Long Beach to Play in Hawaii Tonight

Cal State Long Beach’s football team, which obviously hoped it wouldn’t be 0-2 at this point, has reason to be optimistic going into tonight’s game against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

The Rainbows are also 0-2, although their losses have been by a total of eight points. Hawaii lost to Kansas, 33-27, and Utah, 29-27. Long Beach lost to Utah State, 19-17, and San Diego State, 34-14.

Even after the San Diego State game, 49er Coach Mike Sheppard found some positives.

“I still think we’ll be a better team than a year ago (4-7), but it doesn’t surprise me that we’re not to the level where we can expect to beat people week in and week out while making mistakes,” Sheppard said.

There is some good news for the 49ers. Tailback Michael Roberts, who had runs of 36 and 26 yards in the first half against San Diego State but sat out the second half with a bruised thigh, has been given medical clearance to play.