Ilaoa has sights on 1,000-yard season

By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

Hawaii running back Nate Ilaoa needs 107 yards against Arizona State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Sunday to become the school's first 1,000-yard rusher since Travis Sims set the school mark of 1,498 in 1992.

And with 22 days to rest his sore heel since the last game, that becomes a more distinct possibility. But the sixth-year senior isn't thinking about that as much as he is about his last few days as a Warrior.

"Time's winding down. It's nice to be at the beach," Ilaoa said. "We're just trying to enjoy it. I never usually go to the beach, might see it coming off the Pali."

Although UH has been in three of the previous four Hawaii Bowls, Ilaoa played in just the first one, the 2002 game against Tulane. He was out with injuries when the Warriors beat Houston and UAB.

"I don't look at past things, I'm just looking at now. That's all that matters," Ilaoa said.

He's among at least eight pro prospects among the UH seniors. Ilaoa, who leads the Warriors in rushing, scoring and all-purpose rushing, said he has tentatively agreed to play in the Jan. 14 Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

"I'm still waiting for the possibility of the Shrine Game. Other than that, I'll play in the Hula Bowl," he said.

Recruiting trip?:

Hawaii coach June Jones is excited about the Hawaii Bowl's gifts to him and Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter of trips to Tahiti.

"I'm kind of shocked. The last two or three years I've been talking about going down there," Jones said. "I should go during recruiting time. I'll be looking around for rugby players."

Brennan ties for second:

UH quarterback Colt Brennan was sixth in the Heisman voting, but considerably higher -- tied for second -- in the Associated Press Player of the Year balloting.

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith won in a landslide with 59 of the 65 votes by media.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden tied Brennan with two votes each.

Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and West Virginia running back Steve Slaton got one vote apiece to tie for fourth.

On Monday, Brennan was announced as the winner of the Sammy Baugh Award, which goes to the nation's top passer as judged by the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club.