So their hometown came to them.

Brewster and Eaton, Houston natives, played big roles in Hawai'i's 54-48 triple overtime victory over Houston in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl last night.

Eaton cleared the way for Brewster's game-winning 8-yard touchdown run in the third overtime, capping a game that was a fight to the finish.

"I always said that I was going to UH," said Eaton, a sophomore. "Everybody thought that was Houston, but I told everyone I'm going to the University of Hawai'i.

"I always wanted to play the University of Houston. We got this chance, and I'm glad we came out victorious."

A crowd of 25,551 at Aloha Stadium watched the Warriors (9-5) collapse in the final 58 seconds of regulation — missing a 29-yard field goal and allowing a 81-yard touchdown pass — and then shock the Cougars (7-6) in triple overtime.

Fittingly, one of the smallest players on the field, the 5-foot-6, 180-pound Brewster, provided the big play for Hawai'i.

On first and goal from Houston's 8-yard line, the Warriors called a trap play and Brewster did the rest, running like man possessed. Brewster's score gave Hawai'i a 54-48 lead.

"I never had a doubt," said Brewster, a junior. "When I get the ball I just try to run. I just pray and run."

Added Eaton: "That run from Michael, that's the best thing that happened to him in a long time. I know he's feeling great about it, I'm feeling great about it."

Brewster carried the ball 14 times for a season-high 79 yards and scored a career-high two touchdowns. He also had three catches for 40 yards. In the three overtimes, he carried twice for 13 yards.

Hawai'i running back coach Wes Suan called Brewster a playmaker. At Louisiana Tech earlier this season, Brewster scored the winning touchdown in a 44-41 win.

"He's been a clutch performer," Suan said. "Everything goes to him. You can only coach a guy so much. His natural talents got him through. He wasn't going to be denied."

Brewster's first touchdown came in the third quarter on a 1-yard run that tied the game at 20.

Brewster's 79 rushing yards accounted for more than half of Hawai'i's 114 total yards on the ground. His performance also provided a balance to Hawai'i's passing offense, which gained 527 yards.

"It's a big victory," Brewster said. "When you lose, you go into the offseason thinking about it the whole time. Now we're coming off a win, and those two-a-days in the spring are going to feel a whole lot better."