A tired and disappointed University of Hawai'i football team landed in Honolulu yesterday afternoon after suffering a 41-10 defeat by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.

"Obviously, we're just very disappointed," said UH quarterback Colt Brennan, who was sacked eight times during the game and said he felt "extremely sore" yesterday.

"We win as a team and we lose as a team. But I take full responsibility. I should've been more prepared."

He also told reporters he blacked out briefly on the last sack, after which he was kept out of the game, but did not say if he had a concussion. "I wanted to go back in," he said.

Despite the loss, Brennan added, it was worthwhile getting to the game and putting Hawai'i on a national stage. "The program can hopefully build off this year," he said.

UH football players landed in a Hawaiian Airlines chartered jet about 4:45 p.m. When the jet arrived, players, coach June Jones and others on the flight walked to waiting buses that headed to the Manoa campus. Once there, the players talked briefly with members of the media about their loss.

No fans were allowed to greet the players as they walked from the plane to the buses on the tarmac, said Hawaiian spokesman Keoni Wagner, because it would have been logistically difficult to allow them into the security zone.

Still, about 15 fans waited just outside the gate of the security area with signs they waved as the players drove by. About as many fans waited at the university with books, T-shirts and helmets for the players to sign. "They did a great job," said Candy Condos, who got an autograph from Brennan after he got off the bus.

Brennan thanked fans for supporting the team through good times — and bad. "We appreciate everything the fans have done for us this year," said Brennan, who added that he will probably remain in Hawai'i for another week before heading home to California to begin training for a football career.

FANS PROUD OF TEAM

Also yesterday, waves of diehard UH fans started returning to the Islands from New Orleans. Like the Warriors, they were exhausted and a bit discouraged.

But they were also proud of their team.

"Although the team lost, it was a good experience," said Karen Loui, who went to New Orleans with her husband and 12-year-old son. The family spent about $11,000 on the trip, including airfare, accommodations and spending money. "It was definitely worth it," Loui's husband, Edmund, said.

Tony Piligrino, a Warrior fan for more than 30 years, agreed. Like many Warrior supporters returning home on a packed Aloha Airlines charter plane yesterday, Piligrino was wearing green beads. "Even though they lost, they still played a good game," Piligrino said, smiling widely.

And, he added, the Warriors will get a chance to redeem themselves next year — hopefully in a bowl game.

The Sugar Bowl appearance was UH's first in the prestigious Bowl Championship Series, and followed a 12-0 season.

Some 15,000 Hawai'i fans traveled to New Orleans to cheer on UH. And despite the loss, they backed their team to the bitter end, singing with the UH band after the game as it played "Hawai'i Pono'i."

"I was on the field and I was singing at the top of my lungs," said UH band director Grant Okamura, who was on one of the Aloha Airlines chartered flights, along with more than 100 band members, cheerleaders, dancers and others.

Okamura said the decision to strike up the song was spontaneous. "It just felt like this was for the state," he said.

MAKING THEIR WAY BACK

Fans got to the Sugar Bowl any way they could — and now are returning just about the same way. Some were lucky enough to grab seats on chartered flights, like the two Aloha Airlines planes that left for New Orleans on Christmas Day and got back to Honolulu about 11 a.m. yesterday.

Others got to Louisiana after stops in several other cities.

Once the fans were there, New Orleans was swarming with people in UH shirts, caps and green Mardi Gras beads.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who was aboard the charter flight that also carried UH band members and cheerleaders, said it was amazing how many fans came.

"It was a tremendous experience," she said, carrying a parasol decorated with sequins and green H's. "It wasn't the team's night, but we had a great season."

UH Rainbow Dancer Ashley Kirk, also on the Aloha Airlines flight, said the game was difficult to watch at times.

"It hurt a little," Kirk said. "But they didn't give up. I think it just gives them more motivation for next year."

Dancer Nikkey Kitaguchi added that the fans helped pick up morale at the Superdome. If they hadn't been there, she said, it would have been harder to take. "Everyone stood up for the team," she said. "The fans were just unbelievable."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.