NEW YORK — There would be no miracle comeback for University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan last night.

Not when the competition was for the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player nor with the voting bloc that often makes decisions based on region and pedigree.

But Brennan did not travel five time zones, style himself with a suit and lei, and shave to a pau-hana shadow only in pursuit of the sport's most coveted bronze award. Brennan — and the rest of the nation — knew that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow would win the 73rd Heisman statue. That became official during the nationally televised show from the Nokia Theatre in Times Square.

"I didn't think I was going to win," Brennan said. "I'm kind of glad because my speech wasn't up to par."

He then pulled out what appeared to be a Post-it.

"I wrote it on the way over," he said, smiling. "I wasn't planning on winning. It was just awesome to be in the experience."

Brennan, who finished third, was intent on having fun, enjoying a rare invitation as a member of an outcast conference, and spreading the word that the Warriors play pretty darn, good football.

"I felt I was representing all of the mid-majors," Brennan said. "It was a great honor to be here. Hopefully, (the next time) a kid in my position will have a lot less scrutiny and will be able to be thanked for who (he is)."

Brennan received 54 No. 1 votes and 632 points. He had the highest finish for a player from a non-major conference since Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair placed third in 1994. UH competes in the Western Athletic Conference, which is not among the six Bowl Championship Series conferences.

Despite missing 12 quarters because of injuries and blowout scores, Brennan threw for more yards (4,301) and touchdowns (35) than the other two quarterback finalists, Tebow and Missouri's Chase Daniel, who finished fourth.

Of the four finalists — including Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, who placed second — Brennan is the only one whose team will play in a BCS post-season game. The Warriors, who are Division I-A's only unbeaten team at 12-0, play Georgia in the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl.

Going undefeated, Brennan said, "says a lot about the team and how good (it is). Michigan State paid us $250,000 not to play us. Michigan didn't want to play us. They chose Appalachian State. There are plenty of other teams that decided not to play us. We had to play who we lined up against. We beat those teams ... now against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, it's a great opportunity for us to get some respect. We can talk after the game."

Brennan also noted the Warriors have the hardship of traveling at least 2,500 miles for every road game. The Warriors won their five road games this season, and eight in a row dating to October 2006.

"If LSU ... left on a Wednesday and had to play in Europe (on a Saturday), I'm sure they wouldn't be the same team when they walked out there," Brennan said. "It's kind of funny how we don't have the same credit. That's the way it is. We live in paradise. The joke's on them."

Brennan also told reporters that his receivers were the best in the nation. Of June Jones, Brennan said, "I don't know of a better coach. ... He is, without a doubt, a pure genius on Saturdays. He should be given a lot of credit for what he's done."

Brennan, who has received credit as the operator of the nation's highest-scoring offense, enjoyed a relaxing day.

He slept in. "I was a little jet-lagged," said Brennan, who was on a non-stop flight from Honolulu to Newark Friday.

More than 20 family members and friends gathered for lunch at an Italian restaurant.

"We had a blast," said Brennan, who ordered a ravioli dish and pizza.

"I went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was the highlight of my day," he added. "I dipped into the Holy water, and got a feel for being a Catholic kid from a Catholic high school. Walking into that church, it brought some memories back to me."

Brennan said he was surprised by the large pedestrian traffic. December is usually the busiest time in Midtown Manhattan.

"I was trying to rush back (to the hotel)," Brennan said. "I had my cousins on my arm. I'm pushing through crowds of people to make it back to the Heisman in time. Just thinking about the normal things we did out here, but what we were actually doing and the reasons we were here, that was so cool."

Brennan and Missouri's Daniel first met at an Elite 11 football camp in July. Brennan became fast friends with Tebow and McFadden during this visit.

"We were hanging out" before the Heisman show, Brennan said. "There was no nervousness. All of the finalists were great guys. All we talked about was how much fun we were having."

But the magnitude of the event began to hit when he met his childhood heroes. Twenty-nine former Heisman winners attended the ceremony.

"When I sat down with them, the conversation went from first meeting to being cool," Brennan said. "These guys started putting their arm around you, whispering stuff in your ear. You realize you kind of made it.

"I'm standing next to guys I watched while sitting on my couch as a kid," Brennan added. "These are the guys I rooted for. To watch them come up to you and show you some respect, it's an honor, man. I felt like I won just by coming."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.