Hawaii Opens Football Camp With High Hopes

By Fred Guzman

The expectations are running high for the University of Hawaii and its most high-profile player, quarterback Bryant Moniz, as football practices formally began Thursday.

As has become tradition here and throughout the country, most players have been on campus for a couple of months, attending summer school and/or engaging in informal drills under the direction of team leaders.

But now is when the coaches can become fully involved in the process of preparing the team for its Sept. 3 opener against Colorado at Aloha Stadum, immediately followed by road games versus Washington and Nevada-Las Vegas before hosting UC Davis.

Hawaii will kick off its final campaign in the WAC at Louisiana Tech on October 1 wearing the mantle of slight favorite over Fresno State, which like UH and Nevada, also is bolting the conference to join the Mountain West effective next fall.

Perennial WAC champ Boise State has already made the switch.

Following a bye, Hawaii plays at San Jose State on Oct. 15.  UH hosts its first WAC game the following week against New Mexico State, followed by games at Idaho, versus Utah State, at Nevada and against  Fresno State.

UH closes out the regular season with home games against Tulane on Nov. 26 and BYU on Dec. 3.