From 2001 to 2003, three University of Hawaii football games ended with fights, getting worse each time.

The brawl with Cincinnati in 2002 was sparked when a Bearcats player either (depending on your loyalties) took a cheap shot at Tim Chang's injured knee or was blocked into it as the Warriors ran out the clock at the end of a 20-19 win. Hostilities had been brewing all game, with Cincinnati unhappy about several calls by the WAC officiating crew at Aloha Stadium.

Players fought, fans fought, mascots fought. Cops shot pepper spray. It was a display former Cincy mayor Jerry Springer would love.

June Jones wanted a rematch (of the game) in the Hawaii Bowl. So did Uriah Moenoa (of the fight).

The Cincinnati AD blamed poor event management.

Neither team was innocent. But, when stuff like this happens, you look for common denominators. In 2001, some UH players skirmished with Miami (Ohio). Then, a year after the beef with the Bearcats, there was the Hawaii Bowl against Houston - a great game marred by Melee Kalikimaka, or the Fight Before Christmas.

And people wonder why UH developed a reputation for thuggery. Three fights like these in three years is a lot. No wonder it's been hard to get teams to come here.

For all the problems Herman Frazier had with booking games, he somehow got Cincinnati to agree to a return engagement. Part of the deal is a Big East crew officiating the game.

The good thing is six years is a very long time in college football. All the players and both head coaches are gone.

Events since allow us to believe both programs have grown up. Top-level college football teams certainly aren't immune to maturity problems. But widespread scraps like these occur more often among teams trying to prove something.

In 2002, the Cincinnati and Hawaii football programs were like gangly adolescents still establishing their identities. One school was more known for basketball, the other for volleyball.

What happened at the end of that game was about the maturity of the players to some degree, but also that of the overall programs.

Every football player is challenged to negotiate thin lines between confidence and arrogance, intense physical aggression and wreckless assault. And it's the coaching staff's responsibility to establish the culture and balance.

If a Hawaii player had been hit late, driven out of bounds and into the punchbowl a few years ago, what do you think would've happened? Perhaps another epic brawl?

That happened last Saturday to Mike Washington, and the Warriors calmly collected their 15 yards and played on.

UH has had some issues with personal fouls this season, but quickly addressed by coach Greg McMackin and nothing like not so long ago when Jones condoned over-celebration in blowouts.

Hawaii played in a BCS game last year and Cincinnati will next month. Both programs are way past misguidedly fighting for respect by actually throwing punches.