Game Notes

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Warrior football team opens its home schedule by hosting Weber State of the Big Sky Conference, Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is 6:05 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

            After a 56-10 season-opening loss at No. 5 Florida, the Warriors (0-1) return to Aloha Stadium, where they've won 16 of the last 17 games. UH went undefeated (8-0) at home last season and has not lost there since the 2006 regular season finale against Oregon State.

            The Warriors struggled offensively against the Gators last Saturday, accumulating 241 yards of total offense, their lowest output since 1999. UH threw for 181 yards through the air with junior Inoke Funaki accounted for 110 yards passing and the team's only touchdown - a 13-yard strike to Greg Salas in the fourth quarter.

            Weber State opened its season with a 62-6 rout of Montana-Western last Thursday. Sophomore quarterback Cameron Higgins, a Honolulu native and St. Louis School alum, passed for 286 yards and two scores while running back Trevyn Smith rushed for four touchdowns and 68 yards on the ground.

            This is the first meeting between the schools. UH is 14-3 all-time against the current members of the Big Sky Conference. UH opened the 2007 season against the Big Sky's Northern Colorado, 63-6, at Aloha Stadium.

 

What: Hawai'i (0-1, 0-0 WAC) vs. Weber State (1-0, 0-0 Big Sky)

When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008

Time: 6:05 p.m. HT

Where: Aloha Stadium (50,000), Honolulu, HI

Television: Live statewide on Oceanic Cable Pay-Per-View digital channel 255 with Jim Leahey (play-by-play) and Russell Yamanoha (color). Call (808) 643-2100 statewide to order. Also delayed on KFVE (ch. 5) Sunday, Sept. 7, at 10:00 a.m.

Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran (play-by-play), Robert Kekaula (color), and John Veneri (sideline). Don Robbs, Chris Hart and Gary Dickman host the “Countdown To Kickoff” beginning at 4:00 p.m., and also the halftime show. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KPUA in Hilo, KMWB in Kona.

Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com

Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com

Series Information: First meeting

Promotions: California Hotel & Casino and Vacations Hawaii are the game sponsors. A halftime contest winner will receive a Trip for Two to Las Vegas, including airline transportation, meals, and four nights at the California Hotel.

 

- UH has won 16 of its last 17 games at Aloha Stadium, including eight straight. The Warriors last home loss came to Oregon State, 35-32, in December 2006.

- UH is 59-27-5 all-time in home openers including a 4-6 mark in its last 10 openers at Aloha Stadium.

- Greg McMackin served as Weber State head coach Ron McBride's defensive coordinator for two seasons (1990-91) at Utah.

- Running back/offensive line coach Alex Gerke coached the offensive line at Weber State the past two seasons. He also coached on McBride's staff at Utah from 1998-99 as a graduate assistant and from 2001-02 as the offensive line coach.

- UH is 14-3 all-time versus current members of the Big Sky Conference, most recently a 63-6 rout of Northern Colorado to open the 2007 season.

- UH has not lost consecutive games since the 2005 season (Oct. 29 vs. Fresno State and Nov. 5 at Nevada).

- Placekicker Dan Kelly is tied for second all-time in school history with 268 career points. Kelly is tied with Justin Ayat and trails leader Jason Elam (395).

- UH has won 22 of its last 25 games overall.

- UH led the nation in scoring in 2007 (43.4 ppg).

- Weber State's roster features 10 players from the 50th state, including starting quarterback Cameron Higgins (St. Louis School), starting tight end Cody Nakamura (Baldwin HS), starting left guard Lawaia Naihe (Kapa'a HS).

- UH quarterback Greg Alexander and WSU defensive back Ryan Galovic were teammates at Santa Rosa College.