UH vs Fresno State Wrap-Ups

Dave Reardon's wrap-up had a post-game update on Colt Brennan's status.

Brennan did not talk to reporters afterward, but did release a statement.

"I'm doing fine," he said through a UH spokesman. "I'd like to thank everyone for the support they gave out there. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field for next week's game against Nevada."

His condition was later described as a "mild concussion," and a UH official described Brennan as "day-to-day" when it comes to football duties. Brennan did not require hospitalization.

Coach June Jones said he does not expect Brennan to miss Friday's game at Nevada.

Neither does Brennan's father.

"He's ready to play another four quarters," said a smiling Terry Brennan.

Stephen Tsai's wrap-up has these quotes.

"Colt is a big part of this team," UH linebacker Solomon Elimimian said. "It's not just on offense. Without Colt, we wouldn't be where we are today. Colt is one of our leaders. We all love Colt."

Fresno State coach Pat Hill visited Brennan after the game. "I just wanted to see how he was," Hill said. "He's a heck of a player. ... I wished him luck. That was a heck of a hit he took."

Ferd Lewis captures the mixed feelings surrounding UH's victory.

The postgame rejoicing of being just one of two remaining unbeaten teams was noticeably subdued. The revelry understated. Even the unsightly confetti that usually covers the field was in comparative short supply.

The trademark post-game ha'a went unperformed. "It is hard to celebrate when he went out of there like that," said co-captain Michael Lafaele.

"A lot of things go through your mind when you see a guy like that go down," said assistant coach Rich Miano. "The fact that we won this football game is huge because that (Fresno State) is a good football team but obviously people are subdued because of what happened to Colt. You worry about the health of a guy who turned down a lot of money to help build a dream season we're having. That's first and foremost."

Stacy Kaneshiro has reaction from the UH offensive line.

"We just wanted him to get up," UH center John Estes said. "We think about him as a person. You never want to see that in football, ever."

The offensive line felt responsible. Brennan was sacked twice, both times by linebacker Mike Cheese. To a man, the linemen could not enjoy the victory, as sweet was it is supposed to be to beat Fresno State.

"It's not even a win," UH tackle Keith AhSoon said. "I'm so ------ off. Putting him in a position like that ... A win's a win, but it's not a win for me. I should've done better. I just hope he's ready for the next game."

Brian McInnis talks to FSU's Marcus Riley, who delivered the hit.

"It's tough, because I started to celebrate, and when he (Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan) was still down it kind of changed my whole attitude about the situation," Riley said.

"I was kind of nervous," Riley said. "I kind of relaxed after I knew he was alright, when he got up, started moving around. I didn't really know what to think. I was hoping it wasn't anything major and nothing serious. I didn't want anybody to get hurt, but injuries are a part of the game. I'm just glad he's alright."

Michael Tsai and Stacy Kaneshiro write about the reaction the UH defense had to some of the Fresno players celebrating Colt's hit.

"I wanted to get them back," Paepule said.

He wasn't the only one.

"They were celebrating while he was lying there," defensive lineman Siave Seti said. "They looked at us like, 'That's it for you.' "

As Brennan eventually rose to return to the locker room, the tension mounted. Then defensive back Keenan Jones provided the pressure release.

On the ensuing punt, Jones got a bead on Fresno State punt returner Clifton Smith. Jones bore down at full stride on Smith as he caught the ball and promptly leveled him with a clean but make-no-mistake-what-I-mean tackle.

"That was the turning point," Seti said. "Thank God he made that hit."

Chawan Cut, who was sitting behind the Fresno bench, posted on Sportshawaii.com what he saw from some of the Bulldog players.

Billy Hull writes about a classy move from Fresno coach Pat Hill.

In a sight rarely seen in college football, Hill walked into the opposing team's locker room moments after a grueling game.

He was not made available all week to the media, and his Bulldogs' locker room was closed after the game.

Yet, for the coach of a team who is supposed to be one of Hawaii's most hated opponents, it was important enough for him to address the entire UH team and offer Hawaii words of encouragement for the rest of the year.

"You've got a good football team here," Hill said. "We knew it was going to be a fight and it was fun. I like playing teams that are strong. I like this conference."

It was a sight that left a lot of Warriors shaking their heads. Soares, Noa and Elimimian admitted to never seeing an opposing coach walk into the postgame locker room.

"He showed a lot of respect by coming in here and congratulating our team," Elimimian said. "That's something you don't forget."

Paul Arnett writes a column about the hit and aftermath, and writes that Tyler Graunke will have to rise up in case Colt can't go.

Knowing him, he will want to play, but with what one person described as a Grade III concussion -- later upgraded to a mild concussion -- he may sit this one out and hope Graunke can come to the rescue on a cold November night in Reno. Graunke was shaky in the fourth quarter as Fresno State came close to pulling out the win late.

But Jones is hopeful a week of preparation will settle his nerves in case Brennan's blow to the head is as serious as the original diagnosis on the field. Either way, next week's game is the most important in school history. You know Brennan will want to be in there. You also know that Graunke does, too.

Oh by the way, here's a scoring breakdown and game stats from the Advertiser.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the great performance by running backs Leon Wright-Jackson, Daniel Libre and David Farmer.

"We complemented each other a lot, we have different styles," said the 5-foot-8 Libre. "I guess they really weren't ready for it, because I came out of nowhere."

Hawaii rushed for 137 yards in the game, with Wright-Jackson and Libre carrying the ball six times each.

"I knew the last four games we would have to run the ball," UH coach June Jones said of the Warriors' pivotal stretch run as they make their push for the Western Athletic Conference title and a Bowl Championship Series berth.

"Daniel Libre has some quickness, happy to see Leon do well."

Michael Tsai writes about the strong debut of Libre.

"He's a great athlete, he works hard in practice and he deserves to be here," Wright-Jackson said. "He did a great job tonight, and I knew he would."

As Libre eased into a groove, the Bulldog defense was forced to adjust.

"After a while, they weren't coming off the blocks at all," Libre said. "They really started to key up on me."

And finally the Star-Bulletin Notebook has a bunch of notes, including:

• Graunke is ready to go if Colt can't.


• Blaze Soares was able to play last night despite his hamstring injury.


• C.J. Hawthorne was pulled from the game after his hamstring tightened up.


• Ryan Grice-Mullins surpassed 1000 receiving yards on the season.