This time, it's the Northern Colorado football players talking.

A story on Greeley Tribune Web Site said the players left the practice field Tuesday shouting "we are going to Hawai'i" after being told playing UH Sept. 1.

One player, Joe Silipo, said he's never been to Hawai'i but said it would be "cool if coach (Scott) Downing would all let us dress in Hawaiian shirts."

The Tribune story said UNC athletic director Jay Hinrichs could not be reached for comment.

Calls placed to Hinrichs this week by The Advertiser were not returned. However, Scott Buck, the Northern Colorado interim sports information director, said the Tribune story was true.

"I can tell you that the story is accurate," Buck said. "The players were told that."

On Tuesday, "at the end of practice coach Downing called all the players in and informed them of the trip (to Hawai'i)," said Buck, who added the school would announce the matchup when the contract between the schools is completed. "As far as contractual issues go, it's not finalized, so we can't announce it yet. That's what we're waiting on."

Once the contract is finalized, Buck said Northern Colorado would travel to Hawai'i for the season opener for both teams.

"On our tentative schedule, that's our only open date," Buck said.

"I think it's a great opportunity," Buck added when asked about playing in Hawai'i. "It's exposure. It's beneficial for the school here. As you saw in the story, the players are very excited about that possibility. I know Hawai'i has sort of been resurrected recently. They got a good thing going. Our players are excited to be a part of that for a game."

The Advertiser reported on March 23 that Division I-AA Northern Colorado is a candidate to fill the Sept. 1 slot, one of two openings on the yet-to-be released 2007 UH football schedule.

UH has announced only 11 of its potential 13 games. The other opening will be filled with a game played either Oct. 20 or Nov. 3.

UH already has I-AA opponent, Charleston Southern, on its schedule on Sept. 22.