SUMMERLIN, Nev. — For a year now Greg Alexander has lived in the considerable shadow of all the quarterbacks who came before him in the University of Hawai'i's run-and-shoot offense.

Every time he has stepped on the field the expectations raised by a formidable lineage — that had etched its names not just in the UH record books but also that of the NCAA — has followed him.

In his first season, one that saw him yo-yo from starter to the bench and back, Alexander won games for the Warriors, led them to a bowl and put up some good statistics. But not what Colt Brennan, Tim Chang, Nick Rolovich and Dan Robinson taught us to think of as UH numbers. And, there was a difference, as Alexander knew better than most.

So when Alexander left Qwest Field Saturday with not only a huge hand in the 38-20 victory over Washington State but also a career-high 453 passing yards and three touchdowns, you could sense the relief of a personal milestone met as well as a team corner turned. There wasn't giddiness but a well-earned satisfaction that said Alexander grasps the whole package.

From the raggedness of play against Central Arkansas to the crispness against Wazoo, Alexander had come a long way in eight days and brought the offense with him.

"I had a horrible game against Central Arkansas and was really anxious to get out there and, I guess you'd say, redeem myself," Alexander said. "I wanted to play a good game and make up for it and show people what I was capable of."

An earlier conversation with head coach Greg McMackin helped. "I told him, 'you're a big-time quarterback. Someday you're gonna throw for 500 yards, just go out there and realize it,' " McMackin recalled. "And I think he threw for close to that."

The point was not lost on Alexander who acknowledged, "As a whole team we needed a game like that just to show ourselves what we were going to be able to do in this offense. Last year we never had a game like that. Everyone knew it could work like that from having seen Timmy and Colt. We knew it could happen, we just had to go do it."

When they did, Alexander, who yesterday was named Western Athletic Conference offensive player of the week, characteristically took few bows.

When the offense struggles, Alexander — as he has since the Florida game — has been the first to stand up and take the heat, often shielding teammates. But when the Warriors put up points a plenty, he is, refreshingly the last one to claim any credit, deferring in abundance to the offensive line, receivers and coaches.

This, too, is part of the UH tradition that Alexander continues.