmosphere for Oregon State's home opener.

"These guys aren't going to play us soft," UH receiver Aaron Bain said, "especially coming off two losses on the road and now they're playing their first home game."

The Warriors will head up the freeway to Corvallis today and venture into Reser Stadium, where they meet OSU at 10 a.m. Hawaii time.

WARRIORS FOOTBALL Hawaii (1-1) at Oregon State (0-2) 10 a.m. today PPV Ch. 255, KKEA 1420-AM

The Warriors' second road game against a BCS conference opponent in three weeks will be a homecoming of sorts for head coach Greg McMackin, whose personal and coaching roots are planted deep in Oregon soil.

"It's a business trip, but Oregon's always been special," said McMackin, who grew up in Springfield, Ore., and began his career at Aloha High School in Beaverton. "It is going to be fun to go back and see some old friends, and I'm proud to take this team into Oregon."

The homecoming will be put aside for a few hours when the Warriors (1-1) face an Oregon State team looking to extend a streak of 24 home wins over nonconference opponents.