Hawaii adds Northern Colorado to schedule
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HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii will open its 2007 football season at home against Northern Colorado on Sept. 1, the schools said Thursday.
The Bears are the second NCAA Division I-AA opponent on the Warriors' 12-game schedule, joining Charleston Southern on Sept. 22.
This is Northern Colorado's second year in the Big Sky Conference. The Bears were 1-10 last year while the Warriors were 11-3, including a 41-24 victory over Arizona State in the Hawaii Bowl.
``The 2007 schedule will prove to be a challenge,'' Bears coach Scott Downing said. ``With four straight games away from Nottingham Field and Northern Colorado fans, this team will be tested early and often.''
Hawaii may add one more game to reach the NCAA maximum of 13 games. It has open dates on Oct. 20 and Nov. 3.
With the vast majority of Division I schedules already set, the Warriors may wind up adding a third Division I-AA opponent, which wouldn't necessarily help Hawaii's campaign promoting quarterback Colt Brennan for the Heisman Trophy.
After opening with Northern Colorado, Hawaii faces numerous teams with losing records from 2006 including Louisiana Tech, UNLV, Idaho, Utah State, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Fresno State.
The Warriors toughest challenge comes at the end of the season with Nevada, Boise State and Washington.
Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier has faced criticism from fans and the media because of the incomplete schedule. Some players have also expressed concern during the recently completed spring camp of not knowing who the team would face in the season opener.
``I realize we still have an open date on our schedule and that time is of the essence,'' Frazier said in a statement. ``I want to assure everyone that I am doing everything I can to secure another game and I will not close the door until I have exhausted all of our resources.''
