Colt lets UH’s other horse run wild

AS Hawaii established its Division I-ness, with two returns for touchdowns to start the second half, it suddenly didn't matter that Colt Brennan was taking the night off. It didn't matter who was playing quarterback; Hawaii didn't even need one. Hawaii just kept scoring without one. The two biggest touchdowns of the night came without the offense on the field.

But before that? Well, nothing against Tyler Graunke, who had his first start/extended action in quite some time, last night. It's just that this playing quarterback business happens to be not quite as easy as it has looked lately. Yeah, it's pretty apparent that it's all a little easier when you've got that guy with the islands on his head out there on the field.

It's the oldest cliche in sports. You can scheme all you want, but it's a hell of a lot easier when you've got someone who can beat the other guy every time, and it's readily apparent that Colt Brennan is every bit as good as we've all been saying he is.

And his coming back for this season is every bit as big as anyone has said it is.

Again, this isn't to knock Graunke. He hasn't had the reps, he has more than a little rust. And once he did get warmed up, that ball went down the field in a hurry. They all believe in him. The guy can play. He's a quarterback.

"I couldn't wait to get out there and show what I've got," he would say.

And it was great to see him out there. It was great to watch him afterward, the quarterback. Hair messed up. Red mark on his chin. It was great to see him like this. He deserved it.

It's just that this quarterback business isn't quite as easy as Brennan has made it look.

The guy with the state in his hair is special. You notice it when he isn't there, there's a difference. There's no denying it.

Hey, this stuff is hard. And Brennan's that good.

Yes, we've all said it. But now we know it: Brennan's return for his senior season has changed everything, this year.

There isn't a quarterback in the June Jones era who you could say a bad thing about; they were all good. They all had great moments, super days, big seasons. Dan Robinson, Tim Chang, Nick Rolovich, Tim Chang (again). Throw Jason Whieldon in there, too -- he beat Alabama. Now Graunke as well.

Did you see Graunke in the second half?

Did you see Inoke Funaki when he went in?

Those guys are good. And this offense works. But we got a slight reminder last night of what it was like BC (Before Colt). There's a difference between when he does this and when anybody else does. There's a reason why this is the year.

Graunke answered the call. He came through. But we were reminded that this stuff isn't as easy as it looks. The guy with the bad ankle is pretty dang good.

Kalani Simpson can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com