Eastern Washington

So much for no I-AA opponents in 2007.

Hawaii will play Eastern Washington in football Sept. 8 at Aloha Stadium once a contract between the schools is finalized, EWU athletic director Darren Hamilton told the Star-Bulletin today.

When asked if the major points of the contract had been agreed upon, including date and location, Hamilton answered, "Yes."


Hamilton said the game will be the season opener for the Eagles, a Division I-AA team that went 3-8 last year including 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference.


"We're hoping we can officially announce something soon," Hamilton said.


Hawaii, 11-3 in 2006, has announced only one other nonconference game for 2007, at UNLV on Sept. 15. After accounting for eight WAC games, EWU and UNLV, there are three openings. Speculation is that USC might fill one of them.


UH athletic director Herman Frazier was not immediately available for comment.

I wanted the Warriors to play a slate of giants so they could be giant-killers next year, but oh well, this game might be just the thing, recovery-wise, if UH ends up playing USC on the 1st. Of course, one should never underestimate a I-AA team either. I'll refrain from saying anything else about the schedule until the full slate is released. Probably.

And earlier, Dave Reardon spoke to incoming recruit Francis Maka.

Outside linebacker Francis Maka (6-3, 245, College of San Mateo) said he's excited about becoming part of the UH ohana.
"I'm loving the whole family atmosphere," Maka said. "The great season helped me decide on Hawaii, too. Nobody wants to go to a losing program."

He said one of the biggest factors in choosing UH was joining his San Mateo teammate, defensive tackle Ray Hisatake.

Both will enroll at Manoa this semester and plan to participate in spring practice.

And in the same article, Colt Brennan will make an announcement on his future sometime next week.

Colt Brennan plans to announce his decision on going pro or not next week at a news conference at the University of Hawaii, his father said yesterday.

Hawaii football fans are holding their breath, waiting for word from the record-breaking junior on whether he plans to return to UH or enter the NFL Draft.

"That decision has not been made," Terry Brennan, Colt's father, said yesterday in a phone interview. "We're a ways away. It's kind of interesting. Some people think it's a good idea, some think another year (in college) is the way to go. It's an interesting process."

Colt Brennan, who was sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting and led UH to an 11-3 season while breaking numerous single-season passing records, is scheduled to return to Hawaii on Sunday.

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft is Jan. 15.

"Something will probably be said before that," Terry Brennan said.

Players who make themselves available for the draft can change their mind until Jan. 19.