Rivalry spurs UH, Fresno

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Hawai'i vs. Fresno State What: WAC football, Hawai'i (2-3, 1-1) vs. Fresno State (3-3, 1-0) When: 6:05 tonight Where: Aloha Stadium Tickets: $25 sidelines, $22 south end zone, $17 north end zone, $12 north end zone (seniors and ages 4 through high school), $3 UH students (Super Rooter) Radio: KKEA, 1420AM TV: Live on Oceanic PPV channels 255 and 256, or delayed at 10 p.m. on KFVE

The unwritten message is clear: The Bulldogs are the Warriors' top football rival.

"We can't wait to get it started," UH slotback Chad Owens said of tonight's Western Athletic Conference game at Aloha Stadium. "We love to play them and they love to play us."

In the past five years, the Bulldogs and Warriors have been the WAC's most successful teams, leading to spirited meetings.

In 1999, UH won in double overtime to clinch a share of the WAC's regular-season title. The Bulldogs won at home in 2000, but the following season, wideout Ashley Lelie led the Warriors to a comeback victory before a national television audience. Last year, UH quarterback Tim Chang threw the go-ahead scoring pass in an upset in Fresno.

"Fresno has always been our rival," UH defensive tackle Lui Fuga said. "Every time they come down into our house it's a dog fight. They always bring their best and we always bring our best."

UH wideout Jeremiah Cockheran, who transferred from a junior college in August 2002, recalled, "I didn't realize how big the rivalry was until I came out here. I thought everybody liked each other, but I guess not."

Unlike previous meetings, the anticipation has been diluted because of recent struggles. The Bulldogs (3-3, 1-0 WAC) are coming off a 34-10 loss to Colorado State. Their other two losses were against nationally ranked teams. The Warriors (2-3, 1-1), voted by the media as the team most likely to win the WAC, lost to unheralded Tulsa last week.

"This will be a huge game," FSU coach Pat Hill said. "If we want to win the WAC championship, we have to beat Hawai'i. I believe the road to the WAC championship goes through Hawai'i."

Hill said the teams are the best of rivals.

"Our rivalry is not about hatred, it's about respect," Hill said. "Rivalries are made out of respect, and we really respect Hawai'i.

"I love our fans, but I love the Hawai'i's fans, because they have so much passion for their team," Hill added. "Their fans and our fans help make this such a great rivalry. When the game is close in the fourth quarter and their stadium is rocking, that's exciting. That's what this rivalry is all about. I love it when (UH fans) get on me. It doesn't bother me. Would you want that or a bunch of people sitting on their hands?"

Hill is familiar with the Islands. He vacations here regularly, and he said his best friend lives on O'ahu. As an assistant coach and then as Fresno State's head coach, he has participated in 11 games at Aloha Stadium, emerging with one victory, with Utah, in 1978. That was the Warriors' first WAC game.

Through his experiences on the visiting sidelines, Hill has learned an important lesson.

"At the end of the game, you don't want to see the field covered with confetti," he said. "That means Hawai'i won the game. Throwing confetti is one of Hawai'i's greatest traditions."

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