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SEATTLE >> Cancellation of two upcoming football games with Wisconsin is apparently a precursor to more scheduling moves, University of Hawaii officials said.
UH and Wisconsin said they “mutually” agreed to cancel a 2022 game in Madison, Wis., and a 2024 game at Aloha Stadium, confirming a report by FBSchedules.com.
The games were part of an initial three-game series. The opener was played in 2015 at Wisconsin, where the Badgers won 28-0.
“There are more chips to fall,” athletic director David Matlin said Saturday, declining further explanation.
Asked if that meant UH felt it had a marquee opponent close to being lined up, Matlin said, “All I’ll say is there will be more chips to fall.”
Wisconsin reportedly was seeking changes to have the flexibility to add Alabama to its schedule at a future date and UH is said to be eyeing a “name” opponent for one of those dates. Wisconsin added New Mexico State and Western Michigan.
Unlike UH’s 2015 visit to Camp Randall Stadium, which was worth nearly $1 million, the 2022 game in Madison, Wis., was to be worth only $400,000, the same amount the Badgers were to receive for their 2024 trip to Aloha Stadium.
Games against the Badgers, who regularly bring a large contingent of fans with them on the road, have averaged an attendance of more than 35,000 fans per visit over the past five meetings at Aloha Stadium.
In 2022, UH’s nonconference schedule includes Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky and Duquesne at Aloha Stadium and Army on the road.
In 2024, UH is so far scheduled to play Oregon and Army at home and travel to New Mexico State and Brigham Young.
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