Posted on: Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Warriors face tough opening act
| • | Warriors recruit thankful for receiving second chance |
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist
As they fanned out from Hawai'i to Houston on their recruiting assignments, pausing to glimpse Southern California and Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on television, you think the University of Hawai'i's football coaches got a suddenly reinforced sense of urgency about the task last night?
Because, when it comes to USC, you know who's got next.
Yup, in a mere 240 days the Warriors open their season against, gulp!, the Trojans at Aloha Stadium.
Talk about your reality TV challenges.
If you thought the Trojans gave a clinic in their 55-19 national-title dismantling of Oklahoma, pause to consider their considerable potential for next season. Imagine, with what they have coming back, after winning back-to-back championships and 22 games in a row, the opportunity for a three-peat.
They have nine of 11 offensive starters and seven of 11 on defense eligible to return next season. Overall, including special teams performers, that's 21 of 28 and 37 of 50 from their two-deep able to return. That should make them favorites in the NFC West, not just the NCAA.
"For sure, they're loaded," UH head coach June Jones said. "For sure."
"They'll certainly make a run for the national title again next year with all that depth," Vantz Singletary, a UH assistant, said. "They're young, they're talented and they're very athletic."
Whether the Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Matt Leinart, and linebacker Lofa Tatupu — seniors to be — are in Cardinal and Gold come the 2005 kickoff remains to be seen. But no matter what happens, be assured the Trojans will not lack for quantity — or quality.
And, the Warriors, for their part, will have no shortage of challenges as they break in 12 new starters, including a quarterback.
The Western Athletic Conference portion of UH's 2005 schedule won't be announced until later this month but along with games against Boise State and Fresno State, this much the Warriors know already:
Talk about your early Septembers to remember, this one is a doozy. There is USC and all the Trojans bring and the trip to East Lansing, Mich., where Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton has already promised, "I'm going to definitely look forward to (Hawai'i) coming to our place."
Clearly, we're not talking Appalachian State or Eastern Illinois and an open date anymore.
"It does give you a major sense of urgency 'cause there are not any cupcakes on the schedule," Singletary said.
Just in case there were any doubts, last night's Orange Bowl underlined some of what awaits the Warriors in 2005. If that isn't roll-up-the-sleeves inspiration for the final month of UH's recruiting efforts, nothing is.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.
