HONOLULU (AP) -- Unbeaten. Record-breaking. Western Athletic Conference champion. Maybe BCS bound.
All apply to Colt Brennan and Hawaii.
The Warriors' prolific passer threw five touchdowns to break the major college career record as No. 14 Hawaii beat No. 17 Boise State 39-27 Friday night to win its first outright WAC title.
Brennan had a message to anyone who still doubts his team is one of the nation's best.
"That's three weeks in a row the so-called experts and critics out there said we were going to lose and we didn't," he said. "Obviously they need to re-check what they're doing because they're wrong."
Brennan, a week after sitting out because of a concussion, finished 40-of-53 for 495 yards for the Warriors (11-0, 8-0), who set a school record with 12 straight wins and denied the Broncos (10-2, 7-1) a sixth straight conference championship.
"He was the best college football player in America last year and he still is this year," Warriors coach June Jones said. "If he plays good next week and we win it, he should win the Heisman Trophy."
The WAC heavyweights traded scores and the lead until Brennan erupted for three TD tosses in the third quarter to give the Warriors their largest lead, 39-27, heading into the final quarter.
"When your rolling like that against a Boise State team, you know things are good," Brennan said. "We knew right then and there, we were in good shape."
The quick-striking Warriors, who have won 21 of its last 22 games and lead the nation in scoring, ran out the clock with their rare running game to seal the win as the crowd chanted, "BCS! BCS!"
Hawaii entered 15th in the Bowl Championship Series standings, needing to finish 12th or higher to secure an automatic bid to the BCS. A weak schedule has kept the Warriors from moving up the rankings, but a convincing win over last season's BCS busters should help them make a final push. A Sugar Bowl bid could be in the Warriors' future if they can complete a perfect season next week at home against Washington.
With the final seconds ticking off the clock and the Warriors taking a knee at the Boise State 1, players and thousands of fans spilled onto the field and celebrated the Warriors' biggest win in school history. The players proudly held the WAC trophy in the middle of the field. Hawaii shared the WAC title in 1999 and 1992.
Courtesy: Associated Press
13 comments:
Aloha,
My family and I spent our Thanksgivng Holiday in "paradise" cheering on our Broncos. I have to say great win to all of you Warrior fans. The fans, team, and coaching staff are nothing but class acts and this Hawaii team deserves the WAC Title. Colt Brennan's skill and personality has put a face to our conference and we hope that Hawaii can beat Washington and represent the Western Athletic Conference just as we did last season. This BSU/UH rivalry is really becoming something big, but I love the fact that is built around respect and not hatred. Go take care of business but look out for those Huskies, despite their record, they are a very good team. Aloha Hawaii and Happy Holidays.
Bruce "The Bronco"
Right On Bruddah Bruce! Aloha to you and have a safe trip back to Boise!
Congratulations Warrior Nation!
Hey DeMello!
CHAAAAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I loved the energy tonight on the kitv news. WAC CHAMPS BABY!
COLT FOR HEISMAN!
BCS HERE WE COME.
We are the champions baby!!! Beat U Dub and we are BCS bound. Sugar Bowl against LSU?? The Energy at the stadium was unreal, it was by far the loudest I have ever heard it, I got a headache from yelling so much!
awesome matt! I already called in sick from work on Monday. I'm so tired today, I can't take the stress!
GO HAWAII!
Hey Bronco Bruce Aloha to you and good luck to Boise State in The Humaniatium Bowl Game.
I didn't think I'd ever be saying that UH is not only the WAC champs but also the only unbeaten team in the nation. I won't get tired of saying that.
The BCS better not screw us.
Were projected to play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl by ESPN. How awesome would that be?
Hey Bruce, I'm rooting for Boise in the Humanitarian Bowl. I hope they put on another spectacular show like last years game against OU.
It was an awesome win for the Warriors, but there's still one more game to win.
It was also nice to see the fans storm the field after the game but it bugs me that the fans are on stage taking away from the players.
The players are the ones that wake up 5am in the morning, running laps, doing the drills, and playing the games, but we see knuckleheads on the newspapers. Thank you fans for coming to the games but don't take away from the guys who worked hard to be front-and-center.
Pisses the hawaiianlava off.
I agree with hawaiianlava about "storming the field" being bad but for additional reasons. What is the Stadium policy about fans going onto the field after the game? If a fan or a player gets hurt, who is responsible? If you were someone who decides whether to invite the UH Warriors to play in your bowl game, would you be influenced by the conduct of the Hawaii fans? Fighting and throwing rubbish (I still saw rubbish getting on the field)is one thing but how do they feel about Hawaii fans jumping onto the field?
Anonymous, "Storming the Field" is a staple in BCS Conference Football. It shows passion by the fans and I am willing to bet the Bowl Execs love seeing it. It tells them that the people love this team = will travel to watch them play.
anonymous one,
hawaiianlava isn't against fans storming the field. hawaiianlava is against fans taking away the spotlight from the players. i want to see players faces in the papers, or on tv, not the fans. the players did the hard work. they should get the spotlight.
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