It started with an enthusiastic rendition of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," proceeded to a battle of chants and, two hours later, finished with a relay race.

The final home practice of the year was befitting of a unique Hawai'i football team.

"Nobody does what this team does," said defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who wore slippers, his traditional footwear for a final practice. "It's a loose, fun group. But then they get their game faces on, and then they go to battle."

In a practice pattern they used all week, the Warriors opened by working on special teams. Then the defense worked out on the adjacent soccer field while the offense practiced on the grass football field. Then the units came together for team drills.

In the final practice period, a challenge was set up between the offense and defense. Three players were picked per side, with each having to sprint 55 yards.

The defense won when cornerback Ryan Keomaka overtook running back Daniel Libre on the final 30 yards and sprinted across the finish line. Keomaka was hoisted in the mosh pit of defensive players.

"It's all good fun," Keomaka said. "(Libre) had a head start, but I opened up the strides, man."

Libre was an unwilling participant.

"I told them I didn't want to run because my hips were bothering me since (the) Washington (game)," Libre said. "They made me run it, anyway. I told them I didn't want to (run anchor), and they made me. I wasn't guaranteeing anything from the get-go."

Soon after, the players walked off the UH grass field for the final time this season. The Warriors do not practice for three days. They depart tomorrow to New Orleans for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl.

For quarterback Colt Brennan, the circle was complete. Twenty-nine months earlier, as a recent transfer from Saddleback Community College, Brennan met his new UH teammates on the grass practice field.

"It's amazing," Brennan said. "It's crazy how fast time flies. You don't think about it, and now it's my last day. It's crazy walking off the field like this. That's the best part of living life — growing up and moving on."

A week ago, Brennan participated in the UH graduation ceremony. This past week, he thought, "was going to be the most relaxing week with no school. Just play football, and have the rest of the day off."

But Brennan spent the week practicing, signing autographs, attending meetings, and signing more autographs.

"This was the hardest week I had all year," Brennan said.

Although he enjoys signing autographs and interacting with fans, the demand has been overwhelming. After one appointment, he showed up late to the team breakfast only to discover empty trays.

"It took away my whole last week in Hawai'i," he said of the appointments. "I feel like I've signed autographs every day for everyone. I'd love to be able to accommodate everybody. I just don't have an hour to give to everyone. I just don't have it, and that's what everyone expects me to give. But it's part of the position. It's being done because you've accomplished something great and they want to acknowledge you."

Brennan left yesterday for Colorado, where he will spend the holidays with his family. After the Sugar Bowl, he will return for a week to prepare for his move to his family's home in Irvine, Calif.

But Brennan said he is not leaving for good. He hopes to one day buy a house here.

His time in Hawai'i, he said, has "been a great ride. I don't look at it as ending. I look at it as years to come, being here, doing things, doing things for the program. I don't see it ending."

As Brennan completed his interview, he noticed a group of fans standing at the entrance to the field. Although two UH officials told the fans that no autograph requests would be honored, Brennan walked toward the group and began signing items.Laeli nursing his knee

Defensive tackle Fale Laeli was in uniform yesterday, but did not participate in contact drills.

Laeli, who is suffering from tendinitis in his left knee, said he aggravated the condition during Friday's practice. He said an MRI did not show any damage.

"It's minor," Laeli said. "I knew it wasn't going to be serious. I knew my tendinitis was acting up. I have to rest it and do rehab on it."

WAC RINGS ONLY FITTING

The Warriors are set to place their order for rings celebrating their Western Athletic Conference championship.

Each player and coach has been fitted for a ring.

NCAA rules limit the cost of each ring to $325.

Per an agreement reached in 1992, when the Warriors won a share of their first WAC title and competed in the Holiday Bowl, the athletic department must pay for the rings.

The nine assistant coaches also are eligible for a bonus equivalent to one month's salary. That averages to less than $6,000 per coach.

In comparison, Oklahoma coaches will receive $24,000 apiece for the Sooners' participation in a Bowl Championship Series game.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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