Which Hawaii Team Will Show Up Saturday?

Hawaii this year is a puzzle. They definitely are an improved football team. But how much? And how much when playing on the Mainland. They always have played better when visitors hit the Islands.

They started this season losing to Washington only 17-16, the same Huskies who just destroyed Cal. They lost to Oregon State, only 38-30 in a shoot-out, and we know the Beavers. Even on the road, they have competed well, losing to Colorado, 21-12, and to Rice, 28-19. 

Then, Saturday they came roaring from way behind to beat Wyoming, 48-38, in Aloha Stadium. Obviously, they are no easy mark.

Surprisingly, this series is one of our older ones, dating back to 1939, with the Aztecs losing a game played in Aztec Bowl when it was just three years old and seated 7,500. From there, the series was sketchy until it became a regular in 1980. Overall, the Aztecs hold a 17-9-2 edge, winning 9 of 12 at home, and a surprising 9-6-2 advantage when playing there.

From 1990 to ’98 the Aztecs rang up a 9-game winning-streak, highlighted by Mashall Faulk’s 3 years when the Aztecs rolled up 144 points, with two of those games in Honolulu. We’ve split the last four, the Aztecs taking the last two, including last year’s tough 28-21 win in OT.

The series history has some interesting games, but right now it’s what happens Saturday night at Qualcomm that makes a difference in conference play. By the way, Hawaii is undefeated in MW games. Only one, but a win! So be there to give your support to our Aztecs!

Marshall Faulk rushed for 687 yards in 3 games vs. Hawaii, including 300 yards in 1992; J.R. Tolver and Kassim Osgood combined for 23 receptions, 409 yards and 3 TDs at Hawaii in 2002 (Photos by Ernie Anderson)

 GO AZTECS!