CORVALLIS - Sometimes a game's importance goes beyond the usual need for achievement.

Bragging rights can be just as important as championships.

The Oregon State football team's nonconference contest this afternoon against Hawaii takes on that kind of significance. It's the home opener, but it's more personal for many.

Sixteen players on the OSU roster are from Hawaii, and there are several friends and rivals on the opposing team.

If the Beavers don't win, many of them say they may not be able to show their faces on the Island anymore.

"We have to win," senior safety All Afalava said. "I'm not going home if we don't because I don't want to hear it from everybody."

It's so important that his wife and son understand the situation, even though it's more of a joke - but a serious joke, maybe.

"My wife is good with that (not going back)," Afalava said. "As a family, we won't go back. The pressure is on."

Sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Pohl concurs. He has close friends on the Hawaii team, and plans to avoid contact with them until after the game.

Many family members are coming in for the game, and his friends will watch from home.

"It's definitely for bragging rights," Pohl said. "If we don't win, I can't go home. If we lose we'll hear about it a lot, even from our families. Friends will say stuff like we shouldn't have left Hawaii."

Afalava is well-known within the Hawaiian football community. He was rated the state's second best defensive back his senior year at Kahuku High in 2004. Kahuku is one of the top programs in the state.

The program also produced OSU offensive guard Jeremy Perry, safety Suaesi Tuimaunei, linebacker Walker Vave and quarterback Kaulin Krebs.

"It's going to be a great, exciting game to play against a team from back home," Afalava said. "A lot of family back home are coming out to watch the game. But it will probably be more exciting for (the Warriors) to come here and check us out."

The Beavers defeated Hawaii in 2006 in a wild game, and many of the same players were able to go home in triumph. It was an intense showdown that came down to the final moments.

Hawaii players still remember that and hope to return the favor with a victory in the program's first trip to Corvallis.

"We try to forget about that game, and try to focus on the future," Hawaii safety Mana Silva said. "But we still remember that game."

Silva was with the Beavers that season as a redshirt and on the sidelines, but transferred to the Hawaii after that season for family reasons.

He's a backup safety and hopes to show he made the right athletic decision.

"It's going to be good to be back to the Dam, and see some old friends," Silva said. "It's going to be exciting to be going to Corvallis with this team."

Perry, one of the most marquee players to leave Hawaii for a mainland team, has a vested interest in the game. He was the state's 2003 offensive player of the year.

However, his injured knee will keep him out of the game. His leg injuries began in the final moments of the 2006 game.

Mike Cavanaugh, Perry's offensive line coach, is another part of the rivarly. He made a name for himself working with the Warriors, and his jumping to OSU in 2005 was another big Hawaiian defection.

"It's a big-time rivalry because of recruiting for Oregon State and Hawaii," Perry said. "And in the long-run, it's going to be a big rivalry. So far it's big because of coach Cav and myself."

The Warriors do their best to keep local players at home so they can play for them. It's a personal insult to them when players of that caliber look elsewhere.

OSU Hawaiians had to endure the catcalls of being traitors to the state throughout the 2006 game.

Playing the family card often works in the Samoan culture, but the players on the OSU roster are mavericks.

"It wasn't a hard decision for me," Afalava said. "A lot of guys stay home to be close to family. I wanted to try something different and get off the Island. The Island is too small for me."