TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In a gesture that was accidental but turned out to be symbolic, several members of the University of Hawai'i football team removed their athletic shoes before stepping onto the grass field at newly renovated Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"Just like the stadium we have back home," mused safety Leonard Peters, who was in bare feet because many of the players failed to bring the correct shoes.

Indeed, it was anything but home. Alabama's football tradition is as rich as its boosters' bank accounts, and Bryant-Denny is a pyramid to the 12 national championships, the legend of Paul "Bear" Bryant and the passion of Southern football.

UH coach June Jones had hoped yesterday's walk-through practice would dull the glint in his players' eyes in preparation for this evening's season-opening game against Alabama. But even in this empty stadium, a crimson tide of awe overcame his players.

Several players posed, using as a backdrop the freshly built North end zone section featuring two jumbo video screens and a level of luxury boxes.

Even defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville was awestruck, leaning against the same goal post that once supported Bryant.

"When I was in the South, I never coached against Alabama and I never came inside the stadium," Glanville said. "It was a great thrill for our players to come here, and it was a thrill for me to walk in here, also."

The Warriors knew this would be a trip like no other during yesterday's bus ride from Atlanta, where they spent the previous two days practicing, to Birmingham, where they will stay through tomorrow morning. As they passed the "Welcome to Alabama" sign, they were met by state troopers, who escorted the buses to a hotel.

The Tuscaloosa police then escorted the Warriors on the 100-mile round trip between the hotel and Bryant-Denny.

"The route we just took from the hotel," said Dennis McKnight, who coaches the offensive linemen, "there were maybe 50,000 people out here who know they can't get a ticket, but want to be part of the experience. When you hear about that kind of passion for a sport, how can you not feel it?"

Even the home-team players are moved. The game will be the first since the completion of the stadium renovation.

"Every time I go past the stadium, I get goosebumps," Alabama cornerback Ramzee Robinson said. "I get goosebumps all over."

Alabama defensive end Wallace Gilberry said: "It's going to be crazy, like a house-warming party with 90,000 people."

Robinson is concerned the grand opening might motivate the Warriors.

"They're going to be pumped up," Robinson said. "They beat us (three) years ago. They're running on momentum from there. I know they're ready to play us."

Gilberry said UH is a serious threat.

"On any given day, you can get beat by any given team. There's no such thing as a small team or a weak team. If they were weak, they wouldn't be coming into Bryant-Denny. That's how I look at it."

Following coach Jones' lead, the Warriors have tried to remain relaxed. Yesterday, even with half the team in bare feet, the Warriors worked on where to stand during warmups and how fast to sprint onto the field to line up for kickoff returns.

The Warriors devoted most of last week's practices to preparing for this game. They fine-tuned their plays during the workouts in Atlanta. Jones has tried to keep the mood light.

"I've always felt kids play better when they're not uptight," Jones said. "We run an offensive scheme where they can't be uptight. You can't be so nervous you can't play. You have to be able to play.

"I know what motivated me over the years. I've stolen (ideas) from everybody. ... The way we're doing things helps us be focused and play hard on game day. It's better to be loose and relaxed and having fun rather than being uptight, so uptight you can't remember what to do."

In the past few days, Jones has implored his players to enjoy the experience.

"This is a journey," Jones said. "Regardless if we win or lose, we're going to be a good football team. I already know that. We're here to win. But one game is not going to make our whole season. This is a great experience that will make going to Fresno and Boise seem like nothing when we walk in there."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.