Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jordan Murph University of Hawai‘i Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan makes a pass in the first half of Saturday's game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Aloha Stadium.

The No. 13 University of Hawai‘i Warrior football team (9-0, 6-0 Western Athletic Conference) pulled off a vital 37-30 win at Aloha Stadium on Saturday night against long-time rivals, the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-4, 5-2 WAC). The win advanced the Warriors to their first 9-0 record since 1925.

"It was expected to be a dogfight, and it was a dogfight," UH head coach June Jones said.

The Warriors remain at the No. 16 spot in the BCS standings, while they move up one spot to No. 13 in the Associated Press top 25 poll.

"Anytime we play Fresno, it is a tough game," junior linebacker Adam Leonard said. "Pat Hill's team is a run first (team) and we knew they would have an attitude and not let up. We were fortunate to come out with a win."

A crowd of 49,047 witnessed Hawai‘i put up 21 unanswered points to start the game, but later saw the Warriors falter in the second half as the Bulldogs chipped away at the Warrior lead.

With 10:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, as senior quarterback Colt Brennan rushed the football forward, Fresno State's Marcus Riley laid him on the ground with a head-on hit. After lying on the ground for several minutes, Brennan disappeared into the locker rooms.

"I saw the hit on Colt and I knew it wasn't good. You never wish that on anyone - both sides of the ball. Fresno showed class, especially their trainers, who were on the scene quickly. Colt just got caught in the wrong situation," junior wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen said. "The way Colt turned, it just ended up helmet to helmet. It was tough. I wasn't the only one with Colt on my mind on the next snap."

The impact echoed throughout the stadium. When Brennan finally regained himself, trainers helped the faint quarterback off the field as fans chanted, "Colt, Colt, Colt!"

While the hit left Brennan with a mild concussion, Jones stated in a press conference Saturday night that Brennan was more than ready to get back onto the field.

Continued...

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