UTAH STATE | OCT. 6

When star quarterback Colt Brennan turned an ankle Saturday night, the 16th-ranked Hawai'i football team turned to Tyler Graunke, who provided the spark in a 52-37 Western Athletic Conference victory over winless Utah State.

An Aloha Stadium crowd of 33,398 went from stunned concern to rousing support as Graunke passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in 15 plays of work, helping the Warriors improve to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the WAC.

"If Colt can't make it," said Graunke, who was 9 of 11 for 246 yards, "I want to lead our team to victory."

Brennan, who aggravated a sprained right ankle on the Warriors' final drive of the first half, praised his former roommate.

"I'm proud of him," Brennan said.

Two weeks ago, starting in place of the injured Brennan, Graunke was booed after a sluggish first quarter against I-AA Charleston Southern. The Warriors went on to win, 66-10.

"I know he had a rough outing the last time he was here," Brennan said. "To come back in front of the fans, to do what he did, shows a lot. It reminds me of the Tyler we remember from last year. It's great confidence for this year, and even more for next year."

Graunke said: "If I get (the fans') support, that's awesome. But I've got more to prove, trust me. I didn't start off strong the last time. I wanted to prove a point to everybody I could do it."

While throwing to wideout C.J. Hawthorne, Brennan was hit on the right knee.

"My (right) ankle got caught when I got tackled, and I sprained it again," Brennan said.

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