Jan. 24—It wasn’t mutual, but until a year or two after the turn of the millennium the University of Hawaii’s rival in football was clear.
Back when Kenny Niumatalolo and Craig Stutzmann played for Hawaii it was BYU — as it had been for many years before them.
But these days, younger UH fans, especially, don’t get hyped about BYU.
Maybe those beat downs Hawaii put on Brigham Young after so many years of frustrating losses cooled the passion. The first one was in 1989, when Niumatalolo was a UH backup quarterback and the Rainbows pounded the Cougars 56-14.
Stutzmann was a young local kid who watched that one with glee, and the one the next year, too, when Hawaii won 59-28.
He got his turn in 2001. Stutzmann was a slot receiver when the Warriors crushed BYU 72-45 in his final game as a senior. He also kicked the most famous punt in UH history, into the stands after he scored a touchdown.
Since then, UH and BYU have played each other a few more times, but it’s not the same, and Hawaii has changed rivals more often than the program has changed its nickname. Let’s see … they’ve been the Fighting Deans, Rainbows, Warriors and now, Rainbow Warriors. Pardon me if I missed one or two.
Same with the rivals … it’s hard to keep up. Since Stutzmann’s punt the football team UH fans love to hate most has changed to, at various times, Fresno State, Boise State, and, briefly, Nevada. Yes, Nevada. No other opponent ever inspired a Warriors coach to wear a hunting knife on his belt (granted, it was sheathed and never brandished).
It’s clear now, though, that UH’s biggest football rival is San Jose State.
This was already brewing, but now it’s confirmed, with the Spartans’ hiring of Niumatalolo as head coach and Stutzmann as offensive coordinator. Also, don’t be surprised if Billy Ray Stutzmann — Craig’s brother, and another former…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/dave-reardon-san-jose-state-170600066.html
Author : The Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Publish date : 2024-01-24 17:06:00
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