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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huskies And Spartans Won’t Fuel Fire Aloha Opponents Have Nothing But Nice Things To Say About Each Other

Associated Press

The pregame feeling-out period has started for the Aloha Bowl.

Washington’s Jim Lambright got things started at the opening news conference Friday, even though the Huskies are ranked higher than their Christmas Day opponent, Michigan State.

“You know Michigan State has a good team,” he said. “You don’t beat Penn State (49-14) like they did and not have some good players on the field.”

As for his team, Lambright said, “We didn’t end the season as strong as we would have liked, but this game gives us a chance to close out with a win and build toward next year.”

Washington was ranked as high as No. 2, but finished the regular season with three consecutive losses to fall into the No. 21 slot.

Not to be outdone, Spartans coach Nick Saban said he was wary of the Huskies.

“Washington would be a Top 10 team if it weren’t for injuries late in the season,” he said. “Usually, when a team as talented as Washington loses three games in a row, it’s because of key injuries. We know this is a talented ballclub.

“We’re excited to be here, but we know the challenge will be balancing all the fun Hawaii has to offer and the work necessary to beat a team like the Huskies.”

Even some of the players got into the “coach-speak” mode.

From Washington running back Rashaan Shehee, “We want to send our seniors out with a bang. We’re here to have fun, but also to prove something to ourselves.”

Teammate Jerry Jensen, a linebacker, added, “Michigan State offers a great challenge. Their running game is unbelievable. We saw the Penn State game film and saw they run right at you. We’ll have to find a way to stay with them.”

Michigan State linebacker Ike Reese responded with, “We’re here to take care of business. We’ve had an up-and-down season - good start, bumpy middle and good finish. We hope to continue from the finish, but we have a job cut out for us.”

Washington’s All-America center Olin Kreutz, a native of Hawaii, provided the day’s best laugh.

When asked how many tickets he had gotten off teammates, Kreutz said, “About 110.

“I didn’t have to trade much; I just asked them,” said Kreutz, who stands an imposing 6-4 and weighs 290.