Box Score

HONOLULU - The largest crowd in Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl history (43,435) saw Hawai'i score 38 second-half points to defeat Arizona State, 41-24, Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium. The win gave the Warriors their 11th victory of the season, tying a school record set in 1992.

Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan threw for a school record 559 yards (33 of 42) and five touchdowns, giving him 58 touchdowns passes on the season, a new NCAA record. Jason Rivers tied the school record with 14 catches for a school-record and NCAA bowl game record 308 yards and two touchdowns. Both were named Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl co-Most Valuable Players, along with Arizona State's Ryan Torain who finished the game with 18 carries for 160 yards and one touchdown.

For the first time since opening day, Hawai'i (11-3) did not score a touchdown in the first half, squandering scoring opportunities, a missed field goal in the first quarter, and an interception in the second, allowing Arizona State to take a 10-3 halftime lead.

But the Warriors erupted for 21 points in the third quarter when Brennan threw touchdown strikes to Rivers (38 yards), and two to Ryan Grice-Mullen (7 and 36-yards respectively) to take a 24-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Grice-Mullen finished with eight catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Dan Kelly added a 43-yard field goal before Arizona State (7-6) scored 14 straight points to cut the Warrior lead to three, 27-24, with 10:25 left to play.

But Brennan and the Warrior offense were not finished. Brennan found Davone Bess for a 21-yard touchdown to cap an 80-yard drive, and Rivers capped a 95-yard drive with a 79-yard touchdown catch-and-run to seal the win.

The Warrior offense racked up a season high 680 total yards, while the defense held Arizona State to 391 yards, sacked Sun Devil quarterback Rudy Carpenter four times, and forced two fumbles, one in the red zone halting a ASU drive, and another which led to a field goal.

Head coach June Jones recorded his 64th victory in eight seasons at the Warrior helm, making him the school's all-time winningest coach, surpassing Dick Tomey who amassed 63 wins in 10 seasons.

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