University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan's mid-January decision to return to school for his senior season delighted an entire state and set the stage for one of the most intriguing story lines of the season. Advertiser library photo | Aug. 3, 2007

"That just blows me away," Jones said.

Brennan's mid-January decision to return to school for his senior season delighted an entire state and set the stage for one of the most intriguing story lines of the season. For Hawai'i, this season is about more than trying to reach the rarefied heights of a Bowl Championship Series game. It's also about whether a school can field a Heisman Trophy winner from half a world away.

Both Jones and Brennan realize that, barring unforeseen events, the quarterback who sometimes communicates with linemen in Samoan should again accumulate mind-numbing statistics. But they also know that to win the award, Brennan must overcome two factors beyond his control: perception and exposure. Among other strong Heisman hopefuls, Brennan is a man truly on an island, dealing with a unique set of obstacles.

"Something great would have to happen for him to get a shot at it," Jones conceded in a telephone interview. "I think he will be in New York as a finalist. Whether he gets it or not, who knows."

Brennan even acknowledged in a comprehensive DVD — "A Colt Following," released by Hawai'i as part of his Heisman campaign — that "you need the right things to match up" to have a realistic chance to win the award as a player from a far-off land playing in the Western Athletic Conference. After breaking or tying 18 NCAA records last season, Brennan got his hopes up about a possible invitation to the Heisman ceremony in New York, only to finish sixth in the balloting.

One of the perceptions Brennan continues to fight is that he is a "system quarterback" who excels primarily because of the run-and-shoot offense of Jones, who has used the pass-happy attack throughout his career, most notably when he was quarterbacks coach with the NFL's Houston Oilers two decades ago. Last season, Brennan completed 406 passes, which was more than 83 Division I-A teams ATTEMPTED.

During the week Boise State annually prepares for Hawai'i's offense, "every player is excited to be the scout quarterback because he gets to throw all the time," said Broncos coach Chris Petersen, who believes the offensive system should not detract from Brennan's ability. "It's hard to replicate that precision and the timing. He is as good as anyone in the country."

Brennan believes his completion rate of 72.6 percent, which was tops in the nation last season, runs counter to the belief that run-and-shoot quarterbacks often have low completion percentages. Jones characterized Brennan as "so unconsciously accurate," a quarterback who reminds him of former NFL quarterbacks Jeff George and Dan Marino.

"They are the only three guys I have watched on tape, for whatever reason, because of their quick release, the ball has not left their hand but their right foot is off the ground," Jones said. "Those three players are probably the three of the most accurate passers that I have watched."

One criticism Brennan is bound to hear is that Hawai'i's schedule is soft, which could give him a chance to eclipse last season's NCAA-record 58 touchdown passes. The Warriors' toughest road game is at Nevada, which finished 8-5 last season. They also will play Division I-AA schools Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern.

Considering Brennan's record-breaking junior season and the attention he subsequently received from sports agents, Jones was surprised his quarterback decided to come back to school. By returning, Brennan should create a one-of-a-kind Heisman race.