Well, I was there and I saw it happen. I'm still not sure how but the University of Hawaii Warriors proved that they are worthy of a top-25 ranking by coming from behind to defeat Purdue 42-35.
Actually, I do know how they did it. They did it by never quitting, even when they were behind by eight points with only 6-1/2 minutes left in the game.
They did it by getting a 52-yard field goal from a kicker who has missed an embarrassing number of point-after kicks this season.
They did it by handing the ball to Nate Ilaoa and letting him run for 159 yards (he also caught 7 passes for 52 yards more).
Most of all, they did it by having Colt Brennan keep his cool long enough to throw for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter — including the winning score with 1:09 left on the clock.
All in all, Hawaii racked up an impressive 653 total offensive yards compared with Purdue's 472.
Colt Brennan set a new NCAA Division I record for the most touchdowns thrown by a quarterback over two seasons (he still has two games to play).
Brennan now needs only 3 more passing touchdowns to set a new Division I NCAA record for the most thrown in one season!
Purdue proved themselves to be a well-coached and well-disciplined team. They can hold their heads high as they head to a season-closing bowl game with an impressive 8-5 record.
Hawaii, however, proved that it can win games under pressure and from behind. They have already shown the nation how they can win with huge scores. The 42 they scored today was the fewest scored in a game since their season-opening loss to Alabama.
Next week they will play Oregon State (8-4), which will be carrying a lot of momentum coming off their dramatic win over Oregon on Friday.
Oregon State, as you may remember, is the only team to defeat USC this season; one of only two teams, in fact, that have beaten USC in the past THREE seasons!
I'll be at the game next Saturday, cheering on the 10-2 Hawaii team. It will be a good game. If another 42,000+ screaming, stomping fans turn out like they did tonight, the home-team advantage will quite possibly tip the scales in their favor again!
That would be nice.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Scout.com projects that Arizona State will play Hawaii in the bowl game. Which is too bad, because that's not a ranked team either.
2 - Bird of Paradise
Hawaii's real bowl games are Purdue (yesterday) and Oregon State (next Saturday). Arizona State would be a good Aloha Bowl matchup . . . but I would prefer UCLA simply because there would be more interest and excitement about this than with Arizona.
I believe that Hawaii would probably defeat either Arizona State or UCLA. Oregon State next week will be the last best test of the Warriors.
After the Purdue game I will give Hawaii a 10 point win over Oregon State . . . assuming they do not give up three key turnovers as they did with Purdue . . . each of which was converted into a Purdue touchdown.
3 - berkeley joe
it's looking like almost a lock that UCLA will end up in the emerald bowl in SF. Too bad, too, because I think that will negatively affect the turnstile. Zona State should get a decent turnout, but I think just the UCLA name brings more cache... I definitely have to make it out this Saturday, last chance to see this team live as I'll be out of town on xmas...
4 - Vinsane
News leak: Colt Brennan will be our Fantasy College Football Player of the Year.
Because in college, everyone scores...Fantasy College Blitz.