After more than a season and a half of lagging attendance, the University of Hawai'i hopes to top the elusive 30,000 mark in turnstile attendance in each of its final three regular-season football games, officials said.

UH believes stronger, better known opposition will "build to a crescendo," said John McNamara, associate athletic director. "Given the team we have and the quality of the opponents, we should have good crowds for the final three games."

UH hasn't reached 30,000 since the sold-out 2005 season opener against then-defending national champion Southern California. The 29,427 that turned out for the Oct. 7 game against Nevada has been the largest in the interim.

However, crowds have dropped since then despite the Warriors' run to an 8-2 record and brink of a Top 25 ranking. The Oct. 28 Idaho game drew 29,364 but last week's Louisiana Tech game drew just 27,529. UH is averaging 27,395 this year, down from 28,139 last year.

UH said 25,400 tickets have been distributed for Saturday's game against San Jose State, while 32,100 have been distributed for the Nov. 25 game against Purdue and 28,000 for the Dec. 2 finale against Oregon State. The OSU game will be shown by ESPN2.

While weather and other variables will help shape the turnout, McNamara said, "30,000 is a real possibility. With a successful team, quality opponents and a heightened fan experience at the stadium, I would certainly anticipate that."

San Jose State (6-3) is the first opponent with a winning record to play UH at Aloha Stadium since Nevada. Purdue is currently 7-4 and Oregon State 6-4.

UH is giving out "fanbannas" (retractable banners) to the first 10,000 through the turnstiles on Saturday. It is also running a "Senior Citizens Night" promotion with fans age 65 and older receiving two tickets for the price of one and extending its two-for-one military promotion.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.