Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i Warrior football team gained 571 yards of total offense to win its second game of the season, 44-9, over Eastern Illinois Saturday night at Aloha Stadium. Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan threw for a season-high 409 yards, 369 in the first half, and five touchdowns in less than three quarters of action.

Hawai'i's (2-2) first three drives ended with touchdown passes from Brennan to Ian Sample (29 yards), Ross Dickerson (16 yards), and Nate Ilaoa (4 yards) respectively. Eastern Illinois (2-3), playing without head coach Bob Spoo who is recovering from surgery, managed to sneak into the end zone on a 9-yard run by Norris Smith, but the night belonged to the Warriors.

Brennan spread the wealth, tossing touchdown strikes to Sample and Chad Mock before leaving the game in the third quarter. Sample led all receivers with a career-high 122 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, including a 43-yarder, the longest touchdown catch so far this season.

Junior receiver Jason Rivers added six catches for 106 yards, his first 100-yard game of the season. Back up quarterback Inoke Funaki saw his first legitimate action of his young career and finished the game with 120 yards on 5-of-10 passing.

The Warrior defense held the Panthers to 291 total yards, 234 on the ground. EIU running back Vincent Webb gained 117 yards and moved up to the fourth spot on the school's career rushing list.

Warrior linebacker Adam Leonard led all tacklers with 10 (9 solo), while the Warrior secondary recorded three interceptions, including one by safety Leonard Peters, his second in four games.

The Warriors return to Western Athletic Conference action next Saturday against Nevada. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

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