Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan threw for 409 yards and five touchdowns (32-of-39) while rushing for an additional 43 yards to help Hawai'i defeat Fresno State, 68-37, in a Western Athletic Conference game Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.

The win was the first on the road against the Bulldogs since the 2000 season. It was the most points scored on the road in Hawai'i (4-2, 2-1 WAC) football history. The win propelled UH's run at the WAC title, while likely eliminating Fresno State from contention.

Fresno State (1-5, 1-2 WAC) jumped out to a 7-0 lead, when Bulldog quarterback Tom Brandstater hit tight end Bear Pascoe for a 75-yard touchdown. But that was all she wrote for the Bulldogs. Hawai'i scored 28 unanswered points, two off Bulldogs fumbles, to take a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter and never look back.

The Bulldogs got in the end zone when back up quarterback Sean Norton came off the bench throwing a 20-yard strike to Pascoe to make it 28-14. But the Warrior defense forced its third turnover of the half, when safety Leonard Peters intercepted Norton and dashed 54-yards to the "house." A 28-yard field goal by Bulldog kicker Clint Stitser made it 42-17 at the break.

Norton hit Marlon Moore for a 75-yard touchdown on the opening play of the second half to make it 42-23, but that was as close at the Bulldogs got. Brennan threw his next three touchdown passes, two to slot receiver Davone Bess (8 receptions for 70 yards), and another to Ross Dickerson before leaving the game in the third quarter. Dickerson finished with a game-high 10 receptions for 115 yards.

Wide receiver Ian Sample caught two touchdown passes, his third straight game with multiple touchdown catches. Running back Nate Ilaoa enjoyed another game with more than 100 all-purpose yards (38 rushing and 78 receiving) and scored a career-high three touchdowns.

The Warrior defense held Fresno State to 64 rushing yards through three quarters of play. Inside linebacker Solomon Elimimian recorded a team-high seven tackles and forced one of Fresno State's two fumbles.

Hawai'i returns home tonight, only to leave Wednesday evening for Las Cruces, NM, for a WAC contest against New Mexico State. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

-UH-