Hawaii will be home for the holidays. ADVERTISING Hawaii will be home for the holidays. Seniors such as Keaau graduate Damien Packer will get their first taste of the Hawaii Bowl, where the Rainbow Warriors will face Middle Tennessee State
Hawaii will be home for the holidays.
Seniors such as Keaau graduate Damien Packer will get their first taste of the Hawaii Bowl, where the Rainbow Warriors will face Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 24 at Aloha Stadium.
After winning its final two games of the regular season to reach 6-7 under first-year coach Nick Rolovich, the ‘Bows make their first appearance at the bowl since 2010.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of this team and especially these seniors who’ll be able to say they played in a bowl game,” Rolovich said in a university release. “We’re thankful for this opportunity to showcase our program and our university on a national stage against a very good Middle Tennessee team who we have great respect for. I know our players are proud to represent the Mountain West and will look forward to the challenge to end the season on a winning note.”
Hawaii is guaranteed an invitation when eligible, but some sub-.500 teams were given a reprieve because there weren’t enough eligible teams to fill all 80 spots. North Texas (5-7), Mississippi State (5-7) are also going bowling with losing records.
One of seven Mountain West teams playing in bowl this season, the Rainbow Warriors make their seventh trip to the Hawaii Bowl since 2002. They are 3-3 all-time but haven’t won the game since 2006.
“I am especially excited for our seniors to experience the magic of bowl week,”athletic director David A.K. Matlin said. “I know how much this bowl game means to the community especially when Hawaii is in it so we hope to proudly represent our university and state during the weeks leading up to the game.”
Making its first trip to the bowl, Middle Tennessee finished in third place of C-USA’s East Division and features a high-flying offense. The Blue Raiders, coached by Rick Stockstill, are eighth nationally in total offense (515.7 yards per game), 12th in passing (317 ypg), and 16th in scoring (40.1 ppg).
Middle Tennessee State will play in a bowl game for the second consecutive season and third in the last four years.
“It will be a first-class experience for our student-athletes and fans that are able to make the trip,” athletic director Chris Massaro said.
C-USA teams have a seven-game winning streak at the Hawaii Bowl.
In the only previous meeting between the schools in 1993, Hawaii won 35-14 at Aloha Stadium.
Each team will receive $750,000 as well as the added bonus of extra practice time.
TOP PLAYERS:
Middle Tennessee State: QB Brent Stockstill, 2,801 yards passing, 27 touchdowns.
Hawaii: WR Marcus Kemp, 70 receptions, 1,086 yards, 7 TDs ^
NOTABLE:
Middle Tennessee State: The Blue Raiders rank eighth nationally with 516 yards of offense per game and have scored 483 points. But MTSU has given up 413 points. Still, the Blue Raiders were 5-2 on the road in 2016.
Hawaii: The Rainbow Warriors gave up an MWC-worst 487 points. But they won their last two games to become bowl-eligible, and they’ll be playing in the postseason for the first time since 2010.
LAST TIME: Hawaii 35, MTSU 35-14 (1993).
BOWL HISTORY:
Middle Tennessee: First appearance in Hawaii Bowl, 10th overall bowl bid.
Hawaii: Seventh appearance in the Hawaii Bowl, 11th bowl trip overall.
