Saturday is "Family Day" at Aloha Stadium! The Warriors return to their home turf for another showdown, this time with Western Athletic Conference (WAC) rival Fresno State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Aloha Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC (West Coast only).
Hawai'i (3-4, 3-2 WAC), which is coming off a 45-38 road win over San Jose State, looks to upset a red-hot Fresno State squad. The Bulldogs, fresh off of a 40-10 victory at Idaho, are currently in a three-way tie for first-place in the WAC with a 3-0 record, and have moved up to No. 22 in this week's Associated Press poll.
Fresno State (5-1, 3-0 WAC) holds a slight advantage in the overall series (19-17-1), but the Warriors have proven successful in Honolulu, maintaining a 13-8 edge, and winning the last five contests in Honolulu. Hawai'i looks to avenge the lopsided 70-14 loss at Bulldog Stadium last season.
Hawai'i's high-octane offense is averaging better than 35 points per game at home and will be tested by a Fresno State defense that is ranked 16th nationally allowing an average of 17.7 points per game. The Bulldogs lead the league in total defense (290.2) scoring defense (17.7), and rushing defense (100.2). The Warriors are just the opposite, leading the league in total offense (454.9) and pass offense (382.3).
Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan continues to reach new heights with each passing week. Against the Spartans, the junior quarterback orchestrated a fourth-quarter drive that resulted in the winning touchdown. Brennan completed 36-of-48 passes for 457 yards and three touchdowns. The Irvine, Calif., native leads the WAC in passing average per game (350.0), pass efficiency (159.3), and total offense (363.7).
Brennan continues to find a selection of receivers to hit in trio Ryan Grice-Mullen, Davone Bess, and Chad Mock. At San Jose State, the trio reached the century mark for the second straight week. Mock finished with 11 receptions (104 yards), while Bess contributed nine grabs for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Grice-Mullen snatched five passes for 125 yards and one touchdown, and added a rushing touchdown. Bess and Grice-Mullen continue to top the WAC charts in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. Bess is averaging 7.14 grabs per game for 98.3 yards while Grice-Mullen grabs 6.29 receptions per game for 87.0 yards.
Although the Warrior defense has allowed miles of yardage this season, the unit has come up with timely big plays to keep the Warrior chances alive. Last week, the defense forced San Jose State quarterback Adam Tafralis to fumble on the 1-yard line, halting a go-ahead touchdown drive. And safety Dane Porlas intercepted Tafralis with 55 seconds left to play to end all hopes of a Spartan upset.
Linebackers Tanuvasa Moe (51), Kila Kamakawiwo'ole (48) and Solomon Elimimian (46) lead the Warriors in total tackles. Moe is tied for 14th in the WAC averaging 7.3 tackles per game, while Kamakawiwo'ole is tied for third in the league averaging 0.71 sacks per game and 0.29 forced fumbles per game, and fifth in tackles-for-loss, averaging 1.21 per game.
Fresno State head coach Pat Hill is in his ninth season at the helm of the Bulldogs program. The Bulldogs are undefeated in WAC play and suffered a just one loss all year in a close 37-34 loss to No. 22 Oregon earlier this season.
The Bulldogs defense stole the spotlight in last week's game at Idaho, holding the Vandals to 213 total yards. For the third straight game, the Bulldog defense held opponents to under 300 total yards, including New Mexico State (195) and Utah State (211).
Fresno State takes a "smash-mouth" approach on offense, averaging 167.3 rushing yards per game, second in the WAC, and produces a league-leading 43.8 points per game (6th in the nation).
The Bulldogs house two of the top four WAC rushing leaders in Wendell Mathis and Bryson Sumlin. Mathis ranks third in the WAC averaging 79.5 yards per game, while Sumlin ranks fourth in the league averaging 63.2 yards per game.
Senior quarterback Paul Pinegar is ranked 12th in NCAA passing efficiency (157.2) and has thrown 12 touchdowns against two interceptions.
Fresno State's special teams have also made significant contributions this season. The Bulldogs are ranked in the top five nationally in punt returns (second, 25.9) and kickoff returns (fourth, 27.4), and have scored five touchdowns on punt returns, including two by Clifton Smith. Sophomore place-kicker Clint Stitser has also been efficient for the Bulldogs and ranks 14th nationally in scoring (9.8 ppg), and has connected on 10 of 12 field goal opportunities.
GAME INFORMATION
GAME 8
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005
1:05 p.m.
ALOHA STADIUM
HONOLULU (50,000)
FRESNO STATE (5-1, 3-0 WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)
AT
HAWAI'I (3-4, 3-2 WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)
FAMILY DAY: Bring the whole family to Aloha Stadium and enjoy wonderful savings as UH hosts WAC rival Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 29. Get four tickets for the price of two with your UH CreditBack card. Also, UH Kids' Club members receive a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office. This offer is valid in all non-premium areas and not available in conjunction with any other promotional offers. Other restrictions may apply.
TELEVISION: Live nationally (West Coast only) on ABC with Terry Gannon calling the action, Jamal Anderson providing color and Dave LaMont reporting from the sidelines.
RADIO: Live on Sports Radio 1420 with Bobby Curran and Robert Kekaula calling the action. Don Robbs hosts the "Warrior Warm-up" beginning at 12 p.m., and also the halftime show. Neighbor island simulcasts can be heard live on KAOI on Maui/Kona, KPUA in Hilo and KQNG on Kauai.
AUDIO WEBCAST: Live on sportsradio1420.com.
PARKING GATES: Parking lot gates at Aloha Stadium will open at 9:30 a.m. Parking is $5. Alternate parking is available at Leeward Community College (free with a $2 charge of shuttle service, and at Kam Drive-In for $5 and free shuttle service. All shuttle service operation runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and approximately one hour after the game ends. Parking is also available at Radford High School for $3 with no available shuttle service. No tailgating is allowed at alternate parking sites.
STADIUM GATES: Stadium gates will open at 10 a.m.
STADIUM SECURITY: Security measures are in effect. Only fanny packs, purses and handbags will be allowed into the stadium (subject to check). There will be no illegal contraband, weapons, fireworks, coolers, cans bottles, air horns, noisemakers, back packs, umbrellas, outside food and/or beverages allowed inside the stadium gates.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Sports Radio 1420 will provide traffic advisories and updates before each UH football home game during the 2005 season.
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