Well rested and well fed, quarterback Colt Brennan yesterday arrived in New Orleans, rejoining his Hawai'i football teammates in preparation for Tuesday's Sugar Bowl.

"Because I didn't come with the team, I didn't get the band and the cheerleaders to greet me," Brennan said, laughing.

Brennan spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at his grandmother's house in Aspen, Colo. His sister, who lives in nearby Snow Mass, recently gave birth to a daughter, Téa.

"I'm officially an uncle," Brennan said.

Brennan said the break was much needed.

"The two days felt like a week," he said. "It was nice."

The past six weeks had been hectic, beginning with victories over Boise State and Washington as the Warriors (12-0) completed the only unbeaten regular season in Division I-A football this year. Brennan attended the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York, finished a video thesis, completed work on his bachelor's degree, participated in the commencement ceremony, participated in practices and meetings, and autographed thousands of items.

Given the option of departing with the team on Christmas Day or going to Aspen for two days, Brennan chose to continue the family tradition.

"I've been going there since I was 3," he said.

This time, Brennan avoided one of his favorite activities.

"I've always been good at snowboarding," he said. "I don't take risks. I wasn't going to do it (during this trip). You never know what can happen. I wasn't going to do anything risky right before the biggest game of my life."

Instead, he visited his newborn niece, and enjoyed a white Christmas with his family.

"We had the fireplace going, and we put on the Elvis Christmas album," Brennan said. "I'm not even joking, but that's the best Christmas album ever. You don't skip a song. You just let it play."

Brennan, slotback Davone Bess, who spent the holidays with family in California, and linebacker Tyson Kafentzis were on the same flight from Denver to New Orleans.

They landed in a thunderstorm. On the drive to the hotel, they saw snippets of a rebuilding New Orleans.

"There's a lot of construction because of (Hurricane) Katrina," Brennan said.

Except for two team meetings, Brennan said, yesterday was "a mellow day."

Several teammates went to a fast-food restaurant across the street, returning with burgers, fries and chicken wings. A group held a small dinner in Brennan's double-bed room.

The Warriors resume practicing today at the New Orleans Saints' training facility.

"Everybody is glad to be back on the five-day-practice schedule," Brennan said. "We're ready to have great practices and a great game."

Visit Tsai's blog a www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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