Posted on: Saturday, November 13, 2004
Perhaps UH should have been wary of 'Doghouse'
| • | Fresno St. routs Warriors |
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
FRESNO, Calif. — In retrospect, maybe it wasn't such a good idea for some University of Hawai'i football players to run through Fresno State's inflatable "Doghouse" in the south end zone during last night's introductions.
Kurt Hegre • Associated Press Several Warriors detoured through the tunnel in advance of the Bulldogs taking the field and went past the band.
Whether the Warriors woke up sleeping 'dogs or not, the Bulldogs came out with a vengeance, scoring 21 first-quarter points on the way to a 49-0 halftime lead and eventual 70-14 victory last night.
"They just kicked our (butt) tonight," UH coach June Jones said.
Two years ago, in a 31-21 victory at Bulldog Stadium several Warriors danced in victory on the Bulldog logo at midfield, raising the ire of head coach Pat Hill and some Bulldogs.
Without an appearance by the University of Hawai'i, the Western Athletic Conference could choose to vacate its participation in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.
The WAC is contracted to send a representative to meet a team from Conference USA in the Christmas Eve day game at Aloha Stadium.
But without UH's participation — and the Warriors would have to win all three of their remaining games to be bowl eligible after last night's loss to Fresno State — the conference would stand to lose $500,000 or more if it had to send another team.
WAC commissioner Karl Benson declined comment other than to say nothing has been decided or ruled out. "It would be premature for us to decide anything at this point," Benson said.
UH athletic director Herman Frazier said he believed the conference would still send a representative.
Conference athletic directors held a conference call on possible bowl scenarios Tuesday and are scheduled to confer again on the Nov. 23.
The WAC is responsible for underwriting the travel of its representatives.
If the WAC were to vacate its berth, another conference would be sought to fill the opening.
NFL watch: A season-high representatives from 19 NFL teams attended the game, according to the FSU sports information office which spread them around the room of the press box and elsewhere to accommodate the crush. "It is a post-David Carr record," said Jake Bragonier, assistant sports information director, who noted that the opportunity for scouts to see UH was part of the reason. The Edmonton Eskimos were the only Canadian League team represented.
Fan attraction: About 250 Warrior fans and Hawai'i transplants attended a pre-game rally and party at the Bulldog softball stadium, according to organizers. The event was hosted by the UH athletic department, the Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the UH Alumni Association. Each year the groups host an event at one of the Warriors' West Coast road games.
Injury report: Backup quarterback Kainoa Akina, linebacker Brad Kalilimoku and running back West Keli'ikipi suffered concussions in the game, a UH official said. Sports information director Lois Manin said the three are listed as "probable" for next week's Idaho game by the medical staff.
Delayed: The game's kickoff, originally scheduled for 7:31 p.m (5:31 p.m. Hawai'i time), was pushed back to 7:41 p.m. (5:41 Hawai'i time) to accommodate ESPN.
"When we (see) teams run through our drills or through our tunnel, we feel offended," Fresno State wide receiver Adam Jennings said. "We want to play harder."
Fresno State's Bryson Sumlin, cheered on by a Bulldog lineman and chased by a UH player, directs a blocker on this 89-yard run in the first period. Sumlin rushed for 220 yards and three scores.
WAC could vacate participation in bowl
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