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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, November 9, 2007

ESPN's 'GameDay' shows no aloha

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i's next four — and possibly five — football games will be shown by ESPN, just don't expect the network's signature Saturday College GameDay program to follow along anytime soon.

College GameDay marks its 150th edition tomorrow from Williamstown, Mass., site of the 122nd meeting between Amherst College and Williams College. But in the 14 years GameDay has been on hand at what it terms the "day's best matchups as well as from unique sites and games with compelling storylines" and 58 schools it has shown, it has yet to make it here and probably won't, they said.

"Oh, man, we had a chance this week, I would like to be able to witness Colt (Brennan) breaking the (NCAA career touchdown) record), as I think he will (tomorrow)," GameDay host Chris Fowler said on a national conference call. Brennan needs three touchdown passes against Fresno State to break Ty Detmer's (1988-'91) record of 121 in tomorrow's ESPN showing.

"The problem is it costs a lot, facilities are very limited and it would take huge logistical planning," said Fowler, who has predicted UH to run the table this year and go to the Sugar Bowl. "Believe me, it is not a lack of enthusiasm on our part to go to Honolulu," he said.

"I keep telling Chris and Lee we need to get out there for GameDays," said analyst Kirk Herbstreit.

"It is cost prohibitive; I'd never go out there if I was running ESPN," said analyst Lee Corso, who has picked the Warriors to go to the Bowl Championship Series and Brennan to win the Heisman Trophy.

Said Fowler: "We'd love to go out there and I think it would be a blast ... if you promise me that fans will show up at 5 in the morning."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.