UH first to receive, accept a bowl berth
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i will be playing on Christmas Day. But who else?
The Warriors accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day after a 40-31 victory over San Jose State last night at Aloha Stadium.
The victory pushed UH's record to 7-2, assuring it the winning record it needed to qualify for the bowl game at Aloha Stadium.
However, it may be a while before the Warriors find out who their opponent will be.
"This is the first team we know of that has been offered and accepted an invitation to a 2002 bowl game," said ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl executive director Jim Donovan. "All the other teams are waiting to see where they finish in conference."
The Hawai'i Bowl has a contract with Conference USA. According to Donovan, the potential opponents for UH as of last night were: Texas Christian, Louisville, Southern Mississippi, Tulane, Houston and Alabama-Birmingham.
"The champion of their conference goes to the Liberty Bowl, and after that, the conference commissioner has some flexibility to move teams around to set up the best matchups."
"I just want it to be a great game on Christmas Day. Hopefully, it will be a beautiful day here and snowing everywhere else around the country."
• Penalties galore: UH and San Jose State each committed 14 penalties for a combined 273 yards last night.
"I've never been a part of such undiscipline," said SJSU head coach Fitz Hill. "It makes me sick to my stomach to see guys with personal foul penalties over and over and over. My hat's off to Hawai'i — don't take anything away from them. But we self-destructed today."
The Spartans were penalized 140 yards, more than twice their season average of 64.7 prior to last night.
• Injury report: Hawai'i receiver Nate Ilaoa left the game in the third quarter after suffering a shoulder injury. He started last night's game, and had three receptions for 25 yards. Ilaoa had already missed two games earlier this season due to injuries.
Three other Warriors did not see action last night due to previous injuries — defensive lineman Houston Ala (ankle), running back Mike Bass (knee) and wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran (groin).
• As advertised: San Jose State receiver Charles Pauley proved his worth as one of the nation's top all-purpose players last night.
Pauley had 322 all-purpose yards last night — 120 in receiving, 110 on kickoff returns, 91 on punt returns and one rushing. He entered last night's game No. 3 in the NCAA with an average of 170.2 yards per game.
He averaged 27.5 yards on four kickoff returns last night. He entered the game No. 1 in the nation with an average of 31.3 per return.
His 41-yard punt return in the fourth quarter set up his own 40-yard touchdown reception from Scott Rislov that cut UH's lead to 30-24 early in the fourth quarter.
• Ashley appears: Ashley Lelie, now a rookie wide receiver with the NFL's Denver Broncos, was on the UH bench last night. Lelie said he is spending the weekend in Hawai'i since the Broncos have a bye this week.
Lelie was a record-setting wide receiver with UH last season, and then was a first-round draft pick of the Broncos.
• Going long: Juan Walden's 90-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the third longest in San Jose State history. It was Walden's first touchdown this season, and only his sixth catch.
• Entertainment last night: The UH marching band and Rainbow Dancers performed at halftime. Cathy Foy sang the national anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i prior to last night's game.
