UH shows no Aloha at home

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

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What: NCAA football Who: Army (0-11) vs. Hawai'i (6-4) When/where: 6:05 tonight at Aloha Stadium Tickets: $25 (sideline), $22 (South end zone), $17 (North end zone/adults), $12 (North end zone/senior citizens and students 4-18), $3 UH students (Super Rooter reserved) Parking: $5 Pay-per-view: Call 625-8100 from O'ahu, (866) 556-7784 from Neighbor Islands Television: Delayed at 10 p.m. on K5 Radio: KKEA (1420 AM) Internet: kkea1420am.com

The Warriors' ownership might not be in deed, but it is evident indeed. In the last three seasons, they are 17-4 at Aloha Stadium, including 4-0 this season.

"Every time we're at home, good things happen for the team," said quarterback Tim Chang, who has 10 scoring passes and one interception in three home games this year compared to 11 TDs and 14 picks in six road games.

"They play well at home," said Army coach John Mumford, whose team plays UH tonight. "There are not very many people who come into their house and have success."

UH's home dominance coupled with Army's 0-11 record prompted Warrior defensive tackle Isa'ako "Isaac" Sopoaga to make this even-money boast: "I guarantee we're going to win."

He qualified the statement by adding, "That's just me. I don't know about the other 87 guys. To me, I don't have any doubt Army is going to be a fun game."

A victory would ensure the 6-4 Warriors a winning record in their 13-game regular season, the minimum needed to secure a berth in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day.

The Warriors failed to clinch the bid last week in a 24-14 loss to Nevada. UH coach June Jones recalled telling his players after the game: "Get it out of your system and get ready for the next one. Army doesn't care that we lost."

The Black Knights, playing in Hawai'i for the first time in the football program's 113-year history, have their own concerns. They can match the NCAA record 0-12 seasons by UH and Colorado State, and claim the mark outright with losses to UH, and Navy next week. Their last winning season was in 1996, when they went 10-2 and played in the Independence Bowl.

Their spread passing attack, implemented by head coach Todd Berry, has struggled, and on Oct. 13, Berry was dismissed. The Black Knights average 4.9 yards per pass attempt and 9.8 yards per catch.

But Jones cautioned against underestimating the Black Knights.

"They're going to come here thinking this is their bowl game," Jones said. "They're going to play their rear ends off this one game. ... The reason they're at Army is because they're special, and they play that way."

Army quarterback Zac Dahman said "it hasn't been easy what we've been through this year and last year. But you don't want to let down your teammates, especially the seniors. It's the second-to-last game. They only have two games left. They'll remember this for the rest of their lives."

Mumford added: "They want to come out and play like soldiers, and come away with a win. These guys are pretty resilient. Not much fazes them. We're struggling this year, but they continue to play hard and fight hard. I have not had to get on them about effort whatsoever. Sometimes they try so hard they press. I think training has built resiliency in them."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.