Well, the University of Hawaii football team’s season has come down to this. Either beat BYU this Saturday or no bowl for Hawaii football. It really should not have come down to this, Hawaii should have had this bowl bid locked up weeks ago, but it has.
A combination of poor coaching decisions, tons of injuries, and a national scandal that has yet to be resolved has put the Warrior football team in a precarious position. Not only must they win to be invited to the Sheraton Hawaii bowl, but they must do it against archrival BYU, who is having a great season.
Also on the line may be head coach Greg McMackin’s job. The fan base in Hawaii has grown increasingly annoyed and tired of him for several reasons. He has definitely had his issues both on and off the field, but this game is going to speak volumes as to whether or not he is going to continue to be retained as the UH football coach.
Before the season started UH was expected to win the WAC in their final season within the conference, and they were also expected to have a much better record. A low point came when UH lost to UNLV, arguably considered to be the worst team in college football.
As if that wasn’t enough, UH has been riddled with an abundance of injuries, including a season ending one to their starting quarterback Bryant Moniz. To top it off, the season hit a new low point when an anonymous letter was sent to UH claiming that the Warrior football team had been involved in point shaving, which of course made national news, and has yet to be dealt with by the NCAA.
With all that being said, UH still has a chance to get to their bowl game if they beat the BYU Cougars in their final game of the season. This will not be an easy task, as UH is playing without several key starters. Since starting the season 1-2, BYU (8-3) has won seven of its last eight games. During that stretch, the Cougars have wins over Western Athletic Conference teams Utah State, San Jose State, Idaho, and New Mexico State. Hawaii already lost to both Utah State and San Jose State.
This weekend’s game should be one of the better ones of the season, at least from a fan standpoint. UH and BYU have been bitter rivals for year, and that rivalry will be renewed Saturday. Not only that, but so much is on the line for the Warriors.
Not only will it e tough to lose because it will be a loss against BYU, it will be tougher because that loss means no bowl bid for UH. Come on out to Aloha Stadium and cheer on the Warrior team as they play to keep their bowl hopes alive.
Game Info
What: Hawai’i Warriors (6-6, 3-4 WAC) vs. Brigham Young Cougars (8-3)
When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011
Time: 2:30 p.m. HT
Where: Aloha Stadium (50,000); Honolulu, HI
Television: Live nationally on ESPN2 with Carter Blackburn (play-by-play) and Brock Huard (color).
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran (play-by-play) and John Veneri (color). Don Robbs, Chris Hart and Gary Dickman host the “Countdown To Kickoff” beginning at 1:00 p.m. HT, and also the halftime show. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona, and KTOH on Kaua’i.
Video Streaming: Live video streaming on espn3.com
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on www.espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at www.HawaiiAthletics.com
Promotions: Game sponsor Chevron will distribute 2,000 “UH Crazy Hair” at all gates. Fans can enter to win (gate 3) a share of up to $1,500 of Chevron gift cards. Also Chevron and Ka Leo will award a moped and $500 in Chevron gift cards to a UH student during the promotional contest at halftime. The University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union will award commemorative plaques to the 26 senior members of the football team during a special post-game ceremony.
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