Rolovich says Hawaii Bowl match is a great combination for fans

STEVEN ERLER / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich looks on during the first half of Saturday’s game against Boise State.

1/1

Swipe or click to see more

STEVEN ERLER / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich looks on during the first half of Saturday’s game against Boise State.

Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.

Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.

Get unlimited access

From as low as $12.95 /mo.

Subscribe Now

As expected, the Hawaii football team will stay home for the holidays and face Brigham Young in the SoFi Hawaii Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is 3 p.m.

The official announcement was made Sunday morning. Hawaii (9-5) will play a school-record 15th game this season after losing to Boise State, 31-10, in the Mountain West Conference championship game on Saturday in Idaho.

The Cougars (7-5) accepted their invitation to the bowl game last month.

This will be the ninth appearance by the Rainbow Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl’s 18-year history. It’s the first time UH will make consecutive appearances since it played in three straight games from 2002 to ’04.

UH is 4-4 all-time in the Hawaii Bowl and is coming off a 31-14 loss to Louisiana Tech last year.

“We are honored to play in the 18th annual SoFi Hawaii Bowl,” UH athletics director David Matlin said in a press release. “It is a great reward for our well deserving student-athletes, coaches and staff and a special Christmas Eve matchup against BYU for our local fans. ESPN Events and the Hawaii Bowl staff are incredible hosts and provide a first rate experience for our student-athletes.”

Head coach Nick Rolovich has guided UH to three bowl appearances in four years.

“BYU at Aloha Stadium on Christmas Eve, there may not be a better combination for Hawaii fans,” Rolovich said in a press release. “The SoFi Hawaii Bowl has been a tremendous experience every time we’ve been in it and we look forward to representing our state and university again on a national stage. The Cougars have had a great season and we’re looking forward to our fans coming out to Aloha Stadium to see a battle with a classic rival.”

The Cougars have beaten Hawaii 23 times in 31 all-time meetings. They defeated UH 30-20 at Aloha Stadium in 2017 and 49-23 in Provo, Utah, last year. BYU’s seven wins this season include victories over Tennessee, USC, Boise State and Utah State.

“Hawaii is a really good team and I’m looking forward to the matchup,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said in a press release. “I have tons of respect for Nick Rolovich and his entire coaching staff. I love the way they play the game. It will be an honor for us to take the field with them at Aloha Stadium.”

Sitake is originally from Laie.