With a month to go before the home opener, University of Hawaii football season ticket sales are running slightly behind last year’s total.

As of the start of this week, 19,778 season tickets had been sold, down from 20,919 in 2011.

UH debuts against Southern California at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept. 1 and plays its home opener Sept. 15 against Lamar at Aloha Stadium.

UH officials speculate that the date of the home opener — the latest since 2006 — has contributed to the slow start. In addition, except for Boise State in November, the home schedule lacks for ranked or marquee teams.

Season ticket renewals for 2012 ran at 88 percent, one of the best figures in recent years, said Carl Clapp, associate athletic director. UH has sold 1,319 new season tickets since head coach Norm Chow joined the Warriors.

Meanwhile, season ticket sales for Rainbow Wahine volleyball are currently 101 above last year, when 3,492 were sold.

The No. 8-ranked Rainbow Wahine had a 93 percent renewal rate.

They debut Aug. 24 in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational.

Season tickets for both football and women’s volleyball are still on sale.