What was expected to be a shoot out, turned out to be a one-sided affair.

Hawai'i scored 21 third-quarter points on its way to a 41-24 win over Arizona State in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl last night at Aloha Stadium.

ASU held the nation's highest- scoring offense (47.3 points per game) in check in the first half, and entering the game, the Sun Devils were statistically better in the second.

Arizona State (27 ppg) had only given up 26 third-quarter points in 12 games, and never more than seven.

Nobody told Colt Brennan. The junior quarterback tossed three third-quarter scores in leading the Warriors' offense while the UH defense shut out the Sun Devils in the period.

"Oh wow, that's awesome," said Brennan, who broke David Klingler's single-season touchdown pass record of 54 in the quarter when he hit slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins on a 7-yard strike.

"We were hurting ourselves (in the first half)," Brennan said. "(The Sun Devils) weren't really stopping us, we just weren't capitalizing. Once we scored that first touchdown, the flood gates opened."

Brennan found Jason Rivers for a 38-yard touchdown with 12:29 to go in the third quarter. Rivers finished with a bowl-record 14 catches for 308 yards with two scores. Brennan and Rivers were named co-MVPs for Hawai'i.

"The players made a conscious decision to score in the second half," UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said. "That shows how good this group is. They decided to take care of business in the third quarter and they really wanted to send the seniors out with a great experience."

The Warriors' defense forced two punts and recovered a fumble on ASU's three third-quarter possessions.

"They had the fire," said Sun Devils safety Josh Barrett of the Warriors. "They came out with intensity, they battled and they're just real good. They came out and fought tonight."

NOT AN ALL-AMERICAN GAME FOR ASU'S MILLER

Last night's game may not be the last in Aloha Stadium for ASU tight end Zach Miller.

The 6-foot-5, 259-pound junior is projected to be a first-round draft pick in April's NFL Draft should he decide to skip his senior season.

Miller, who was held to one catch for three yards against the Warriors, has already earned numerous accolades.

The Mesa, Ariz., native was named to the AFCA and Walter Camp All-America teams.

The first-team all-Pac-10 Conference selection was also a finalist for the John Mackey Award, presented to the nation's best tight end.

"We've been hearing for a long time that we can't cover tight ends," said UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano. "Well, we shut down an All-American tonight."

Miller is ASU's top pass catcher with 50 grabs for 484 yards and four TDs. He is the Sun Devils' all-time career receptions leader by a tight end with 144 and ranks second in career receiving yards by a tight end with 1,512, second only to Todd Heap.

Safeties Michael Malala and Jake Patek were given the duty of covering Miller.

"We went with a nickel package instead of having the outside linebacker cover (Miller)," Malala said. "He's a beast. He's tall. He's hard to guard and that touchdown pass that got called back was just an indication of his athleticism."

Miller layed out for an apparent 29-yard TD pass from Rudy Carpenter late in the third quarter, but the play was negated by an illegal shift penalty. Carpenter fumbled on the following play after being hit by safety Leonard Peters and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis fell on the loose ball.

Hawai'i got a field goal out of it to take its largest lead of the night at 27-10 with 13:04 to play.

CARPENTER HASN'T NAILED DOWN SUN DEVIL FANS

While Brennan has been the leader of the UH offense, his ASU counterpart, Rudy Carpenter, hasn't quite endured the same love from Sun Devil fans.

Carpenter entered the year in a tight quarterback race with returning starter, Sam Keller. Carpenter, much to the dislike of Sun Devil fans, was named the starter before the season by head coach Dirk Koetter.

"I have a lot of respect for Rudy," Brennan said. "He's under a lot of pressure over there and he's obviously battling and it's not an easy job.

"He's been through a lot and I think Arizona State needs to give him some support and respect."

Carpenter finished the game with 191 yards on 13 of 26 passing with two touchdowns. He was sacked four times.

"He's a good quarterback," Morrison said. "He did a great job last season and that's why he led the nation in passing efficiency. You've got to be doing a lot of things well for that to happen."

However, all eyes were on Brennan last night.

"Brennan was as good as advertised," said Koetter. "He was everything they said he was."

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound junior impressed several ASU players and coaches following his 33-of-42 performance for 559 yards and five touchdowns.

"He showed up and did a great job," ASU safety Josh Barrett said. "He definitely got snubbed on that Heisman vote."

Barrett picked off Brennan's only mistake of the night midway through the second quarter.

SENIORS LED WARRIORS' DEFENSIVE EFFORT

Hawai'i senior defensive players came up big.

Safety Leonard Peters had six tackles and forced a fumble on a 13-yard sack.

Defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis had three tackles, including a sack for 1 yard and a fumble recovery.

Defensive end Melila Purcell III had six tackles, including two sacks for 10 yards.

NOTES