WAC Awards

Star-Bulletin with the news:

Hawaii junior quarterback Colt Brennan is the Western Athletic Conference offensive player of the year, and UH's June Jones is the league's coach of the year.

Also, nine Warriors made the first team in voting conducted by WAC coaches announced today.


Sophomore receiver Davone Bess, senior center Samson Satele, senior left tackle Tala Esera, senior running back Nate Ilaoa, senior defensive ends Ikaika Alama-Francis and Melila Purcell, senior safety Leonard Peters and senior special teams player Ross Dickerson join Brennan on the first team.


Junior receiver Jason Rivers, senior right tackle Dane Uperesa, junior nose tackle Mike Lafaele and sophomore linebacker Adam Leonard were named to the second team.


Boise State linebacker Korey Hall is the WAC defensive player of the year. He is one of seven Broncos named to the first team.


Kamehameha graduate Caleb Spencer (Nevada) made the second team as a receiver.

Stephen Tsai gets Colt's and Nate's reactions:

"That's awesome about coach Jones," Brennan said. "He did a great job. I'm so happy for him."

Brennan, who leads the nation in total offense and touchdown passes, called his award "a great honor. It's huge. I remember during the summer when they said I was going to be the preseason Player of the Year. I said then it only matters what happens at the end of the year. I'm glad (the voters) thought I did a good job.

"But again, this isn't about me. It's about our offense. We wanted to make a statement that we weren't one of the best offenses in the nation. We wanted to win the overall title. That's why this is a good honor for the receivers, the o-line and Nate. They deserve as much credit."

Ilaoa, who is Brennan's roommate on the road, praised Brennan and the rest of the offense.

"I'm happy for everybody," Ilaoa said. "It's a good thing."

Congratulations to all!