University of Hawai'i athletic director Jim Donovan said he is "frustrated" by the Warrior football team's 2-4 (0-3 Western Athletic Conference) start but "understands that there are struggles when you have a lot new players starting."

As the Warriors head toward the second half of their season with Saturday's game against 6-0 Boise State at Aloha Stadium, Donovan acknowledged "it will be very tough" for UH to reach the postseason for what would be a record-setting fourth consecutive season.

"It (a bowl appearance) is tough at this point, but I hate to give up hope," Donovan said. "The reality of the situation is that we are playing the No. 4 or 5 team in the country this week, we have a tough away game with Nevada (next week) and still have to play Navy and Wisconsin of the Big Ten. It is going to take the Warriors playing their best game every weekend (to become bowl eligible)."

UH must win a minimum five of its remaining seven games to be bowl eligible and secure a berth as the WAC representative in the Hawai'i Bowl.

Donovan said he will evaluate head coach Greg McMackin and the coaching staff at the end of the season, as is his policy. McMackin is in the second year of a five-year contract.

Going into the season, Donovan said, "We thought it would be a (challenging) year, though maybe we would be able to get into the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. But when you replace as many guys (in the starting lineup) as we have you expect there to be some struggles."

UH lost 10 of 11 defensive starters from last year's 7-7 (5-3 WAC) team and, due to injuries, has had all new starters on defense.

"Over the last year and a half, we've probably replaced just about every starter we had (from the Sugar Bowl)," Donovan said. " When you have that much turnover there are going to be some tough times."

Added Donovan: "The fact is, you still have to win."

LARGE CROWD EXPECTED

Despite its current four-game losing streak, UH forecasts its largest home crowd of the season, "about 39,000," for the game against defending WAC champion Boise State Saturday.

As of early yesterday approximately 34,300 tickets had been distributed, according to Donovan.

"So, based upon where we are at this point and where we were for our other two (home) games, I'd say about 39,000," Donovan said.

"A lot of it probably has to do with Boise State being the No. 4 team in the country and I think Hawai'i fans are getting to see (the Broncos) as a rivalry," Donovan said.

UH drew an announced crowd of 35,533 for the Oct. 10 Fresno State game, the most of its two home games so far.