Indeed, it is not easy being green these days.
Hawaii and Tulane — two struggling football teams with green as their primary school color — face off tonight at Aloha Stadium.
Tulane (2-10) is under interim leadership after Mark Hutson replaced Bob Toledo, who resigned in midseason. The Green Wave are 0-5 since the change.
UH VS. TULANE
» 6:05 p.m. today, Aloha Stadium. TV: PPV (Ch. 255). Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM. |
The Wave have spent as much focus on a head coach’s search as playing out what began as a hopeful season. After opening 2-1, the Wave have not won since Sept. 17.
In recent weeks, Tulane was spurned in attempts to woo Mike Leach, Rich Rodriguez and Tommy Bowden for the head coaching job.
The Warriors, in the meantime, are running out of time. UH (5-6) needs to beat Tulane tonight and Brigham Young next week for a winning regular season and a berth in the Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl.
It has been a dramatic week for the Warriors, who selected another starting quarterback, were short-handed in video-recording practices, and revealed they were the target of an anonymous accusation of point-shaving. David Graves practiced as the No. 1 quarterback, a substitute video coordinator was hired, and authorities decided there was no credible evidence to investigate the accusation.
That left the Warriors to prepare for an opponent that is proving talent does not always lead to success.
"If we look at their record and think that’s what’s going to show up on defense, we’re sorely mistaken," UH offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "They have talent, and we have to execute plays."
After three straight losses, including two at home, UH coach Greg McMackin said: "We can’t take anybody for granted. We don’t overlook anybody, and we respect everybody. They have 85 scholarship players, just like we do."
Despite the surrounding controversy this week, the Warriors have had lively practices, according to McMackin.
"We have to get our guys ready to play," McMackin said. "We’re going to line up and get after it."
