The "resounding success" of the first Sydney Cup college football game has "raised hopes that an NFL fixture will be next to hit Sydney's shores," according to Jamie Marcuson of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. A "bumper crowd" of 61,247 flocked to ANZ Stadium to witness the University of California defeat the University of Hawaii, but the big question was "if this was a prelude to bigger American sporting events in Australia." University of Hawaii Athletic Dir David Matlin said that the NFL was watching the event closely "and believes a competitive fixture is on the cards for Sydney." Matlin: "Obviously [the NFL] are paying attention to this. I think it's a possibility. I think you have the facilities and the sports enthusiasts, so it's a real good place for sporting events." Matlin was "effusive over the way the Sydney crowd embraced the foreign sport." He said, "Absolutely the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] should send more games down here." California coach Sonny Dykes called the spectacle an "incredible experience for myself and the players" and was adamant it "should not be a one-off game." Dykes: "I'm certain this won't be the only one of this" (SMH, 8/27).
