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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Warriors stay perfect


Hawaii's Colt Brennan carries the ball against BSU's Kyle Gingg. Brennan threw five TD passes.Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Jaymes Song Associated Press

HONOLULU – Unbeaten. Record-breaking. Western Athletic Conference champion. Maybe BCS-bound.

All apply to Colt Brennan and Hawaii.

The Warriors’ prolific passer threw for 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 football title.

Brennan 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 you’re rolling like that against a Boise State team, you know things are good,” Brennan said.

The quick-striking Warriors, who have won 21 of their last 22 games and lead the nation in scoring, ran out the clock with a 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, players and thousands of fans spilled onto the field and celebrated the Warriors’ biggest win in school history.

Hawaii’s Davone Bess had a school-record 14 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Jason Rivers had 12 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

But it was Brennan’s night.

“It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had. I’m speechless,” Brennan said.

Brennan has passed for 126 TDs in his three-year career at Hawaii, which beat Boise State for the first time in seven tries. Brennan broke the record, throwing his 122nd, in the first quarter.

His 6-yard TD pass to Ryan Grice-Mullen surpassed the mark set by former Brigham Young Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer in 1991. With the pass, Brennan also broke Detmer’s record for most touchdowns responsible for with 136.

The sellout, green-clad, ti-leaf waving crowd at Aloha Stadium roared as Brennan was congratulated by teammates and officials removed the record-breaking ball. The touchdown pass tied the game at 7.

Brennan quickly added to his record. His 123rd TD pass came on a 23-yard toss to Bess in the second quarter to give the Warriors a 19-13 lead.