KAHULUI-MAUI, Hawaii – Ohio running back Chad Brinker will play in the 2003 Hula Bowl on Saturday. The all-star football classic from Maui's War Memorial Stadium will air on ESPN at 9 p.m. EST.

Brinker, one of the best running backs in Ohio history, will wear #31 for the Aina team (meaning land in Hawaiian) that is coached by Miami's Larry Coker, Minnesota's Glen Mason, Marshall's Bob Pruett and Mount Union's Larry Kehres. Some of his teammates will include Iowa quarterback Brad Banks and Ohio State receiver Chris Vance.

A fullback from Martins Ferry, Brinker was a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection. He established himself as one of the top rushers in Ohio history this season, climbing to fourth on the all-time list with 2,826 yards. He posted five century rushing games in 2002 en route to 1,099 yards, the fourth-most ever in a single Bobcat season.

Brinker led the team in scoring with 68 points (team-high 10 rushing touchdowns, one receiving score and a two-point conversion) and ranks third all-time with 184 points. His best effort of the year came against Akron, when he tallied 160 yards on a career-high 36 carries. He scored four of his touchdowns on the ground against Eastern Michigan.