Quotes from Northern Colorado

About his reaction when asked by his AD if he was interested in playing Hawaii, UNC football coach Scott Downing said:
"I said, 'well, yeah!' (Then) I said, 'when?' He said, 'this year,' I said, ' ... wow!'" (HA)

HA Note: "The Warriors are the only Division I-A team on the Bears' schedule in 2007, and the first UNC has played in two decades. Since this is UNC's first season as a full-fledged I-AA member, after moving up from Division II, the original plan had been to hold off against I-A competition until Purdue in 2008. Even that was considered a daunting reach for a program whose timetable calls for being competitive in the Big Sky Conference next year."

HA Note: "But when UH, desperate for a 12th game for its own schedule, made an offer the Bears couldn't refuse — pitching a package that guarantees transportation, hotel and meal costs plus tossing in $65,000 cash — financially strapped UNC jumped at the deal. And immediately became what one Las Vegas oddsmaker said should be a "high 40- to 50-point" underdog. If anybody dares to put down a betting line."


About how he's okay with their scheduling of UH to start the season, Downing said:
"We have to be. I think it is exciting for our players and our program. It gives us more exposure in recruiting and, also, is a good test, a good measure of our program. Certainly, we know we have a big hill to climb, but you don't know where you are unless you test yourself against somebody." (HA)

HA Note: "While the Bears lack in number of scholarships, number of coaches, budget dollars and experience to the Warriors, one edge they might have is in facilities. Once the preseason training home of the Denver Broncos, Downing said UNC's Greeley, Colo., campus has, "six lighted practice fields — two synthetic and four natural grass — outside our stadium." "


Told that his practice facilities were better than UH's, Downing joked that he'd be willing to make a trade:
"Tell him to put some of his (players) on the waiver wire and we can talk." (HA)