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Multiple BYU Football Players Invited To Play In 2021 Hula Bowl

Dec 17, 2020, 5:50 PM | Updated: Dec 18, 2020, 2:19 pm

Khyiris Tonga - BYU Football...

BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga celebrates a sack on Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)

(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Hula Bowl invited multiple BYU players to participate in the upcoming 2021 edition of the exhibition college football game.

The 2021 Hula Bowl is scheduled to take place on January 31, 2021, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Four BYU football players have been invited to participate in the college football all-star game, including Troy Warner, Chris Wilcox, Zayne Anderson, Tristen Hoge, and Khyiris Tonga.

Troy Warner

Warner is a senior defensive back from San Marcos, California,

He’s played for BYU since 2016.

During his time with the Cougars, Warner has 117 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one quarterback hit, two interceptions, and 15 pass breakups in 41 games.

Chris Wilcox

Wilcox is a senior defensive back from Fontana, California,

He’s played for BYU since 2016.

During his time with the Cougars, Wilcox has 88 total tackles, 68 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and eight pass breakups in 41 games.

Zayne Anderson

Anderson is a senior defensive back from Stansbury Park, Utah.

He’s played for BYU since 2015.

During his time with the Cougars, Anderson has 158 total tackles, 102 solo tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 49 games.

Tristen Hoge

Hoge is a senior offensive lineman from Pocatello, Idaho.

He’s played for BYU since 2017.

During his time with the Cougars, Hoge has played in 25 games.

Hoge has accepted the invitation to play in the Hula Bowl.

Khyiris Tonga

Tonga is a senior defensive lineman from West Valley City, Utah,

He’s played for BYU since 2017.

During his time with the Cougars, Tonga has 129 total tackles, 68 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five quarterback hits, and 11 pass breakups in 49 games.

Tonga has accepted the invitation to play in the Hula Bowl.

About the Hula Bowl

The 2021 Hula Bowl is scheduled to take place at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

On Thursday, December 17, KHON reported that “Aloha Stadium has been deemed unsafe to hold crowds of any manner and is facing condemnation.”

Aloha Stadium said in a press release that it would “reduce operations and place a moratorium on new events at the Stadium.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we make this difficult decision,” said Ross Yamasaki, Chair of the Stadium Authority. “Aloha Stadium has been expending its reserves to maintain operations since COVID-19 restrictions began. Unfortunately, we have reached a stage where we can no longer afford to continue these expenditures. It is our hope that we can find a long-term solution but for now, must make these changes to reduce expenses and generate revenue through activities in the parking lot and events that have already been booked.”

It’s unclear where the Hula Bowl will take place if it’s unable to be played at Aloha Stadium.

The Hula Bowl started in 1946 and the first contest was played on January 5, 1947.

In 1960, the bowl became an all-star exhibition.

The bowl game “will include NCAA college football players from all divisions, along with international players from Japan, Canada, Australia, and the UK. In addition, the game will always include Polynesian players with historic ties to the Islands.”

Up next for BYU

BYU football will finish its 2020 campaign against the UCF Knights in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, December 22.

The Cougars and Knights will kick-off at 5 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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Multiple BYU Football Players Invited To Play In 2021 Hula Bowl