SAN DIEGO » Plenty of fireworks are guaranteed at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday. And that’s not just because San Diego State’s productive offense — which has scored from 34 to 49 points in all of its past four games — is going up against Hawaii’s battered defense.

We’re talking actual pyrotechnics, and that will be the main attraction for many of those who show up.

The KGB Sky Show is making its annual appearance at an Aztecs home game … and probably just in time for the gate, considering 2-3 San Diego State has lost its past two and the 1-3 Warriors aren’t quite the biggest draw in college football right now.

Talk about good timing.

"We’re going to have a good built-in crowd for this game because of the popular, extensive fireworks show afterwards," SDSU associate athletic director Mike May said. "It’s very well-attended. The average is over 51,000 the past nine years."

Hmmm … There’s an idea for those applicants for UH athletic director to float in their interviews — probably a safer undertaking than a big-name benefit concert.

This fireworks show is good news for San Diego State, which averaged 26,576 for its first three home games this season, the last of which was a 38-34 loss to San Jose State.

When it comes to attracting and maintaining fans, San Diego State faces some of the same obstacles as Hawaii, and then some.

Both schools are considered commuter campuses, with thousands of students driving to school and back from home each day, or night. Many of them are not involved in the traditional college lifestyle, other than taking classes.

Both are in markets filled with many other entertainment options besides going to a college football game. Diverse culture. Recreational sports. Beaches and nice weather.

"It’s a fun place, a lot to do there. You’ve got the beach," said Warriors defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer, who grew up in San Diego and was the Aztecs’ DC from 2002 to 2006. "It’s like (Hawaii) in some ways."

Kaumeyer’s resume includes stints in Japan and Jacksonville. May has been around a bit, too. He’s spent the past 12 years at San Diego State but prior to that hit a good cross-section of the country at Virginia Commonwealth, Notre Dame and Nevada.

"Probably both Hawaii and San Diego State are unique for college athletics," he said. "These are two very desirable destinations, both with many opportunities for people to do all kinds of wonderful things and that makes living in these cities great. It’s not dreary and cold in the fall."

The Aztecs have another challenge that the Warriors don’t. While UH sports is often referred to as "the only game in town" (sorry, small colleges and preps), San Diego State must compete with pro teams for fans’ attention and dollars.

UH defensive back John Hardy-Tuliau grew up in Temecula, about an hour up the road from San Diego. He doesn’t recall ever attending a San Diego State game. "But I remember going to see the Chargers, the year Quentin Jammer had all those picks."

The Chargers are 3-1, and have drawn an average of 61,050 for their two home games at Qualcomm. That ranks just 27th in the NFL for home attendance, but it still has some affect on the Aztecs.

Not much going on sports-wise this weekend, though. The Chargers are on the road at New Orleans. And the Padres finished up their season Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

There’s fireworks at Qualcomm on Saturday, though. Oh, and a football game, too.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.