StarBulletin.com

Warriors, Cougars live in the present


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POSTED: Saturday, November 29, 2008

For Hawaii, there is that temptation to look ahead.

                       
WARRIORS FOOTBALL
Washington State (2-10, 1-8 Pac-10) at Hawaii (6-5, 5-3 WAC), 6:05 tonight. TV: Oceanic PPV Ch. 255; Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM

For Washington State, getting caught in the past is the concern.

Both will try to keep their focus on the present when they meet today at Aloha Stadium.

After a 1-3 start this season, Hawaii (6-5) has closed to within one win of the program's third straight bowl appearance, and enters today's game as a heavy favorite against a struggling Washington State team. But Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin is confident the Warriors won't let their attention wander against the Pac-10 Cougars.

“;They're smart,”; McMackin said. “;They knew last week, they know this week, what's on the line for them. I don't have to talk about that a whole lot.”;

Washington State (2-10) closes a trying season today a week after a rousing double-overtime win over rival Washington in last week's Apple Cup and is aiming to take a winning streak into the offseason.

“;Our seniors wanted to finish the last two games off with wins,”; first-year Washington State coach Paul Wulff said. “;That was a big goal of theirs, to send our young players into next year and build off of it. I think that's a huge thing. And coming off a big game and winning your rivalry, you surely don't want to turn around and hand over a game and lose it.”;

Today's game is the first meeting between the Warriors and Cougars since 1999, when Washington State spoiled senior night for bowl-bound UH with a 22-14 win. The matchup also marks the start of a three-game series between the schools. UH will travel to Washington State next season.