Akron close to pulling out of season opener with UH

By Stephen Tsai and Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writers

•	2003 UH Schedule Aug. 30—Akron Sept. 13—at USC Sept. 20—at UNLV Sept. 27—Rice Oct. 4—at Tulsa Oct. 11—Fresno State Oct. 18—at La. Tech Oct. 25—UTEP Nov. 1—at San Jose State Nov. 8—Boise State Nov. 15—at Nevada Nov. 22—Army Nov. 29—Alabama

People familiar with the situation say Akron is close to pulling out of its scheduled Aug. 30 game at Aloha Stadium, and the Warriors are casting about for a replacement.

If Akron makes official its plans to play Kent State in an Aug. 28 television game, the Warriors likely will play a Division I-AA opponent unless a more suitable foe can be found. Several I-AA teams are said to be interested.

Akron coach Lee Owens said he was "aware" that the UH-Akron game might not take place as scheduled.

Owens acknowledged that discussions have taken place on a couple of fronts.

"But I don't know what's going to happen," Owens said. "I just get on a bus and go play where they tell me to go."

Akron has been looking to move out of the Aug. 30 date because it wanted more time to prepare for Wisconsin the following week.

The choice of an opening opponent is important for UH, which plays its second and third games on the road at Southern California Sept. 13 and Nevada-Las Vegas Sept. 20.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier earlier rejected a proposal to have the Warriors play Iowa State Aug. 29, a Friday, on ESPN because the network wanted the game to be played in the afternoon. Frazier said Akron did not object to the proposal.

It is not known if the Akron contract includes a financial penalty for withdrawing from the game. Frazier had said all new contracts include penalties of at least $250,000.

Frazier, who is attending an Olympic committee meeting in Chicago, could not be reached for comment.