Kiffin says he’d like UH series to continue
For openers, USC football coach Lane Kiffin said he hopes to continue the series with the University of Hawaii.
They open the season at Aloha Stadium tomorrow and are scheduled to begin the 2012 season in Los Angeles and 2013 campaign back here. But no games are scheduled beyond that.
"I’d love it (to continue)," Kiffin said. "I think it is great for our players’ families and for our fans. Even though it is distracting for our players and coaches going over there. I’d love to keep going back and forth."
UH athletic director Jim Donovan said he also hopes to continue the series that has been the Warriors’ top money-maker, thanks to three consecutive sellouts (1978, 1999 and 2005).
Mike Garrett, who scheduled six games with UH in his 17-year tenure, was replaced as athletic director by Pat Haden in July.
Donovan said, "I’m hopeful they will continue the games. Their fans seem to like coming to our games and we draw pretty well for them in Southern California for a non-Bowl Championship Series team."
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USC had a 7,500-ticket allotment for tomorrow’s game and projects selling their entire allocation.
Of course, the Trojans are unbeaten in six games against UH and also hope to continue recruiting here.
"I go back to Kaluka (Maiava) coming from over there. He was a great player for us," Kiffin said. "Obviously there are a tremendous amount of great players coming (from) there every year."
Maiava, a Baldwin High graduate, played linebacker for USC from 2005 to ’08.