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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 27, 2009

WAC schedule waits on ESPN

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

2009 SCHEDULE

Nonconference (WAC schedule to be announced)

Sept. 4 — Central Arkansas

Sept. 12 — at Washington State (Seattle)

Sept. 19 — at UNLV

Nov. 28 — Navy

Dec. 5 — Wisconsin

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Whether the University of Hawai'i's football game at San Jose State is moved to a Friday to accommodate ESPN is one of the remaining pieces of the puzzle to be resolved before the Western Athletic Conference announces its 2009 schedule.

People involved in the process said they expect the schedule to be released before the end of next week.

The San Jose State game — probably in either October or November — is said to be one of six TV possibilities for the Warriors still under consideration. "That's one of the games still being discussed," said someone with knowledge of the situation but who has declined to be identified because negotiations are on-going.

None of UH's last three games at San Jose State have been decided by more than a touchdown.

Nonconference games with Navy and Wisconsin and WAC dates with Nevada, Fresno State and Boise State are the others said to be still under consideration.

WAC associate commissioner Jeff Hurd said he believes UH will "likely get two to four" games on ESPN or ESPN2. There are additional possibilities on ESPNU. The WAC's contract with ESPN assures a minimum of 10 conference games spread over ESPN and ESPN2 plus additional games on ESPNU.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan has said his major concern is avoiding three consecutive road games in September. UH is scheduled to play Washington State (Sept. 12) and Nevada-Las Vegas (Sept. 19) in back-to-back non-conference road games but is hopeful of either an open date or WAC home game for Sept. 26. Donovan has said he would accept even back-to-back WAC road games at some point as long as the Warriors aren't on the road for three consecutive games combining WAC and non-conference appearances.

"We hope to have this done next week," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said. "There are a few details remaining to be worked out."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.