Bell available: While Fresno State coach Pat Hill delivered bad news Friday, saying 22-game starter Joe Bernardi will not start at center because of injury, he provided a bit of good news as well. Safety Lorne Bell will not start but will be available to play for the first time since he was injured in the fourth quarter of the Wisconsin game Sept. 12.
Bell strained a ligament in his knee and was sidelined for the Bulldogs' games against No. 6 Boise State and No. 8 Cincinnati. He traveled to Cincinnati, but did not dress.
Marvin Haynes will start in Bell's place.
Bell's presence on the field is missed in a number of ways. He's key in run support and he's a knowledgable player who helps make sure his teammates are properly aligned for plays.
Just like 2007: When scrambling Hawaii quarterback Greg Alexander took a big hit from Louisiana Tech linebacker Adrien Cole last week, it was déjà vû for Fresno State defensive end Kenny Borg.
Borg was on the sidelines when former Bulldogs linebacker and Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year Marcus Riley leveled Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan in Honolulu in 2007.
The Bulldogs lost the game, but Brennan lost consciousness and had to be helped off the field.
The hit didn't end Brennan's career, but it gave him a concussion and made a small splash on YouTube.
Alexander's college career is over. The senior suffered major knee ligament damage.
Hawaii linebacker Blaze Soares said no ill will is felt for either hit.
"You always have a soft spot for those big hits," he said. "We try to go out and kill someone. That's the mentality you have to have on defense."
Borg agreed.
"The sweet part is to see Bulldog football be played and us hit with that mentality, which is what we do," Borg said of Riley's hit. "On the other side of things is good sportsmanship, of course. You don't want to see any athlete go down like that."
Interestingly enough, it was then-freshman Chris Carter who forced Brennan out of the pocket in that game -- also the last time Fresno State played in Hawaii.
Carter, now a junior, is leading the team in sacks this year with three.
BY THE NUMBERS
36: Hawaii is playing at home for the first time in 36 days. The Warriors hosted Central Arkansas on Sept. 4, then went on the road for three straight games.
1-5: Fresno State's record against Hawaii in Honolulu since Pat Hill took over in 1997. Needless to say, the Warriors have owned the islands, especially against the Bulldogs.
AUDIBLE
"It doesn't matter how hurt you are, when you've seen what he's gone through, it's nothing."
-- Fresno State running back Jamaal Rashad on center Joe Bernardi, now battling a shoulder injury
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