Warriors in a rush for two more 2006 foes
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
A proposal to lengthen the NCAA Division I-A regular season is forcing the Warriors to scramble to fill the 2006 schedule.
Under the so-called Hawai'i exemption, any team playing a game in Hawai'i is allowed to exceed, by one, the limit of regular-season games. A measure, to be finalized at the end of the month, would raise the limit from 11 games this year to 12 games starting in 2006, meaning UH will be allowed a 13th game.
Frazier
With signed commitments from 11 opponents for 2006, "I have to get two (more)," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said. "The question is: Who's available?"
Even with the Hawai'i exemption, it has been difficult to lure opponents. Teams with aspirations to qualify for the Bowl Championship Series do not want to risk playing against UH's high-scoring offense.
Two months ago, Northern Illinois backed out of a pledge to play here in 2006.
Date Opponent Sept. 2 at Alabama Sept. 16 UNLV Nov. 25 Purdue
"I think the AD wanted it, but the football coach didn't want it," Frazier said.
2006 Tentative Nonconference Schedule
Frazier said he believes UH might benefit from the proposal to lengthen the season. He said he could play the 13th game on the road against a traditional football power. "We would weigh playing a Michigan on the road against playing somebody else at home," he said. "It all depends on what happens with guarantees."
Frazier said he recently met with Southern Mississippi athletic director Richard Giannini, who believes the NCAA will loosen restrictions on Division I-AA teams to accommodate the longer Division I-A schedule.
Under current rules, a winning record against I-A opponents is a requirement for a postseason bowl. Once every four years, a team may count a victory over a I-AA team as part of that winning record.
Frazier said there is an urgency to signing one more opponent for the 2006 season.
"I'm going to do it as quickly as possible knowing that the vote is going to come up at the end of this month and (then) everybody is going to be in the market (for another opponent). We want to beat the rush."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
