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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Brennan cleared for Boise St.

Photo galleryPhoto gallery: Warriors prepare for Boise State
 •  Coach Lumpkin has nearly seen it all
Video: Graunke and Kelly earn WAC honors

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.Com Editor

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Colt Brennan

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

University of Hawai'i kicker Dan Kelly was named the Western Athletic Conference player of the week for special teams.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Declaring himself "100 percent" healthy, Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan has received full medical clearance to play in Friday's game against Boise State.

Brennan suffered a mild concussion against Fresno State Nov. 10. Despite being symptom-free — no nausea or headaches — it was decided early last week Brennan would have a limited role, if any, in Friday's game against Nevada.

"We tried to keep (the status) as secret as possible," said Brennan, who completed both of his passes in a two-play cameo appearance. Head coach June Jones said both plays were low risk.

"The truth is, I could have played (the entire game)," Brennan said. "I was 100 percent physically in what I could do. But I didn't know how my brain was going to react to good, solid shots. ... If anything happened, and I'd taken a good enough shot to the head, I would have had another concussion. And two concussions in six days would have meant I couldn't play for the rest of the year."

By resting most of the Nevada game, Brennan said, "I can be 100 percent this week."

FATHER BUSTS A MOVE

It apparently is not over until the "Fat Man Dance."

From the family living room in Temecula, Calif., Patrick Kelly watched the live telecast of his son, Dan, kicking the winning field goal against Nevada.

"My sister said my dad actually brought out, for the first time in a few years, the 'Fat Man Dance,' " said Dan Kelly, who was named the Western Athletic Conference's player of the week for special teams. "It's a dance nobody can describe that he does in the living room when something exciting happens. My sister said he broke it out right after my field goal. It's entertaining. I can still picture it in my head. But it's something you have to see to get a full essence of."

Quarterback Tyler Graunke was named the WAC's offensive player of the week. He completed 33 of 46 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 7-yard scoring run.

"It's a great honor," Graunke said. "I'm just trying to do my job, play my role, not get too selfish out there. I don't need to do much. I just try to get it to the athletes, and watch them score touchdowns."

PILARES OK TO PLAY

Running back Kealoha Pilares has been cleared to play. He missed the past two games because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"I'm trying to get my leg stronger," Pilares said. "I want to play without a brace."

Also:

  • Left slotback Davone Bess has 266 career receptions, surpassing Terance Mathis' WAC record of 263. "I'm happy, thankful," Bess said. "I give credit to my teammates, and to coach Jones for putting me in positions to make plays."

    But the record isn't safe. Teammate Jason Rivers trails by nine.

  • Defensive tackle Fale Laeli said he will play despite a fractured rib. He suffered the injury in the second quarter against Nevada. "I thought it was a spasm, but a spasm usually goes away," Laeli said. "The thing kept on when I talked and breathed."

  • The UH coaches named Graunke, defensive end David Veikune and long-snapper Jake Ingram as the players of the game. Of Ingram's award, kicker Kelly said: "If you break down what we do, (holder) Tim (Grasso) and Jake have to be perfect for me to have a chance to be consistent. Day in and day out, those guys are the essence of perfection."

    Ingram said: "I was surprised. I thought all three of us could have gotten it."

    Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.