Updated at 11:10 a.m., Friday, September 28, 2007
UH QB Brennan returns to Idaho — site of his first start
By Tim Booth
Associated Press
|
At that time, Brennan was best known for his legal problems at Colorado and being Matt Leinart's high school backup.
"I remember that trip very well. It was a big deal for me," Brennan said. "It was our first win of the season and a big thing for me. I'm excited to get back out there and play. Every game right now I'm trying to cherish."
Brennan returns to the site of his first start tomorrow when the No. 19 Warriors play at Idaho, Hawai'i's third game on the Mainland this month.
This time, he brings along the labels of Heisman contender and NFL draft prospect — not to mention one of the most potent offenses in the country.
"I hope their plane is maybe a little cramped up and it's long uncomfortable flight getting over here and they don't feel very good," Idaho coach Robb Akey deadpanned this week.
Brennan got a break last week, and frankly so did all the Warriors.
Stuck with teams backing out of prior scheduling commitments, Hawai'i (4-0, 1-0 WAC) played its second Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) team of the season, routing Charleston Southern 66-10. They opened the season with a 63-6 win over Northern Colorado.
Brennan watched the blowout against Charleston Southern from the sidelines, resting a sprained right ankle, suffered the day before the Warriors beat UNLV 49-14 two weeks ago. Despite playing with the injury, Brennan threw for 298 yards and two TDs and rushed for another three scores against the Rebels.
"He could have played this past week," Hawai'i coach June Jones. "We got through the week with the win."
The win at UNLV came after the Warriors struggled to edge Louisiana Tech 45-44 in overtime in Ruston, La., a week earlier, despite 548 yards and five touchdowns by Brennan.
"He's every bit the player you see on film," Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley said. "I think the one thing you see in person that you can't see on film is what his competitive character is."
There was a chance of Brennan ending up at Idaho. The Vandals made a late run at recruiting Brennan to the Palouse when he was at Saddleback College in California.
But by the time Idaho entered the picture, Brennan was all but bound for Hawai'i.
Good move.
"He's a Heisman candidate for a reason," Akey said.
The Warriors enter tomorrow already holding their highest ranking in the Top 25 since 1981. A win over the Vandals will give Hawai'i it's first 5-0 start since that same '81 season when the Warriors started 7-0.
While not the Warriors' longest road trip of the season, Moscow, Idaho, isn't among the easiest places to reach. Hawaii left Thursday afternoon following practice, and have just two Mainland trips after this weekend.
Brennan and the Warriors' offense will be just another in a difficult month of tests for the Vandals defense and Akey, their first-year coach. The Vandals (1-3) opened the season with a somewhat encouraging 38-10 loss at No. 1 Southern Cal, were blistered by Washington State quarterback Alex Brink for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-28 loss to their neighboring Cougars and now must deal with the Warriors and their 55.8-point average.
"It's nice to have an easy one first," Akey joked about the Vandals WAC opener. "I've got all the respect in the world for what they're doing."
Last week, Idaho fell behind Northern Illinois 35-7, but its rally fell short in 42-35 loss. They also lost freshman running back Deonte Jackson to a high ankle sprain in the defeat. The freshman, who is leading the WAC in rushing with 537 yards on 100 carries, is questionable for the Warriors. If Jackson can't go, senior Jayson Bird will start.
"Against Hawai'i you have got to be able to match scores and do everything you can to try and match plays," Akey said. "That's the challenge in front of us."
