Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jordan Murph University of Hawai‘i quarterback Colt Brennan (15) looks downfield against the Boise State Broncos at Aloha Stadium. Hawai‘i defeated Boise State 39-27 to win the 2007 WAC championship.

Media Credit: Matt Tuohy Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan (15) runs the ball for an attempt at a first down while line backer Kyle Gingg (44) follows in close pursuit.

After going undefeated in 11 straight games, claiming the Western Athletic Conference title and earning their first top-12 BCS ranking, the University of Hawai‘i Warrior football team has yet to accomplish what it set out to do this season. Saturday's contest with the University of Washington Huskies is the final stride in what has become the program's most prolific season, and if all pans out accordingly, the Warriors envision a perfect 12-0 record and a BCS bid as the reward.

Standing in the Warrior's way are the 4-8 Huskies, UH's lone BCS conference opponent this season. A member of the Pac-10, Washington has already faced the likes of USC, Ohio State, Cal, Arizona State, and Oregon, all of whom are either currently ranked in the BCS or have been at one point this season.

"They've played the most difficult schedule in the country from what I read in the paper," said UH head coach June Jones. "They had SC, they were even with Ohio State at halftime. They're a really good football team. (Washington only) lost by one to SC, beat Cal at Cal, who was either 1 or 2 (at the time). They beat Boise probably more handily than we beat them. (Washington) can play."

While competition has been steep for the Huskies, Hawai‘i's sole ranked competitor was conference foe Boise State, who fell at the hands of Washington in early September. Despite the weak schedule, Hawai‘i has had multiple obstacles to overcome this season, making for such a prolific finale come Saturday.

"I can tell it already in our meetings today that everyone understands (just how important it is to win)," Jones said. "If we don't win the game (against Washington), it won't be because we weren't ready to play, I can tell you that."

UH knows better than anyone just how important winning is. The Warriors are the only remaining undefeated team in the country, having come out victorious in three games that could have easily gone the other way.

"It is hard to go undefeated," Jones said. "We've won 21 of our last 22 and the three loses last year were by a combined 18 points, which says a lot. The kids believe in each other. They play with energy."

While the current Warriors are responsible for a new era in UH football, the seniors, who have provided leadership on and off the field, are hoping Saturday's contest will be their final game at Aloha Stadium. A win would launch celebration not only for senior night, but also a BCS bowl on the mainland.

"I think that the senior leadership started in the off-season last year and has been the difference in our team," Jones said. "In particular, Michael Lafaele and Hercules Satele have been accountable and demanding that the peer pressure be high for the rest of the group."

The current UH team has outperformed all previous teams and has come to "believe" in what critics have said to be seemingly impossible. Since senior quarterback Colt Brennan elected to return for his final season, the Warriors have done nothing but look forward, focusing only on the team's goals.

Come Saturday UH will be eyeing the same thing they have been week in and week out since September: a win over their opponent.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. HST as a sold-out Aloha Stadium and a nationally-televised ESPN audience will witness Washington challenge the Warrior's perfect season.

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