While the Notre Dame offense put forth its best offensive performance of the season last night, it was the Fighting Irish's defense that set the tone in the 49-21 win over Hawai'i.

After allowing 449 yards and 38 points in a loss to USC in their last game, the Irish gave up just three scores against the Warriors — the last of which came with backups in on defense. What's more, Hawai'i was just 3 of 13 on third-down conversions and gave up eight sacks, the most since an Oct. 17 loss at Boise State.

"Our players came here knowing that coming to Hawai'i can be a real distraction," Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said. "It's easy to see how people can roll in here on a Thursday and Friday during the regular season and very often come out here a loser. But I think that our players came here on a mission to mix business with pleasure and I think they did a heck of a job. They showed up today and were ready from the start of the game till the end of the game."

Senior safety Kyle McCarthy had a team-high seven tackles, including six solo stops.

"The coaches did a heck of a job putting the game plan together and the players, with all the time we had off, really took it to heart," said McCarthy, who also recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. "After how the (regular) season ended, we really got in the film room and worked our tails off and I think it worked out today."

Hawai'i moved the ball on its opening drive, picking up first downs on a pair of Greg Alexander passes. However, on second-and-four from the Warriors' 49-yard line, Alexander was sacked by sophomore linebacker Kerry Neal for a loss of seven yards. Alexander's third-down pass fell incomplete and Hawai'i was forced to punt.

Notre Dame held a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter after Jimmy Clausen's 69-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate. On the Warriors' ensuing drive, Alexander was again sacked on second down, this time by senior linebacker Steve Quinn for a nine-yard loss. Alexander was intercepted by David Bruton on the next play.

"We were well prepared on defense. We did extra film work, even when the coaches weren't around, we did extra film work," Bruton said. "We took the extra steps in preparation to make sure we'd come out strong."

Notre Dame recycled the turnover into its fourth touchdown, an 18-yard scoring pass from Clausen to Tate, just before halftime.

"Our defense is outstanding. They come out every week and play a hard game," running back Armando Allen said. "We weren't surprised (at their performance) because we practice against these guys everyday. For them to perform the way they did was what we expected."

On the Warriors' second possession of the third quarter, McCarthy forced a fumble by Aaron Bain and Bruton fell on the loose ball for the Irish, who again capitalized on the Hawai'i miscue with Tate's third touchdown reception of the game.

"The defense gave us a lot of great field position in the second half, gave us the short field and we were able to take advantage of that," said tight end Kyle Rudolph.

BOWL SKID FINALLY OVER

With the win Notre Dame snapped a nine-game bowl losing streak, dating back to 1995.

"That was real important," said Allen. "We've had that in mind since we found out that we were coming to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl."

Said Hughes: "When you come to Hawai'i, there's a lot of distractions. You know, whether it's the weather — everything — all the events they have lined up for you, but we came out here with one goal and the goal was to come out of here with a win."

Prior to the victory over the Warriors, the Fighting Irish last won a postseason game on New Year's Day 1994 in the Cotton Bowl, when they beat Texas A&M, 24-21.

IRISH'S 1-2 PUNCH

While Tate exploded for 177 receiving yards and three touchdowns, sophomore Armando Allen also had a productive game for Notre Dame. Allen, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound running back, accounted for 184 all-purpose yards, including 116 on kickoff returns.

Allen's 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the third quarter was the longest return in Hawai'i Bowl history and the first taken back for a score since 2002 for the Irish. He also made a one-handed touchdown catch earlier in the half.

Said Allen: "Offensively we have a lot of firepower, but sometimes we just haven't put it all together ... Today we were all on the same page."

HAYWOOD MOVING ON

Earlier in the week, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood was named as the new head coach of Miami (Ohio). Last night's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl was his final game as a member of the Fighting Irish staff. Haywood, who also oversees the running backs, called the offensive plays for much of the season, but not against the Warriors.

"It's very emotional, we went out there and we tried to give our best, 110 percent," running back Robert Hughes said. "When you have the opportunity to step up to the next level and advance your career as a head coach, you've got to take the opportunity, so I'm proud for him and everyone supports him and his decision."

Haywood, who began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Minnesota in 1988, spent the past four seasons at Notre Dame. He becomes the sixth African-American head coach in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision.

ENJOYING THE VIEW

Hobbled on crutches, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis spent most of the game calling offensive plays from the spotter's booth in the press box instead of his normal position on the sidelines.

Weis is scheduled to undergo knee replacement surgery Dec. 29.

But the view, especially in a 49-21 victory over Hawai'i, was one that made him smile as it ended an NCAA record nine-game bowl losing streak for the Fighting Irish.

"It was just like the olden days," Weis said. "I haven't been up there (in the press box since Drew Bledsoe was the (starting) quarterback in New England."

But come next season, expect to see Weis back on the accustomed sideline.

"I'm the head coach. I won't be staying up there. No, no...."

And what's more...

Hawai'i is 5-4 all-time in bowl games and 3-2 in the Hawai'i Bowl. ... The captains for the Warriors were Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard, John Estes and Keala Watson. ... UH senior safety Desmond Thomas left the game in the second quarter with an apparent right ankle injury, he was replaced by Spencer Smith. ... Last night's officiating and replay crews were from the Mid-American Conference.